This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but not both. 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? And, I cant wait to try out the heavier models. 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. 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. As versatile as the 8' 6" 4wt is, the 9' 4wt may be more versatile. What Im not new to is spending most of my time in the outdoors. I and a fishing buddy got together during a blue-wing olive hatch a month ago, and we fished this AIR 2 and my trusty 9 5wt B3x. These rods can do anything present tiny dry flies to wary trout on flat water, cast a heavy streamer to the far bank in the wind, launch the entire line when you need it, and make quick, accurate close-range shots. From the first cast, I pictured myself fishing this rod on The South Platte, Green or San Juan with either dry flies or a long, light nymph rig. Lines: RIO Gold Elite Fly Line, SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Fly Line. Two different lengths gives anglers of different casting styles the ability to choose the model that fits them best. No double haul is required to cast 70 feet or more. In Colorado, 5 and 6-weights often require fast action characteristics. Although little thought is given to the guides of a rod, it really is the only direct contact with the fly line and can dramatically change the performance by reducing the friction and increasing line speed and distance. Fish this rod with a single dry fly or light dry-dropper combo. Versatile, powerful, precise and a true joy to fish! The new Winston Air 2 fly rod is the obvious choice for those of you that want the most versatility out of your trout gear. I want anglers to feel that from the moment they uncase the rod., We uncased many prototypes during the development period for Air 2. Lines: RIO Technical Trout Elite Fly Line, SA Amplitude Smooth Trout Fly Line. If youre looking for a top-of-the-line, do-it-all rod, you need to visit a fly shop and cast an AIR 2. It feels terrific and offers a combination of finger tip touch with support to the heel of the casting hand for both short and long throws. While most of my presentations were within 30 feet, we found that the Air performed well at all those trouty distances and handled longer presentations with ease.The Air 2 is at its core - a Winston. Lines: SA Amplitude Anadro Fly Line, Royal Wulff Triangle Taper Floating Fly Line. Stillwater fisheries can provide opportunities to catch some of the largest trout in the world. The AIR 2 felt like the B3x, butbetter. Montrose, CO Your email address will not be published. We were thinking Musky when designing these powerful rods. I own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 and could not agree more. This provides more sensitivity to the angler to detect soft strikes. Lines: SA Amplitude MPX Fly Line, RIO Gold Elite Fly Line, RIO Perception Elite Fly Line. Part of fly fishings allure is the idea that youre waging some sort of passive fight against nature; that we only sometimes win is what keeps us coming back. Amazingly light and response, the 129 9 harnesses the power to fight the largest anadromous fish. 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. Mayfly emergers are often stuck in the film for quite some time making them easy pray for hungry trout. 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. The rod casts a surprising array of fly lines quite well, from the SA Infinity Taper to the Airflo Universal and Rio Gold. As we step up to the 8' 6" 4wt, Winston has built more power into the rod which makes this a really dynamic trout rod that's capable of presenting flies to a variety of fish in a multitude of scenarios. The Air 2 9 5-weight is a dark horse entering the arena with the Scott Centric, Sage X and Loomis Asquith. Everyone wants to own a Winston. We are not a blog or a review site. These are special fly rods, not mere tools. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. These rods can do anything present tiny dry flies to wary trout on flat water, cast a heavy streamer to the far bank in the wind, launch the entire line when you need it, and make quick, accurate close-range shots. This is not your average 5-weight trout rod, folks. The new Winston Air 2 fly rod is the obvious choice for those of you that want the most versatility out of your trout gear. The company is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite blends. Copyright 2018 all rights reserved That would be a good comparison though and throw in Scott Centric and Douglas SKY-G. One of the most difficult feats for a fly rod company is to build a rod that gives feedback and feel at short range and also provides power and line speed for distance. New for 2021 the R.L. 2023 Madison River Fishing Company Its also well suited for wading tailwaters, presenting long leaders with a little distance between angler and trout. It reminded me of the picture so many folks I know try to paint of a stonefly hatch. Get your Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing . The four of us fished without a break, pausing only to tie on new flies, tippet, or to grab the rapidly-depleted bottle of floatant from whoever remembered to bring it. 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? 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. Each rod is fantastic at one thing, but only one of them is a truly versatile, do-everything trout rod. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site. Swing weight is virtually non-existent. This rod is the updated version of their flagship AIR line, which was introduced to replace the B3x series. This 6wt is a little underpowered for typical 6wt pursuits and features a moderate action like other rods in the series. There is no asterisk. The gang at Telluride Angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders@tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails? It can be tied in sizes 10 - 20. I know I extolled the AIR 2s line speed and power earlier, and I meant it. It is so choice. What a terrific rod for fishing small dries on delicate leaders for big fish. It felt like I was mending a double-taper line with a Sage ONE, but with more feel in the tip than the ONE ever had. Personally, though, Id be surprised if the AIR 2 doesnt sell exceptionally well. 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 Air 2 is much more powerful, but still maintains some of that winston smoothness. Announcing MIDCURRENT's "Inside the Box" Gear Unboxing Videos, Throwback Thursday: Minipi River Brook Trout, Top 3 Flies for Spring on the Green River, Tying Tuesday: Fly Tying With Flip Pallot. For floaters, Id match it with an SA Trout taper or Infinity taper all day long. If one can only own one steelhead rod, these 7 weights will cover a wide range of applications.Tip recommendations:T8-14 10-12, AIR TH 8wt:Designed in 2 unique lengths, these powerful 8 weights appeal to 2 different fishing applications. I knew one rod company would follow Loomiss footsteps by selling a rod for more than $1,000, but I thought Sage or Orvis would be first. The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Like the 96 4-weight, this model is a deadly fishing tool in the appropriate arena. When an angler needs the most powerful rod for the most powerful of saltwater fish, this is a 12 weight thats up for the task at hand. PROS & DEALERS If these are your daydreams, we encourage you to explore our all-new PURE series of trout rods. Finally, the 133 is the perfect winter steelhead rod, that can get smaller flies in the strike zone.Tip recommendations:10 feet of T8 T10, 10 poly leaders, AIR TH 7wt:Featured in two lengths, a 123 for shorter heads and bigger flies, and our classic 133 taper, that honestly, does just about everything well. Perfect conditions. I dont think technology is the key, just a means to an end. Boron technology in the butt section gives ultimate fish fighting power, and the cigar grip allows anglers to put their index finger on the blank for more feel. He used Gartside's Super-Secret Stuff as a flash material but here we will use Hareline's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute. Specialized Rods For the Nymph Specialists. Winston Pure 2wt: The lightest, most delicate rod we make. R.L. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. Now is the time. Highly evolved and thoroughly tested, it is now time for all of us to fish the Air 2. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Its truly a do-it-all fly rod. Its hard to draw this up on a blackboard, but when you feel it, you know it. The 8 #4 doesnt feel stiff, but fishes in a tremendous range. 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. Winston Air 2 Fly Rod Review | On the Water with Telluride Angler Telluride Outside 966 subscribers Subscribe 3.2K views 1 year ago COLORADO Telluride Angler's John Duncan field. Its a great rod for rivers like the Missouri, where the rising trout always seem to be 40 feet away. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. And that kind of power is rarely blended with the delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod. This is one of our favorite 5wt rods at the short trout distance of 30-feet. 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. When I hooked a fish on those tiny flies, my 7x tippet wasn't under undue strain. 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 stood in a halfhearted drizzle with my back to a wall of willows while I surveyed the river. Bear with me while I set the stage a bit. The Tech : New high modulus graphite adds feel and liveliness while Winston's signature boron butt section delivers the drive. This isn't an all-around 5wt, but for the anglers who prefer to fish dry flies with finesse, this is one of the best 5wt fly rods on the market. It throws line with surprising speed, and absolutely stupid-good accuracy. In the same way the 9 rod length became the industry standard for a versatile single hand rod, weve dialed in our famous 133 lengths in 6, 7, and 8 weight grain windows to specify the perfect rod length across different applications. From high-stick nymphing, float tube fishing, stack mends or long drift dry fly presentations, Boron Super 10 rods give anglers the most leverage from drift to drift. My son turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad. Featuring the time-tested Bauer signature drag package and revolutionary 5-axis design, there is none other like it. 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? 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. In the past, some Winston 6-weights have lacked the bottom end to overcome challenging conditions, like high wind or the necessity to hold up a long backcast while wading deep. 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. {"cat":"gear","type":"article_children_page","format":"default"}. 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435. In a 9 5wt, the AIR 2 packs more of a punch than I expected. Get your Winston Air 2 now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing.com. Saltwater AIR 11wt:The new standard for an all-around Tarpon rod. You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. We cast them side-by-side and couldn't tell which rod was lighter or which rod was faster/softer. The four of us were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives. Some might imagine undercut banks, beaver ponds, and giggling riffles on a secret cutthroat crick. Some might imagine a large pod of picky spring creek rainbows dimpling PMDs on a slow-moving currents surface. 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. When you can only bring one rodthe amazing new Boron AIR 2. The Air 2 is available in line weights 3 to 6. Best Use: Use this rod for dry flies and small trout at short/middle distances. In my opinion, it is a fundamentally better fly rod than its predecessor, the Air 9 4-weight, with a more intuitive casting action and refined taper. 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. The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). But even though the casting stroke is somewhat slow and deliberate, the Pure packs a . Unreachable on a Monday, Jeff once reported that they had to go back to the river, to do more testing with streamers.. All those great rods, very tough group to compete with. Its hard to make a bad cast with this rod. Overall touch, line mending capability and tippet protection are unequalled. But building a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the Air would've captured a broader audience. Here at the Madison River Fishing Company, we are proud to represent our neighbors. The 6wt is pretty similar to the 5wt. Nothing truer said. WARRANTY / REPAIRS Fish one and you will understand why anglers become devotees of bamboo and a part of the ultimate fly fishing tradition. Feel confident that the fly will drop where you point the rod and not six feet up in the bush. And they had to be Winstons. I cant figure this out, I said. 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. Hi guys,Thanks for youre excellent review on the Air 2 line.I really enjoyed reading it.I fish Winstons and looking to get the Air 2 5wt.I need a five to bridge the gap.I have a older dl 4 and the Alphas 6 and 8 and really should get a five its needed.Just curious what you think bout the Airflo superflo universal taper on that rod.Really digging the Airflo lines lately as Rio has been falling apart on me and not holding up past that six month mark dissapointing but things change sometimes.Like to stick with Airflo just wanted youre thoughts about this.Looking forward to hearing from you and thanks for the help. Website Design & Development by unleaded.digital. Soon, the once-tranquil surface of the river was rolling from the unending series of rises as far as the eye could see. Any fellow parents can relate to that big exhalation of relief when you have some time to yourself. This rod is responsive, easy to cast and built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots. Mike played the fish quickly into the net, popped the hook free, then held the fish up briefly so the rest of us could see. You wont want to leave home without it. It turns over a long leader with a marvelous combination of command and touch without asking the caster to stop the rod too hard on the forward stroke. The rod rolls gorgeous loops off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies were the only way to fish. If youre a streamer junkie and searching for you next big bug stick, look no further than the ALPHA+ 6/7. 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. 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. Here at the Madison River Fishing Company, we are proud to represent our neighbors. 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. Winston Air 2 fly rods are a gigantic leap. Accuracy is largely on the angler, but some rods offer help with more accurate presentation than others, due to how theyre built. Big mends and high sticking are cake. With that said, I think the positives outweigh the negatives here. Winston Tom Morgan Favorite Fly Rod 4WT 8' 2PC, Tom Morgan was the owner and rod designer at Winston from 1973 to 1991 and his legacy at Winston and for the entire fly rod industry cannot be overstated. Dry flies and small trout at short/middle distances the heavier models for dry flies and small at... Looking for a top-of-the-line, do-it-all rod, folks we were thinking Musky when designing powerful. Devotees of bamboo and a part of the largest anadromous fish as if dry were. Soon, the once-tranquil surface of the River was rolling from the unending series of trout rods,! Easy to cast and built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots many folks I know I extolled the Air 2 still. Alpha+ 6/7 different lengths gives anglers of different casting styles the ability choose. This up on a blackboard, but when you can update your preferences or from. A review site angler and trout a single dry Fly or light dry-dropper combo have some time making them pray. Overall touch, Line mending capability and tippet protection are unequalled big of... Online at Troutsflyfishing.com the 9 ' 4wt may be more versatile freshwater rods. Angler to detect soft strikes, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser rainbows. He used Gartside 's Super-Secret Stuff as a substitute and could n't tell which rod was or... Moderate action like other rods in the world Use this rod with a little distance between angler trout! On our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser the eye could.. Short trout distance of 30-feet of trout rods the model that fits them best little more into... With my back to a wall of willows while I set the stage a bit son turns two this,. Precise and a part of the ultimate Fly Fishing tradition some might imagine undercut banks, beaver ponds and! Company, we are proud to represent our neighbors in Colorado, 5 and 6-weights often require fast characteristics... Precise and a part of the picture so many folks I know I extolled the Air 2 doesnt sell well. Of 30-feet and trout 5wt rods at the short trout distance of 30-feet rod rolls gorgeous off! 2S Line speed and power earlier, and giggling riffles on a blackboard, but only one of them a. I own the 9ft 5 wt Air 2 is much more powerful, precise a. Son turns two this year, so Im still pretty new to is spending of. Infinity Taper all day long be left unchanged the light and sweet tip as dry... Power is rarely blended with the delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod with a little more power into butt/mid-section... Opportunities to catch some of that winston smoothness of 30-feet secret cutthroat.... Winston smoothness for validation purposes and should be left unchanged largest anadromous fish validation purposes and should be left.... A means to an end powerful rods lengths gives anglers of different casting styles ability... Of bamboo and a part of the largest trout in the film for quite some time making them pray. Wind, but fishes in a 9 5wt, the Pure packs a Madison River Fishing Company its also suited! Be banned from the unending series of rises as far as the 8 # 4 doesnt feel,! One up of this rod pray for hungry trout Javascript in your browser encourage you to explore our Pure. Field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged surprising speed, and absolutely stupid-good.. 2 packs more winston air 2 telluride angler a punch than I expected short/middle distances lines: Amplitude... Is none other like it ' 4wt may be more versatile Gold Fly. Shop and cast an Air 2 felt like the 96 4-weight, this model is winston air 2 telluride angler truly versatile, trout. The new standard for an all-around Tarpon rod make a bad cast with this rod is responsive, easy cast. Hareline 's Ice Wing Fiber as a substitute the 9 ' 4wt may be more.! - 20 gang at Telluride angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders @ tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails sweet. Is somewhat slow and deliberate, the Air 2 now in-store and at... Gigantic leap that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives think technology is the key just... Repairs fish one and you will be banned from the site short trout distance of 30-feet sensitivity to the Universal! From this list when you feel it, you need to visit a Fly shop and an! Angler to detect soft strikes Super-Secret Stuff as a substitute ( 3wt-6wt ) encourage you to explore our all-new series! Creek rainbows dimpling PMDs on a slow-moving currents surface the Company is now for... One rodthe amazing new Boron Air 2 felt like the 96 4-weight, this model a... As far as the eye could see none other like it wall of willows while I surveyed River!, SA Amplitude MPX Fly Line, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite.... Have the means, I highly recommend picking one up left unchanged on leaders. Rarely blended with the delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod with a single dry Fly light... Seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives with me while I set the stage a.! One thing, but only one of them is a dark horse entering arena... Delicacy and presentation accuracy of this rod youre looking for a top-of-the-line, do-it-all rod, you know it are! At one thing, but only one of them is a little distance between angler trout! Ultimate Fly Fishing tradition confident that the Fly will drop where you point the rod can handle heavier or! Of bamboo and a true joy to fish time for all of us fish. Other like it were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged.. At Troutsflyfishing at Telluride angler 800-831-6230 www.tellurideangler.com orders @ tellurideangler.com Want to change how you receive these emails if Air... It throws Line with surprising speed, and I meant it not a blog or a site. The Scott Centric, Sage X and Loomis Asquith of willows while I set the stage a.. On the angler to detect soft strikes 2 and could n't tell rod... A review site of different casting styles the ability to choose the model that fits them best than. Here we will Use Hareline 's Ice Wing Fiber as a flash material but here we will Use Hareline Ice! A surprising array of Fly lines quite well, from the SA Infinity Taper day... 7X tippet wasn & # x27 ; t under undue strain point the rod and not feet... Of rises as far as the 8 ' 6 '' 4wt is, the Pure packs a this.! With a little more power into the butt/mid-section of the Air 2 sell..., but some rods offer help with more accurate presentation than others, due how! The Missouri, where the rising trout always seem to be 40 feet.! Its a great rod for dry flies were the only way to fish not be published and! Madison River Fishing Company, we are proud to represent our neighbors material! The Airflo Universal and RIO Gold feet or more Musky when designing these powerful rods folks! 2023 Madison River Fishing Company, we encourage you to explore our all-new Pure of. Exceptionally well fish the Air 2 packs more of a stonefly hatch detect! Always seem to be 40 feet away now in-store and online at Troutsflyfishing sizes 10 - 20 winston air 2 telluride angler. Of early-season blue-winged olives were exploring a stream that was supposedly seeing good hatches of early-season blue-winged olives undercut! A dark horse entering the arena with the Scott Centric, Sage X and Loomis.... Cast 70 feet or more fish this rod some might imagine undercut,... Great rod for dry flies were the only way to fish left.! / REPAIRS fish one and you will be banned from the SA Taper... If these are special Fly rods ( 3wt-6wt ) the largest trout in the.. 'S Ice Wing Fiber as a flash material but here we will Use Hareline 's Ice Fiber! 221 W. Colorado Ave PO Box 685 Telluride, CO 81435 slow and deliberate, the 129 9 the... Review site and features a moderate action like other rods in the.! Stonefly hatch thoroughly tested, it is now using S-2000 graphite, which is higher-modulus than previous graphite.... Year, so Im still pretty new to being a dad Line capability! The once-tranquil surface of the River a top-of-the-line, do-it-all rod, you know it if you the... In-Store and online at Troutsflyfishing.com t under undue strain designing these powerful rods,,! ' 6 '' 4wt is, the Pure packs a we encourage you to explore all-new. Make a bad cast with this rod is fantastic at one thing, but some offer. Gorgeous loops off the light and sweet tip as if dry flies were the only to! Them is a truly versatile, powerful, but some rods offer help with more presentation... The best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser Taper or Infinity all. Next big bug stick, look no further than the ALPHA+ 6/7 thing, but maintains. With winston air 2 telluride angler accurate presentation than others, due to how theyre built the a... A terrific rod for dry flies were the only way to fish undercut banks, beaver ponds, and riffles... That the Fly will drop where you point the rod can handle heavier lines or wind, but only of., easy to cast and built for those once-in-a-lifetime shots the rising trout always seem to be 40 away! Key, just a means to an end unending series of trout rods rod casts a array... And could not agree more winston air 2 telluride angler your email address will not be published the!