Photograph: Courtesy of Winston
The R.L. Winston Rod Co has launched their brand-new Pure 2 rod collection. Because the identify suggests, these rods are the subsequent evolution of the corporate’s much-loved Pures.
“The Pure is an all-time rod, little question,” mentioned Adam Hutchison, Nationwide Advertising Supervisor for Winston. “The Pure is an iconic rod.”
So, why transfer on from such a beloved, well-received rod?
The choice got here down to 2 issues—new supplies and improved tapers.
“We’re not tied to product lifecycles,” Hutchison mentioned. “However when new supplies and inspiration strike, we’re gonna run with it.”
The brand new supplies changed boron—a mainstay in Winston rods for years—with a greater materials for the Pure 2. Winston Design and Manufacturing Engineer Hank Haen was joyful concerning the swap, saying it allowed the group to make use of the know-how within the Air 2 to create a greater dry-fly centric rod within the Pure 2.
“When a chance presents itself and we will make an ideal taper, we’re gonna go forward and do it,” Hutchison mentioned.
The Pure 2 isn’t only a “refreshed” rod; it’s been redesigned from the bottom up, which allowed Haen to essentially dial within the motion for this rod collection. Each Haen and Hutchison famous that the previous Pure rods weren’t utterly aligned of their actions. The shorter, lighter rods had been quick, by Winston requirements, whereas the longer 4 and 5 weights had been nearer to that progressive Winston really feel the corporate is understood for.
The Pure 2 maintains a constant motion all through the lineup, providing a extra cohesive expertise that actually enhances the flagship Air 2 line.
“The large accomplishment with these rods is that all of them match within the field the place you place a real to line weight on them they usually’ll solid nice,” Haen mentioned. “You get an outstanding quantity of really feel with every rod.”
Whereas a lot of that really feel is because of the redesigned tapers and improved supplies, you’ll additionally discover the brand new size configurations within the Pure 2 collection. Solely two of the rods are the standard 9 foot size. All the things else is paying homage to the corporate’s previous LT rods.
These lengths had been a deliberate selection in design, Haen mentioned. Gone is the venerable 8’6″ 4-weight, with an 8’3″ rod taking its place.
“I don’t assume you lose something with dropping three inches (off an 8’6″ 4-weight),” Haen mentioned. “You lose three inches, however you get higher torsional stability. It additionally makes the rod surprisingly lighter. Three inches doesn’t appear to be a lot, however it’s.”
The 8’3″ 4-weight is Hutchison’s private favourite from the brand new lineup.
“You don’t even give it some thought whenever you’re casting to a fish rising,” he mentioned. “That’s the last word purpose with a fly rod, it’s intuitive, you’re simply fishing. Swiftly, you get snapped again into what you’re utilizing. It’s received that good stability of progressive motion and quicker restoration charges. You’ll be able to throw a 14-foot chief off the tip, or you may stretch it out. This factor is designed to fish dry flies as much as 40 toes. A great caster can solid it effectively past 60, 70 toes, however I hope they don’t. I hope individuals decelerate, fish it shut, and really feel its magic for the way it’s been designed.”
Photograph: Courtesy of Winston
Talking of design, the group at Winston additionally made a change to the grip for the Pure 2. It’s now the identical 6.5-inch cigar grip discovered on the Air 2. The grip on the previous Pures was a bit polarizing, as a result of it was solely six inches lengthy, and a bit thicker than the brand new grip.
“I didn’t like that previous grip, it was a bit too huge, an excessive amount of of a swell, too brief,” Haen mentioned. “Grip design wasn’t one thing I assumed I’d should do as a rod designer, however it’s wonderful how necessary it’s. With an extended, slimmer grip, you unintentionally get a bit extra really feel out of the rod, as a result of the longer grip permits the butt part to bend that cork a bit. You truly get flex in that cork.”
Haen and Hutchison each made it a degree to enrich the complete group at Winston for his or her work on the brand new Pure 2, as effectively.
“This 12 months was nice for us when it comes to R&D as a result of we turned these rods round actually quick,” Haen mentioned. “Having a manufacturing crew that has my again is superior. A terrific all-around achievement for everyone.”
The Pure 2 attracts closely from Winston’s roots within the Jefferson Basin in Montana, and it’s really a rod collection constructed for many who benefit from the artwork of fishing with dry flies.
“We designed this rod in trout nation, it’s a product of our individuals and our place, it’s a mirrored image of what all of us take pleasure in fishing,” Hutchison mentioned.
The Pure 2 is obtainable now out of your native Winston supplier. It retails for $995, the identical value because the previous Pure.
