How Fly Rods are Made | R.L. Winston Rod Company | Behind The Brand | Fly Fishing

We wanted to see what almost 100 years of mastering the craft of fly rod building looks like. So, we took a trip up North to R.L. Winston Rod Company, where we were able to take a look behind the brand of this legendary fly fishing company and see how each Winston green fly rod is made from start to finish.

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Fly Fish Food

00:00 Introduction
00:21 History of R.L. Winston Rod Company
09:33 Prepping the Mandrel
10:20 Rolling the Graphite Tube
11:22 Applying Cellophane Tape
11:55 Cutting Graphite Flags
13:35 Removing Cellophane Tape from Graphite Tube
14:05 Sanding Graphite Tube
14:35 Cutting Fly Rod Ferrules
15:20 Gluing Cork Fly Rod Grip
15:49 Gluing Fly Rod Tip Tops
16:17 Applying Epoxy to Fly Rod Guides
17:16 Calligraphy
19:49 Creating Fly Rod Reel Seat
21:08 Outro

[straithill]

Winston- the reason that someone said that anyone who thinks money can't buy happiness never bought himself a really nice fly rod! Love'm- history, tradition, quality, and commitment.

[jakeroth]

Just became an empty nester. Dropped my youngest off at his dorm last Sunday. Very soon will I be able to fish with the rods I want and Winston is on my list. Great video!!!

[anhatur]

I can imagine the sales manager talking to his boss:
"Hey, I've got contact with these YouTubers who want to make a tour of the plant. I'll give them a tour at the museum, and if they seem legit, can you show them around the factory?"
It's great, actually. Well done. And I may get myself one of those Pure rods one day, for the small rivers and streams that I like so much.

[johnshand]

Great video of a true American Icon! Just about to get a 5wt to fish the Tongariro River down under in NZ.

[stevebrowne]

I have been fly fishing for over sixty years and purchased my first Winston fly rod in the early 1970's - an 8 1/2 foot 7-weight IM6 (graphite model). I still fish that rod today and own three other Winstons as well. IMO, Winston makes the very best fly rods available bar none! I have owned and fished rods by Sage, Loomis, Orvis, Scott, T & T, Hardy, Powell, Leonard, and a few other lesser brands and none are better than Winston.

You may have heard Winston owners talk about "the Winston feel." The rods are a pleasure to cast and each can handle a wide variety of fishing conditions and fish sizes. The rods are powerful yet smooth in presentation, they are durable in construction yet very fine in their smallest details, and they have great strength in fighting power yet they can finesse with delicacy when needed.

Years ago I took my 7 weight Winston to Alaska to flyfish for 12-15 lb silver salmon that were very aggressive. A number of other fishermen and a few of the guides in our party actually laughed when I showed up with this "long skinny rod" to do battle with salmon. Yes, there ended up being a number of broken rods in our party but not my Winston. It out-fished every heavy rod in the party and many of the fishermen commented on the fact that my little fly rod seemed "invincible."

Just one more thing. Nothing was mentioned in the video about the Winston Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee. The company stands behind their product like no other that I have experienced in the fly rod industry. But here's the kicker: I have never had to call upon that guarantee with any of the four Winston fly rods that I own. I have never had a failure, a break down or a problem with any of them! When you purchase a Winston rod from an authorized dealer, register it, and care for it, you have made a lifetime investment. (I have no personal involvement with the RL Winston Company)

[jackbenson]

Lefty Kreh introduced me to my first Winston Fly Rod at A Denver Sportsman Show years ago. I’ve been a fan ever since. This video really brought that memory back home. That green rod in my hand sometimes mesmerizes me to the point I forget I’m suppose to fish with it.

[edwardmlotkiewicz]

I have two Winston rods, an 8'6" 4 weight and a 9' 12 weight. Best rods I 've owned in addition to the 7'9" 5 weight Orvis Superfine my wife got me for my retirement. My son cast his Sage and my 8'6" Winston and told me to get him a Winston, I did. Can't beat that Winston feel.

[TheBear]

Love Winston, been on em so long, I have several I M 6 with down locking reel seats! You even put my name and " In memory of Mom and Dad" on the rods. I did come visit and Deano Pagagno, gave us the tour.

[johnvanderwalker]

The finest rod I have ever fished. Good to see the care in the making of such a fine instrument.

[x-itgamingandtech]

We need a fly fish food road trip to all the different fly rod company's in the US!

[joshludlow]

Thats awesome how the rods are created, especially the calligraphy...Amazing

[tysobol]

I love this behind the scenes look at their operation. I've only ever been in the front of the building, but it's incredible getting the full tour

[benrodriguez]

The Winston rods are beautifuly made. Ive always admired them but never could afford one. Maybe some day.

[bentpolski]

I Love My Winston! They deserve every Penny they get for a Rod. What a remarkable process! I think You could make a Bamboo rod in less time? Yes? No? Back in the day they said a Cane Rod takes a builder about a Week. So they based the prices on a weeks Labor Plus Materials and a Profit margin.

[scottnock]

Fantastic job Thank you for thinking of doing that and big thanks to Winston for allowing you to show that!!!

I wish we could have seen how the green stuff was put on!!!

Absolutely my most favorite Going to get the Air in a 3wt next!!!! Just insane perfect

[lambertsaldi]

Awesome guys thanks so much for sharing this information and History 👍👍 🎏 🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸
I'm a Sage guy 👍
Good Luck too all on the water and in the woods!!
The Vermonter

[timtollett]

Absolute best fly rods made! Have been fishing them since the early 1970's and have somewhere between 30 and 40 of them, I think.

[cachi-]

Very nice video. I’m a proud owner of an Air2. Have practiced with it but not yet fished it.

[garybon.]

Very cool video. Thanks for taking us along to see how the rods are made. Glad to see them made locally and in the USA.

[freakinoutdoors]

Amazing museum and history behind the company! Awesome to see great products made in the USA!! Love the video!!👍🎣