480 Doppelgänger

There are times I don't pack my TMF when I'm planning a short fly fishing trip. Not often do I leave it at home on certain destinations. But sometimes I just want to pack three multi-piece fly rods in a travel carrier along with a single duffle bag stuffed with clothes and essentials for a quick trip out of town. I really like the simple, just-the-essentials fishing trips...especially the solitary ones. The challenge when leaving the 8' 4wt TMF at home is its rod length, line weight, and unique taper are such an enjoyable fit for so many streams here in the Southwest. The rod has spoiled me, indeed. Surely, there is a multi-piece 4wt that replicates a TMF? A doppelgänger of sorts, but in four-piece configuration. Just so I'm clear, I talking about an eight foot rod, not a rod a few inches longer or shorter, but a true eight footer.

Instead of the TMF, I could pack a Winston 4wt rod in an 8'6" length, not a problem. I own a great one, and it's just as satisfying to fish as the TMF! But, you know? The 8' length seems so much better on certain streams...I know it's only six inches. However, it seems an extra six inches is just too long. Yes, there are 8' 4wt streams, and high elevation lakes in trout country. And, I like to fish them!

The closest, and only Winston to a TMF fly rod that I own, in four-piece configuration, is my Winston BIII LS 8' 4wt rod (top photo). I have fished it for over ten years, and have had some outstanding fishing adventures with it, but the BIII LS rod action casts differently than the TMF. I want something in an 8' 4wt model, four pieces, and fishes like my TMF.

Most likely, Winston will never offer one. Why? The TMF can't be replicated...