Winston Boron IIx vs St. Croix Legend Ultra
 

I know, I know, this is a stupid comparison, and a stupid post. The
Boron is twice as expensive. Their actions - while both med-fast - are
entirely different, and of course every fisherman will have his own
personal preference in any case. Finally, I'll be surprised if even a
few of you have actually had a chance to even lawn cast both, much less
fish them both. But for all that:

Anyone have any opinions on the 9' 5-wt Winston Boron IIx versus the
same-sized St. Croix Legend Ultra?

I have my own initial opinion. I'd just like to hear what anyone else
has to say. (Other than: "Idiot!")

Thanks, Tim

I don't have any info on the 5wt, but I did try the Winston Boron IIx in a 9
ft 7 wt, and was decidedly unimpressed. I didn't think it carried the line
well when making longish casts (60ft). Ended up getting an Orvis T3 9ft 7wt
mid flex. Love the rod, but had a problem with the line. Many manufacturers
are making their lines a half weight too heavy, and I found that on a long
cast, the extra weight was a hindrance. Once I got an AFTMA conforming 7wt
line the rod really performed well, even at 60 foot and longer casts (which
is why I bought the rod). I have never tried a St. Croix, not that I
wouldn't like to, but my local shop just doesn't carry them.

HTH,

Jim Ray
wrote in message
oups.com...
I know, I know, this is a stupid comparison, and a stupid post. The
Boron is twice as expensive. Their actions - while both med-fast - are
entirely different, and of course every fisherman will have his own
personal preference in any case. Finally, I'll be surprised if even a
few of you have actually had a chance to even lawn cast both, much less
fish them both. But for all that:

Anyone have any opinions on the 9' 5-wt Winston Boron IIx versus the
same-sized St. Croix Legend Ultra?

I have my own initial opinion. I'd just like to hear what anyone else
has to say. (Other than: "Idiot!")

Thanks, Tim

wrote:
I know, I know, this is a stupid comparison, and a stupid post. The
Boron is twice as expensive. Their actions - while both med-fast -
are
entirely different, and of course every fisherman will have his own
personal preference in any case. Finally, I'll be surprised if even
a
few of you have actually had a chance to even lawn cast both, much
less
fish them both. But for all that:

Anyone have any opinions on the 9' 5-wt Winston Boron IIx versus the
same-sized St. Croix Legend Ultra?

I have my own initial opinion. I'd just like to hear what anyone
else
has to say. (Other than: "Idiot!")


Tis not a stupid question, and not a stupid post and I like your style.
g. If you *listen* to the talk on the Winston Forum, one could get
the impression the BIIx is the greatest fly fishing invention since the
tapered leader. Then you have Jim's response saying he with the Orvis
rod instead.

There is no way I would classify the BIIx as med-fast. I have one and
have only yard cast it and even I can boom the line with it. I've not
cast the St. Croix model for some time but I don't remember it being as
fast as the BIIx, nor as flexible. I tried several different fly lines
with it before deciding I liked the Wulff long belly fly line. With
that line I had no issue loading with 10' of line or 40'. I did with
some other WF courtland and sa lines that I have which tends to
replicate Jim's experience.

My two cents is the BIIx is a nice rod and I will enjoy it but I am
partial to medium action rods and prefer the IM6/WT models. I admit to
being Winston loyal and would choose it over something like the Legend
if the price difference would not impact other family responsibilities.

Thanks for the opinions.

Here's something interesting I just learned - not sure I should mention
this in public, don't want to start a mad rush, but - Winston has a
"loaner" program, whereby you can talk to your local Winston dealer and
have them order you a loaner rod, which you're then free to fish a
couple weeks to try out. The only cost to you might be what the dealer
charges to send it back to Winston.

Impressive...

brians wrote in :


Temple Fork Outfitters(TFO), and I believe Orvis will do the same.
Another rod company offered to loan me a rod, but for the life of me, I
can't remember which one.

brians



Did you forget before or after you took the loaner rod?

Scott

wrote

Here's something interesting I just learned - not sure I should mention
this in public, don't want to start a mad rush, but - Winston has a
"loaner" program, whereby you can talk to your local Winston dealer and
have them order you a loaner rod, which you're then free to fish a
couple weeks to try out. The only cost to you might be what the dealer
charges to send it back to Winston.


I think I might stop by when I'm in Twin Bridges and see if they have
returned loaners, 87% off g

Scott Seidman wrote:
brians wrote in :


Temple Fork Outfitters(TFO), and I believe Orvis will do the same.
Another rod company offered to loan me a rod, but for the life of me, I
can't remember which one.

brians




Did you forget before or after you took the loaner rod?

Scott

Hmmm, good question.

brians ;-)

Which brings to mind something that I've learned over the years. Before you
make judgment on any fly rod, try it with a line under and a line over the
recommended weight for the rod. You'll find that such changes dramatically
alter the action of the rod. I recall a rod that a friend of mine purchased
and then subsequently decided was not one he wanted to fish with...as he
didn't like the action. Neither did I when I tried it...but I traded him
something for it anyway. Later, I tried using a full size lighter line on
it and the action was everything I would want. I had my friend try it and I
could tell he wanted the rod back...so we "re-traded" and he used that rod
for many years prior to his death. It was one of his favorite rods.

Barry

"Jim" wrote in message
...
I don't have any info on the 5wt, but I did try the Winston Boron IIx in a
9
ft 7 wt, and was decidedly unimpressed. I didn't think it carried the line
well when making longish casts (60ft). Ended up getting an Orvis T3 9ft
7wt
mid flex. Love the rod, but had a problem with the line. Many
manufacturers
are making their lines a half weight too heavy, and I found that on a long
cast, the extra weight was a hindrance. Once I got an AFTMA conforming 7wt
line the rod really performed well, even at 60 foot and longer casts
(which
is why I bought the rod). I have never tried a St. Croix, not that I
wouldn't like to, but my local shop just doesn't carry them.

HTH,

Jim Ray
wrote in message
oups.com...
I know, I know, this is a stupid comparison, and a stupid post. The
Boron is twice as expensive. Their actions - while both med-fast - are
entirely different, and of course every fisherman will have his own
personal preference in any case. Finally, I'll be surprised if even a
few of you have actually had a chance to even lawn cast both, much less
fish them both. But for all that:

Anyone have any opinions on the 9' 5-wt Winston Boron IIx versus the
same-sized St. Croix Legend Ultra?

I have my own initial opinion. I'd just like to hear what anyone else
has to say. (Other than: "Idiot!")

Thanks, Tim