Winston Rod celebrates 75 years in Twin Bridges

The R.L. Winston Rod Company http://www.winstonrods.com/ had its 75th Anniversary on Saturday, August 14th.

One guest at the celebration wore a t-shirt that humorously summed up the company history in one line: "Winston fly rods. Helping fish make lousy decisions since 1929."

By Maryanne Davis Silve

Glenn Brackett, who joined Tom Morgan as part owner of the company from 1974 to 1991, has first hand memories that reach far back into the company’s history.

"I grew up with Winston in my backyard," Brackett said, "When I was 11-years-old my father and grandfather used to take me to the Winston Company which was then in San Francisco. It probably got in my blood subconsciously. I knew all the original owners, especially Lew Stoner and Doug Merrick."

"When Winston Rod began 75 years ago, everything was built out of cane. It continued that way for almost 40 years. Then the composite materials started coming in; glass came in the 50’s after the war. That was followed in the mid 70’s with graphite. Bamboo is still in demand."

**************

R.L Winston Rod Company

500 South Main Street, P.O. Box 411

Twin Bridges, Montana 59754

Telephone: 406.684.5674

Fax: 406.684.5533

Home

email: [email protected]

**************

The shop where Brackett works is where Winston Rod originally began working in Twin Bridges.

"But we grew out of that one," Brackett said, "A new rod building facility was built in 1995 on the south end of Twin Bridges where the graphite rods are produced. Our bamboo rods are still produced in the original building. We still build them in the old way that I learned. We build about a hundred a year and we don’t exceed that. It is such a demanding craft. There are 4,500 steps that we have to perform. It takes two years for the whole process to occur."

"It’s the hands, the knowledge and the experience that you are paying for when you buy a bamboo rod. In those 4,500 meticulous steps, it is that demanding that everything has to fall into place to make it turn out right."

"Winston is one of the last surviving production companies left in the world today. Winston is one of the survivors and hopefully I’ll be around for the 100th birthday. It’s not too far away. I might be able to make it."

An extensive history of Winston Rod Company is fascinating to see in the museum housed in the Winston Rod Facility near Twin Bridges.

"It took me a lot of years to realize that building Winston Rods for me has to do with relationships and people," Brackett said. "That is basically what keeps me there is the people and the family kind of atmosphere and the personalized touch that we love to offer to people and all that history too that surrounds it. That is part of the beauty of the business."

"We built rods for the kings and queens in the Scandinavian countries," Brackett said. "Eisenhower was a big customer of ours. Bing Crosby, who I got acquainted with in the shop in San Francisco, was a very big customer. He bought two rods, one for himself and one for President Eisenhower, which he gifted to him. It shows up in the log that way. A great part of that same story for me is this: My skin doctor in Bozeman grew up in the White House and he remembers when that rod was delivered. His father was a physician to the general. I went back through the records and there it was."

"My father, who is 96-years-old said, ‘It is people-to-people that it’s really all about, helping and getting to know them – establishing something of value.’ This has really done it for me and the fellows that work with me."

Having been involved with Winston for at least 55 years and growing up with the business as a customer, then part owner, has given Brackett a lot to draw from.

"It has become a very big part of my life," he said.

Over 160 people enjoyed the great food and camaraderie between fishing friends, dealers from near and far, many employees and local supporters. Out of the words of speakers and guests came a feeling of what Winston Rod is all about.

Bonefish Bob who owns a tackle shop in the Florida Keys has sold 600 rods for Winston:

"I’ve been involved with Winston Rod for 20 years. I sell about 150 Winston Rods per year. There is nothing better, not even close. Not only is the product good, but the company is exceptional to deal with."

David Ondaatje, owner of Winston Rod since 1991, said "I always wondered where the other bridge was in Twin Bridges. It may seem a bit esoteric, but I believe we are the other bridge that connects Twin Bridges with the rest of the world. Other companies have been unable to stand the test of time. Winston Rod has a record of 75 years of innovation, tradition and quality."

Annette McLean, speaker and Winston employee: "The Winston philosophy has been to build a light, smooth casting rod that creates harmony in the fisherman’s hands. Tom Morgan (the President Emeritus) has never been satisfied with mediocrity."

Jerry Kustich, who has been working for Winston for 20 years, said "Lew Stoner’s idea was that people would like to buy your product if it was made better than anyone else’s. A quest for quality is what we are all about. Winston has an amazing history of only four generations of owners in 75 years."

Tim Tollett’s Frontier Anglers Shop in Dillon: "A Winston customer is a customer for life."

Ken Walsh, local rancher and representative of the Ruby Valley Bank: "Thank you for putting Twin Bridges on the map."

Brackett said he and Tom Morgan looked at a lot of different places to relocate the company.

"We chose Twin Bridges in 1995 because it fit our profile of what we were looking for; a place that was unlikely to grow, a great school system, a good community of people, a good place to raise a family and of course, unbeatable fishing. I’ve been happy with Twin Bridges as a place for Winston to call home," said Brackett.

Mayor Betty Sykes is living proof of just what Winston Rod was looking for.

"Once every month I make cinnamon rolls and take them over the employees at Winston Rod. My husband Jim lets them know when I’m coming and by the time I get there, they are ready for me!" Sykes said.

Winston owner, David Ondaatje recognized the special value of Sykes’ volunteer work and presented her with a ‘Certificate of Appreciation Award’ at the celebration, thanking her for her distinguished service to the Winston Rod Company.