Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring C.F. Burkheimer

Introduction
C.F. Burkheimer Rod Company has been designing and manufacturing graphite fly rods since 1980. Their unique niche in the industry has been working directly with individual customers; engineering and developing specific rod actions for serious anglers from around the world. They now offer custom rods through a few select shops, such as The Fly Fishing sop in Welches, Oregon.

In their 25 years of production, they have learned as much about anglers as about fly rods. There are no two anglers who share identical casting strokes and few who agree on the perfect rod action. It is this natural diversity which yields such powerful enrichment to our sport.

At C F Burkheimer rod crafting as an art, there is no mass production runs or sales quotas. Smaller production enhances their ability to control every step of manufacturing. They offer completely hand-crafted fly rods made in the United States... one at a time to insure the highest quality standard in the industry. Through intense research and development, each detail is worked then reworked, to provide the very best in performance, durability, uncompromised craftsmanship, and angler satisfaction. Kerry and his crew regularly fish because, time on the water gives the greatest insights into rod design and innovation. They offer many rod designs, each with specific actions according to their application. Their goals are simple and direct...to design, manufacture, and continually innovate the finest fly rods in the world. At the Fly Fishing Shop we cherry picked their selection, to allow you make easy choices.

This is what kerry says about his rods:

Trout Rods
At C.F. Burkheimer Rod Company we take our fishing very seriously. Back at the shop we are in a constantly R&D mode trying new designs to test on the stream, However, we are not quick to change an already great fishing and casting tool into something different each year. Our philosophy is "once a great rod always a great rod". We eagerly sample new "state of the art" materials and resin systems and select only those that improve the strength and decreased overall weight of our shafts without changing our smooth progressive tapers or compromise the original intent of the design. As a result we offer a great selection of superbly tuned 2, 3, and 4 piece trout rods.
        There is no need to strip off 20 or 30 feet of line to get your first terrific presentation. The trout series loads quickly and precisely even with the shortest casting distances. We understand that in fishing situations the window of opportunity for the perfect cast can narrow quickly, be the cast short or long, with the wind or against it. We measure each rod's performance under actual angling conditions. We check the cast, the presentation, its accuracy, its responsiveness to both a savage subsurface take, and an almost imperceptible sip along the quiet water.
        All of our trout rods have a distinct character and feel. Each is task specific in design, yet all are easy and relaxing to cast. Casting becomes easier, the feeling is natural and enjoyable.
           We feel the angler shouldn't have to compensate or be distracted because of poor or harsh performing equipment. On the stream, the angler should feel relaxed, confident, and in "The Zone" under the broadest range of casting distances and angling methodologies. An angler should have a rod that is able to cushion the shock of delicate small tippet diameters. This is the uncompromised desire that goes into the trout designs at C F Burkheimer Rod Co.
        The handsome C.F. Burkheimer Trout Models set new standards for unsurpassed performance and cosmetic esthetics. These rods excel in casting, presentation, accuracy, and most critically, the ease, finesse and cushion when playing all freshwater species.

Steelhead Rods
We are fortunate to live on great steelhead water in Southwest Washington. We fish for these magnificent fish virtually every month of the year. We know steelhead and we are very familiar with the diverse demands anglers place on their rods.
        Powerful rod action is but one requirement. The rod must be capable of handling long casts with narrow, wind resistant loops. The rod length should be comfortable for line control techniques specific to the water-type being fished. The best steelhead rods possess progressive actions, which allow for smooth gradual transfer of energy from the tip to the butt of the rod. This type of action is ideal for casting floating lines, and a variety of sinking tips or shooting heads. A smooth, progressive action compliments roll casting and Spey casting along the brushy banks common to steelhead and salmon waters.
C.F. Burkheimer offers all of our steelhead rods in two piece, three piece, or four piece models. The four piece rods are convenient for the traveling angler and possess the same outstanding casting and fish-fighting qualities as our two piece and three piece models.

Spey Rods
C F Burkheimer two-handed rods are fast becoming the most popular rods on international steelhead and salmon rivers. They are the ultimate angling tool for anadromous fish on medium to large size rivers. Who wouldn't desire improved casting distance, better line control, and superior fly presentation? Our two-handed rods have revolutionized steelhead angling simplicity. Steelhead anglers of all skill levels are discovering the benefits of two-handed rods.

Spey casting is easy and, more importantly, essential for proper water coverage. There is no need to wade deep and chance walking into the fish. The long rod allows the angler to stay in tighter along the shore while casting the distance to prospective fish lies. Back casting is unnecessary, so, no more headaches untangling the leader from brush behind you. Let the wind blow! Our two-handed rods handle wind effortlessly. Their increased power and greater leverage provide excellent line control in virtually any wind.

Long rods dramatically aid mending and fly control. Whether skating a surface fly through the broad riffles, or swinging a large wet fly in a deep slow pool, you have complete control of fly speed. This, the most important element of fly presentation.

All of our two-handed rods respond equally well under the light load of a short cast and the extreme load of a heavy sinking head.

Our achievement is a selection of two-handed rods that will perform and respond to the widest range of steelhead or salmon angling methodologies.

Fishing Mexican Style

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican coastal village. An American tourist
complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked
how long it took him to catch them.

"Not very long," answered the Mexican.

"Well, then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the
American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his
needs and those of his family.

The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta
with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends,
have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs...
I have a full life."

The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help
you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the
extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.
With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second
one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of
trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can
negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your
own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico
City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your
huge enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.

"And after that?"

"Afterwards? That's when it gets really interesting," answered the
American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start
selling stocks and make millions!"

"Millions? Really? And after that?"

"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the
coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take
siestas with your wife, and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying
your friends."

Author unknown, forwarded to us by Rusty Moen.

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