Hey guys. I need some help with selecting a Winston rod. I'm looking for a Winston rod that will be an "all around" trout fishing rod perferably in 4 or 5 wt. I fish all type of streams from small to fairly large. I looked at the Boran and WT rods on their web site but haven't had a chance to cast them yet. Any suggestions from the residential Winston experts before I head to the fly shop this weekend to do some casting???

Thanks, Ron

Be careful of the Winston BIIx's. I have a theory they've put a highly addictive gas in the rod tubes. Once sniffed it's hard to consider any other rod series.
For your application I think the BIIx would be near perfect. The range of those rods is quite unlike any built today. You can see and feel the rod load with 20' of line out yet it does not fold when shooting 85' of line.
Make sure to bring a good line with you for the test. Most fly shops seem to neglect the lines they use for test casting and it really hurts when evaluating rods. A simple wiggle test with the BIIx will tell you nothing, really. The rod does not show it's capacity until you cast it with a decent line.
You have been warned... BIIx's can ruin you for other rods!

Well, I agree!!!! I own 7 Winston rods. Yes I am a junkie!!!!!!! Go with the BIIX.
I would think about the 8'6"-5wt, SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET or the 9'-6 for nymphing. Good Luck if you try one you to will be hooked!!!!!

Best Fishes <'((((((((((((>< Mike

Just got off the phone with the fly shop and they also suggested the BIIX for an all around rod. What is the difference between the BIIX and WT series? One seems to be fast action and the other medium action

Ron

Ron,
I have 2 wt's 8/4wt and a 8'6" 5wt (JWF) These are both great rods for trout. light delecate close in work. The BIIx's are like a magic stick in you hands. There is someting mystical about them. Close - far it just works. But you can not go wrong with a wt. If you get a chance give me a call 1-800-511-1796 ext 7541



Best fishes <'(((((((((((>< Mike

I have had a Winston 9' 4 wt IM6 (now WT) for over 10 years. The rod fits my casting style perfectly. It is very accurate...it puts the fly where I'm looking better than any other rod I own.
To shake the rod it feels soft, when casting it has no bottom, it will throw a lot of line for a 4 wt yet can make a delicate presentation. - Cast one and see for yourself.

Hi PALongbow...

I have had an 804-3 Winston IM6 for quite a while and, like Bucko, really believe them to be much more versatile than they are usually given credit for.
I would definitely advise you to give it a try at the shop.
But with that said - I doubt the full versatility of the IM6 (or WT) can be felt while casting at a flyshop, even if for a lengthy trial time.
Though I am a permanent fan of the IM6, I don't see it as a "big water" rod and, without knowing anything about the BIIX except wat I've read on forums, I wouldn't have trouble believing it to be a stick with more breadth of usable talents than the IM6 or WT.

Hope this helps a little,
5/0

PALongbow,

Best thing you can do is try them out yourself.

You mentioned small and large waters. I don't know how small your waters are but it sounds like you are looking for an all around rod. 9' rod will probably be too long for smaller water so I am going to suggest an 8'6" rod length. Also, I am going to suggest the 5wt since it is more versatile for wind, larger streamers, and weighted flies and sink tip lines.

The Boron IIx, I have heard but don't know for certain, is claimed to be stiffer/faster in the 8'6" length than the 9' length. I think most of the popularity with Boron IIx are for 9' rods or longer.

My choice would be the Winston WT 8'6" 5wt 3 piece. (I happen to have one and I am terribly biased in favor of it).

If you are into some really small water and some really big water, you may want to think of two rods instead of one - such as a 9' 5wt and a 8' 4wt or a 8'6" 5wt and a 7'9" 4wt.

Hope this helps and you find the bullseye of fly rods,

CG

Well boys....the day has come. I'm heading to the flyshop with cash in hand to purchase a Winston or Sage. There will be no limit on cost of the rod, so I will be spending a good amount of time casting all different rods. I'll let you know what I decided on when I get back.

Ron

I went to the flyshop and casted most of the Sage models and the two Winston model rods. The sage felt a bit heavier and stiffer compared to the Winston BIIx rod. I drove the dealer nuts casting each rod over and over again until I found the right rod for me. The wind was blowing so I really had a good chance to see how each rod performed while casting into the wind. I selected the 9' 5wt Winston BIIx rod this past Friday...sorry GRN

The Winston BIIx was a dream to cast and felt real comfortable in my hand while casting. The rod really does the work. I have caught several fish on the new Winston rod and its a pleasure to fight fish. My casts are very accurate and I can even cast longer distances. The first fish that was caught on this rod was a 17" palomino or golden trout. What a good way to break the rod in.....

Ron

As you already know, you've made a great choice. I fish an eight and a half five weight Boron IIX and it is simply amazing. Truly. I use it on 10ft wide brooks (why not, it's lighter than my two and three weights) and I have actually used it on Pine Creek and the Yough, aka BIG WATER. It's been marvelous in all cases. Except for the 200 grain sink line, but hey, even the XP was challenged by that.

It's sort of odd though. It doesn't feel fast. It isn't really fast. Sort of sometimes. Hard to quantify. I had a Sage XP, now that was fast. A broomstick to me. The Winston, ahhhhhh, "BAMM" when you need it, "swish" when you don't.....

I couldn't believe how well the BIIx casts for me compared to other rods I have casted or used on the stream. I can lay a fly on a dime with this rod. I have casted wooly buggers, nymphs, and dries so far and all flies cast very nice. I'm addicted for sure and another one is in the future, but for now this rod will see alot of action this year.

Ron

Go with the BIIx it is an awesome rod! It is a very fast rod, yet it retains a soft tip which most fast rods lack. It casts well at short distances as well as long distances. The soft tip should protect lighter leaders but still cast in the wind. One poster mentioned how light it felt, it IS light, about an ounce lighter than any other comparable rod!

Josh White
http://www.rogueflyshop.com

I really, really wish there was another term for the BIIx action. 'Very fast' brings to mind rods like the Sage TCR, TFO TCriX (or whatever it's named), the Loomis 'Max' and the Echo 9', 5 wt. competition rod. To me, the 'very fast' of the BIIx only kicks in with the lower two sections start getting a workout... up to that point the rod is very forgiving and far from very fast.

I have to agree Jackster1 but isn't the BIIx a wonderful flyrod?

Sure is! I have 2 and 3/4 BIIx's and see more in my future... the 1/4 I donated to the Watauga this week!

Jackster,

Does this mean you lost a tip in the river???

OUCH!!!!!

CG

Yeah, sure does!

I had a downstream snag and did what I have done a thousand times... point the rod at the snag and break off. I searched and searched for that tip. Though the snag was downstream, when I got back to camp an old-timer told me I should have looked UP-steam! Anyone know if that is true?

I learned a valuable lesson... from now on I will always pull on the LINE to break off snags. Let this be a lesson to all of you!

I think a Winston BIIx 9' 4 weight is my future. The BIIx is an awesome rod.

Jackster1,

I suppose you can get a replacement from Winston for that rod.

Ron

Jackster,

I witnessed such an event many many years ago. It was an older gentleman and the tip section on a Wright & McGill Aristocrat bamboo.

I should have gone head first after it since I may someday inherit a bamboo minus one tip.

Hope this helps...

CG

Jackster, I agree with your assesment of the 'fast" action.... It is a fast rod, but it isn't stiff like most fast rods tend to be. It is not like an XP, that is so fast it doesnt have much of a tip.... and yet it has PLENTY of power throught the entire rod. Next week I will be testing a 12wt BIIx on Tarpon...that should be interesting!

Josh
http://www.rogueflyshop.com

You wouldn't happen to need a rod boy, would you? Will work for airfair, lodging and travel expenses!

I will agree Winston somehow has made this rod addictive. As soon as you get stream side and you're confronted with short easy cast the rod does it. When you need to shoot it across the stream it does it again. When the wind picks up the BIIx delivers yet again.

I own the 8'6" 3wt BIIx and I love it, I just fished the Colorado the other day and I was loaned an 8'6" 5wt and it's the sweetest fly rod I've ever fished. This rod generates an unbelievable amount of line speed when needed and just like the 3wt it delivers. After fishing the 8'6" 5wt I ordered one and I'm replacing my Sage XP 9' 6wt with a BIIx as well.

As for the action I can only describe it as versatile and I think that says it all. This rods action is med, med/fast, and fast. It all depends on how you use it, so versatile action fits it well.

I have a trip planed for next winter to the Yucatan and I'm hoping to add the BIIx 9' ~ 8, 9, and 10 wt rods to my arsenal before the trip.

As for overall rod so far I like the 8'6" 5wt. While I was on the Colorado I used this rod to fish nymphs and dries and I was faced with stiff winds at times. If I were to die today there would be no way they could ever remove the smile from my face.

Memphis,

If you really like the BIIx 8'6" rod in a 5 weight then try a 9' in the 5 weight. I casted both and the 9' seemed to cast alot better in the wind and the rod really does the work.

A 9' 4weight BIIx is now in my future...

Ron

I did try it, I found "IMO" the 8'6" to cast a lot better. the line speed I can generate with the 8'6" is jaw dropping. But to each their own, I did however like the 9' 6wt


Great another one bit by the BIIx bug, you'll enjoy that 4 wt =-)

PAlongbow,

Got my BIIx 9' 4wt. yesterday. Do me one favor, Please. When they plant this old pile of bones in the groung. Make sure they don't try to pry my BII's out of my hands. I want them with me when I fish with the BIG GUY. The next thing to heaven!!!!!!!!! Best Fishes <'(((((((((((((>< Mike

Good grief Winston's gotta be happy with this kinda review;-)

Now if only they'd do a small stream version, say a 7'6" 3wt. Shudder. My wife would never approve of *another* big bux rod, but I'd find a way.

Hey Mike. I got the green light (no pun intended) to get a BIIx 9' 4weight rod. This rod should compliment my existing 9' 5 weight BIIx

Ron

COOL!!!!!!!!!!! You will love it!!!!!!

Boron has interesting flex/casting qualities...if cut/wound etc. right... I remember Ted Simroe's (and others') rods back in the early 80s. Sounds like I should throw some line...at least with a few BIIX rods.

I just bought a Sage XP 590-4 to be my all around rod and really love it, but after reading this thread, I'm thinking that for my next 4wt or 6wt, I just might have to try a BIIX.

How does the 9' 4wt work with dries (#10-#22) and the 9' 6wt work with heavy woolly bugger / nymph rigs and small bass bugs?

Labantayo,
I own several Winstons. For dries smaller than size 20 I like my WT 8' 4wt. Soft gental presentation. For bigger water and bigger flies you can not beat my Borob IIx 9' 4wt. For bigger flies I use myWt JWF 5wt 8'6" on small streams or my Boron IIx 9' 6wt on larger water. You know what they say" Differant toll for a differant job " Best fishes Mike

Mike,
Thanks for the reply.
Where, besides Ebay, can you get good prices on Winstons?
I have several shops in driving distance, but they never make you a deal.
Thanks,

Winston rods are fair traded, basically means the price is fixed. NO shop will give you a deal, or they face loosing the product line. If you find good deals, it is likely used,. dicontinued, or the shop is dropping the product line.

Josh White
http://www.rogueflyshop.com