I went down to Anglers All today to speak with someone knowledgable about my dilemma - Winston, Orvis or Thomas & Thomas. The owners, Terry and Lori, were there and they are the friendliest people I’ve ever met in a fly fishing store. Most people associated with fly fishing are usually condescending asses (golfers know what I’m talking about), but not these two - they were just salt of the earth people.

Terry and I started talking about a new rod and I only brought up the Winston and the T&T. The Orvis seems like a great rod and there’s no doubt it’s backed by a great guarantee (25 years and replaced/repaired for ANY reason), but there’s just something about owning one of the other two rods that I can’t explain…maybe it’s because I’m becoming a condescending ass. I told Terry I currently throw a Scott G series and I really love how it casts. Intuitively, he said, “But you want a 4 piece rod.” Damn. He’s good. He said without batting an eyelash that I should throw the Winston Boron IIx. The T&T, he explained, is a faster rod and I’d need to adjust to throwing it. He also added it wouldn’t really take much to get used to, but why change my tempo if I don’t have to? Hmmm…makes sense to me. He asked me if I wanted to try it (of course!) and started outfitting one.

Here’s where his shop really shines. He let me go outside by myself and cast this rod. Every place I’ve ever gone, the salesman always goes outside with you. Badgers you. Makes you nervous if you cast a knot. Ensures you don’t steal the rod. Terry held the door open, showed me where I could cast and let me be. That is awesome. Back to the rod.

This rod cast like my Scott…if it was covered in gold and I was standing in a lake of naked women. At least that’s how I felt when I threw it. Today was windy, too, which is great as I was able to gauge how it’ll feel in the mountains. Lots of power. Smooth. Sexy. I took it inside and Terry and Lori could read the smile on my face. So…

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Go see Terry and Lori if you’re in the Denver area. They’re good peeps.

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