Date: 30.09.22 11:22
Hollow-fluted bamboo. Record-shattering distance casting rods. The early
use of materials such as fiberglass and graphite. Pioneering,
harnessing and refining the unmatched power and performance of
boron/graphite composite. These are just a few examples of how, for over
85 years now, Winston has been responsible for some of the most
groundbreaking advances in fly fishing. Our company’s history isn’t just
marked by dates, but by innovations.
1929s...
While 1929 may be an infamous year in financial circles, it is one
that is cherished by anglers worldwide. For that’s the year Robert
Winther and Lew Stoner started what is known today as the R.L. Winston
Rod Company.
Originally calling their San Francisco-based company the
Winther-Stoner Manufacturing Co., they later combined elements from both
their names, and renamed it the R.L. Winston Rod Company. Technicians
at heart, they began the Winston tradition of archiving each rod with a
journal entry and a serial number. Almost immediately, the bamboo rods
these two men built earned a reputation for performance and exceptional
quality.
1930s...
In 1933, Robert Winther sold his interest in Winston to employee Red
Loskot, an accomplished fly fisherman and member of the Golden Gate
Angling Club. The following year, Lew Stoner developed his patented
hollow-fluted rod design for use in tournament casting competition.
The Winstons built with this design were lightweight, very powerful,
and would soon shatter a number of world distance casting records. Primo
Livenais used a Winston surf rod in 1936 to break the world record with
a 623 foot cast. In 1938, Marvin Hedge used a Winston to break the
world fly casting record by 36 feet.
1940s - 1950s...
In 1945, Doug Merrick stopped by the shop to buy a new rod and also
found himself a job at Winston. In 1953, he purchased Red Loskot’s
interest. When Lew Stoner died unexpectedly in 1957, Merrick became sole
owner.
Winston continued to set world casting records at the Golden Gate
Anglers Club led by John “Buddy” Tarantino. In the early 1950s, Winston
incorporated the casting characteristics of its famous hollow-fluted
rods into a new material: fiberglass.
1960s...
In the 1960s, Merrick’s penchant for quality and his exceptional rod
building skills continued to raise Winston’s standard of excellence,
already the highest in the industry. While continuing to adhere to many
of Stoner’s developments, he also made slight changes to the tapers to
create more responsive rods than those that designed for distance
casting.
In 1967, renowned angler and hotelier Charles Ritz, president of the
International Fario Club in Paris, presented Merrick with a medal for
“Outstanding work and knowledge pertaining to split bamboo rods.”
1970s - 1980s...
Tom Morgan purchased the company from Merrick in 1973, and a year
later took on a partner to assist him with bamboo operations as he
refined and concentrated on the company’s fiberglass and initial
graphite efforts.
In 1975, Winston offered a new line of 2 and 3-piece graphite rods
that met with great success. In 1976, the decision was made to move the
company from San Francisco to Twin Bridges, Montana in order to be near
the world-class trout fishing of the Beaverhead, Big Hole and Jefferson
rivers.
1990s...
In 1991, Winston was bought by David Ondaatje who, over the next
several years, worked closely with Tom Morgan to learn about Winston rod
building and design.
Faced with sourcing challenges due to a growing demand for graphite
blanks, David realized the only way for the company to grow and maximize
quality would be to gain complete control over all steps of the
manufacturing process. In 1994, the company began rolling its own blanks
and a year later, moved to a new rod facility in Twin Bridges
specifically designed for rod building and outfitted with state of the
art equipment. Following the move, Winston introduced a number of
industry-leading rod designs, including LT 5-piece trout rods and the
first two series based on boron/graphite composite: BL5 and XTR.
2000s...
In the 2000s, Winston innovation became centered on boron/graphite
composite, and a more responsive and dynamic second generation of this
rod building material was utilized.
During this time, the phenomenally successful Boron IIx, Boron II-MX
and Boron IIt series were introduced. These award-winning designs
redefined the fast-action category by combining power and strength with
accuracy, responsiveness and very light weight.
2010s – 2015s...
In 2011, Winston introduced the Boron III X series, and anglers all
over the world began to experience the benefits offered by third
generation boron/graphite composite.
To complement Boron III X, Winston developed the Boron III SX series,
which won the “Best Saltwater Rod” category at the 2012 IFTD show.
Boron III LS light line rods and Boron III TH two-handed rods followed in 2014.
2015 brought the introduction of Boron III TH Microspey
rods, which combine the power of a spey rod with the finesse of a trout
rod. Designed specifically for trout fishing, these Two-Handed 3,4 and 5
weight rods add a new and exciting dimension to the sport.
2016s...
Continuing it’s tradition of innovation, Winston introduces the new Boron III Plus fast action/high line speed rod series for powerful fish with new ‘shooting guides.’
This new Boron III Plus
rod series includes a full lineup of Saltwater rods (6wt-12wt), Jungle
rods (8wt and 9wt), and two powerful Freshwater rods (5wt and 6wt).
2017s...
For 2017, Winston introduced the WINSTON AIR™. A new line of super premium, ultra-lightweight, all around fly rods that offer truly remarkable performance. Winston AIR
rods feature a revolutionary new design that combines our new
SuperSilica resin system with high modulus Boron for significantly less
weight, more liveliness, an extremely broad casting range, and higher
responsiveness for optimum presentation.
Also introduced in 2017 were Boron III Super 10 rods; ten foot rods specifically designed for high sticking and European style nymph fishing.
2019s...
In 2019 is our Saltwater AIR
series – lightweight saltwater rods with Winston Boron III technology
that are easy to cast. The new Saltwater AIR series is very light and
allows for unprecedented fast recovery, for any length of cast.
Also new are Winston PURE
light line rods. Ideal for light nymph and dry fly fishing
applications, PURE rods are for those who prefer to fish with a light
touch.
2021s...
New for 2021, Winston is introducing the new AIR 2
freshwater rods. Utilizing a the S-2000 graphite material, HSR resin,
and boron technology the AIR 2 rods is a rod heaping with features, and
high on performance. Generating higher line speeds, AIR 2 rods have a
faster recovery rate, and a new, modern quick and smooth action without
sacrificing feel and enjoyment. For those days when you can only have
one rod, this is the one; they are amazing.
The text is copied from the official website: https://winstonrods.com/