Courtesy of Trout & Salmon Magazine
DRY FLY SPECIAL – THE WINSTON AIR
The first thing you notice about a Winston rod is how much thought has gone into its presentation, from the handwritten model specification on the tube cap to the quality cream rod bag. The whole production speaks of luxury like the wood-panelled dashboard on a classic sports car. The bottle-green blank is fitted with a single Nanolite stripping ring and chromed snake intermediates. The cork handle is finished with a burled box elder wooden reel seat and nickel silver butt cap. This is a premium rod that most fishers would be proud to own.
It is very light in the hand, a result of a super-silica resin system, which is baked into the graphite and removes excess weight after drying. The Air is billed as a presentation rod, and it has a pleasing medium-fast action that is ideal for fishing dry-flies and lighter nymphs. It bends beautifully and has a lovely “delicate” feel.
The Air works best with a “true” fly-line, one that adheres to the AFTMA rating (eg 5 or 6) rather than one of the popular lines that are a half-size heavier or more. Available in 7 ft 6 in 3 wt to 9 ft 6 wt.
Contact: Glasgow Angling Centre, Glasgow, Scotland
Tel: 0141 212 8880
I have LOVED my Air 5 Wt. It is such a delight to throw, and allows me to present my fly with precision and delicacy. I was pleased to find that it also has a surprisingly gutsy punch when needed. It has become my go-to rod for most of the streams and small rivers I fish so often in the Utah back country. It also has enough of a spine to handle the blue ribbon water of the Green River below the Flaming Gorge Dam. Winston has done it again!
Looks like a real beauty! My first Winston was a 8’6″ 4wt Vapor. Thinking about the Winston Air 9’5wt for dry fly fishing. What is your recommendation?
Many thanks.
John Tague
Hi John, thanks for your question. The 9′ 5 weight Air will be an excellent dry fly rod. It will load well and have fantastic sensitivity for light tippet and smaller flies. For the ultimate dry fly 9′ 5 weight, you might also consider the Boron III LS, as it’s taper has been designed toward dry fly applications.