Winston's Dream Stick

Winston's Boron II-MX Hell yea, I can throw that!

Recently, I was standing on the banks of Washington’s Skagit River, lamenting the merit of my spey cast. In contrast, three seasoned guides traded off with Winston’s new Boron II-MX switch rod, saying things like, “This isn’t fair! Now I have to own one.” I understood what was in store; with rattled nerves and a lack of confidence I took my turn with the stick and readied for verbal abuse. And then, the strangest thing happened. I set the line downstream, performed the lift and sweep, and effortlessly launched my cast, which ended about 60 feet from where it began as the line stretched tight in midair. I turned to the fellows with mouth agape. One of the guides said, “Look at his face.” I replied, “How much are these?” Love at first throw.

That was my introduction to Winston’s new line of Boron II-MX switch rods, the 12’ 3” 7/8 two-hand model to be specific. Those new rods are touted as perfect for midsized steelhead rivers, such as the Deschutes and Grande Ronde, but we found the 7/8, when paired with Airflo’s 540-grain Skagit Compact head, to throw all the distance we desired. Do you need a larger, ungainly, arm-torturing stick for the Northwest’s bigger water, such as the Dean, Thompson, Snake and Clearwater rivers, or on the Great Lakes’ prime steelhead water? Not in my mind. This thing, which was designed with input from leading spey caster Andre Scholz, throws distance like a dream. Chasing metal on the Skagit, Winston Boron II MX in hand. Dave McCoy, who owns Emerald Water Anglers in Seattle, Wash., and hosted me on the Skagit in January said, “I am surprised how subtle that switch rod is. I thought it would be too fast for the average angler to pick up and enjoy. But it’s not heavy or clunky at all, even with a heavy tip. It’s easy to handle and extremely light. With the right instruction, even a novice could pick it up and cast really far—maybe 80-to 100 feet—in five or ten minutes.” The Boron II-MX two-handed rods are available in the aforementioned 12’ 3” 7/8 model and in an 11’ 5” 6-weight design, perfect for summer-run steelhead on the Deschutes and elsewhere. Prices range from $795 to $895. In addition, single-hand versions are available in a 9’ 4-weight model and in 9.5’ 5, 6, and 7-weights. Prices for those rods range from $675 to $685. Check them out at www.winstonrods.com GT Fruit delivered from the Boron II MX

Winston's Boron II-MX Hell yea, I can throw that!

Recently, I was standing on the banks of Washington’s Skagit River, lamenting the merit of my spey cast. In contrast, three seasoned guides traded off with Winston’s new Boron II-MX switch rod, saying things like, “This isn’t fair! Now I have to own one.” I understood what was in store; with rattled nerves and a lack of confidence I took my turn with the stick and readied for verbal abuse. And then, the strangest thing happened. I set the line downstream, performed the lift and sweep, and effortlessly launched my cast, which ended about 60 feet from where it began as the line stretched tight in midair. I turned to the fellows with mouth agape. One of the guides said, “Look at his face.” I replied, “How much are these?” Love at first throw.

That was my introduction to Winston’s new line of Boron II-MX switch rods, the 12’ 3” 7/8 two-hand model to be specific. Those new rods are touted as perfect for midsized steelhead rivers, such as the Deschutes and Grande Ronde, but we found the 7/8, when paired with Airflo’s 540-grain Skagit Compact head, to throw all the distance we desired. Do you need a larger, ungainly, arm-torturing stick for the Northwest’s bigger water, such as the Dean, Thompson, Snake and Clearwater rivers, or on the Great Lakes’ prime steelhead water? Not in my mind. This thing, which was designed with input from leading spey caster Andre Scholz, throws distance like a dream. Chasing metal on the Skagit, Winston Boron II MX in hand. Dave McCoy, who owns Emerald Water Anglers in Seattle, Wash., and hosted me on the Skagit in January said, “I am surprised how subtle that switch rod is. I thought it would be too fast for the average angler to pick up and enjoy. But it’s not heavy or clunky at all, even with a heavy tip. It’s easy to handle and extremely light. With the right instruction, even a novice could pick it up and cast really far—maybe 80-to 100 feet—in five or ten minutes.” The Boron II-MX two-handed rods are available in the aforementioned 12’ 3” 7/8 model and in an 11’ 5” 6-weight design, perfect for summer-run steelhead on the Deschutes and elsewhere. Prices range from $795 to $895. In addition, single-hand versions are available in a 9’ 4-weight model and in 9.5’ 5, 6, and 7-weights. Prices for those rods range from $675 to $685. Check them out at www.winstonrods.com GT Fruit delivered from the Boron II MX