The rod casts with power, control, line speed and feel from 30 feet to over 90. Strikingly light in spite of heavy-duty components, the Alpha+ 9’ 6-weight sits up in your hand and swings like a feather. I would give this rod high marks, with an asterisk for being sensitive to line pairing. This line resonates perfectly with the rod, smoothing out the bumps mentioned above and casting beautifully throughout at broad range. In fact, the rod does virtually everything well with a Technical Trout and feels great in the process. After much experimenting, I finally landed on the Rio Technical Trout as the best all-around line for dry flies and most nymph rigs. Some lighter lines, such as the SA Trout Taper, feel a bit disconnected. A Rio Gold is a good line choice for nymphs and streamers because it flexes the rod deeply enough to get a nice kick out of the butt section. Also, for a fast action rod, the Alpha+ 5-weight throws line mends off the tip and roll casts exceptionally well. This tip mass will be an asset to the nymphing angler, however, as the rod finishes casts with authority and will handle strike indicators and split shot with ease. At short and medium distances, the tip drives through the cast for excellent leader turnover, but the weight and bounce of the tip is not particularly desirable for dry fly fishing (with most lines….see Rio Technical Trout recommendation below). The sweet spot on this fast action rod is 40-60 feet, ideal for streamers and long range nymphing. The Alpha+ 5-weight differs from the other models in this series in that it casts like a trout rod rather than a saltwater rod. They will be popular for streamers, windy conditions, big water and heavy fish. The 5 and 6-weights are clearly built for trout fishing – they come with cigar grips, maple inserts and nickel silver hardware – but the blanks are just as stiff relative to the higher line weights. All Alpha+ models have a saltwater action. In the former B III+ series, the 7-12 weights were clearly saltwater rods, but the 5s and 6s were trout rods that flexed much more deeply. If you love the 8-weight, you’ll love the 6 and the 10, too.Ĭompared with Winston Air Salt, Alpha+ is faster action and more powerful. Also, the Alpha+ series is a more contiguous group of rods that share casting and fishing characteristics throughout the range of models. These are fantastic casters from short to very long. They are definitely fast action, but “progressive fast,” meaning that they flex evenly and are intuitive to cast. In a power-oriented fly rod, this is a tremendous asset.Īs compared with the B III+ series, the Alpha+ is more finely tuned for broader casting range in each model. The “broad hoop, thin wall” offers stability and power while minimizing weight because the larger hoop naturally offers greater strength and torsional integrity. Compared with other fly rods, the blanks are noticeably larger in diameter. Winston undersells the innovation by describing the blanks as “highest performance graphite/boron composite materials.” Any angler holding the rod will notice how light they feel and swing. The look and feel of the Alpha+ is signature Winston, but beyond aesthetics, the Alpha+ represents a terrific accomplishment in rod design. Design Characteristics | Model-by-Model Reviews
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