Winston Pure 8′ 4-weight

Reviews

1. Rated 5 out of 5

   I preferred the action of this rod over the 8’ 6” rod. A touch slower and a little more of that surreal sweetness like the 9-footer. The 8-footer feels more powerful than the 9 and a little more polished than the 8’ 6” PURE. 8’ 4-weights are almost exclusive to Winston (most manufacturers we carry aren’t making this line weight and length) and I think this is a great western freestone model. I would feel comfortable fishing long leaders and single dries with this rod or a shorter, stouter leader with a dry dropper. Like the 8’6” inch rod, the 8-footer threw long and short headed lines equally well, but my favorite was the Rio Gold WF4F. I preferred the Tom Morgan Favorite, but the 8 foot #4 PURE is really close and it’s also a 4-piece rod.

   Richard Post (Telluride Angler)

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   This model continues Winston’s legacy in spectacular 8’ 4-weight fly rods. I love every rod in this series that is 8’ or longer, but the Pure 8’ 4-weight is a standout for light swing weight and perfect balance with a conventional dry fly-style line. The Pure Series is not slow action, just slower than the Air Series. The caster will enjoy a marvelous progressive flex pattern with this rod as it intuitively engages the line with each lengthening false cast. Line speed is surprisingly high, so the angler may consistently turn over leaders up to at least 14’. When choosing between the Pure 8’ 4-wt and the Tom Morgan Favorite, note that the Pure model is about 15% faster action. The Pure 8’ 4-wt is more capable with wind-resistant flies and dry-dropper rigs, whereas the TMF should be regarded as a purist’s dry fly rod.
   Lines: Rio Technical Trout, SA Trout Taper (every version), SA VPT, Rio Trout LT. Avoid the Rio Creek line on the Pure Series.

   John Duncan (Telluride Angler)

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   I am a 4wt junkie. I purchased this rods sibling last year, the TMF 8′ 4wt. That is my favorite rod ever, it only comes with one little down side, being a 2 piece, it can be a little bit of a hassle when traveling. When I purchased my TMF I called the Telluride Angler staff daily to get as many opinions that I could get regarding which of the two rods to purchase. I went with the TMF and have never looked back. I decided I wanted to have a 4 piece rod for a few trips I was planning, so it was a no brainer the Pure 8′ 4wt was going to be added to my arsenal. The packaged arrived to my house and I quickly ripped it open put it together and I threw my Ross Colorado LT on there and walked leisurely into the Saranac river for a test drive (the river is in my back yard). This rod is phenomenal, casts so effortlessly, so light in hand, I just can’t say enough good things about this rod. The TMF is just as phenomenal, but is probably a little less capable in terms of practical fishing distance (I find the TMF fizzles out for me at around 40-45′, the Pure was still casting strong at about 60′). I fish my TMF with a SA DT Trout line so for comparison I tried my new Pure with my TMF reel setup, and I honestly think that might be perfect combo for how I plan to fish this rod. I cannot make a recommendation of one rod over the other, they are just both so amazing in every way. If you like a dry fly, and looking at one of the most beautiful rods ever created as the sun goes down during a hatch, you need to be looking at these rods. If you don’t, you are wrong!

   jsmit3787