Speak ‘rod’ with an American angler and Winston is one of a small group of brands that commands a very loyal following. Where rod-freaks loyal to other brands talk power and speed, Winston owners (every bit as freaky) mention feel and build qualit

Winston describe their BIIx series as “fast action” and make a remarkable statement on their web-site: “A common flaw in most fast action designs is a lack of casting range; the rods are often hard to load at short distances and even at longer range can be clumsy due to overly stiff butt sections.” This reads to me like a mission statement as much as a pointed critique of their competitors. I certainly agree that it’s not uncommon to meet rods which fit that description.

So, going by the blurb, a fast-action Winston should load easily with a short line and dig deeper into the butt with a long line. I could keep this extremely short and simply say it does.

The overall stiffness of this BIIx 6-weight is relatively low – other makers might rate this rod for a #5 or even a #4 line. With a WF6F line, at short range, the feel is super, loading is smooth and the sense of control is first class.

For a 6-weight this is an exceptionally light rod so recovery is brisk, mends or flicks are simply a twitch of the wrist. Roll casting – both static and jump-rolls – is exceptionally clean.

The line rating may seem low to those of us conditioned to stiff rods, however it doesn’t take long to convert. This 6-weight is pretty much at home with a #5 line and seems remarkably at ease with a #7 for that matter.

Technically, this rod has a fast action, the bend is towards the tip of the rod. Given this is not stiff one might expect to run out of power at distance – not a bit of it! The BIIx simply bends deeply and fires a clean line. The butt is alive, it bends with load unlike some power rods, and (say it again) this is exceptionally light so there is no heavy tip whacking around causing wide loops or sending after-wobble wiggles down the line or sending shock into my arm.

Back to brand fans, they also make a lot of Winston build quality; I can see why. First class cork, excellent fittings assembled with care and attention.

During testing this rod fell into the wrong hands, an experienced angler and a novice both tried it and have since both bought BIIx rods. Frankly, this is one of the most pleasing casting/fishing rods I’ve tried, equally at home with novice or expert caster.

• Price: £479.00
• From: Sportfish Tel. 01544 327111 (www.sportfish.co.uk/)

Factfile

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Winston BIIx 9ft #6
• Stiffness: 103.2g
• Action angle: 70
• Sections: 4
• Weight: 85g (3oz)
• Rings: One lined ring, fine wire snakes
• Handle: Cigar (high quality cork)
• Reel seat: Graphite spacer
• Fighting butt: No
• Blank: Gloss, Dark green
• Thread: Dark green
• Build quality: Very high
• Rod bag: Canvas
• Rod tube: Alloy
• Guarantee: Original owner, lifetime