I'm Done

I enjoy fishing 7'6" 3wt rods in a variety of river environments. This model has historically been the standard length and weight for those who love to fish the 'blue lines' of America. And, through the years I've been searching for the perfect 7'6" 3wt to fish my home waters and small streams throughout the southwest.

No, I didn't find a single rod that I can say is "The Rod" of choice, but can say the Winston IM6 7'6" 3wt rods listed below are my favorites, and I have closed the door on my passionate search for the perfect 3wt rod. I'm done. My favorites are actually the same rod, with faintly any difference. And, I plan to spend the rest of my fly fishing days savoring every moment I'm standing in a stream, casting one of these sweet 3wt fly rods, and bringing the Leetle Fellers into my net.

Winston IM6 7'6" 3wt (3pc) - This is the only Winston I own that has a teak reel seat. The reel seat was a factory option back in the day when Winston built this rod (1994). Exquisite! The rod's action is perfect for my mountain Rio's and will drop a dry fly gently for 'the take'. Casting is so sweet with this rod that I'm sure Tom Morgan himself handled it in the Winston shop and gave it his good mojo. It has his intended action for bringing the Leetle Fellers to the net...an action that has not been surpassed by any contemporary rod since Tom created this model. A mountain creek dream rod, indeed.

Winston IM6 7'6" 3wt (3pc) - This rod is a custom build by Marty DeSapio of Horseshoe Bend Rods. He ordered the IM6 blank and cork handle directly from R.L. Winston in 1997. The blank was built with Ti-Gold guides and dark green wraps. For some reason, he didn't use a Winston reel seat? I asked Ben Casarez of Flat Creek Rods to upgrade the seat with a genuine Winston seat and he did a fabulous job. This has been my workhorse 3wt rod for a few years and I like to rig it up when I'm on streams where I could be surprised with a large trout. This blank was built in the year when Winston began rolling their own IM6 blanks and is a bit firmer than the earlier rods built with Loomis sourced IM6 blanks. It's an awesome rod and will continue to be a workhorse in my quiver.

Winston IM6 7'6" 3wt (2pc) - I acquired this rod specifically to pair with my Winston IM6 6'6" 2wt fly rod (2pc) which is known to the best-in-class for short 2wt rods. And, they pair perfectly for fishing diverse mountain Rio's up on Rainy Mountain. Built in 1993, it's a 2-piece rod that is a bit softer in flex than it's 3-piece fraternal twin, but has the same action and is a delight to fish for little wild trout. And no, I can't say whether I prefer the 2-piece or 3-piece rod...they are both impressive.

Tom Morgan says this about about the iconic IM6 fly rod:

"Our IM6 Trout rods are extremely popular, particularly among accomplished anglers, eager to tackle the most challenging trout fishing conditions. The 3-weight Light Trout rods are special purpose rods which are very effective for very careful presentations at short to medium distances with little to no wind. A good choice for smaller rivers and spring creeks. For a minimum of surface water disturbance, these Trout rods are exceptional.

It's hard to believe that fly rods can feel this light and lively. All our Trout rods are designed with progressive tapers and soft tips creating our celebrated smooth-casting "Winston Action." Pure poetry.

When you're fishing for trout, most fish are caught in the 20 to 50 foot range and they're going to be caught in the 20 to 50 foot range 30 years from now as they were 30 years ago. The materials change over time, leaders have changed, flies have changed, and lines have changed, but you're still fishing basically the same distances."

And, the most famous quote from Tom Morgan - "A great fly rod is always a great fly rod."