Winston Pure 2 7’9″ 3-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   It’s unusual for a rodmaker to create a series with just 8 models but 5 rod lengths (compare with the G.Loomis Asquith, which has 9 models but only 1 rod length). The motivation here is to completely canvas small water applications. I also think Winston was experimenting with unique configurations and fell onto some prototypes that they simply couldn’t “uncast.” The rods had to go in the catalog.

   Consider rod length carefully when making your choice. The 6’9” 3-weight is the dedicated creek rod, a model that compares with fiberglass for its capabilities at 10-25 feet. At 7’9”, this particular model is a small water all-arounder, not too long for creeks but also not too short for low water conditions on our favorite wade fishing freestones like the San Miguel and Dolores. If you seek a short 3-weight with more versatility than a sub-7’ creek special, this is your rod.

   The SA Trout Standard is the ideal line on the Pure 2 7’9” 3-wt. It feels light and casts tight loops up to about 30 feet, then exits the rod cleanly with pleasing line speed for turning over your fly. I loved the regular SA Trout too, but the long head (over 60 feet) becomes a little too much with casts over 30 feet. The rod wants to shoot line at that point, rather than carry more line in the air. At shorter distances, both of these lines cast with surprising line speed, reminding me of the Air 2 series, which has no short 3 or 4-weight models. A Rio Technical Trout or Rio Gold will load the rod deeper for boot-top casts on the creek.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   The new 7’9” 3wt Pure 2 from Winston is an extremely capable small water rod. It has great feel in close and is wonderfully accurate at all distances. The rod itself is very light and responsive, throwing much tighter loops than other short 3wt rods. I was impressed with the overall range of this rod. Naturally it feels great in close but it also has the ability to make beautiful casts at distance which can sometimes be difficult with shorter rods. It’s a lethal small water dry fly rod. I played around with a few different fly lines on this rod and they all seemed to get the job done. In general, the Rio Elite Technical Trout WF3F loads well in close but puts a little too much bend in the tip for my liking. The SA Amplitude Trout WF3F takes a little more energy to engage the blank but feels spectacular at distance and will give you the tightest loops. The SA Amplitude Trout Standard WF3F fits nicely between the other two lines and will likely be the best option for most anglers.

   Parker Thompson (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   What a sweet little 3-weight. Short graphite rods tend to be a little clubby and punchy, not so with the Winstons. The Pure 2 7’9” 3-weight has all of that sweet bend along the blank you loved in the Pure series, while feeling lighter and more responsive. You are connected to the cast instantly with this rod. Little loops form right away and the rod appropriately and progressively loads in step with the amount of line out the tip, smooth and supple loops with an airy feeling of lightness. Out past 45 feet or so, the rod starts to balk a little bit, not in a bad way, but in a way that tells you the rod wasn’t designed to fish out there. I find this refreshing and appreciate a rod that is the personification of its intended task. The Pure 2 793 is a perfect small stream rod. Little freestones, larger creeks, and some alpine beaver ponds with creek meanders leading in and out are ideals habitats for this fine 3-weight. I cast the Rio Elite Technical Trout and SA Amplitude Smooth Trout. The Rio Tech Trout gave me a little more line speed and a shade more engagement, better with a bigger fly with a more crisp delivery. The SA Trout gave the rod a suppleness that was lovely and I got more of a sense of the light and airy nature of the blank.

   Richard Post