Freshwater Edition
A complete four rod quiver should not simply cover a set of fishing situations. It should tell a story about the waters you fish, the species you pursue, and the way you like a rod to feel in your hand. The 4-Banger River Quiver makes it easy to keep a thoughtful system organized, protected, and rigged so you are ready the moment you step out of the vehicle.
This freshwater lineup covers small creeks, Western trout rivers, stillwater, warmwater, and large predator fishing. It also honors the legacy of the rod builders who shaped each category.
Rod One: Precision, Full Flex, and Pure Fun on Small Water
Winston Pure 2 | 7’ 9” | 3 weight
Ideal Line Pairing: RIO Premier Creek Line
Every four rod system needs one rod that turns modest fish into pure fun. The Winston Pure 2 fills that role with elegance and purpose. It carries the unmistakable Winston feel that generations of anglers associate with the company’s dry fly heritage. The rod bends deeply, recovers smoothly, and offers full flex that brings every six inch brook trout to life.
R.L. Winston has been building rods in Twin Bridges, Montana for nearly ninety years. Their craftsmanship is rooted in careful hand building, slow curing, and attention to fine detail. The Pure 2 reflects that legacy with the classic deep green finish, delicate wraps, and the smooth loading action that made Winston famous among dry fly anglers.
The RIO Products Premier Creek Line matches the rod perfectly. It loads immediately at short range and allows for quiet, accurate casts under overhanging branches, alongside cutbanks, or into beaver ponds. For small streams, mountain creeks, panfish water, and quiet ponds, the Pure turns every fish into a genuine fight and every cast into something memorable.
Rod Two: Modern Authority and Versatility for All Around Trout Fishing
Scott Centric | 10’ | 4 weight
Ideal Line Pairing: Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity Smooth
The Scott Fly Rod Company has built rods in Colorado since 1974 and continues to blend hand-built quality with modern carbon technology. The Centric represents the height of that philosophy. It is light, responsive, and exceptionally well-finished with Scott’s signature unsanded natural finish, which preserves strength while reducing weight.
The Centric is a true all-around trout rod. At ten feet, it provides added reach and line control for indicator fishing, dry dropper fishing, and soft hackle swings. The extra length also improves mending and drift management on larger rivers. The rod recovers quickly without sacrificing feel, which allows anglers to cover everything from technical dry fly work to small articulated streamers.
Paired with the Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity, the rod feels balanced and powerful. This line supports long reach casts, careful aerial mends, and smooth roll casts when fishing from the bank. Whether the day calls for delicate presentations or aggressive single streamer retrieves, the Centric continues to represent the modern standard for premium trout rods.
Rod Three: Stillwater, Carp, Bass, and Boat Work with Serious Build Quality
Orvis Helios D | 9’ | 6 weight
Ideal Line Pairing: Multiple spools recommended
Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan Full Intermediate
Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan 3D Sink I/3/5
RIO Premier StreamerTip Float plus Fast Sink
The Orvis Company has been building rods for more than one hundred and fifty years, and the Helios D is the latest example of their relentless pursuit of materials refinement and performance. The D profile focuses on directional stability and energy transfer, resulting in a rod that holds tight loops in wind and lifts long lines cleanly off the water.
The Helios D in a 6 weight is the definition of a warmwater and stillwater workhorse. It has enough power for boat fishing, carp flats, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, and large stillwater trout. It handles streamers confidently and remains sensitive enough for dry dropper rigs on windy days.
With multiple spools, the rod becomes a complete system.
A Rio Elite Grand floating line handles topwater work and nymph rigs.
An intermediate line excels on lakes and reservoirs.
A multi density sinking line like the Scientific Anglers 3D keeps streamers in the feeding zone.
The RIO StreamerTip brings depth and control when fish hold tight to structure out of a boat or in fast currents.
With its impressive build quality and durability, the Helios D provides consistent performance across seasons and species.
Rod Four: Predators, Heavy Flies, and Deep Water Power
Thomas and Thomas Exocett 88 | 300 grain / 9 weight
Ideal Line Pairing: Airflo SuperFlo Ridge 2.0 Streamer Max Short
Thomas and Thomas has earned a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship since their founding in 1969. Their rods are built in Massachusetts with an emphasis on hand-selected materials, precise wraps, and beautifully finished hardware. The Exocett 88 carries that heritage into the world of heavy line predator fishing.
This rod was designed to cast oversized flies with full control and to maintain accuracy when the wind is relentless. It loads quickly, holds power through the entire blank, and provides the leverage needed for pike, muskie, lake trout, bull trout, wiper, striper, and any freshwater predator that demands both strength and precision.
The Airflo SuperFlo Ridge 2.0 Streamer Max Short pairs naturally with the Exocett 88. The line sinks quickly, remains easy to control at depth, and helps present large streamers in cold or warm conditions. When the goal is to move powerful fish that require large profiles, this combination stands out as a reliable, high-quality solution.
Build Your Own 4-Banger System
Together, these rods transform the 4-Banger River Quiver into a complete freshwater system built on premium craftsmanship from four of the most respected rod builders in the world.
Every angler has a different home water and a different style. This lineup provides a proven foundation for a complete quiver, but we are always happy to help you tailor a system that fits your fishing. The River Quiver protects your investment, keeps your rods rigged and ready, and helps you fish more water with less time spent gearing up.
