We stand behind our Fly Rods. Literally and Figuratively.

What is the Winston Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee?

Every new Winston boron/graphite and/or graphite fly rod or blank is covered by our original owner Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee against breakage or manufacturer's defects. This warranty is available only to the original owner of boron/graphite and/or graphite fly rods or blanks purchased from an authorized Winston Dealer. This warranty covers, at Winston's option, the repair of the original rod or the replacement of the rod with an equivalent rod only. The warranty is subject to the original owner filling in either the WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM, or completing and returning the warranty card within 10 days of purchase.

The warranty does not cover lost rods, lost rod sections, intentional breakage, or cosmetic wear or scratches.

For any warranty work, the entire rod must be returned to Winston. It should be sent in its rod tube and properly packaged. Repair materials and color may vary from those used on the original rod. The rod owner is responsible for the cost of sending in the rod to be repaired or replaced (you should insure the rod), and a return packaging, shipping, handling, and insurance charge of $50 will be applied to all warranty claims. The rod owner agrees that Winston assumes no associated or ancillary liability due to use of the rod, including consequential or incidental damages. This guarantee gives you specific, limited legal rights. You may have additional rights under applicable state law.

Do all Winston rods have an unconditional guarantee?

No, Winston introduced the Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee in 1996. Only rods produced after the inception of the Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee program or older rods for which a warranty was purchased in 1996 are eligible for the Guarantee. Please contact us for specifics on a particular rod.

The warranty is non-transferable and is good only for the lifetime of the original owner. If you purchase a used Winston, or if you purchase a new Winston from anyone other than an authorized Winston Dealer, or if your rod was not properly registered, the rod is not covered under this Guarantee. If your rod is not covered under the warranty and it breaks, we can fix the rod (under most circumstances) but you will be charged for the cost of the repair.

I've broken my rod. What do I do?

Fill out our REPAIR ORDER FORM and print, or write a short note explaining the problem with your rod, how the problem occurred, your rod serial number, your name, phone number, street address, and mailing address. Keep a copy of this information for future reference.

Include a check or credit card information for the $50 return shipping, handling, and insurance charge that applies to all warranty and non-warranty repairs. Authorized dealers will be invoiced at the time of shipment.

Package the complete rod, including any broken sections, in your rod sock and tube, and in a sturdy box, along with your Repair Order Form or your note and your $50 payment. We recommend that you insure the package. Note: Return shipping charges for repair rods to foreign countries will be based on international shipping rates.

Ship your rod as follows: By courier (UPS, FedEx, etc.) to: R.L. Winston Rod Company, Repair Department, 500 South Main Street, Twin Bridges, MT 59754.

Once your rod is received, it is inspected, the parts to be repaired or replaced are discarded, and a Repair Order Bill is mailed to you as acknowledgement that we have received your rod, and informing you of any applicable repair charges.

Please follow these instructions. It is not necessary for you to contact us. You can be sure that we are doing all we can to repair your rod as soon as possible. Please allow up to six weeks for repairs to be completed.

Or email us for repair help: Repair Email