My visit to RL Winston rod factory

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ibookje
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My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#1

Post by ibookje »

During one of my trips to Montana in the mid 1990's I planned to visit the RL Winston rod factory in Twin Bridges on our way to Yellowstone National Park. But unfortunately the building was closed because the company was attending a big fly fishing show elsewhere in the country. It's now almost 20 years later and due to a slight change of travel plans during this trip, I had a few hours to drive to Twin Bridges on my way to Bozeman.

I remember having a map on my lap while driving during my last trip in 2005. Nowadays we have this amazing technology called the iPhone and an unlimited ultra fast LTE data plan for just $60 for four weeks!

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The scenery of the trip from Helena to Twin Bridges was amazing.

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The last part of the trip to Twin Bridges slowed down a bit due to road construction on highway 55. Both directions had to take turns to drive on the same lane that was available.

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Finally Twin Bridges

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The familiar view on the Twin Bridges water tower with the Beaverhead river

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After a short drive outside the town, the RL Winston rod factory looked just as I remember from many pictures. As famous as this factory is to fly fishermen, it also looked like every other warehouse I've seen along the roads. I parked my red rental car and walked around the front yard. There was this neat little lawn with a sign.

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While entering the building I expected the general manager of the plant welcoming vistors with coffee and cup cakes. Too bad I was too late for the daily factory tour at 11 AM. A small front office and a door next to it with the sign 'Winston museum' was all there is.

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A room of about 6 x 6 meters (around 20 x 20 ft) with some memorabilia of the history of Winston was displayed. The most eye catching item being a frame with a dozen or so rods from the past, only bamboo and fiber glass rods. There I recognised my Leetle Feller (misspelled as 'Light feller') and the Stalker (misspelled as 'Stalber') glass rod. I wonder how they could make these mistakes on their heritage?…

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Besides rods, there were many pictures om the wall. Many of them I remember seeing them in the old Winston catalogs I got at home.

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Many tools of era gone by

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Gary Howells, one of the best bamboo rod makers ever

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A view of the workshop

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Did you know that the Sage head rod designer Jerry Siem started at Winston?

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It's nice to know the guestbooks of vistors are kept.

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Next stop: Bozeman to fish with my friend Mark Koscinski (Hellmtflies)

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durangofly
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#2

Post by durangofly »

Fantastic post.
Thank you.
I fish . . . not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important but because I suspect that so many other concerns of men are equally unimportant--and not nearly so much fun.

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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#3

Post by PYochim »

Jay, thanks for the post. Have a safe remainder of the trip.

headwaters
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#4

Post by headwaters »

Thanks!

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Flyman615
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#5

Post by Flyman615 »

Really nice!

Brings back a lot of memories for me as I fished the area for parts of 37 straight summers.

Thanks!

Scott
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ibookje
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#6

Post by ibookje »

Thanks guys.
I'm back home. I'll add some more reports on various outings of my trip

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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#7

Post by PT48 »

Very good. I went there twice in September 2014 and your post sure brought back some memories. Did you pick up the DVD "Winston Waters?"

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ibookje
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#8

Post by ibookje »

No I didn't. Have seen it long ago.
By the way, it's available for free on Youtube: https://youtu.be/bxTFN-g-EVc

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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#9

Post by snorider »

Did you happen to notice the new bamboo shop on your way into town? It was on the right in a red building as you drove into town, used to be sweetgrass. I’m going to knock on the door next time I’m over. Wayne Maca is I think leasing them his Winston bamboo mill while they wait for their new equipment.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it. T.R.

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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#10

Post by SpringCreek »

Great post.

Jim
Then as it was, then again it will be. Though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea. - Led Zeppelin, 10 Years Gone

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ibookje
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#11

Post by ibookje »

snorider wrote:Did you happen to notice the new bamboo shop on your way into town? It was on the right in a red building as you drove into town, used to be sweetgrass.
Like this? :)

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snorider
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#12

Post by snorider »

That's it! I'm excited to see the rods they turn out.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it. T.R.

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prairieschooner
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#13

Post by prairieschooner »

Awesome; thanks! A Winston bamboo is on my OMG I WISH list but above my current pay grade unless I win the lottery. But I have seven Winstons in that "other" material and I love each and every one.
Last edited by prairieschooner on 09/05/18 08:20, edited 1 time in total.
I spent most of my money on shotguns, fly rods, guitars and banjos. The rest I just wasted. (Apologies to W.C. Fields)

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ibookje
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#14

Post by ibookje »

Thank you.
I'm sure one day you'll own a Winston bamboo too :)

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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#15

Post by tackleman »

For me, its like visiting a shrine! And now, the addition of the shop that housed the 'Boo Boys' is like bringing the estranged family back together.

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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#16

Post by fefferje »

Jay, thank you for that great photo journey. I took the tour with my wife in the summer of 2008. It was fun. Later we got a mini tour of the Sweetgrass shop. I’d love to visit Glenn’s new shop in Butte. Maybe next year. I hope so. Thanks so much for the photo tour. It was great. Jed
Last edited by fefferje on 09/17/18 06:24, edited 1 time in total.
Fefferfly

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ibookje
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#17

Post by ibookje »

Thanks Fefferfly & Tackleman

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ibookje
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#18

Post by ibookje »

My vintage Winston Leetle Feller (San Francisco) and Stalker (San Francisco / Montana)

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prairieschooner
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#19

Post by prairieschooner »

Sweet!
I spent most of my money on shotguns, fly rods, guitars and banjos. The rest I just wasted. (Apologies to W.C. Fields)

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Brian K. Shaffer
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Re: My visit to RL Winston rod factory

#20

Post by Brian K. Shaffer »

Great stuff! Thanks for taking us along.
" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer

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