Winston Bamboo - Stoner

I was cruising the big auction site the other day when I came across a listing for a Winston bamboo 7'6" 3oz. fly rod (1 tip) along with sock and tube. Seller didn’t say what the model was, but the price was a deal, and I knew it would be snapped up quickly. I did a speed read with the listing, scanned the photos quickly, and decided it was indeed a desirable vintage Winston, "what the hell?" My finger was hovering over the keyboard, and then as if it had a mind of its own, click....it hit the 'Buy Now' button. In just a few minutes, the seller sent me a message that the rod should arrive in three days.

You know what I was hoping? Could it be an early Lew Stoner 'Leetle Feller' rod model built by the man himself? The photos looked like one, and I thought it was worth the gamble to acquire it and then confirm the actual model by the Winston folks. I've never owned a Winston bamboo rod, so I decided even if it wasn't a Leetle Feller model, it would still be a 'win' for me.

I started researching Leetle Feller rod history, and discovered Lew Stoner (Winston co-founder) was inspired by his friend and angling author, Peter Schwab in the 1930s to make a rod series of short, lightweight, rod models for the small trout streams he loved to fish. Peter called them Leetle Fellers, the name stuck, and they are still admired to this day by those in the fly fishing sport. And, it's a highly collectible fly rod to this day.

Now I'm really wondering, what actually is this fly rod and could it be a Leetle Feller? Readers of this blog know I call my little wild trout, Leetle Fellers...a name I borrowed from this famous line of bamboo rods by Winston. Yup, I had to find out if this rod is a Leetle Feller...or not. So, I promptly sent an email to Winston in regard to what their records say about the rod. I received a fast response from their bamboo department in about an hour with the following information:

Hi Mike,

The rod you’re inquiring about in our records is shown being finished in 1940. It was built for James Lowe early in Winston’s history as a company. Lew Stoner and Red Loskot would be the two owners of Winston at this time. Lew Stoner was one of the founders of Winston rods, coming from a machining background he developed the hollow fluting technique in the early thirties. Which he used to make the hollow rods Winston was famous for. This rod would be classified in their light trout series of rods and would beautifully fish a double taper classic 5 weight line very nicely. It is a very good find for your collection. I hope this information helps. If you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out.

Am I disappointed this isn't a Leetle Feller rod? Nope, not at all. This Light Trout Rod is a historical rod built by Lew Stoner early in Winston's history...looks like the Leetle Feller rod series of that era, with the same sensitive feel, but with a bit more power. Yup, I am absolutely thrilled. I've always wanted a Winston bamboo rod in the collection. And then, after all these years a Light Trout bamboo rod, built in 1940 by Lew Stoner, drops into my lap for a song. Oh yeah, I'm totally blown away to have this rod included with the other Winstons in the rack.

The rod's blank is dead straight with perfect wraps and finish. The only thing this rod needs is to smooth out the grip and seat to its original glory. I'll get to that at some point. Besides the rod, you just gotta love that rod tube and cap which I've never seen before, along with the label of Winston's early logo.

POST NOTE: After considering several reels, I have decided to designate a L.L. Bean Guide 5/6 reel spooled up with an old SA DT5F fly line. My plans are to only fish this vintage rod one time, and then display it in honor of the R.L. Winston Company's impressive heritage. Do I know where I will be fishing this rod? Sure do...and, I plan on it being a day to remember with a beautiful stream, beautiful trout, and a day of appreciation for the Rocky Mountain outdoors.

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