Any opinions on the Winston Vapor?

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

Looking for a new rod and would like to keep it in the $300 range. I’ve got my choices pretty much narrowed down to either the St. Croix Legend Ultra (which I have cast) and the Winston Vapor (which I have not cast - no Winston dealers for miles around here). I am aware that the Vapor is made overseas, and that is turning me off slightly to that rod, but hey, I drive a Subaru. I’d sure appreciate any opinions from anyone who owns or has cast a Vapor.

Thanks,

-Darryl

2

You know what they say about opinions, but here goes anyway…

I have two ultras, both in 5 weight - one 7.5 ft and the other 8.5 ft. Both are really nice casting rods, though the new one is a bit stiff for shorter casts. I don’t have a Vapor, but do have an Ascent in 3 and a BIIX in 4. The Winstons are nice smooth rods, with very soft tips and since the Vapor is between them, I’d guess it’s similar.

In general I’d choose the Winston for closer in or more delicate presentations and the Ultra if you’re fishing bigger water or heavier weights. Best thing though is figure where to cast one first.

3

Thanks for the opinion! I think I’m leaning more toward the St. Croix Legend Ultra (them being a sponsor here is helping sway my choice).

Thanks again, I really appreciate it,

-Darryl

4

I certainly like St. Croix, but you asked about the Vapor, so I’ll tell you I was extremely impressed (and surprised) when I got a chance to cast one. We had a fly shop here go out of business a while back and I took the opportunity via their closeout sale to buy a Winston BIIX that I’d been lusting over for a long time. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been disappointed by the feel of modern, faster rods. Most can cast a line a mile, but lack feel to me and especially disappoint on those occassions when you’re fishing and casting in close. I fell in love with the BIIX because it offered a combination like I’d never felt of fast rod power with exceptional feel and a tip that made short casts a breeze.

But about the Vapor - A few weeks after I’d bought my BIIX, my daughter’s boyfriend was in town and looking to buy a nice, moderate priced rod. I took him to this same shop and we looked over a couple offerings. I almost didn’t bother having him test the Vapor, because it’s predecessor, the IBIS, was a rod that I didn’t care for at all. We took a number of five weights out and both of us cast them. When it came time to cast the Vapor, I was floored. If felt almost exactly like my BIIX, booming line out with ease, yet feeling great with short casts. I won’t name all the others that we tried, but it was the clear pick of litter. I too have a little bit of reservation with it being made off shore, but that’s getting harder and harder to avoid. The cosmetics on the rod are superior as well.

Best of luck with either way with your choice, but it says here that you’d be very pleased with a Vapor. :cool:

5

Thanks John. Now I’m really undecided! You made it sound like the Vapor is just about exactly what I’m looking for. I’ve got a fast action 5 weight already - you’re right, it lacks “feel” on close casts, which is what kind of casting I’m doing probably 75% of the time. I’ve also got a 5 weight bamboo that just “oozes” with feel on close casts. (OK, it oozes with feel on just about any cast - even when it’s just sitting in it’s case). So I’m kind of looking to fill in the void between those two rods. I fish mostly small to medium sized streams with an occasional large one thrown in as well. By far the vast majority of my fishing is with dry flies (it’s how I enjoy catching fish) but I do cast nymphs and streamers as well.

Thanks for the reply!

By the way, the specific rods I’m considering are the St. Croix Legend Ultra 9’ #5 weight 4 piece vs. the Winston Vapor 9’ #5 weight 4 piece.

-Darryl

6

sage fli and launch both made in the usa!

7

If the rod doesn’t have to be purchased new… you can find a nice Winston (made in the USA) rod for $200. I just saw an IM-6 (WT) 8’ 4 weight for $175… if I didn’t have 3 rods that size & weight, I’d be owning that one…
later,
an Oregonian

8

We have a lot of small streams here, too. If you already have a few 5’s I think it would be worth it to consider a 4 in a little shorter lenght. I own several 5’s also, but use my 8’ 6" 4 BIIX most of the time and have toyed with the idea of the WT in 8’ 4 wt as Oregonian suggests. I think you’d really enjoy the shorter rod on small creeks.