Beyond The Cork

Three Winston rod series I have found more enjoyable to fish than any other rod series (any brand) for the last twenty five years have been the IM6 light trout rods, WT rods, and BIIt fly rods. I just haven't fished other rods (any brand) that brings as much satisfaction to me as these rods do on a trout stream. And, please know I have tried. The closest rod (I've fished) to be in the same game is my Scott 773 fly rod...it's up there with my Winston IM6 3wt. But, a bit shy of the mark.

Yeah, the Winston IM6/WT/BIIt rods have the magic for me in my home waters. It has taken several years to assemble the quiver I now enjoy, so I am committed to my investment. I do keep my eyes open for new creek rods entering the market, however. And, the only rod series catching my eye at this time is the new Winston Pure2 series. But, I have questions.

Will the new Winston Pure2 fly rods have the magic like my old classic Winstons? I have still yet to see one and have only read the PR promotions and a few reviews from others. You know, I always find it helpful to wait until mainstream anglers have spent significant time fishing with newly launched rods and report their experiences. I do want to know what they think of the rod from real world fishing situations. And, I look for patterns or consensus in feedback from diverse sources. So, I'll be watching carefully in 2025 for Pure2 consumer feedback.

While the new rod lengths in the Pure2 series are interesting and exciting to many anglers, they have created a concern for me. The new lengths are not what I have found ideal for my small streams. Or, maybe better said, the lengths don't fit within my paradigm of what are ideal lengths in my home waters. The lengths are similar to Winston's LT rods of past, and Sage has historically used these lengths for many of their small stream rods too. Nope, I never added those rods to my 'Mountain Rio Quiver' for a reason. Wait, I do have one 8'3" 3wt Winston LT, and that is reinforcing my concerns with Pure2 lengths as well.

I'm in a 'wait and see' mode for now and that's okay...perfectly happy to fish my old classic Winstons come spring time. They're perfect. To design something better than my proven performers is no small challenge for new rod designers in today’s world of fly fishing. They have a 'fast, deep stream' to cross....