Presentation. Perfected. That is Winston's own headline for the Pure 2, and it is accurate. This is the medium-action rod built for the world's legendary dry fly fisheries and the most challenging technical trout applications — smooth, delicate, and lively, flexing evenly and recovering quickly while keeping the Winston feel people buy this brand for.
Handcrafted in Twin Bridges, Montana, with the hand-applied green finish and hand-inscribed sections that make a Winston recognizable across a river.
Full lineup
| Line | Length | Pieces | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 wt | 7' 3" | 4 | Small creeks, tiny dries |
| 3 wt | 6' 9" | 4 | Brushy blue lines |
| 3 wt | 7' 9" | 4 | Small water with reach |
| 4 wt | 7' 9" | 4 | Spring creeks |
| 4 wt | 8' 3" | 4 | Technical dry fly |
| 4 wt | 9' 0" | 4 | Delicate all-around |
| 5 wt | 7' 9" | 4 | Short-water 5 weight |
| 5 wt | 8' 3" | 4 | Dry fly all-around |
| 5 wt | 9' 0" | 4 | Tailwater dry fly — the popular one |
| 6 wt | 9' 0" | 4 | Bigger dries with a soft touch |
All four-piece, all with burled Box Elder and nickel silver. Current pricing is on the selector above.
Winston does not publish rod weights in ounces for any current series, so we will not invent them. Come by and we will weigh one.
Pure 2 or Air 2? Winston's own description of the 9-foot 5 weight Pure 2 says it best: with a slower action compared to our Air 2, this 5 weight is up for longer casts, bigger flies, and amazing control in a medium-fast action format. If you're looking for a versatile 5 weight but prefer a paced, smooth action, this rod will cover multiple big tailwater fishing applications.
Plainly: if you fish dries to rising trout and value how a cast feels, the Pure 2. If you want one rod that also throws streamers and fights wind, the Air 2 is faster and more versatile. Both are on our racks and casting them back to back settles it in five minutes.
Components
- NanoParticle double-bonded graphite, medium action
- Box Elder reel seat with uplocking German nickel silver hardware, machined by Winston
- Chrome Nanolite stripper guide; chrome-plated light wire snakes
- Flor-grade 6½" cigar grip
- Premium graphite tube and logo rod sock included
Slower still? The Tom Morgan Favorite is an 8-foot 2-piece 4 weight designed in 1989 by Winston's former owner for Montana spring creeks — medium-slow, and the closest thing to bamboo in graphite. We stock it.
Warranty: Winston's Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee — original owner only, non-transferable, and the rod must be registered within 30 days of purchase. Miss that window and the guarantee does not apply, which is worth knowing. Buy from us and we will register it with you at the counter.
Ed's Fly Shop, 432 E Main St, downtown Montrose, Colorado.
