The GOAT - Winston 7'6" 3wt

The 7'6" 3wt graphite fly rod has been the standard model to fish small trout streams for a few decades now. The rod's length is long enough to effectively cast a fly up to 55 feet, yet light enough to load the rod effectively for short casts, and is short enough to manage moderate canopied streams. It has enough power to handle trout in the 17" plus range, and is delicate enough to feel the fight in a trout that's 8 to 10 inches in stature. Yup, it's pretty versatile for a 3wt rod.

If you ask long-time fly fishers which 7'6" 3wt model is the best ever...well, you will receive a lot of thoughtful and biased opinions on the subject. Am I biased? Heck yeah! I've fished this model built with the latest technologies from the best rod companies in the world. And yet, I consider a vintage rod as the best all-time rod in the 7'6" 3wt model. If you're guessing I believe the best all-time model is a Winston, you know me, and you would be right. The Winston IM6 7'6" 3wt rod in either two-piece or three-piece configuration is the best there is...even to this day. If only Winston would make a special edition production run of this iconic 3wt rod, it surely would generate a lot of excitement from anglers who are Winston fans. And, as long as Winston is at it, they might as well add a 6'6" 3wt and 7' 3wt to the limited edition product runs, but I'm getting off topic there.

Here's what Winston says about their IM6 Light Trout Rods:

Our IM6 Trout Rods have a dedicated following among experienced anglers, and for good reason. They're a joy to cast and fish. With a unique progressive taper, soft tips, and the renowned "Winston Action", these smooth casting rods offer unmatched feel, and can make very gentle presentations of the fly. Proven over time, they're some the most effective rods ever designed for trout fishing.

Below are some random photos of my IM6 7'6" 3wt fly rods, in both 2 and 3 piece models:

Click on photo for larger view