Winston IM6 8' 4wt (Not TMF)

Within the IM6 rod series, the standard IM6 8' 4wt fly rod has always been in the shadow of its sibling, the TMF 8' 4wt model. I mean after all, how can a rod in the same length and line weight compete with Tom Morgan's Favorite rod, the TMF? Well, it didn't.

Tom Morgan took the butt section of the standard IM6 8' 4wt rod and tweaked the tip section to be a bit more sensitive. And, the result was an instant success. Actually, the TMF has endured time through several generations of rod series and is still being sold today as part of Winston's rod offerings. Yep, successful and competing in today's world of fast and firm fly rods. Remarkable!

Left behind and in vintage tackle shops, you can occasionally find an old IM6 8' 4wt rod, sitting on a rack, waiting for someone to adopt it. For clarity, I'm not referring to the TMF, but the standard IM6 8' 4wt Light Trout Rod model. Those who own one and have fished it through all these years know just how good this rod actually is. But, for the rest of the angling world, not so much. I knew very little about it as well...but I was curious enough to acquire one and go through a learning curve, to gain first hand knowledge of its capabilities.

Freestone Vintage Tackle's Description: For sale here is an R.L. Winston IM6 8' 2-piece 4wt graphite rod in excellent+ condition. Serial no. 23303, made in May 1992. Deep green sanded blank (Loomis) with green wraps. Sections are serialized and the spigot ferrules fit perfectly with gaps to allow for wear. R.L. Winston decal on the butt section. U-shaped hook keeper (slightly bent) over 6" cork grip (clean & smooth). Bright NS reel seat with zebrawood spacer. Minor signs of use, this rod is in fantastic shape. Sold in beige fold over bag with Winston logo embroidered and green powder coated aluminum tube.

Yeah, I purchased the rod. I was able to cast it a few days ago at a local park and select the best fly line for the rod...and me. Nope, it didn't take me long to confirm a Rio LightLine WF4F fly line was a good fit. After I began casting the rod, it occurred to me I should have brought my TMF to compare the two side by side. Yeah, I'll do that later, for sure. However, the next test for this rod will be on a trout stream for the true test. Depending on weather, Rich and I have plans to fish at end of week...the rod will be in the truck, for sure.

A Winston expert, and former Montana guide, who had connections with Winston when Tom Morgan was the owner, once said this standard IM6 8' 4wt model, during the production years prior to serial #30,000 is a bit softer in flex than the same IM6 model for the years after. I agree. The rod is a tiny bit softer in flex than I was expecting, but still has the 4wt power I was seeking. I suspect when I'm able to do side by side testing to the TMF, I will find it only feels slightly firmer in the tip than the Morgan Favorite. No doubt, it's going to be quite nice for some streams I frequent.

I must say, testing the rod at the neighborhood park last week was fun and I'm very pleased with the performance of this old classic. I found the rod's sweet spot for me is 10 to 40 feet and quite enjoyable to cast. When I started pushing it beyond 50 feet it began to lose effective control. The good news, I can fish any stream in New Mexico in that 10 to 50 range and catch some beautiful trout. Yep, the rod is a definite keeper. And, I can't wait to see how the rod behaves with a trout on the end of the line!