Winston Air 2 9’6″ 5-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   Like the 9’6″ 4-weight, this model is a deadly fishing tool in the appropriate arena. Casting and presentation capabilities are truly extraordinary. The mid and butt sections are super springy, making it a joy to cast and exceptional in all those on-the-water techniques that contribute to a prodigious day on the water. My favorite line on this rod is a Rio Gold, which hops from the tip and makes the rod feel extra light and crisp throughout the delivery. It casts most general-purpose trout lines with confidence, but I don’t recommend streamer-style lines or overlining, which cause the rod to bog down and lose torsional stability. I would choose this model over the competition for technical fishing on tailwaters, but not for double nymphing on rivers such as the Gunnison where large flies, heavy weight and bulky strike indicators are the norm.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   This is yet another very well thought out fly rod from Winston. Similarly to the 9’6” 4wt, the 5wt is a very smooth casting rod that mends and roll casts with ease. If you prefer more of a moderate action rod for nymphing this is an excellent choice. It is not designed to fish the heaviest of nymphs, but it has a surprising amount of power. This rod will be happiest fishing for techy fish in techy water. It has remarkable feel in comparison to other 9’6” 5wt rods that tend to be designed more for heavy metal style nymphing. It throws a nice tight loop and is very intuitive just like the other Air 2 models. I’ve cast several weight forward 5wt lines on this rod and they all felt pretty good. The Rio Elite Gold would make for a great general purpose line. If you’re fishing heavier flies and aren’t worried about slowing the rod down the SA Amplitude Smooth Infinity is a good option as well.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)