Just came back from one of our local fly shops where I cast a number of rods. The most impressive was an 8.5' 5wt. Winston Boron IIx. I'm tempted to buy it, but I would like a custom rod, both because I like the idea of a custom rod and because I want to patronize independent craftsmen. So, besides buying a Winston boron blank and having a rod built on it, do I have have any other options? Are there blanks out there (Dan Craft, All Star Austin, SC IV or V, etc.) whose action and the elusive "feel" are comparable to the Winston Boron IIx? Also, if anyone has CC data on the boron rods, I would love to look at them. Many thanks for your input.

I'm curious, I had a friend who bought a "boron" rod when they first came out years ago. I tried it one day when we were trying to cast to the only rising fish we had seen all day. It was a good 50-60' feet away across some pretty high flows. I remember the rod being really stiff and I had a hard time adjusting my casting stroke so I could cast more than about 30'. What are these new ones like?

It all depends on what you like. Any of the rods you mentioned above will cast as well, or better, than the Winston. But they've each got their own unique "feel."

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The Winston Boron llx is a second generation boron/graphite composite and is considered a fast action rod. But, what impressed me was the weight. It is almost a ounce lighter than a comparable graphite rod. I like it.

I recently saw a custom one for sale on @#$%&. It was selling close to $650 I think.

Alex,

The Winston people told me that they just put the boron in the lower part of the rods (lower 1/3-1/4) that is what gives their new 'boron' rods the unique feel (the traditional Winston soft tip with some additional power). I haven't fished with one, only cast them, but the people that I know around here (MT) who make a living using fly rods really like them. The rod seem to deliver on it claim to have more range than their traditional rods while still procetecting the tippet.

Alex,

The Winston people told me that they just put the boron in the lower part of the rods (lower 1/3-1/4) that is what gives their new 'boron' rods the unique feel (the traditional Winston soft tip with some additional power). I haven't fished with one, only cast them, but the people that I know around here (MT) who make a living using fly rods really like them. The rod seem to deliver on it claim to have more range than their traditional rods while still procetecting the tippet.

Alex,

What you might want to do is to find a custom builder in your area and see if they have something that would make you happy. Most builders either have several rods to try or have access to something you're looking for.

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.