Fall Fly Fishing Clark Fork River

How To Choose The Best Fly Rod For Trout

Selecting a fly rod for trout can be a daunting task with hundreds of options on the market and some rather technical terms that don’t always make sense.

We’re going to help make that process easier by breaking down the terms, why we use certain rods in certain situations and what style rod fits your home waters.

Our fly shop is in the heart of Missoula fly fishing, we’ve been outfitting anglers since 1987 for not only our home waters but anglers around the country and around the world for almost 4 decades.

Whether you’re fishing small creeks in the east to larger rivers in the northwest, we have rods that cover every situation from freshwater to saltwater.

Let’s get right into what fly rod fits your situation best and breakdown what some of these terms mean.

What Does Weight Mean For Fly Rods?

The fly rod weight doesn’t mean what it weighs in ounces but rather the strength and width of the rod.

The higher the number weight the stronger/thicker the rod is.

A 3 weight is a much lighter than a 10 weight fly rod.

Here’s a little breakdown of when and where to use different weight rods

  • 2-3wt rods are best used for smaller creeks and small dry flies(size 14-22 flies). This rod size is preferred for dry flies, while casting nymphs and streamer flies are difficult.
  • 4-5wt rods are best used for medium to larger streams with small to medium sized flies(size 10-22 flies). This rod size is preferred for dry flies and smaller nymph rigs. Casting larger nymph rigs and streamers can be done in a pinch, but not ideal.
  • 5-6wt rods are best used for medium to larger rivers with larger flies(size 6-18 flies). This rod size is preferred for dry flies, nymphs and decent for casting streamers.
  • 6-7wt rods are best used for medium to larger rivers with larger flies(size 2-12 flies). This rod size is preferred for larger dry flies, medium to large nymph rigs and larger streamers.
  • 7-8wt rods are best used for medium to large rivers with larger streamers(size 2/0-8 streamer flies). This rod size is designed to cast heavy sink lines or floating lines with big streamers.

As you can see there is a bit of overlap with some of these rod weights.

The 5wt is the most common rod for trout fly fishing and is as close to a “do everything rod” as you will find. The 5wt can be used for small dries to small streamers and nymph rigs, from small streams to larger rivers.

The 2-3wt and 7-8wt range rods are more for specific applications.

The 2-3wt and even the 4wt rod is used for delicate presentations for spooky trout on smaller streams, while the 7-8wt has a lot more power to deliver large streamer flies on bigger water.

Why Do Fly Rods Come in Different Lenghts?

Like fly rod weights, fly rod lengths are made for different situations and tactics.

Shorter rods are typically used for smaller streams and dry flies.

Longer rods are typically used for larger streams for dries, nymphs and streamers.

Shorter rods are more accurate for small streams and tight spots.

Larger rods are a little less accurate but better for longer distance casting and easier to mend your fly line.

Here’s a breakdown on what lengths work best in different situations

  • 6’6″ – 8′ length rods are best used for smaller creeks and smaller to medium size dry flies and nymphs(size 14-22 flies). Best for accuracy and casting into tight spots when streams with thick overgrowth vegetation makes casting a longer rod harder.
  • 8’6″ – 10′ length rods are best used for medium to larger streams and small to larger dry flies, nymphs and streamers(size 2-22 flies). Best for distance and mending with ease when thick overgrowth vegetation is not an issue.

The most common length is 9′ for many different styles of streams.

In simple terms, if you’re fishing small creeks with a lot of brush, go with a shorter rod.

If you’re fishing medium to larger streams where vegetation is not an issue, go with a longer rod like a 9 footer.

What Does Fast Action Fly Rod Mean?

Fast action rods mean the rod flexes the least meaning it is faster to recover to straight a up and down position.

These rods are designed for power, not finesse like the medium to slow action rods.

Fast action rods are preferred for larger fish, larger flies and longer distance casting. Not necessarily deemed by the size of the stream you’re fishing. Although small streams usually have smaller fish, this isn’t always the case and small streams can have some monster trout in them.

The power of these fast rods are ideal when fishing large dry flies, large nymph rigs and streamers.

If you primarily fish an area that is often windy, a fast rod is the rod for you and makes punching through the wind much easier compared to slower rods.

What Does Slow Action Fly Rod Mean?

Slow action rods flex the most and takes a longer time to recover to the straight up and down position.

Slow rods bend throughout most of the rod, where faster rods bend throughout just the tip of the rod.

Slow action rods are preferred for smaller dries and light nymphs on any sized stream from small to large.

The slow action of these rods create a slower line speed allowing for more delicate softer presentations.

Rods that are slower in action also benefit the hook set on lighter tippet. Slower rods have a softer tip which helps as a shock absorber when setting the hook on light tippet.

Slow rods have been designed specifically for trout fly fishing and follows the more traditional design of trout fly rods.

But, this slower design does create a few drawbacks for different situations when trout fishing.

The disadvantages of slower rods are that they are more difficult to cast in the wind, hard to cast big dries and nymph rigs, and lacks the power to cast longer distances.

Does Any Of This Really Matter When Selecting A Fly Rod For Trout?

That all depends on you.

Fly fishing doesn’t have to be technical. It’s meant to be fun. Selecting a fly rod for trout can be as easy as pushing a button. Any rod weight and length will catch fish.

But, the technicalities of fly fishing is one of the reasons why this hobby is so much fun.

Learning how to fish efficiently and affectively has a lot to do with the gear you fish and ultimately results in the quality and quantity of fish you catch.

Fishing the correct gear will also help in cutting down some of the frustration that comes with fly fishing.

You have to ask yourself the question. Do you want to be someone who casually goes to the river and fishes a few times a year with your buddy?

If that’s the case, pick a simple rod/reel package like this one and go have some fun fishing!

Or are you the type of person that is always pushing your activites and knowledge of the hobby to the next level, strive to be better and spend the time to learn the ins and outs of your hobbies.

And if this is the case, it pays in quantity of fish caught and quality of fish to learn the Intricacies of the gear you fish, the water you fish and species you fish for.

Let’s Break It Down To What Waters You’ll Be Fishing On Your Home Waters

We’ve covered the why, when, and where.

Let’s take a look at the best fly rod options for trout on the market today from creeks to larger streams.

Here in our home town Missoula, MT, we have a wide variety of streams from small creeks you can jump over to larger rivers like the Clark Fork river that you would be hard pressed to swim across.

We’ve casted and put most of the rods on the market to the test and have decades of experience fishing and outfitting anglers for not only our streams here in Montana, but also outfitting many anglers for their home waters.

Here are our top recommendations for different situations.

Fly Rods For Small Creeks

Echo Carbon XL

$ 199 .99

Budget Friendly Option

Medium/Fast Action Rod

Redington ButterStick

$ 279 .99

Mid Priced Option

Slow Action Rod

Douglas Upstream

$ 519 .00

Our Favorite

Slow Action Rod

Fly Rods For Larger Streams

Echo Lift

$ 109 .99

Budget Friendly Option

Fast Action Rod

Douglas DXF GEN 2

$ 499 .99

Mid Priced Option

Medium/Fast Action Rod

Winston Pure

R.L. Winston Pure Fly Rod
$ 995 .00

Our Favorite

Slow/Medium Action Rod

Click Here If You Want The Faster Model of Winston Which Is The Air 2

Looking For A Reel To Match Up With Your Fly Rod

Fly Reels are the least important part of your setup when targeting trout, while the rod and line are more crucial to your success.

Here at the Missoulian Angler fly shop, we always tell people to spend more on the rod and line and save money on the reel.

Of course it’s nice to have good quality gear with a lifetime warranty, so we’re going to give you a few options in different price ranges and let you decide which one is best for your budget.

Keep in mind that you want to match the weight of the rod to the weight recommendations of the reel.

Here are some of our favorite fly reels whether you’re fishing a fast to slow action rod, 7′ to 10′ length rod, for small creeks to larger rivers.

Echo Ion

$ 79 .99

Budget Friendly

Lamson Guru

$ 299 .99

Mid Priced Option – Our Favorite

Ross Evolution LTX

$ 475 .00

Premium Option

Looking For A Fly Line To Match Up With Your Fly Rod and Reel

One of the most crucial parts of your fly fishing setup for Trout is Fly Line and not a place to cut corners on.

Trout Fly Lines For Creeks

Rio Creek Fly Line

$ 99 .99

Designed For Slower Rods

Amplitude Smooth Trout

$ 99 .95

Designed For Slow/Medium Rods

Amplitude Infinity

Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity Fly Line
$ 129 .95

Designed For Fast Rods – Textured Line

Trout Fly Lines For Larger Streams

Rio Elite Gold
Slick Cast

$ 99 .99

Designed For Slow/Medium Rods

SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity

$ 99 .95

Designed For Medium/Fast Rods

SA Amplitude MPX

$ 129 .95

Designed For Fast Rods

Want An Even Deeper Dive in to Fly Rods?

Here we take a look at the history of fly rods, design process and technology used.

Missoula Pike Fly Fishing

Best Fly Rods For Pike

With so many rod companies making larger big game rods these days, it can be hard to narrow your search down to the best fly rods for pike.

Our fly shop has been outfitting anglers for almost 4 decades, and we’re here to help make your decision making a little easier when it comes to gearing up to chase Pike on the fly.

While Missoula is renowned for its spectacular trout fishing, we also have some huge Pike in the Bitterroot river, Clark Fork river and countless lakes.

Our staff is full of Pike nuts that spend many days chasing these toothy critters.

We’re going to jump right in to our favorite fly rods for pike and what makes the perfect rod.

Not only do these fly rods for pike work for these big predators, but these rods also work great for saltwater species, Steelhead, Salmon, Bass and many other larger species.

What Makes A Good Fly Rod For Pike?

We primarily fish for Pike with an 8wt or 9wt, sometimes as small as a 7wt.

Fly rods that are faster in action with a stiffer back bone is key for casting larger streamer flies and fighting larger fish.

While some people do get away with fishing 6 weight fly rods for pike, the larger rods are ideal for these larger flies and picking up heavier fly lines.

We prefer fly rod lenght in 9′. A 9′ is also a more versatile rod for other species like Steelhead, Salmon and many saltwater species if you decide to buy a fly rod that has multiple uses, rather than just a Pike specific rod.

What Are The Best Fly Rods For Pike

Here is a list of our favorite fly rods for Pike.

We have fished and tested hundreds of different fly rods and these are our top picks for fly fishing for Pike.

Douglas ERA Fly Rod

Douglas ERA Fly Rod

Budget Friendly Rod

The Douglas ERA is our budget friendly rod that offers a great pike fly rod at an affordable price.

The Douglas ERA has enough backbone to cast most large Pike flies and fly lines, but lacks in power compared to the rods below when casting really large Pike/Musky flies and heavier sinking lines.

Echo Boost Blue Fly Rod

Echo Boost Blue Fly Rod

Mid Range Priced Rod

The Echo Boost Blue is a mid range priced fly rod that works great for larger predator fish like pike.

The Boost Blue is also one of our favorite saltwater fly rods that we have fished in Christmas Island, Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico and other destinations for saltwater species.

The Boost Blue is a very fast action fly rod and casting larger flies with light to medium sink tips is no problem when chasing pike.

Winston Air 2 Max

Winston Air 2 Max

Premium Option

The Winston Air 2 Max is the “Cream of the Crop” for all predator fly rods.

I absolutely love this fly rod for not only pike but many other species around the world other than trout.

I’ve taking this fly rod around the world fishing species like Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Roosterfish, Redfish, Dorado and many more.

The Air 2 Max is the perfect blend of fast action, light weight and finesse for most predator fish, including pike.

This rod has been my go to Pike rod since I laid hands on it in 2018 and I still haven’t found a rod that comes close to comparing to it for fly fishing for Pike and many other species.

We love it so much, we’ve written an article dedicated to this rod. Click here if you want a more in depth look at what makes this rod the ultimate predator fly rod.

Looking For A Fly Line To Match Up With Your New Pike Fly Rod?

Listed below are a few of our favorite fly lines for Pike, from sink tips to floating lines.

Rio Predator Floating

$ 99 .99

Great Option For Shallow Water Pike On Floating Fly Line

Check Price Here

SA Sonar Titan Sink Tip – INT

$ 99 .95

Great Option For Shallow To 5-6′ Depth – Intermediate Sink Tip

Check Price Here

Rio Predator – F/I/S3 Sink Tip

$ 99 .99

Great Option For Deeper Water Pike – Type 3 Sink Tip

Check Price Here

Fly Reels For Pike? We Got You Covered

Here’s our favorite fly reels for Pike.

Echo Ion

$ 99 .99

Budget Friendly Fly Reel For Pike – Size 7/9 Recommended

Check Price Here

Lamson Liquid Max

$ 279. .95

Great For Pike And Doubles As a Good Saltwater Reel – Size 8 Recommended

Check Price Here

Ross Evolution LTX

$ 475 .00

Premium Pike Fly Reel – Size 7/8 Recommended

Check Price Here

Winston AIR 2 Max: The Ultimate Rod for Predator Fish

What Makes the Winston Air 2 Max the best saltwater rod? From power to finesse, this rod shines in the salt.

We’ll get a more in depth look at just what makes this a great fly rod for all saltwater applications in this review.

Why would a fly shop in the heart of Missoula Montana be talking about saltwater rods?

That’s a good question!

While we love our trout, we also run hosted trips in many locations around the world during our offseason.

We’ve spent a lot of time exploring saltwater fisheries including destinations like Christmas Island, Yucatan, Baja Mexico, Bahamas, New Orleans, Cuba and more.

From Giant Trevally to Bonefish, Tarpon to Sailfish, Roosterfish to Redfish, Permit to Dorado and many more species.

We have a sick addiction for fly fishing and a drive to catch as many species in fresh and saltwater as we can.

We’ve casted just about every saltwater rod designed and put them all to the test.

My First Impressions of the Winston Air 2 Max

My first trip with the the Air 2 Max was in Christmas Island.

I was lucky enough to be gifted an 8wt and 12 weight from Winston to test out.

Surprisingly, my 12wt was somehow lost in transit from Missoula to Hawaii where we overnighted, but that’s a whole other story.

Luckily my 8wt made it and I had some other backups for 10 and 12 weights to fish Giant Trevally with.

My very first impression was stemmed by comparing it to my older Winston BIIISX

It was similar to the older BIIISX but noticeably better in power and accuracy.

I was able to cast faster and further with the power of this rod.

Power

The 8wt Air 2 Max is the fastest winston I’ve fished to date, an upgrade from my older winston BIIISX which was always my go to saltwater rod.

Since Christmas Island, Winston replaced my lost 12wt and I also picked up a 10wt Air 2 Max because of how much I love this new design.

Over the last 6 years I’ve primarily used this rod in Baha Mexico, throughout the Yucatan, New Orleans and Cuba to name a few.

The lightweight but Powerful design is nothing short than a great all around Saltwater rod.

I noticed just how much the stronger backbone to this rod helped in fighting larger fish like Roosterfish, Milkfish, Tarpon and more.

It’s hard to get away from the wind when fishing saltwater, and the power also helps punch through the wind when casting.

Ultimately, I was very impressed with the power from fighting fish, casting in the wind and being able to cast a full length fly line with ease.

Accurate With A Nice Touch

The balance of power and accuracy is what sets this rod apart from other saltwater fly rods.

In my experience with many different salt rods, you usually sacrifice one for the other, accuracy or power.

Winston nailed this design with a perfect balance.

I noticed just how accurate this rod was on my first day in Christmas Island fishing for spooky bonefish in ankle deep water.

The softer tip allows for an accurate cast and soft touch when fishing skinny water for spooky fish.

I figured I was just on my A-game that day until I started casting a few other 8 weights throughout the day.

I then realized just how special the Winston Air 2 Max was compared to other rods, and I never touched another 8wt for the rest of the trip other than my new Air 2 Max.

I guess you can say it was love at first cast!

Versatility

This rod was designed for the saltwater fisherman in mind.

But…

Of course we took this rod back to Missoula to keep the testing process going.

I grabbed my 8wt and a heavy sink tip line and headed to the Blackfoot river with a few buddies to go strip some streamers in Mid June.

I noticed right away that the things that made this rod a great saltwater rod also created a great design for streamer fishing.

The power of this rod picked up line and casted heavy sink tips with ease.

The next day we decided to go chase some pike on the lower Bitterroot River on a floating line.

Again, the power of this rod made it easy to throw 10 inch flies on aggressive tapered fly lines to big pike.

Later that fall I headed over to Idaho to give it a shot for Steelhead.

From nymphing big nymph rigs to swinging flies, it continued to impress for more than just saltwater fly fishing.

Design and Build Quality

The Air 2 Max is constructed using advanced boron technology, which provides an exceptional blend of strength and lightness.

This rod is the highest strength to weight ratio of any rod that winston has ever designed.

The cork grip is a 7″ full wells for the 6 to 10 weight rods and an 8″ full wells grip for the 11 and 12wt rods.

Both grips felt great in my hand and comfortable fishing 10 hour days for weeks on end.

The reel seat is silver lightweight anodized aluminum with double uplocking aluminum rings.

The 6 to 10wts comes with a 1 1/2 ” fighting butt and a 2 1/2″ fighting butt on the 11 and 12 weights.

Final Thoughts

I have many winston rods going back to the old IM6 to the newer models.

Winston never seems to fail when designing rods, and this one is no exception.

The Air 2 Max was a pleasant surprise for not only our saltwater trips around the world, but for many other species from trout, pike, bass, steelhead, salmon and many more.

If you want a Saltwater rod that doubles for a good big game fresh water rod, you can’t go wrong with this rod.

Casting a full fly line, fighting powerful fish, or a delicate cast in skinny water, this rod really shines in all applications for the fresh or saltwater angler.

In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a fly rod that combines innovation, performance, and durability, look no further than the Winston Air 2 Max. This rod is at the top of my list of all time favorite saltwater rods.

R.L. Winston Air 2 Max Fly Rod

The Air 2 Max series is offered in 6-12wt rods. These fast-action rods are ideal for saltwater and larger freshwater fish. The perfect blend of finesse and strength offers a rod that will tackle a wide variety of big game fish. Each rod comes with a graphite tube, logo rod sock and an unconditional lifetime warranty.

R.L. Winston Pure Fly Rod

Winston AIR 2 Fly Rod Review: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop has been a cornerstone of the local fly fishing community for nearly four decades.

But, our expertise extends way beyond Missoula, Montana.

This knowledge enables us to equip every angler for success, wherever their adventures take them.

And one company that has been a top-quality recommendation for us is R.L Winston.

Every Winston rod is handmade here in Montana, and a perfect example of craftsmanship at it’s finest

With this in mind, the award-winning Winston Pure is no exception.

My first Impression of the Winston Air 2

I’ll be mentioning the Winston BIIIX in this review a few times as it has been my go to rod for those days that you go out and want a “do everything rod”.

The Air 2 is also what replaced the older BIIIX.

I bought my wife a 6wt BIIIX when it came out a long time ago, and it’s the rod I personally fish most over the years due to the versatility.

My wife doesn’t know this, so lets keep that on the DL!

While I love some of my other older more traditional dry fly Winstons like the BIILS and BIIT, the BIIIX and now the upgraded Air 2 offers so much more for the angler who carries one rod with them.

The Air 2 is noticeably lighter, more accurate with a softer touch than its predecessor in the BIIIX.

The one thing that really stuck out to me was the softer tip and casting smaller dry flies was much better than the BIIIX, which wasn’t the best for technical dry fly fishing.

Power

Winston is known for their subtle dry fly rods that have the feel of a more traditional slower rod design.

This rod is fast and should be viewed as a rod more for bigger dries, nymph rigs and streamers, rather than a true small technical dry fly rod.

My first day with this rod was a 6wt on the Blackfoot river fishing streamers and a type 3 15′ sink tip.

The Air 2 had no problem picking up and casting this heavy sinking line with a larger streamers.

This 6wt has turned into my go to “do everything rod” for bigger bugs like streamers, large nymph rigs and bigger dries as mentioned above.

It has now replaced my old BIIIX as my primary rod. Hopefully my wife will never find out just how many miles are on her beloved BIIIX!

Not only do fast action rods like this one perform well with bigger bugs, it’s also a powerhouse in the wind.

We get a lot of wind in Montana and this is one of the best performing rods I’ve ever fished with in heavy winds.

Design and Build

The grip comes in a 6.5″ cigar grip.

Its reel seat is crafted from figured Box Elder with uplocking Nickel Silver hardware.

The rod includes light wire hard chrome ECO slick coated shooting guides.

The lightweight but durable design is the norm for Winston, and they seemed to nail the design on this one.

Conclusion

This rod is as close as I’ve seen to the “do everything rod“.

Like I mentioned before, its bread and butter are throwing bigger bugs.

But this rod also has enough finesse and accuracy to deliver small dries like BWO’s and Tricos to spooky fish with a soft touch.

The tip is sensitive enough to fish lighter tippet without issues.

If you’re looking for a more technical dry fly committed rod, you might want to check out the Winston Pure as this is a rod that is designed for smaller dry flies on technical streams.

If you’re looking for that one workhorse rod that you can take anywhere and anytime that will cover a wide range of fishing situations, this is the rod for you.

R.L. Winston Air 2 Fly Rod

The Air 2 series is offered in 3-6wt. These fast-action rods are ideal for waters big and small. The 3 and 4-weight rods excel in small streams, while the 5 and 6-weight rods are perfect for larger rivers and fish that need a little more backbone. Each rod comes with a graphite tube, logo rod sock and an unconditional lifetime warranty.


Our New Favorite Dry Fly Rod: The Winston Pure

The Missoulian Angler Fly Shop has been a cornerstone of the local fly fishing community for nearly four decades.

But, our expertise extends way beyond Missoula, Montana.

This knowledge enables us to equip every angler for success, wherever their adventures take them.

And one company that has been a top-quality recommendation for us is R.L Winston.

Every Winston rod is handmade here in Montana, and a perfect example of craftsmanship at it’s finest

With this in mind, the award-winning Winston Pure is no exception.

My First Impressions of the Winston Pure

My first time fishing with the Winston Pure was on the lower Clark Fork river near Missoula, MT.  

It was a mild Fall day with great BWO and Trico Hatches and willing fish; a PERFECT day for the Winston Pure.

I noticed right away that this rod really shines with smaller dries in mid range casts.

The 9′ 4wt that I had with me that day reminded me a lot of my older Winston B III LS, which was my all-time favorite small dry fly rod.

Power

As the day progressed and the wind picked up (as it tends to do in Missoula), we found ourselves casting hoppers in about 10mph wind

This is the first time where the difference between the B3LS and the Pure came out. The upgrade in power made casting bigger flies way easier than it’s predecessor.

And when I hooked one of the many large Clark Fork Rainbows, the stronger backbone also helped fight fish harder than the B3LS.

Finesse

When you are fishing small dry flies on light tippet, finesse and delicacy is absolutely paramount.

The softer tip of the Winston Pure softened the hookset and made fishing 5x and 6x way easier

This improvement also absorbed more shock so that less fish broke off and more fish were landed

Overall

After my first day of fishing the 9’ 4wt Winston Pure, it was very easy to see the improvements over my beloved B3LS

The stiffer backbone made fighting fish in heavier current easier and helped power bigger flies through the everpresent Montana wind.

This rod really shines in delicate dry fly presentation with smaller dry flies like Caddis, Midges, Mayflies, Smaller Stoneflies and terrestrials on small and large streams.

But the improvements came to light when casting larger dry flies like Salmonflies, Hoppers and Golden Stones for shorter distances with little effort.

While I’m not going to go as far as to say it’s the perfect “do everything rod”, it handled a wide variety of fishing situations with elegance and ease.

From Small Streams to Big Rivers: The Versatility of Winston PURE

My second outing with this rod was a smaller stream to the north of Missoula.

This time I loaded up a 7′ 6″ 3wt for fishing smaller foam attractor patterns and terrestrials.

I quickly noticed just how accurate this small rod was for tight pockets on smaller streams.

Not that the the larger 9′ 4wt wasn’t accurate. All these rods are spot-on accurate!

But the range of rods transitioned from a longer rod on the bigger rivers to a shorter rod on smaller streams exactly as expected.

While the Pure is not designed for bigger nymph rigs and streamers, it handles smaller nymph rigs and small streamers with accuracy and delicacy that it is designed for.

If you’re looking for a rod with more power to cast larger streamers, large dry flies and big nymph rigs, check out the Winston Air 2.

It is a lot faster and has more power when compared to the Pure.

If you’re looking for a 5wt or smaller with a softer touch, pin point accuracy, and refined delicacy, the Winston Pure delivers this in spades.

Design and Build

The R.L. Winston Pure is still built with the advanced boron technology which gives it a lightweight feel but still as strong as ever.

The reel seat is Tiger Maple with uplocking nickel silver hardware with a slimmed down cigar cork grip that feels great in the hand.

The stripping guides are the nanolite guides that are chrome plated and light wire snake guides.

The highest quality construction and components for a top quality rod is standard on Winston.  So, none of this is really a shocker. 

This rod looks as beautiful as it fishes. 

Conclusion

I currently own 12 different Winston fly rods. Don’t call it a problem, It’s an obsession

From the old IM6 for trout to the newer Air Max 2 in 12wt for saltwater.

I’ve fished them throughout the northwest, all the way down to Christmas Island to Cuba and many other places around the world.

And I keep coming back to Winston because they just never let me down, and the Pure is no exception. 

In fact, I mentioned before that the B3LS was my favorite dry fly rod, but now that rod is being neglected, collecting dust in my closet and replaced with the Winston Pure.

It’s a little faster and has more power while also keeping the softer tip which any fisherman fishing technical streams with dry flies will tell you is key to the perfect dry fly rod.

I’ve been fishing this rod since it came out in 2018 and I now feel comfortable endorsing it.

For people fishing small to large streams, size 22 to size 10 dry flies, to smaller streamers and lighter nymph rigs, the Winston Pure is my NEW favorite dry fly rod.

It’s no wonder why this is one of the most popular rods with our fishing guides, fly shop staff and many customers.

Its combination of sensitivity, power and aesthetic appeal makes it one of our favorite fly rods of all time.

R.L. Winston Pure Fly Rod

The PURE series (2-5wt) earned the IFTD’s Best of Show award for freshwater rods, thanks to their unmatched ability to present flies delicately and accurately. These medium-action rods are ideal for technical waters big and small. The 2 and 3-weight rods excel in small streams, while the 4 and 5-weight rods are perfect for larger rivers and fish that need a light touch. Each rod comes with a graphite tube, logo rod sock and an unconditional lifetime warranty.

R.L. Winston Pure Fly Rod
Loaded Large Fly Box

The Best Fly Boxes For Dry Flies

Because dry flies come in such a variety of sizes and styles, it’s difficult to put your finger on the perfect fly box.

Most mayflies and caddis are defined by hackle. The delicate feather fibers can be deformed if not stored correctly. Foam boxes can be a bit of a problem with certain styles of fly boxes for dry flies. Put simply, any fly with hackle that extends below the shank are difficult to store in foam.

That being said, there are foam boxes designed to accept dries with hackle below the shank. Some of the Cliff and Fulling Mills Boxes utilize strips of slit foam. When a dry is slid into a strip of foam, the hackle has more room to extend due to the open space between the slits. So classic dries like Orange Stimulator and Royal Wulff’s, as well as Stimulators, will travel well in a Cliff or Fulling Mill box.

The best way to carry perpendicularly hackled flies is in a compartment. The Missoulian Angler carries a multitude of compartment fly boxes for dry flies. The Umpqua Bug Lockers, Dewitt, Myran and the Meiho M Series are just a few. The Bug Lockers are polypropylene, come in multiple sizes and are color coded. Dewitt boxes are clear, with metal hinges, and are available in various sizes and compartment configuration. Not sure what the plastic is, but some of our employees have Dewitt boxes that are 40 years old and still working! The Myran 10 series boxes also have a metal hinge for durability, and might be the best box for small dries.

Montana dry flies can run big. Stoneflies and hoppers take up space, and require a big box to handle them. Foam and synthetics have taken over large fly design, and many bigger dries are perfectly suited for foam boxes. The Tacky El Pescador box is a great solution for big bugs, with it’s greater depth. The Fulling Mills Streamer box also doubles well as a big dry fly box, again with good depth for better storage.

When it comes to floating, the Cliff Bugger Box or Boat Box is a great solution for big dries. For smaller dries, the Meiho M Series is a guide favorite. The Meiho’s have removable dividers, allowing the angler to customize compartment size. The M Series comes in 2 depths, making access to smaller flies easier in the shallow box.

Dry flies are the trickiest flies to store correctly. Most anglers use a combination of foam and compartment boxes, keeping classically hackled flies in compartments while storing parachutes and foam flies in foam. There’s no doubt foam boxes provide unrivalled organization. With that organization, it’s easy to see where the holes in your arsenal lie, and make it easy to fill before the next outing.