In Play For 2025

It's probably no surprise to anyone that I have a favorite fly rod for each line weight. A few of those rods are somewhat rare and don't get fished but for a 'Sunday Ride' every now and then...on a safe stream. I've posted numerous stories on these rods and their history, along with my fishing trips where they get rigged up for trout action. However, the rods I fish most are what I call 'work rods'...the rods that get the regular fishing duty throughout the year. Sometimes I call them 'gamers' which comes from my golf days playing the trusted clubs I used faithfully in golf tournaments.

As I posted earlier this year, I will be visiting a lot of streams where a 2wt rod is a great fit. And, while I plan to fish those rods frequently, one 2wt will be part of a three work rod quiver for many of those fishing trips. Regardless of which rod model I rig up for the day, I know it will be a natural fit with how I like to cast a line and manage a trout into the net. Each are intuitive, and provide the same satisfying experience on my trout streams, regardless of their different lengths and line weights. They have proven to me as a perfect fit in the trout environments I roam through and fish. Well, for me that is.

Winston WT 7' 2wt (3pc) - This three-piece rod is a go anywhere fly rod on small streams throughout New Mexico. I fish it with both 2wt and 3wt fly lines, which one depending on fishing conditions. The rod loads easily for working the line in close and can present a fly as softly as any rod I've fished. It is one of the best designed rods (for this line weight) I own, and is a long-time favorite 2wt model among many Winston fans. I will go on and say that there hasn't been another rod in this model from Winston or any other rod builder that will compare to this classic WT 2wt rod...for performance, aesthetics, or for the pure joy of fishing.

Winston Air 7'6" 3wt (4pc) - A 3wt that didn't receive the respect and kudos from the fly shop pros back during its production years. Too bad, because they missed out. Probably because the fly shop guys like fishing long rods and don't get out on trout streams with anything 8' and shorter. And, when they do, it's with a fast action rod. The smooth progressive action with this 7'6" 3wt has all the traditional Winston feels, yet has a bit more strength than my classic IM6 3wt. Its casts are effortless, deadly accurate, and manages a tight line effortlessly like most Winstons do so well. It can shoot some line and will be roaming my small to mid-size streams. A feature post on this rod will be forthcoming at a later time.

Winston WT TMF 8' 4wt (2pc) - There is no rod like the TMF model. It has a magical touch. It was a favorite for not only Tom Morgan, but also with Winston fans around the world, going on for over 30 years. It may be the longest, continuous production, graphite fly rod in history. And, hopefully, Winston will continue to offer this model for many more years to come. The manner of how it casts and manages a tight line is impressive for those of us who fish small to medium size streams...the rod is so intuitive to cast that you can give your full focus to working the stream. My WT TMF is a contemporary factory build, with Ben of Flat Creek Rods modifying it to a down locking reel seat, using genuine Winston components. Yup, you will be hard pressed to find a new factory TMF like this one.

These three 'work rods' will get packed into the truck this year for many of my fishing trips. They just work so good for me. And, with these three, I can cover most of the streams in New Mexico with exception of the large tailwater rivers. The reason for the Air 7'6" 3wt? I'm beginning to realize there will come a time I need to semi-retire the IM6 and WT rods from the 'work rod' mode. They're becoming collector rods, some rare and increasing in value. And, they should be preserved for generations to come. So, the Air 3wt is a means to keep my classic IM6 3wt rod in excellent condition.

For sure, I'll still get the vintage classics out on safer trout streams and will be fishing them each month...just not as much! You may not notice any difference on the blog since I don't publish all of my fishing trips, and prefer to highlight the classic gear when I do publish a fly fishing story.

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