Winston Trout Rods 2022 Review // PURE, AIR 2, Alpha+, Super 10

[@allendks45]

My go to choice here in Idaho is the 9' 6wt Air-II over my Sage and Scott rods. Casts so effortlessly and dry presentation is unmatched.

[@redsflyshop]

That's good to know, Winston is all about trout it seems like.

[@PaulTenenbaum]

I've sent my rod back to Winston to replace the cork once it got old, and they replaced it for a really affordable price. It's awesome to get fresh new cork on a rod you've had for years and fish it like the day you bought it.

[@peterbrown7433]

Watched this Winston range review and the Sage range review and I have to say they are the best reviews I have seen, by a guy who obviously knows how to fish a fly rod.

[@gregsage1605]

This was the review I was waiting for! Thanks Joe. I've really been looking for reviews on the Air 2, 6wt. I'm thinking it's time to cast one. I own a 9' pure 4 wt and I feel like a kid on Xmas every time I pick it up. It's fantastic for dry's - couldn't better.

[@redsflyshop]

Great feedback, that is my go to dry fly rod. The 6 weight AIR 2 is great, because it's built for trout fishing not a streamer/saltwater overlap. Great for feeding line, mending, etc. but will still handle some weighted cargo when duty calls.

[@grantsargent9076]

Haven’t seen a review on the Winston Tom Morgan Favorite

[@gooldenwending]

All about my 9’ 4 wt Pure as well. 9’ 6 wt Air 2 is next in line for me. Fished both the 5 and 6 weight Air 2 for a couple days on a trip with friends last summer. Both were great.

[@redsflyshop]

Aren't they fun rods? Just a joy to cast.

[@dong8307]

Looking at a Winston Air2 5wt after breaking the last section of my old Sage SLT. Doesn’t look like I can get it repaired so good excuse to get a Winston. Thanks for the review 👍

[@mikejessmax]

Just bought a Pure 8' 4wt and I'm almost scared to use it. So fricken light and beautifully built, I'm gonna have some fun with this.

[@nathancrawford5893]

love my TMF for Central PA streams. I've read the Pure is very similar. Winston knows how to put finesse and beauty in a rod.

[@redsflyshop]

They sure do, they are trout rods through and through. Plenty of bend for the mend.

[@vreth22]

I must say that i dont have big budget. So when i wanna buy expencive rod i usually sell rodd that i own and add some more money and then buy a high end rod. A Winston Pure is only rod, so far tha i just CANT sell!!! It feels to good. And i have owned a Sage, Scott and some other good brands. Just saying....Winston Pure is a pure joy to cast with and to drill a fish🥰🥰🥰

[@lastcoyote2355]

After more consideration and casting …. I’d have to say my go-to dry is the Renegade … plain and simple … it catches fish practically year round .

[@wesleygrigsby4483]

Favorite dry fly:. Antonio's Adult Mayfly by Umpqua // BWO - Blue Winged Olive

[@wesleygrigsby4483]

Favorite Dry Fly: Antonio's Adult Mayfly by Umpqua // BWO - Blue Winged Olive

[@scud_22]

Awesome Series on the Winston and Sage brand line ups. Love the clarification you give. Any chance we get to see your personal line up in a similar fashion? Thanks!

[@redsflyshop]

That is a great idea, I temporarily test a lot of rods but there are some that are "keepers". The Winston PURE mentioned here in the 9' 4 weight is one of those. Thanks for the nice feedback!

[@richardkolenda5214]

sedgeback skwala is a high production dry fly for early bitterroot stonefly action here in montana!

[@comesahorseman]

Threw nothing but tailing loops with a rod from a well known manufacturer. A friend talked me into a 5 wt. Winston and gave me the name of a good guide who gave no nonsense casting lessons. No more tailing loops even before the first lesson. I believe!

[@scottnock5241]

Joe excellent job on the review! I love my Winston’s. Looking at a pure thanks for the insight.

[@redsflyshop]

You bet, the PURE is a really classy light tackle rod. So fun to cast.

[@denos9873]

Best dry fly Rio’s Morrish Still Stone Stonefly - love you guys

[@JackOrion0670]

I have an air2 6 wt on order. Im torn between the elite gold and infinity lines. I’m in California so I’m mostly fishing the Sierras with occasional trips to Trinity and Klamath where a lot of guys Spey cast which I’m not set up for. What would I gain from using the SA over the Rio on the 6wt air2?

[@redsflyshop]

Oh I think any of the lines mentioned here would be wonderful. Both the Elite Gold and and Infinity are nice choices. For dry fly oriented work, the Elite Gold is a great choice. Very slick, shoots great. The Infinity is a bit better IMO for short to mid range casts with nymphs and larger flies. Not much if any gain from SA, both RIO and SA make very good lines. Personal preference.

[@ChefAlexSocci]

Joe you should do a tour of all your fly rods. Curious what vintage goodies youve got hidden away!

[@redsflyshop]

That would be fun, I've got a few oldies that I'll never let go. Much of the stuff that I'm not sentimental about goes for sale as a demo rod on our website.

[@jimcox3622]

I have a Pure 376 and agree that it’s an outstanding rod. I recently put Rio Creek 2wt on it, figuring that with a grain weight of 100 it’s actually a 3wt line according to the standard. I haven’t fished it yet, but it casts very nicely in my yard. I’m guessing you would say that it won’t be as good for delicate presentations as a true 3wt trout line. Maybe so. I hope I don’t end up just stashing the Creek in a drawer.

[@Strontyum]

Oh thats a mistake. The Rio is too crude a line for the Pure, and would dump like a rhino.

[@TheoM76]

I’m curious as to how different the Pure is from its predecessor the B3LS in the 490 model? If it’s a matter of recovery or different all together? I’m wondering if the overlap is glaring

[@MitchSFishing]

I really wish they made a 10ft 6wt, i really love the 10ft rod on the lakes and bigger rivers in Australia. It's the only hole in the winston range for me. They make a rod for everything else.

[@LeeH-Ranger83]

What happen to the GVX Select model? What is the comparable model today - Pure or Air2?

[@markcox2870]

Winston Pure is the best rod they have ever made IMO. The 2wt is just magical.

[@redsflyshop]

Agreed, it's a joy to cast. I feel like if you love casting rods you'll get very good at it, which in turn results in better fishing.

[@profpigeon5441]

That pure in a 4 is my next purchase this Christmas, I’ll hit up reds

[@redsflyshop]

@@profpigeon5441 We'll set one aside for ya!

[@ごじゃ吉]

Nice to meet you 😊 What brand is the lovely hat you're wearing?

[@johnperrigot7532]

Joe do a video on your new oar setup. I’m really in between dyno x square tops and the bandits! No one has done a video for float fisherman on the new bandits.

[@andrewnorris6859]

Been eyeing an Air2 for awhile!

[@MNVelo]

Get one! I’ve had a 5 WT Air 2 for a little over a year and it’s absolutely perfect. It might be the best all around trout rod I’ve ever cast. It handles everything I need it to, from size 20 BWOs to big stonefly nymphs under an indi.

[@redsflyshop]

They are a wonderful rod, if you are a Winston fan it's a super multi-purpose rod. I am going add one to my quiver. Just not sure which one yet.

[@mikejessmax]

Just broke the tip of my Orvis Western Spring Creek 9ft 4wt which has been my all around rod for 33 years. Sounds like the Air 2 same size and weight might be the replacement I've been looking for. Fix the tip on my Orvis and put it out to pasture on my wall.

[@kuttycrew]

Thanks for these reviews; this will be the largest investment in 45 year of fly fishing ( still have gramp Haddon Pal a”trout” glass rod). I love spring creeks of the Driftless in the Midwest, I’m torn between the Air2 and Pure. Thinking 86 4 wt. most of these reviews have me thinking I’m not light enough for these stream with 586s.

[@anderste4649]

What’s the biggest difference between the Air 2 and the R8 in the 6 weight would you say?

[@philwistrom9200]

Love my super 10’s

[@tylerurruty7118]

Thanks for the review! Gotta disagree with you on the Super 10 though. I’ve found it to be an incredible euro rod!

[@jurnautti3676]

Agreed, it is easily my favourite euro nymphing rod! To be honest, I have no idea why he said that. Mine is 3wt though so maybe 4wt and 5wt are not so suitable, but that is probably the case with all heavier class rods when it comes to euro nymphing.

[@pgflyfisher]

I have the Super10 3wt and like it for euro nymphing too, I find the tip crisp and yet sensitive and actually cast small nymphs (

[@hunterbemboom318]

Great review!! so I went new rod shopping and it came between the air 2 and the R8, the R8 just had more power that I was looking for

[@VTBullitt]

Hi how does the pure compare to a glass rod. I’m looking for a rod for smaller water. Thanks

[@redsflyshop]

Oh way more responsive, not even in the same league. Glass is for fun, the PURE is a precision instrument. Way straighter casting, easy action, but still capable of extremely high line speed. If budget isn't part of the discussion, PURE hands down.

[@darrenconn3847]

…One of these with a Galvan reel would be a sweet setup!

[@rhonda837]

it is and in green of course.

[@kickthephase8750]

How do u reckon the Alpha + 5wt would go for single hand skagit casting? by how its described, deeper bending, easy casting, it should* do it nice and smooth

[@DylanWOWilliams]

Thanks!

[@cachi-7878]

I got to get myself one of these Winston rods; I’ve always wanted one. Joe, are you giving away any of these for the rod of the month?

[@redsflyshop]

Maybe..... haha. Yes.

[@cachi-7878]

@@redsflyshop well, I ended up getting an Air 2 9’ 6wt. from you guys 😊.Now struggling to pick a line… The SA Trout line you mentioned here, is that the Amplitude Smooth Trout? Thanks.

[@blackbeansmatter1280]

I heard the first 3 comments get a Winston on the house! 😆

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

I would rather quit fishing all together than spend 900 dollars on one rod

[@1Troutguy]

Then you will never have the pleasure of casting a high end Rod, it does make a difference.

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

@@1Troutguy But that’s not gonna put more fish in my net, having a rod that costs that much makes as much sense as spending 90 dollars on a shirt just because it says ORVIS. Lol

[@rudyruiz9521]

Not going to disagree, but I will say that you can certainly tell a difference when casting. They are just a different animal. I would certainly recommend middle priced rods vs cheap or very expensive. They have the best price/feel ratio.

[@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13]

@@rudyruiz9521 yeah i sorta draw the line after about 200 dollars lol

[@rudyruiz9521]

@@IMKINDOFABIGDEAL13 Most of my rods for a long time were in the 2-3 hundred dollar range. But, I have some $30-$75 rods too. Eagle claw for example. One advantage I will say about the cheap rods. Warranty or not I haven't cried once when they were stolen left in the back of the truck. I feel like I have to be on guard all the time with my more expensive rods. I don't know I could pick just 1 rod, but I think you or anyone would be happy with a TFO or Orvis. Rod only - I would say pick a TFO with an action you like. Personally, I love the Axiom 2 -X but it is more than the $200. But, for around $250 I think the Orvis Clearwater is a fantastic rod. I'd rather have 1 clearwater than 2 or 3 cheaper rods. Just a great from the money rod imo.