Mike,
I have a 9' 4wt Winston BIIX that replaced my Scott 9' 4wt that
I've fished for over 8 years. I fell in love with the BIIX the first
time I picked it up. I fish only dry flies and soft hackles with it. I
paired it up with the new Cortland 444 DT "Sylk" line. There
is no need to overline it. It has a very sensitive and soft tip an
intermediate mid-section and a stiff butt. I would cateagorize it as a
med-fast rod. I fished it for a week in Idaho last March on some
private spring creeks and was able punch a #20 baetis through some
fairly nasty winds and make all the nice little mends I needed. I
don't fish buggers or nymphs and shot, so I can't vouch for it there
but I suspect it could with a 6WF line.
Hope this helps,
Leland.
I recall several list members saying that they had the Winston Boron IIx 8' 4 weight. I am thinking of purchasing one. The size seems great for smaller trout streams and being a 4 piece means that it is easy to pack.
I currently use a 3 pc Loomis IMX 8' in a 4 weight. It is a fast rod that casts a 4WF line well both close and further out. I can use this rod with a size 12 tungsten bead fly (though it isn't always pretty) and yet it is easy on thin tippets on small dries. The disadvantage is that it is a 3 piece rod. This makes it difficult to put in a smaller size suitcase. Carrying a rod on a plane is not an option here in Europe. Luggage size restrictions between the various airlines is an issue as well. Besides that, I would just as soon pack the rod if possible anyway.
Those of you that own the Boron IIx, please let me know;
How does the rod cast? Fast, Slow
Did you need to overline by one size?
Do you use a ST or WF line with this rod?
Does it handle a heavier fly if necessary?
The Winston dealer here in the NL doesn't have this model in stock, so I can't test cast the rod. This would need to be the blind purchase of the blank and hope for the best. (as far as fly shops and what is stocked, you all don't know how good you have it)
Thank you for your consideration on my questions.
Mike
