Well, I finally gave in the "green side" of the force and ordered a Winston BIIx 490!

Having not cast the rod before buying (there's no Winston dealer in my country), I based my decision on other people's thoughts - most from this message board.

I still have a shade of doubt about BIIx action so, please define (one more time) the action of this rod for me. Is it Medium-Fast as some board members/BIIx owners claimed? Does it have a similar bend as the Sage SLT? Or is it a shade faster? My current trout rod is a Sage SP 490-3 with green graphite spacer (factory built), under 3 oz. weight. How does the BIIx compare to the SP?

My fishing range is between 10 and 40 feet, mostly with dries... I have some second thoughts about a Winston WT Trout... so, I would prefer that the BIIx have a medium-fast action more than a "crisp, fast action". I prefer smooth med-fast actions just like the SP has (a little bit towards the faster "med-fast"). What is exactly like?

The fly shop guys didn't send the rod yet but they might ship it the next day or so... so, I would have time for a last-minute change...

Thanks,
Andrei

Andrei, Sorry I don't have your answer( I have a winston 3wt IM6 = WT in today's terminology) However, If you are in need of a quick answer try this:

http://www.winstonrods.com/forum/viewtopics.cfm?Forum=5

Some great info and truly Winston "addicts"

good luck!

Hi Andrei,

When you receive this rod, you'll notice that it casts however you want the thing to cast. Unlike other rods that have a certain action, this rod is so user-friendly...you can cast it soft and slow and the thing will perform...short casts out to 15 or 20 feet...the tip will load with little line outside the tip. And you'll derive incredible feel from it as well.

On the other hand, you can also wind the rod up and get it going like a pure fast-action stick, and the rod will respond.

What I think a lot of people misunderstand about this rod is it's action. It's not necessarily a fast-action rod. I would classify it as a medium-fast, if you want to cast it this way, or it certainly could be a fast-action rod if you want it to cast this way. It'll do both. But what amazes people is the line speed the rod generates!!

Even if you're just casting it slow and easy, the thing spits out some line. And if you really bear down on it and push it for distance, it's a gun!! All the while the sensitivity is incredible and it's very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very,very smooth. It is not stiff at all, yet has some guts. I guess this is the second-generation Boron working for you.

I own an SLT and it's a beautiful, medium-fast and very smooth rod. The BIIx may be classified this way, but it produces higher line speed and it'll cast the entire line.

Not to mention it's lighter in weight.

The best description of these rods that I've heard is that you'd have to combine two or three rods from other manufacturers into one rod, in order to have the capabilities of the BIIx. No other rod does so many things as well. j

Enjoy your new Winston Boron IIx...

Count

Have you ever heard the expression "Best thing since sliced bread"? Well that expression holds true with the BIIx rod. I just bought a Winston BIIx and it casts like a dream and I can put a fly on a dime with this rod. I can truthfully say its the best rod I have ever casted or owned. My next rod will be the same rod you have choose. I need a 9' 4 weight for my arsenal.

Let us know what you think when you receive the rod.

Ron

I don't think I can offer more after having read count's great post.
I own the exact rod you are inquiring about. I would classify it as a med-fast rod. You can make a very gentle presentation with this rod, however you can also double haul it 70 feet. It has a very soft tip that will protect your tippet. This is a very fine dry-fly rod. When using sink tip lines I start to look towards faster rods like my XP. As count mentioned it has a similar speed to the SLT, however, I am able to generate higher line speeds if I need to, and cast longer distances. I love mine for fishing dry's when there is not a whole lot of wind. Good luck

Thanks fellows for your kind words . I can understand that this is a VERSATILE stick, a great allrounder... Winston people told me the same.

Now, I really look forward to receive it... I will post my opinion after my first casts with it.

This will be my first R.L. Winston since my other rods are Sage... all of them . And this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship

Andrei

AndreiZ, might I suggest a good way to test that rod?
Start off close and pay attention to the rod. You should feel it load and see the tip work even with very little line out.
Gradually increase the distance, all the while letting the rod do the work.
By the time the entire line is tossed you should be thouroughly addicted!

Fine choice!
Best of luck with it!

Hi Jackster,

Thanks for your suggestion - you bet I'll do that and test it thoroughly. I can adapt my stroke to the rod's action and recovery, that's why I own such different action rods - from med-fast to ultra-fast.

As I was looking for a all around rod, I hope this will be the one. I will let you all know my thoughts on it.

Andrei