Winston 15' 5pc 8/9 Derek Brown Favorite

[northspey]

Hello all,

I saw a Winston "Derek Brown Favorite" at a local fly shop where the current owner has it on consignment for about $350.00. It is a five piece 15' 8/9 weight. I looks to be in very good shape.Took it out in the parking lot for a wiggle and it feels much like an old Sage Brownie...I am wondering what the "long belly elders" have to say about this rod, which I am guessing dates back to the mid-90's. Anybody want to offer line recommendations and performance reviews of it...it would be purely for floating line work and teaching myself long belly skills.
Many thanks in advance for any input on this discussion.

regards,
Tom

PS: I have a 8/9 SA XLT spooled up on my Marquis 3 waiting for the right rod to line up on...

[voodoofly]

tom,
nice price. great rod for sure. you know what bend to use it in. cnd gps in 8/9 prob work good. ff70 8/9 too. carron 10/11 prob too.
gary

[esudol]

Powerspey #8/9, even a #9/10 on windy days. Don't be afraid to oveline it. Skagit can start at 750-gr+ It might be a little heavy (???) but it is a MONSTER....... Enjoy.

[kush]

Here is a review that Dana did on that rod a number of years ago http://speypages.com/winstondb.html

[bulkleyfly]

I'd be inclined to line it with that XLT as a first choice, given Derek's history with that taper, or the Carron Gary suggested or an 8/9 Accelerator if you can find one....

Jonathan

[Hardyreels]

Hi Tom,

I have a 15' 10 / 11 and used a Rio 875 grain mid spey (65' head) as my introduction line for the rod. Action wise they are a dream if you've been wanting more of a full flexing rod to fish with. I don't use it often but will line it with a Jet Stream soon. Because of the way I cast & fish the 65' head seems to be short for a rod with so much reserve power.

Weight was the biggest negative for the rods but I am not a fellow who makes hundreds of casts while fishing so the weight is not such an issue for me. If you are a fellow who really enjoys casting the rods can be a catch 22. They cast beautifully but the weight may catch up with you if you're being lax with your visits to the gym.

Ard

[northspey]

Hello all,

Did a little horse trading and picked up this stick...will try the XLT first and then a 9wt mid-spey and then go from there. Would love to try a 8/9 GPS but finding one seem to be quite difficult at this point. Looking forward to throwing a long line with this one. Gary-maybe I'll have to come down to Henning Park for the speyfest and see what you flatlanders can do with this rod ::.
It's all good. Thanks for all the input and the link to Dana's review - we're all still probably waiting for the "ultimate spey rod", but then again being there totally focused on the water at the right moment is the best tool you have got.

tight lines,
Tom

[northspey]

Ard,

PM to you but your inbox is full, better clear it out boss....

Tom

[Hardyreels]

oops,

Now I know why there has been so little contact from here........ I cleaned out the box.

Ard

[northspey]

Hello again,

Tried this rod with a 7/8 XLT and it was too light for the rod. Tried a 9/10 Mid-spey w/ floater tip and that was pleasantly castable esp. in a single spey. Will get in touch with Poppy about a Carron in the 55'-65' range. I am wondering what other casters experiences are with the Carron Jetstreams and light (Clear intermediate, type II, and type III) tips-15' long. Do the Carron lines come with loops on the tip??? Is this a tip friendly line or a pure floater. I know from even the few hours I put with this rod yesterday that it can handle some big stuff although I am not particularly interested in it for deeply sunk line work.

thanks again,
Tom

[voodoofly]

Originally Posted by northspey

Gary-maybe I'll have to come down to Henning Park for the speyfest and see what you flatlanders can do with this rod ::.
Tom

yo tom,
bring it. i'm sure some of the tackle tarts will have lines to try out. remember, you need to wait on the backcast for that rod to load up to its full potential.
gary

[esudol]

The Winston DBFs do not mind if they are overloaded by one line size. In fact, when I use my #7 on a windy day, I'll kick it up to a #8 Powerspey. Also, the #9 and #10 are mot afraid of big, heavy Skagit lines with T-14. I took those two up to the Dean and they were casting machines. The #7 is going out tomorrow.......

[kush]

Tom,

If you (or anyone else for that matter) is looking for CND lines or other stuff you can contact Matt Suzuki here in Vancouver matt-suzuki@shaw.ca

[esudol]

northwpey,
Buy the rod. Try it (you might like it). If you don't like it, put it back on the block. I took my DBF out on Monday and started out with a #7 Rio Powerspey. Then, relined it with a #8 Powerspey. The WIND didn't even slow it down. This rod is especially good on wide open rivers. Since it is 15-feet long, it doesn't make much sense to use it on small rivers. Good luck with it (if you get it).

[northspey]

Esudol,

Got the rod... Lined it with a 7/8 XLT- that was too light...lined it with a 9/10 mid-spey- that works good but still a tad light...my pal at the shop the rod came from hooked me up with a 10/11 Accelerator that the previous owner of the rod cast so I will spool that up and try it here today.

More later,
Thanks,

Tom