[doctorsteve]

I have a 13' Winston Spey rod. I was wondering if those who have fished it would recommend a particular line for it. I think I use a Rio line now. I haven't been using it much lately because the streams that I fish for steelhead are rather small. Any recommendations would be great.
Thanks,
drsteve

 

[David Dornblaser]

The new BIIx Spey?

Are you referring to the new BIIx Spey? I am planning on using the Rio's 8/9 Midspey on mine.

David Dornblaser

 

[doctorsteve]

no

I've had the rod at least 4 or 5 years, so I don't think it's that one. It's a 13' 8 wt 4 piece.

 

[beau purvis]

13ft w

I had a 13 ft winston for an 8 wght a few yrs ago.I usually overline my rods a bit but I found a 7/8/9 WC worked best on that one.It is pretty soft.Used it on deschutes with floating line only.Beau

 

[Muckle Salmon]

I fish that rod with a SA 7/8 mid head. It also handles the 7/8 short head but it is more of a long line rod. It is slightly on the slower more progressive side than many of the newer rods but it is a dream to cast if you let it do its work. It likes a nice smooth long stroke and is truly a casting rod rather than a firing rod. I find it handles the 10ft. polytips well and also the rio 12ft. type 7. I really wouldn't want to put anything heavier on it. Where it excells is as a dry line rod (really smooth).
I tried a bunch of lines on it and found that the mid head was far and away the best. The one mistake you could make is to overload the rod. It just wont take it.
Hope this helps, Ramsay

 

[doctorsteve]

Thanks for the info. That's actually quite helpful. You're right about the action. I've always overloaded the rod, and now I know not to.