R. L. Winston 2015 Holiday Event

Winston 2015 Holiday Event

Purchase a new R. L. Winston Fly Rod between now and December 25th, 2015 and Winston would like to show you their appreciation with a $100 of Winston Merchandise. 

Anglers worldwide are recognizing a serious change on today's R. L. Winston Fly Rod Co. While Winston continues to build arguably some of the finest trout rods in the world such in the BIIIx Series as well as the BIII LS Series of fly rods you may have also noticed Winston's commitment to a serious all around arsenal of fly rods. The New BIII Plus fast action series introduced this year are smooth and powerful rods ready to tackle the demands of salt, streamer and predator anglers everywhere. On the Two Hand scene are some of the most revered BIIIx Spey and Switch steelhead rods on the river today and let's not forget the BIIIx Microspey opened the pathway for trout spey anglers with a legit two hand rod specifically designed for trout spey. The Nexus Series of rods show the serious commitment to the angling sport with an all graphite mid line 100% American built rod with a fit, finish and performance that can only be a Winston. If Bamboo is your passion you're not alone. Winston Bamboo is built by hand and pride in the same factory that all Winston Fly Rods are built. We believe in them so much that we stock our favorite Bamboo models.

The Rules!

Through December 25th, 2015 when you buy a new Winston fly rod from an authorized dealer, you can receive a free gift bag loaded with $100 of Winston merchandise. Simply send proof of rod purchase and the Event Certificate to Winston and They will ship you your free merchandise!
Offer valid only while supplies last.
Winston reserves the right to substitute gift items if necessary.
Offer only valid on new current models and is NOT extended to closeout rods

Happy Holidays from Gorge Fly Shop and Winston and thank you for your support.

"Fly Fish The World With Us"

Fishing with Dogs

Hendrix the Fishing Dog

Fishermen love their dogs, and despite our passion for our fishing dogs, it’s not always the best idea to take them on the river with us.  The Deschutes River seems like a perfect place for a fisherman to take his/her dog fishing for a day or two of summer Steelheading.  The trail is easy to hike or bike, the river is generally not too fast or turbulent if your dog wants to take a little swim, but there are plenty of dangers that could make an unpleasant experience for you and your little buddy. 

Winston 7129 Boron III TH: A review from the field

Winston Spey

When the folks at RL Winston Rods decided to close out the popular BIIX line up of spey rods and replace it with the Borron III TH series I will admit I was skeptical. I recognize the need to create and market new products so you can keep selling and stay in business but the BIIX spey rods were simply the best…or were they? So I placed my order back in October and my rods showed up January.

7129 Borron III TH

By now I’ve had a couple of weeks to fish the 7129 Borron III TH. This is Winston’s first entry into the sub 13’ category for a seven weight. It should come as no surprise that Winston didn’t build a 7126, they built it three inches longer. When I first picked it up and gave it that wiggle, you know, the wiggle everyone gives a naked rod when they first pick it up, it was obvious this was in fact a new rod. So despite the same green color, same cork and reel seat, this didn’t feel like the Winston I had been fishing for the last decade. The new downward locking reel seat is a nice addition as well as the carbon fiber rod tube. Finally I got my day on the river with the new flagship for Winston and guess what?

Kharlovka - Eastern Promises

Gather around me, my brethren of the swung fly. I have tales to share with the guild of the two handed rod. You hear stirrings of a magical place where anadramous fish up to 40 pounds return in numbers unaffected by nets, hydropower, hatcheries or clear cut forests. Myths abound about streams where a floating line can be cast at high noon with blue skies uninterrupted by cloud. Whisperings percolate about a virtual shangri la, where a skated fly can be tickled across the current like fingers across guitar strings regardless of the time of day. Legends are whispered about rivers where you are guaranteed to be the only one fishing the pools and no boat traffic occurs. Yes! A place where no commercial fishery exists and no indigenous people live. I’m here to tell you that I’ve been to such a land and promise you that it does indeed exist. And like Dr. Jack Shepherd from Lost, I have to proclaim, “we have to go back” either with or without Kate. The place is in Russia on the Kola peninsula.

Winston BIIMX Spey Review

A guide buddy recently told me that this was his favorite all around stick to use while chasing steelhead. His words: “It is my favorite rod.” Hmm… although he is a year round, fin-sniffing machine, I figured that this type of statement demanded further explanation.

“It just feels so very nice.”

Okay… It was time to get to the bottom of it.

Short speys are gaining more popularity with every passing year. Why not, you put the right line on em and lookout all you 8134’s! The line goes. Thanks to the recent short spey head innovations over the last few years, the little guys are getting promoted rather quickly.

Short, fast tapered rods are not for everybody however. A shorter rod means that you lose lever length. A faster rod demands more line speed. Folks that are new to the world of spey casting will certainly have more difficulty learning their craft with one of these. It’s kind of like picking out a surf board. In the beginning, a longer, broader board will help you maintain your balance and help you to ride on the tongue of a wave. More surface area allows you to stay afloat more easily. But, after getting the actual ride down, you may find that these big boards are not quite as agile as you would like. You want to start cutting more quickly and lightening your feet on the crest. The best surfers you see out there any more are on short skinny boards.

The same is true for spey casters. Upon becoming comfortable and consistent with the cast, many anglers find that it’s time to try something new. Wouldn’t it be nice to hold a lighter stick in your hands? I tell you, they are much easier to tote while weaving through the streamside thatch to your secret seam line. They fit better in a raft or a drift boat. You break fewer of them on overhanging tree branches. They allow you to cast in tighter quarters. Essentially, you lighten your load and your motions are left more agile and closer to your own body. It’s far less work to sweep a short stick around all day. I feel much lighter and closer to my own personal intent with a shorter rod. My motions become more crisp. The chain reaction from my torso to the rod tip is much tighter…

At 12 feet 3 inches, this rod is on the tall end of the short spectrum – but not too tall to be cumbersome. Lately, I have been thinking about short sticks to use in the winter. An exceptional rod in my quiver is the 11 foot 9 inch 8wt TCX. It is light, easy to tote around, crisp and it is powerful. You got to be on time with it however, or you’ll pay the piper. Performance can come at a price after all. How would the BIIMX be different?

 As far as back bone goes, they are essentially the same. The BIIMX 7/8 is really a stout 7 wt, but at 12 feet 3 inches, I found that I like to line it with the same amount of grains as I would the TCX 8wt - which is 11ft 9 inches long. Although it is fairly fast, it is more forgiving than the TCX. Over all it’s got a little more flex from tip to butt. Under a good load, one can feel the tension down in the cork. Anglers that prefer a real light line could go with a 480 Skagit (This is real light.) Most folks will find the sweet spot from 510-540 grains. I like a 510 Airflo Skagit Compact or the Airflo Skagit Switch. SA has a Skagit head that seemed to feel pretty groovy in the 520gr line size. I didn’t get a chance to try out any dry lines but I have moved away from the Scandi Heads in favor of the new Airflo Rage Head. This line cuts the breeze way mo betta (Nothing is worse than having your leader land way upstream from your head!)

This stick feels like a good friend should. For those looking to elevate their performance and lighten their load, this is the rod. The cork feels exceptionally comfortable in hand. And, It is so incredibly smooth! Although it is fast, it does flex - and it does so very smoothly. After pinching yourself, you remind yourself that, “Oh yea, it’s a Winston! Why should I be so astonished? Yea Winston is there at the top, no doubt. I found the BIIMX 7/8 to be an intimate feeling stick that likes to operate at a highest level of performance. In the right hands, it can be no other way. Oh yea, it is also a gorgeous, classy looking stick, as all Winstons are.

My buddy said that it’s his year round rod of choice. I can see why… It’s not too bulky to dwarf an average summer run and it’s got the backbone to perform on larger, brighter winter fish. I gave it a shot with a 12 foot chunk of T-14 and yep, it handled it without protest.

The only real problem that I have with this rod is that I don’t actually own one! You bet that I’ll be saving my pennies.

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