R. L Winston

R.L. Winston Rod Company began in 1929 when San Francisco anglers Robert Winthrop and Lew Stoner hand-built split-bamboo rods famed for their smooth, soulful action. After moving to Twin Bridges, Montana in 1976, Winston perfected the “Winston feel”—medium-fast, progressive bamboo and later boron/graphite composites that load deeply yet recover instantly.

The 1983 introduction of boron-enhanced graphite (the green blanks) became an instant classic, beloved for delicate dry-fly work on western spring creeks. Winston remains one of the few companies still hand-crafting every rod in Montana. Current flagship Pure (4–8 wt) and Air 2 series deliver legendary presentation with modern power, while the Air 2 Max and Saltwater Air 2 handle big winds and big fish.

Priced $995–$1,100, Winston occupies the premium American tier alongside Scott and Thomas & Thomas. Guides and purists swear by the feel no high-modulus rocket stick can match. In an era of ultra-stiff, ultra-light rods, Winston proves that soul still matters on the water.