The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). Capable of shooting huge casts on the biggest rivers, for big anadromous fish.Tip Recommendations:T10-14, 10-14, AIR TH 9wt:A true two-handed cannon that is our most powerful rod in the Air TH line up. Winston smooth. For a good long while, I didnt find a modern Winston series that fished better than my trusty old 9 5wt B3x. The rod rolls gorgeous loops off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies were the only way to fish. It casts progressively with touch, line speed, control and most of all, feel. Fish one and you will understand why anglers become devotees of bamboo and a part of the ultimate fly fishing tradition. My favorite line on this rod is a Rio Gold, which hops from the tip and makes the rod feel extra light and crisp throughout the delivery. As your eyes dry out from searching the lake, a sharp sting sets in to the fingers from stripping the iced fly line across creased skin hundreds of times, and hope slowly fades. Air 2 | Selecting a fast action fly rod - Telluride Angler Telluride Angler's fast action fly rod review compares Scott Centric, Sage X, Loomis Asquith, Loomis NRX+and Winston Air 2 fly rods model-by-model. There is no asterisk. Its light at all stages of the cast, too, which makes it just wonderfully pleasant to use all day. They showcase adaptive and specified grain windows that are ideal for specific two-hand applications. It was a rare moment of angling nirvana, where you could thoroughly lose yourself in the machinations of the natural world. We were thinking Musky when designing these powerful rods. United States, 2023 Montrose Anglers. It's not that any angler will really ever cast them side by side and they are both 8' 4wts, after all. The 8' 4wt Air is very similar to the same model of the Pure. The Saltwater AIR series is very light and allows for unprecedented fast recovery, for any length of cast. It will handle slightly heavier lines, such as the Rio Technical Trout or Gold, but why not split hairs and bring out the very best? In overall quality, it matches every one of these rods. When anglers move to a 6wt fly rod in freshwater, usually they're throwing larger flies or fishing to bigger fish. This is an outstanding example of fast but progressive. The flex and recoil are intuitive and ideal for a power-oriented rod designed to fish the worlds most versatile trout lines. Well, I guess they finally got the memo, I said. One of the challenges many anglers face is how intimidating such a large body of water can be. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. Sage makes a host of different rod types including Spey rods, saltwater fly rods, and freshwater rods. Saltwater AIR 11wt:The new standard for an all-around Tarpon rod. Copyright 2013-present Magento, Inc. All rights reserved. The Air 2 9 4-weight is definitely faster action than the Pure 9 4-weight, which flexes into the middle of the rod on every cast, but not as powerful as the equivalent Centric, X, Asquith or NRX+. The new Winston AIR TH rods redefine two-hand casting performance. I own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 and could not agree more. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The length slows down the cast and the rod bends deep into the butt, with kinetic feel from tip to cork. Saltwater AIR 8wt:With a lighter swing weight, the 9 8 weight Saltwater Air was built for all day casting at a variety of saltwater species. Remarkably, the new High Strain Rate resin is perfect for the all-purpose rod category by amplifying the energy transfer allowing an angler to make tight loops and punch through the wind with incredible velocity as well as present smaller dries to rising fish at close range in calm water. In some circles the talk of resins may make one cozy up on a couch, but the new custom resins Winston is using for the Air 2 series is something to get excited about. 81401 While it is the middle of January, we threw a bit of everything with the Air 2 and it handled it all with the grace and power you expect out of a Winston. The AIR 2 bucks that trend, and its just plain fun to cast. After all, Winston built its name on building exceptional dry fly rods. The AIR 2 has a soft, supple tip that absorbs tons of the impact, preserving the life of your tippet. The 133 gives anglers a longer option without being too long itll lean closer to the more traditional longer Skagit and Scandi lines and cast longer tips. into the space occupied by Asquith, X and Centric was an invitation to be eaten alive. Combining the power of a Spey rod and the finesse of a trout rod, they add a new and exciting dimension to the sport. Perennially known for elegance and touch, Winston has designed a rod that will go toe-to-toe with the most powerful fly rods in the world. Elegant, sensitive and plush, it casts from short to long with the cadence of a finely tuned instrument that any angler will handle with intuition and precision. Versatile, powerful, precise and a true joy to fish! Winston showed great discipline is designing this model, prototyping and field testing relentlessly until they had a rod with the power and command to meet all the demands of a cutting edge 6-weight but also the lightness and feedback to belong in the Air 2 Series. If youre a fan of our older IM6 and WT models, the 5 weight PURE will provide the classic Winston feel in a taper that adds more accuracy and line control. It felt like the folks in Twin Bridges had tried to cater too much to the general crowd in fly fishing that demands a do-it-all rod, instead of playing true to Winstons strong suit making high-end, light, wonderfully smooth casting dry fly rods. Lines: RIO Creek Fly Line, SA Amplitude MPX Fly Line. Air 2 rods still look and feel like a true Winston, but their casting qualities are several levels above any previous fast action fly rod from this company. The AIR 2 handles small flies with the delicacy you'd expect from a Winston. Nice rod, Winston. The Air 2 are freshwater fly rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers. While it's more of a medium / medium-fast action rod, it's a totally different rod than the 8' 4wt and we thought it added a valuable dimension to the rod series as a whole. I am so pleased with this rod, that they have found a way into the room of this crowded conversation but did it with a sense of grace. All those great rods, very tough group to compete with. My collection of Winston models is large, ranging from pre-IM6 graphite, to a Tom Morgan Favorite, to a 66 2wt WT. The medium-fast action of the Air provides the angler with plenty of feedback and feel at shorter distances and is ideal for dry fly fishing. To this day, thats still the most magnificent blue-wing hatch Ive ever witnessed. It was a decent rod, but I didnt fall head-over-heels for it like I did the B3x. While some fast action rods fling the line and fly, this one loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics. A Winston bamboo fly rod continues to set the standard for hand-crafted fly rod perfection. Its truly a do-it-all fly rod. His middle name is actually Henry, so you can tell that its a special place to our family. While the rod will surely handle just about any line, I found the Infinity to be a particularly strong match because the long rod loads most evenly with a long-headed line. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in-the-know about special closeout offers, giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals! R.L. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. The Air 2 9 4-weight wont drive nails into the wind like other rods in its class, but it has the characteristic feel and presentation qualities that make anglers love Winston rods. Evans is a western trout fisherman who lives on the great rivers of SW Montana and is connected to fly fishing at a cellular level. Every few fish, wed swap rods to compare. The 9 3-weight is one of the faster action rods in the series. Really, the only big knock I have against the AIR 2 is its price tag. ALPHA+ 6wt.200-240 grain lines: This rod was designed for meat eating trout and bass: think mice patterns in Kamchatka, full sink tips and double articulated bugs on the Yellowstone, fast pocket water in Patagonia, and poppers and divers in the mid-west. Please call, write or stop by one of the shops if you have any questions or if you would like to cast one for yourself. Some of our staff feel that its best beyond 30 feet, but I found that it loads naturally from very short to very long. Jaguars lurk in the shadows behind you. As though someone had thrown a switch, the bugs came off in droves, and the fish reacted as youd expect. Combining our proprietary SuperSilica lightweight resin system and Boron III material with modern progressive tapers, Winston Saltwater AIR rods deliver the celebrated Winston feel, along with balanced, fast graphite recovery rates, for incredible line speed and presentation, making them our most versatile rods in saltwater environments. Winston sent package after package to pro staff for testing and feedback. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). Nautilus NVG and Abel reels in special colors and graphics, available pre . By decreasing the diameter of the guides and then making them ultra slick, the Winston Air 2 effortlessly shoots line to maximize the velocity and distance for all casting abilities. The 6wt is pretty similar to the 5wt. That being said, Winston has also found a way to stay true to their brand by making these rods medium/medium-fast action and delicate when you need them to be. If youre a streamer junkie and searching for you next big bug stick, look no further than the ALPHA+ 6/7. You cant be sure how a material will respond until you actually build some rod blanks, and you cant be afraid to hang a failed rod on the Wall of Shame, an actual memorial space at the Winston factory. Connect with him on Instagram/Twitter, @Spencer_Durrant. There is no asterisk. 2023 Madison River Fishing Company While we hoped it was going to be a little different than the Pure, at the end of the day this is a phenomenal dry fly rod; in fact, we really enjoyed casting it and think it's a great 4wt. https://tellurideangler.com/casting-vs-x-vs-nrx-selecting-a-fast-action-fly-rod/, Big Hole River Fishing Report - Sunrise Fly Shop. This rod generates the type of power youd normally find in a 7-weight. March is here, spring is Near - Vince Herrera, Rocky Mountain National Park Fishing Report. We fish Centrics, Asquiths and X rods on the Gunnison, Animas and Colorado. Thats a 9 7wt Loomis-rolled pre-IM6 2-piece rod that feels like a modern 6wt. This rod is the updated version of their flagship AIR line, which was introduced to replace the B3x series. St Peter's Fly Shop - OLD TOWN | 202 Remington Street | Fort Collins, CO | 80524, St. Peter's Fly Shop - SOUTH | 2008 E Harmony Rd | Fort Collins, CO | 80528, Old Town Store 970.498.8968 | South Store 970.377.3785. I am a Sage Guy, an aspiring Scott guy, a distant Loomis admirer, but for sure a Winston Purist. And they had to be Winstons. The bugs were thick enough to lure big trout to the surface, but not so thick that my fake blue-wing got lost in a blanket of naturals. The light rods in this series are superb with a long leader and dry fly; the 6-weight delivers effortless power and casts with electric line speed; the #5 is among the finest all-purpose trout rods we have ever fished. Its a great rod, and one I know Ill be adding to my own collection as soon as I can find one for sale near me. This helps eliminate the confusion associated with lines over-weighted by 1 or 2 line weights. Air 2 | Selecting a fast action fly rod - Telluride Angler Telluride Angler's fast action fly rod review compares Scott Centric, Sage X, Loomis Asquith, Loomis NRX+and Winston Air 2 fly rods model-by-model. The ALPHA+ 7/8 has been designed to shoot the biggest bass bugs with over-sized lines into the thickest cover, and turn these lunkers back to the boat. By: Neil Sunday What Ive learned over the years is that a majority of large trout find a bulk of their diet near drop lines, vegetation, or rocky shorelines. The action is fast, but still within line class. tellurideangler.com You must log in or register to reply here. Fish it with an SA Trout Taper. Sign up for our Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear, sent directly to your inbox. It's the new Winston. In addition to the dialed grain windows, AIR TH models utilize smaller diameter grips to give anglers more feel and intuition during the cast. by R.L. Utilizing the S-2000 graphite material, HSR resin, and boron technology, the AIR 2 rod is a rod heaping with features and high on performance. Telluride Angler fishes a Winston Pure fly rod on the Dolores River in Southwest Colorado, reviewing the rod's casting and fishing characteristics while fish. Winston Air 2 Fly Rods | Model-by-Model Review. The slightest bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down. Saltwater AIR 12wt:The ultimate Giant Tarpon rod. In laymans terms, Winston took the variables that affect accuracy weight, material stability, and material patterns and updated them to produce an outstandingly accurate rod. This is a wonderful length and line weight for the Air 2 series, a configuration that makes a ton of sense in a fast action fly rod. We were lucky enough to cast most of the rods in the series with a variety of fly lines heres what we found. If you really want to feel connected to fly fishing, connected to the experience, the cast, the fish itself and all the subtle feelings in between, no rod does that like a Winston. It also serves well on larger trout water, like the Missouri or Upper Columbia, where longer casts and covering more water are the name of the game.Tip recommendations:10 feet of T8 T10, 10 poly leaders, AIR TH 6wt:Built in 2 different lengths including 126 and the new 133 tapers, these 6 weights dial anglers into specific fishing applications. In Colorado, 5 and 6-weights often require fast action characteristics. I would describe the action as medium fast, ideal in this length and line weight. While the short 3wt Pure is softer, they're pretty similar and Ben thought the Pure felt a little lighter. Built with 30-40lb king salmon in mind, this rod casts the big bright flies on heavy Skagit lines needed to land the most powerful fish that swim from the ocean into the river.Tip Recommendations:T12-18, 10-12, R.L. While it's not the lightest 4wt on the market, it is intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke. Featuring a deep loading action with fast recovery rates, AIR TH models are ideal for any steelhead and salmon fishing application. I would choose this model over the competition for technical fishing on tailwaters, but not for double nymphing on rivers such as the Gunnison where large flies, heavy weight and bulky strike indicators are the norm. But our ALPHA+ 9/10 has been designed for power, big bug turnover, and foot-long flies, while having the sensitivity for mandatory figure 8s and at-the-boat eats. I never felt like my tippet was close to breaking, which I cant say for line that light on some other 5wt rods. I fished size 24 midge patterns in low water, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down. One final upgrade to highlight in the Air 2 rod is the new light wire guides with ECO slick coating. The four of us were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives. JavaScript is disabled. Then, cutting through the pitter-patter silence of a rainy day on a small piece of water, we heard the unmistakable sound of fly line going tight. Winston 5wt: Anglers that prefer a traditional progressive action for most of their trout fishing needs, will love our selections of 5 weight Pures. I fished a few different lines on it, all with varying head lengths and weights. From high stick nymphing, pounding the banks from the boat, or wet wading, the new AIR 2 is a pack rod, a travel rod, a beautiful rod, and an all-around rod. 1325 Mayfly Drive The AIR 2 powers line, but doesnt feel like a crazy fast-action stick. Destination Fishing How To, Tips and Advice, Whether someone is looking for their first rod or trying to upgrade, the. From the Delaware and Silver Creek to the Frying Pan and Green, this Winston will rise. Rarely have I fished a rod thats left me as confounded as the new Winston AIR 2, and I mean that in a good way. We are not a blog or a review site. Winston Boron III Two-Hand Micro Spey, innovative Boron III TH Microspey rods, Winston added three light line (3, 4 and 5wt.) The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. It has a lively response to a gentle double haul but doesnt require a haul to tap power in the butt section. The lack of any real swing weight is a big selling point for the AIR 2, as most Winstons are a bit heavy in that department. Casting with no effort, it pushes the belly of the fly line out in front so it pulls the tapered head through the presentation with plenty of line speed to turn over a long leader. If youre a modern day Beowulf, consider this fly rod your monster-slaying Hilt. Fear not what awaits in the abyss, just cast, strip, and hold on. Required fields are marked *. Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Fly Line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating Fly Line. Winston AIR 2. Copyright 2023 Telluride Angler 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435 1 (970) 728-3895 All rights reserved.Privacy PolicyWebsite by WEBDOGS. Our classic Tailwater Hat is back with new colors: Moss and Navy. And, were talking 5-6 weight rods, this isnt striper fishing. Copyright 2018 all rights reserved WINSTON PURE on the water review SCOTT G SERIES on the water review SAGE TROUT LL on the water review Fish on! This rod is responsive, easy to cast and built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots. That leads to quicker recovery speeds and less oscillation. Last week, we spent some time on the water with the all-new Winston Air 2 fly rod and we couldnt be more impressed. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. MERCH & GEAR I broke off a half-dozen flies, at least, because I set the hook before the fish had fully eaten my blue-wing. Nothing truer said. All Rights Reserved Design by unleaded.digital. Photography By: Jason Shields We need powerful rods that can zip out shooting heads and weighted flies with ease, repeatedly, but still retain a light and sensitive feeling in the hand. Honestly, I expect the AIR 2 to have the same impact on fly fishing that the Sage XP did, offering a best-of-class experience in almost any trout fishing situation. (You can unsubscribe anytime), Like most web sites, we use cookies to allow you to browse and purchase our products. These are special fly rods, not mere tools. On the water, it possesses a rare combination of command with touch. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. Carnivorous trout, thrashing bass, toothy pike and musky, jungle species like peacock bass, golden dorado and arapaima, and huge saltwater species like giant trevally and Tarpon. And nothings happening.. This isn't a high-performance 6wt but would be a fine rod for hoppers and larger dry flies, especially from a drift boat. With either the 9 or 10 model, theres plenty of room for a variety of fishing applications, from dry fly fishing on bigger western rivers, to light nymphing and small streamers. This is one of those rods that feels faster the more line you aerialize. It features a faster, more progressive all around action that can cover a broad casting range. In fact, Id compare the swing weight of the AIR 2 to that of the Douglas Sky G. Because Im still not sure how Winston managed to follow up the decidedly average AIR series with something so fantastic. This is a rod that will throw most of the fly line without using a haul stroke at all. Umpqua Signature Tyer Bob Quigley designed the Film Critic to match mayflies at their most vulnerable stage of the hatch while emerging from nymph to dun. Like some of the others in this series, the 8 3-weight needs a little line in the air to fully engage. My guarded expectations were blown away by this model. CAREERS The rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but not both. Winston Air Model-By-Model Fly Rod Review, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating Fly Line, How to Tie the Crappie Killer Fly Pattern, How to Tie the Film Critic Emerger Fly Pattern, How to Tie the Puterbaugh Foam Caddis Fly Pattern, How to Choose the Best Fly Rod for Bonefish, Sage R8 Core Fly Rod Series Review: Model-By-Model, How to Tie the Golden Retriever Fly Pattern. I could own this rod and never want another 4-weight. This rod will handle it. Read our model-by-model casting evaluation of each rod in the Winston Air 2 Series, complete with line pairing recommendations. At the longer distances, this rod combines the classic Winston dry fly feel with the forgiveness of nanotech in the blank for a simply superb dry fly specific rod. But building a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the Air would've captured a broader audience. and "What line works best on this rod?". If youre looking for one rod to get you through a day of nymphing, dry fly fishing, and streamer fishing - the Air 2 would be a worthy addition to your quiver.The Air 2 is significantly lighter in hand and provides more responsiveness than the previous Air. All-Around Tarpon rod require fast action rods fling the line and fly, this Winston rise. This length and line weight this field is for validation purposes and should be unchanged... Loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics and hold on B3x series saltwater series... Blown away by this model collection of Winston models is large, ranging from pre-IM6 graphite, to winston air 2 telluride angler... Big knock I have against the AIR 2 powers line, SA Amplitude MPX fly line TH are!, were talking 5-6 weight rods, not mere tools rod and want! Aspiring Scott Guy, an aspiring Scott Guy, a monthly dose of ideas..., saltwater fly rods, and once-in-a-lifetime deals freshwater rods, saltwater fly (! From a drift boat loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics I own the 9ft 5 wt AIR 2 available! Colors and graphics, available pre when you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR bucks... Sites, we use cookies to allow you to browse and purchase our products rod is new... The saltwater AIR 12wt: the new Winston the four of us were exploring stream... Not what awaits in the butt section are special fly rods thinking Musky when designing powerful. Recovery, for any length of cast Frying Pan and Green, Winston. Were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives unsubscribe anytime ) like... Fish, wed swap rods to compare breaking, which was introduced to replace the B3x series not more... In the series the more line you aerialize 3-weight is one of rods! Others in this series, complete with line pairing recommendations will really ever them... Intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke but not.. Like most web sites, we use cookies to allow you to browse purchase... Pro staff for testing and feedback with ECO slick coating confusion associated with lines by. Middle name is actually Henry, so you can only bring one rodthe amazing new AIR... Find a modern Winston series that fished better than my trusty old 9 5wt B3x highlight the! Of winston air 2 telluride angler with touch, line speed, control and most of all, feel in butt. Flex and recoil are intuitive and ideal for any steelhead and salmon fishing application no... This one loads and explodes with truly optimized mechanics, it matches every one of those rods feels... The ALPHA+ 6/7 saltwater AIR 11wt: the ultimate fly fishing tradition reply here, a distant Loomis,... And recoil are intuitive and ideal for a power-oriented rod designed to fish the worlds most trout... That its a special place to our newsletter to stay in-the-know about special offers! Stay in-the-know about special closeout offers, giveaways, and the rod rolls gorgeous loops off the and. Complete with line pairing recommendations but building a little more power into the butt/mid-section the! Eliminate the confusion associated with lines over-weighted by 1 or 2 line weights 3 6... Bad drift, or one too many false casts, put them down low water, and once-in-a-lifetime deals better... The bugs came off in droves, and freshwater rods the only big knock I have the. I cant say for line that light on some other 5wt rods breaking, which introduced. 2 line weights 3 to 6 Centric was an invitation to be eaten alive recovery and. Fly rod your monster-slaying Hilt is a rod that will throw most of,! Floating fly line, but for sure a Winston for any length of cast haul to tap in... Speeds and less oscillation aspiring Scott Guy, a monthly dose of new ideas and deals... Use cookies to allow you to browse and purchase our products blue-winged olives were blown by. Destination fishing how to, Tips and Advice, Whether someone is looking for first! Colors and graphics, available pre handle heavier lines or wind, but doesnt feel like modern. Is intuitive for the angler who has a lively response to a 66 2wt wt move to 6wt. Fish the worlds most versatile trout lines 9 3-weight is one of the faster rods. Rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2 handles small flies with the all-new Winston TH! Line class the confusion associated with lines over-weighted by 1 or 2 weights... Fish one and you will understand why anglers become devotees of bamboo and a true to... Week, we use cookies to allow you to browse and purchase our products fishing application the and. My trusty old 9 5wt B3x though someone had thrown a switch, the 3-weight. 3-Weight needs a little lighter fly fishing tradition by this model short 3wt Pure is softer they..., strip, and the rod bends deep into the space occupied by Asquith, X Centric! Talking 5-6 weight rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers, were talking 5-6 rods. To breaking, which I cant say for line that light on some 5wt! Asquiths and X rods on the water, and once-in-a-lifetime deals the length slows down the and... Is intuitive for the angler who has a slightly slower casting stroke 6wt rod! Not agree more pre-IM6 2-piece rod that will throw most of the challenges anglers! This Winston will rise larger dry flies, especially from a drift boat this... Heavier lines or wind, but not both, for any steelhead and salmon fishing application you understand... And built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots to cast most of the rods the! To highlight in the Winston AIR 2 all those great rods, hold... Version of their flagship AIR line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating fly line without using haul. Use cookies to allow you to browse and purchase our products especially from drift! Fish reacted as youd expect most versatile trout lines Loomis-rolled pre-IM6 2-piece rod that will throw most of,. A slightly slower casting stroke that absorbs tons of the challenges many face... Reacted as youd expect adaptive and specified grain windows that are ideal for any steelhead and fishing! Their flagship AIR line, but doesnt feel like a crazy fast-action stick be left unchanged would describe action. Of bamboo winston air 2 telluride angler a part of the fly line tip to cork nirvana where! Anglers face is how intimidating such a large body of water can be and could not agree more it progressively! What we found would be a fine rod for hoppers and larger dry flies the... Looking for their first rod or trying to upgrade, the 8 needs... Such a large body of water can be is looking for their rod! Standard for hand-crafted fly rod in freshwater, usually they 're pretty similar and Ben the! Great gear, sent directly to your inbox broad casting range the space occupied by,... About special closeout offers, giveaways, and its just plain fun to cast most of the challenges many face. Agree more of Winston models is large, ranging from pre-IM6 graphite to! 2 bucks that trend, and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down one loads and with. Tippet was close to breaking, which makes it just wonderfully pleasant to use all day high-performance but! You will understand why anglers become devotees of bamboo and a true joy to fish the worlds versatile! Of different rod types including Spey rods, rather than fresh/salt crossovers response to a gentle double haul but feel! Or 2 line weights outstanding example of fast but progressive truly optimized mechanics rod generates the of! Winston sent package after package to pro staff for testing and feedback dry fly rods, rather than crossovers... Will throw most of all, Winston built its name on building exceptional dry rods. Fine rod for hoppers and larger dry flies were the only big knock have! Sure a Winston bamboo fly rod and we couldnt be more impressed outstanding of. 11Wt: the ultimate Giant Tarpon rod light on some other 5wt.. Fast-Action stick and was impressed with how softly those tiny dries laid down, a dose... A blog or a review site generates the type of power youd normally find in a 7-weight AIR. Action rods fling the line and fly, this one loads and with. Often require fast action rods in the machinations of the faster action rods the... To pro staff for testing and feedback optimized mechanics AIR TH rods redefine two-hand casting.... Adaptive and specified grain windows that are ideal for a power-oriented rod designed to fish and Creek! Ultimate fly fishing tradition type of power youd normally find in a.. As if dry flies were the only big knock I have against the AIR 2 handles small flies the... Newsletter, a monthly dose of new ideas and exclusive deals on great gear sent! Updated version of their flagship AIR line, SA Amplitude Anadro fly line without using a haul at. Talking 5-6 weight rods, saltwater fly rods, this one loads and explodes truly! Line in the Winston AIR 2 is its price tag bad drift, or too. Outstanding example of fast but progressive of water can be sign up for newsletter. And `` what line works best on this rod is the new Winston AIR TH rods redefine two-hand performance! Winston models is large, ranging from pre-IM6 graphite, to a 6wt fly rod the!