R.L. Winston

[sstasiak]

Are Winston rods built in the USA? I can't find that out anywhere on their website. There is something that says the Vapor and Ascent models are designed in Montana, but doesn't mention anything about where they are made. I thought they were made in USA.

Also, I was making some calls this morning to see which shop carried the particular rod I wanted to test cast. One in particular didn't carry Winston rods. After the person told me they didn't carry them, they proceeded to "bash" Winston, saying their cane builders have walked out on them, they're not made in the USA, the quality isn't great, etc. I'm wondering....was this employee trying to save me from making a grave:rip: mistake by buying a Winston, OR, was it part of a sales pitch to come check out the other rods they carry?

Now....from many reviews, I believe that Winston is a company that builds quality rods and I would have no problems buying one even if it was imported. Here's another question....If I buy a $300 Winston rod with an unconditional lifetime warranty or I buy a $1500 rod with the same warranty, does the quality matter at that point? Anything above $300 and I think high quality should be EXPECTED. I mean, you have an unconditional lifetime warranty, and I can't imagine that the $1500 rod feels THAT much better that it warrants spending an extra $1200. I don't own a "high end" rod so I can't really comment, but it just seems a little excessive. Can anyone clarify this for me?

 

[dcabarle]

Are Winston rods built in the USA? I can't find that out anywhere on their website. There is something that says the Vapor and Ascent models are designed in Montana, but doesn't mention anything about where they are made. I thought they were made in USA.

The two rods you mentioned were designed in Twin Bridges however, they are 'outsourced'. ALL other Winston Rods are made in Twin Bridges.

Also, I was making some calls this morning to see which shop carried the particular rod I wanted to test cast. One in particular didn't carry Winston rods. After the person told me they didn't carry them, they proceeded to "bash" Winston, saying their cane builders have walked out on them, they're not made in the USA, the quality isn't great, etc. I'm wondering....was this employee trying to save me from making a grave:rip: mistake by buying a Winston, OR, was it part of a sales pitch to come check out the other rods they carry?

Winston's oldest and most experience bamboo rod makers jumped ship many months ago (search this website to see exactly when). I don't know which shop owner it was that you spoke with but he is misinformed and might want to do a little research before trashing a rod co. The Boron IIx is a great example of a perfect rod (my opinion) and it's made right here in the USA.

I'd be interested in knowing which rod brands that shop carries, along with the model numbers!

 

[theartoflee]

Are Winston rods built in the USA? I can't find that out anywhere on their website. There is something that says the Vapor and Ascent models are designed in Montana, but doesn't mention anything about where they are made. I thought they were made in USA.

Also, I was making some calls this morning to see which shop carried the particular rod I wanted to test cast. One in particular didn't carry Winston rods. After the person told me they didn't carry them, they proceeded to "bash" Winston, saying their cane builders have walked out on them, they're not made in the USA, the quality isn't great, etc. I'm wondering....was this employee trying to save me from making a grave:rip: mistake by buying a Winston, OR, was it part of a sales pitch to come check out the other rods they carry?

Now....from many reviews, I believe that Winston is a company that builds quality rods and I would have no problems buying one even if it was imported. Here's another question....If I buy a $300 Winston rod with an unconditional lifetime warranty or I buy a $1500 rod with the same warranty, does the quality matter at that point? Anything above $300 and I think high quality should be EXPECTED. I mean, you have an unconditional lifetime warranty, and I can't imagine that the $1500 rod feels THAT much better that it warrants spending an extra $1200. I don't own a "high end" rod so I can't really comment, but it just seems a little excessive. Can anyone clarify this for me?

If you are interested in getting a real opinion Winston’s fly rods call up Blue Ribbon Flies in MT and ask to speak to Craig Matthews. He works on the research and development team from Winston I am sure he will give you the honest opinion on Winston rods. They also have a lay away program sstaskiat give them %60 up front they will ship you the rod and you fan fish it as you pay it off. I have no opinon on any of the lower end rods but love their BIIX . Every one who has cast my 9 1/2 foot 5wt rod either purchases that same rod or a BIIx for the most part... your next GBS. As for the out sourcing of two series of rods I can only say I was not wild about it at first but if designing a rod in MT and having someone in China produce the rod can help you save a few hundred dollars why not. I think ANY rod in this price range will be manufactured over seas... Just think you could float the D with the saved money a couple of times. Regardless of weather you purchase a $300 rod or a $1,500 I am sure Winston will treat you with their same excellent customer service.

As for the discouraging comments by the fly shop it sounds like they are low class look for them to be mentioned in my worst flyshops in NJ blog.

 

[AKSkim]

Come on in Pilgrim

I bet I can name the fly shop you spoke with...

HUMMmmmm....

 

[Fly Tier]

If you are interested in getting a real opinion Winston’s fly rods call up Blue Ribbon Flies in MT and ask to speak to Craig Matthews. He works on the research and development team from Winston I am sure he will give you the honest opinion on Winston rods.

If you worked for a place on their r&D and someone asked you if th eproduct you did the r&d on for design, would you say they sucked?

you will get a real opinion by trying onefor yourself. No way in hell will you get anything but a good review from a R&D guy. You ever here lefty say temple fork sucks?

Remember, these co.s are putting food on these "realopinion" guys tables. May want to rethinkthatstatement Wylie!

 

[jholland]

Winston Rods

Hey guys,
First of all, I like Winston rods. I understand that there was some type of situation with the bamboo dept at Winston. This is the story as I heard it regarding the bamboo department:Seems like the former owner kept an interest in the bamboo dept and wanted to pick his successor. I believe his name is Glen Brackett. Anyway the new owners wanted to pick their own guy. I don't really care since I don't fish cane all that much. I like good rods and Winston makes a number of models that fall into that category. There is probably a pretty short list of companies that manufacture all of there rods in the USA. Maybe I'll deal Winston maybe not. Its not entirely up to me, alot of it depend on whether or not there are already enough Winston dealers around. What ever that decision is it will have nothing to do with their bamboo department.... Dennis, I can assure you that it certainly wasn't the shop owner who was misinformed as we have discussed the merits of certain Winston rods.

 

[dcabarle]

Jim,

My comment about being mis-informed was in reply to the following: "they're not made in the USA, the quality isn't great, etc."

The use of the contraction, "They're" leads me to believe that this particular fly shop was discouraging sstasiak from purchasing any Winston rod because "They're" made in foreign country's. If the shop was using "They're" to sum up ALL of Winston rods (which it appears they were (read the very first sentance in this thread)), then yes, the shop owner was misinformed (or purposly misinforming for the sake of a sale. All Winston rods are not made overseas though the fly shop owner obviously had sstasiak believing that possibly they were. I kind of feel that since the poster asks if 'Winston rods are built in the USA" then mentions that he started to investigate whether or not Winston Rods were made overseas, the shop owner more or less convinced him that ALL Winston rods are presently being made overseas.

That's either sleezy sales tactics or a case of being misinformed (or as stated above, purposely misinforming so he can get a quick sale). Since I'm pretty sure I know which shop it was and from reading some of the history about that shop from the users of this site that have had experiences with that shop, I think I know which of the above was happening.

 

[jholland]

Winston Rods

Dennis,
It wasn't me. I just cast two of the B2X models and I liked both of them. As for imported rods, there are some pretty darn good ones out there especially Temple Fork. Those rods are quality rods by any measure. The Albright A5 is a nice rod too. Outsourcing is part of the national economic fabric now for better or worse although all of the crucial design work is done here. Anyone working for me that didn't keep the customer's interest firmly and primarily in their mind would soon find themselves unemployed...

 

[AKSkim]

Pick Me

Well Lads,

I always did want to be a fly shop owner.

 

[dcabarle]

Dennis,
It wasn't me.

Jim,

I know it wasn't you. I didn't think I insinuated that it was. But, thanks for clarifying for those who may have thought it was.

I don't like Albright rods at all. They feel like overweight broomsticks (just my opinion). Temple Fork are nice rods and I don't care if they were made in Taiwan.

 

[theartoflee]

Dennis,
It wasn't me. I just cast two of the B2X models and I liked both of them. As for imported rods, there are some pretty darn good ones out there especially Temple Fork. Those rods are quality rods by any measure. The Albright A5 is a nice rod too. Outsourcing is part of the national economic fabric now for better or worse although all of the crucial design work is done here. Anyone working for me that didn't keep the customer's interest firmly and primarily in their mind would soon find themselves unemployed...

Jim by you merely mentioning Winston rods in a post I could tell that you were thinking or trying to carrying their line since most if not every thing you mention on this BB is a PLUG of some sort for Shannons some more shameless then others. Will their ever be an end to this free advertising??? I seem to remember in the past that although this is a non profit site Dennis was accepting advertising perhaps it wouldn’t bother me so much if you took out some advertising space since then you would be contributing in a sense to this site. I even seem to remember you saying that this site has directly brought awareness to Shannons.

 

[jholland]

Winston

Dennis,
I always enjoy discussing rods with you. I currently have two rods on my wish list:
The Scott G2 a 9' 4 or 5wt and the Winston B2X in an 8'6" or 9' 5wt. I will get both of them for my personal use over the next couple of months. We agree on the Temple Fork and disagree on the Albright A5. That's OK. By the way, PM me with the banner rates. We would be happy to advertise with you.

 

[landrover]

You must remember after a purchase their is a time when service and repair comes into play, then you have to deal with some old lady in the repair dept with the attitude like you are bothering her and the only thing she was taught to say was send it in and we will get back to ya. Trust me, spend your money else where; you will be glad you did.

 

[Peddler]

Hi all! First post. Glad I found you!
:sun_smile
Because of the popularity of their BIIx and because the typical, new-age business school 'bean counter' mentality took the helm for a while, Winston did indeed have growing pains a couple years ago.
That's over and every plastic rod that comes out of Twin Bridges these days are easily on a par, quality-wise, with anything built in their price range.
The BIIx is one rod that made me give up a few classic Loomis GLX's. That took some doing! The BIIx's have more feel at all ranges and are lighter. Supurb rods.
As for service... I would have loved to hear the conversation between that 'old lady' and the good Doctor and learn of the problems he had with the rod(s). Not registered? Bought second hand? Thoughtless abuse? There are always two sides to every story.
I've had nothing buy top-notch service with Winston and after owning 4 of their rods since 1980, with two more on the way, will not hesitate in the least to promote them when I can.
I have had five people cast my 8'6", 4 weight BIIx and buy the same rod! True story.