Winston IM6 History - 1989 - 2001
The rod from R.L. Winston that initially caught my eye was the TMF model. It's an 8' 4wt rod that became popular from the very beginning when it was introduced in 1989, and dubbed the Tom Morgan Favorite. A fly fisher can still purchase a new TMF model to this day. Truly, a remarkable product run for a fly rod. With exception of Winston's TMF in a WT model, the days for IM6 and WT rods are over. The only way to get an IM6 model today is on the secondary market. The IM6 fly rods built from 1989 through 1994/95 are what I call Morgan-Era rods. During these years, the Winston Company outsourced their IM6 rod blanks from the G-Loomis company. Various sources say the serial number range of around #15,000 to #25000 were IM6 G-Loomis designed blanks, while serial numbers from #25000 to #43500 were G-Loomis blanks made with Tom Morgan's taper design. I perceive Tom Morgan's design tapers are ever so slightly firmer when casting, but have the same feel when casting. Tom sol...
