Winston Pure 2 9’0″ 5-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 4 out of 5

   In my mind, the 9’ 4-wt and 9’ 5-wt were designed for the same purpose: long leader dry fly fishing on broad water. Many anglers prefer a #5, of course, especially those fishing from a driftboat or in consistently windy conditions. Like the 9’ 4-weight, this 5-weight cannot be overpowered. It takes a couple strokes to pick up your mayfly from behind the centerline and cast it quartering back downstream in front of the boat. You can’t knock it around, but the presentations are so intoxicating that the rod will definitely live on boats, as well as in the garage of anglers who fish tailwaters and other rivers where small flies and long leaders are the rule. I’ve fished many days on the Missouri, Henry’s Fork and Green where this rod would have been useful. It’s a smoother caster than the original Pure 9’ 5-wt and favors fly lines with gentle tapers, like the SA Amplitude Trout and Rio Elite Technical Trout, the latter of which forces the caster to slow the stroke but results in the best line speed and loop shape at all distances.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 4 out of 5

   The two 9’ Pure 2 rods feel like they belong in their own rod series. They are slower than the others in the lineup and are by far the smoothest. This rod will fish a longer leader significantly better than the shorter 5wt in the family and is a breeze to roll cast. It can handle bigger dry flies and lighter nymphs but it will really feel happiest with a long leader and a medium sized single dry fly. This rod won’t handle the super windy days as well as a rod like the Air 2 9’ 5wt but when the wind is minimal it is a lovely fishing tool. If you are looking for a tight loop 5wt the 8’3” version is a better bet. If you like a silky smooth rod, the 9’ 5wt is a great choice. I played around with a couple of different lines on this rod and the SA Amplitude Trout WF5F felt best to me.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   I preferred the 5-weight in the 9-foot rods. It shares characteristics with the 904 Pure 2, but fit my casting style and speed a shade better. I paired it with the Rio Technical Trout and my first note on the legal pad immediately after casting was, “supple coy energy,” followed by, “hit it softly for best results.” The long arm, gradual acceleration casting style was the right fit. It was windy, so the #5 was going to shine over the #4, and my loops unrolled with more confidence. A good springy character and playful looseness kept me engaged and focused. The more I cast it, the more I liked it. I felt like the 905 had a more progressive taper towards the tip while still accentuating the bend of the fly rod. The 9-footers really savor the bend of the rod through the casting stroke. I would fish this rod as a technical dry fly rod first. The Ranch water on the Henry’s Fork, after work dries on the Roaring Fork in Glenwood and last light on your favorite home water with a Parachute Adams are places this rod would be real happy.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)