Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

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ibookje
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Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#61

Post by ibookje »

Back from a couple of days fishing in Austria.

Fishing was not good due to weather conditions (April was too cold). Still snow left in the valley. Insect activity was almost non existent. Water was as cold as I've ever seen and the fish felt very cold too. Probably just waiting to warm up.

Yet I did manage to fish my Leetle Feller. Didn't bother taking pictures of the tiny browns.

The rod casts amazingly accurate and does a fine job with dries and nymphs.

Image

Image

Image

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#62

Post by firehole »

Jay,
Great pics and a beautiful Leetle Feller. They are great casters. Enjoy!

Dennis

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#63

Post by doloresboy »

The 1948 Stoner built Leetle Feller my friend has is the most full flexing rod I have cast. It's a 7' 4wt. He made me an exact copy and it is a blast to fish with.

Matt

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#64

Post by NedZeppelin »

Are there any builders doing repros of the SF era Leetle Fellers?

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#65

Post by ibookje »

Winston for sure. Probably Sweetgrass.

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#66

Post by Grouse »

Really like the looks of this entire fly rod. Nice find and great post.

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#67

Post by firehole »

Leetle Fellers were made in SF and also in Twin Bridges MT. Glenn Brackett made my 7' 2/2 2 4wt. 2 5/8 oz. in 1980 which is also last year Leetle Fellers showed up in the Winston catalogs. Glenn knows the tapers.

Dennis

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#68

Post by firehole »

Here's some pics of my 1980 Brackett built Leetle Feller 7' 2/2 4wt. 2 5/8oz. One of these days I'll shoot better pics.

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Image

Dennis

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#69

Post by ibookje »

Nice Dennis!
The grip seems to be ordered this way?
Have you fished it yet?

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#70

Post by firehole »

Hi Jay,
No, I haven't fished it yet since YNP is in runoff mode and everything is high. I expect to fish it sometime in the next 2 weeks.
The rod was originally destined for the Japanese market which may have dictated the this grip.

Dennis

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#71

Post by ibookje »

Which streams in YNP would you use this rod?
Just in case I head that way again in the future :D

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#72

Post by firehole »

Firehole, Gibbon & Gallatin YNP section

Dennis

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Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#73

Post by ibookje »

Good tips Dennis!
Surely there are more intimate less known streams but then I'll call you! :)

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#74

Post by ibookje »

Scott, could you show us a picture of your LF taken from the front of the rod? I’m interested in the cap on top of the cork.
Flyman615 wrote:Until spring comes to eastern Idaho, here's a photo of my 1966 San Francisco 7 1/2 ft., 3 1/8 oz., 2/2, 4 wt. Leetle Feller to tide you over.
Image

Scott

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#75

Post by Flyman615 »

Here you go. It's the rod on the right.
I'm told the grip check is unusual, but the rod is 100% original.
Image

Scott
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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#76

Post by ibookje »

Thank you Scott.
Well your rod is quite an early one, so probably standard in those days.

I wonder where the Leetle Fellers from 1930's up to 1950's are?...

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#77

Post by doloresboy »

A gaggle of Leetle Fellers!

ImageLeetle Fellers by matthew dougherty, on Flickr

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#78

Post by ibookje »

Nice!
Where to order? :)

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#79

Post by firehole »

Beautiful Leetle Fellers Matt! What length & line weights are they?

Dennis

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Re: Winston Leetle Fellers: Exactly what are they?

#80

Post by ibookje »

These are all excellent looking clones of the most right original Leetle Feller

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