The Air 2 is Winston's flagship trout rod — fast action, NanoParticle graphite, and the finish that made the brand. Winston's framing: ultimate versatility, ultimate fishability. The 3 and 4 weights are superb dry and light nymph rods, while the 5 and 6 weights are true all-arounders that can do everything from small dries to double nymphs to streamers.
Handcrafted in Twin Bridges, Montana, and finished by a process worth knowing about: Winston applies multiple green and clear coats by hand in a room they will not let outsiders into, to protect the formula. Then every section of every rod is hand-inscribed with the series, length, line weight, and serial number. That is the Winston green you are paying for, and it is genuinely done by hand.
Full lineup
| Line | Length | Pieces | Grip | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 wt | 8' 6" | 4 | Cigar | Small water, delicate dries |
| 3 wt | 9' 0" | 4 | Cigar | Light all-around, spring creeks |
| 4 wt | 8' 6" | 4 | Cigar | Technical dry fly |
| 4 wt | 9' 0" | 4 | Cigar | Dries and light nymphing |
| 4 wt | 9' 6" | 4 | Full wells | Reach and mending |
| 5 wt | 8' 6" | 4 | Cigar | All-around, shorter water |
| 5 wt | 9' 0" | 4 | Cigar | The one to buy if you buy one |
| 5 wt | 9' 6" | 4 | Full wells | Long drifts, indicator rigs |
| 6 wt | 9' 0" | 4 | Cigar | Streamers, hoppers, wind |
| 6 wt | 9' 6" | 4 | Full wells | Big water |
| 7 wt | 9' 6" | 4 | Wells, aluminum seat | Bass, light salt, big streamers |
| 8 wt | 9' 6" | 4 | Wells, aluminum seat | Pike, salt, heavy sink tips |
All four-piece. Current pricing is on the selector above.
A note on weights: Winston does not publish rod weights in ounces for any current series. We would rather tell you that than repeat numbers we cannot source — come by and we will put one on the shop scale.
Components
- NanoParticle double-bonded graphite; fast action
- Figured Box Elder reel seat insert with uplocking German nickel silver hardware Winston machines themselves — the 7 and 8 weights use anodized aluminum instead
- Light wire, hard-chrome ECO slick-coated guides
- 6½" Flor-grade cigar grip on the trout models
- Premium graphite tube and logo rod sock included
Air 2 or Pure 2? This is the real question in the Winston line, and Winston answers it plainly: the Pure 2 is slower, paced and smooth — a medium action built for delicate presentation on legendary dry-fly water. The Air 2 is fast, and it does more. If you fish dries to rising trout on flat water, cast the Pure 2. If you need one rod that throws a dry in the morning and a streamer in the afternoon, this is it. We stock both.
Travelling? The Air 2 Trout 5-Piece packs into a 24½-inch tube. Need ten feet for nymphing? The Air 2 Reach. Both on our site.
Warranty: Winston's Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee against breakage and defects — original owner only, non-transferable, and you must register the rod within 30 days of purchase. That registration window catches people out, so do it the week you buy. Repairs run about six weeks and carry a handling fee. Buy it from us and we will make sure it is registered before you leave.
Ed's Fly Shop, 432 E Main St, downtown Montrose, Colorado.
