8139 Spey rod

Allegedly it all started in the bone yard at Kerry Burkheimer's plant in Washougal, Washington.  Pete Gadd was working in the handle grinding department. Pete is a totally addicted steelhead angler who is always in search of the "magic bullet" fly or a newer, better rod to deliver it to the fish.  He had found a new piece of prime water and concluded the the rods he owned at the time fell a little short at being the best tools to fish it.  Pete figured a 14' 8-weight would give him the best advantage.  Problem is there wasn't one available in stock so he decided to put together a "quickie" out of the parts available.  The pieces didn't fit together quite right and the new rod came out to be 13' 9".  

However, it was so smooth and easy to cast that after some minor adjustments, Kerry introduced it as a new production model.  Ed Ward got one and found it to be the best rod available at the time for his "Skagit casting" style.  It soon became one of his favorite sticks.  Ed is a guy who attracts a lot of attention and pretty quick the 8139-3 became popular with a number of other Pacific Northwest anglers.  CND brought out their own 8139 in their Specialist Series.  It too was an instant success.  When Ed Ward became part of the G. Loomis pro staff two more 8139's were born in the Dredger and Kispiox

Series.  This year Sage brought out their new VT2 series and guess what, one of their new two-handers is an 8139.   Why is this size of rod attracting so much attention.  In the past, the two most popular sizes in steelhead spey rods were 14'-#9 and 13' 6"-#7.  The larger rod was used for big steelhead, big flies and big water. The smaller rod was used for smaller steelhead, smaller flies and smaller water.  When you think about it a 13' 9"-#8 may be the perfect "all-around" size for summer and winter, big and small, water and fish.  In the last three weeks I've had the privilege of fishing both the Deschutes (5,000cfs) and the Klickitat (800cfs) with the four 8139's that we currently stock.  These are the original C.F. Burkheimer 8139-3, Sage 8139-4 VT2, G. Loomis FR1658/9-4 GLX and FR1658/9-4 Kispiox.  All fished very well.

Full floating and sinking tip lines were used as fishing conditions dictated.  The same two lines were used on all the rods that were tested.  A stock 8/9/10 WindCutter with tips (weighs 585 grains) and a 450 grain Skagit with various combinations of cheaters.  Most often used combination with the Skagit line was a 10-foot cheater and 11-weight sinking tip for a total of 762 grains in a 52' long head. The weights of the two lines varied as much as 177 grains.  Even though the heads are approximately the same length casting characteristics changed quite a bit with the weights.  Probably none of the rods were matched with a perfect line which had been tailored to  it. However certain rods worked better with certain lines.  The Burkheimer casts easily with all of the lines tested, but seemed most powerful with the heaviest line used.  But when I have used the heavy line the rod seems to be maxed out.  I will be testing some lines in the 675-700 grain weights to see if more line speed can be produced with slightly less weight.  The Sage VT2 feels best to me with the standard 8/9/10 WindCutter.  Because of the very fast taper of this rod, it builds the most line speed in the tip.  When the heavier line was used it bogged the tip and killed the recovery of this short spring and line speed suffered. With WindCutter the VT2 develops incredible line speed and accuracy over a wide range of fishing distances.  The two Loomis rods tested, worked best with the Skagit line which was shortened and lightened when the 10-foot Cheater was replaced with a 5-foot Cheater.  This made the head weigh 640-grains.  Both Loomis rods are forgiving to cast and are sweet at close to moderate ranges.  For me they bog down at longer ranges.  However, they were pleasant and effective and covered all the water I needed to cover. Predictably casts that generate continuous loads seem to work best with these rods.  Because of their suppleness, they were the most fun to play fish on.  I hope to join up again this winter with the G. Loomis crew for another rod testing and fishing day.  Maybe Ed Ward can show me more about his Skagit casting technique and I will appreciate his Dredgers more.

If the Sage and Burkheimer have flaws, it is that fishing at close range can be very demanding.  Both of these rods perform at their best when the whole head is past the tip top. 

The actions of the four rods tested, cover a wide spectrum of actions, from the very fast Sage VT2 to the moderate G. Loomis Kispiox.  Obviously each maker had a slightly different fishing application and casting style in mind.  From the maker's point of view, each was designed to give the best advantage in the market-place by giving the angler the best advantage on the water.  The best design should result in the highest numbers sold and the most profit made.

When riding horses, the rider does a lot which determines how fast the horse can run.  With horse riding and fly casting there are a wide range of skill levels out there.  Each rider and caster has a maximum top speed. 

In the world of fly fishing the line speed belongs to the "Shop Rats".  Shop Rats are guys and gals that hang around fly shops.  Most work in shops or are guides or are wannabee guides.  They all do a lot of fly casting and if you do a lot of anything you get better at it.  Shop Rats probably comprise no more than 5% of the fly fishing fraternity, but have a huge amount of influence on what kinds of fly rods become popular.  The core group of anglers hold down regular jobs and fish mostly on week ends or during vacations.  A lot of them cast very well, but usually don't get to practice nearly as much as the Rats.  Another category are the rich guys who spent all of their time making money and didn't take much time to fish until they retired.  Many didn't get much practice except talking about fly fishing over cocktails.  Now they are retired and are making up for lost time. Many struggle at fishing and casting, but exert a lot of influence on rod design because of their buying power. There are probably many other categories of anglers and each might require a slightly different rod action to make them feel most comfortable.  The industry tends to feel that most of the other anglers out there envy the casting skills of the Shop Rats even though they probably won't make the sacrifices in their own careers to become as good at fly casting.  This situation always poses some interesting paradoxes in rod design philosophy.  How does one build a fly rod that the masses will be able to cast well and and still appeal to the Rats. 

All this study in angling sociology doesn't even consider that there are also different sizes of rivers, flies and fish.  No wonder there are a myriad differing rod design theories out there.  Exploring and learning about each of them is an adventure in itself.  The subject keeps many of the Rats light in the pocket book and very busy in the online chat rooms.

The new Sage VT2 Series is nearly as fast action as their TCR Series.  It should be a big hit with the Rats.  I should also become popular with Europeans anglers who generally prefer faster action rods.  Because of its ability to man-handle sinking tip lines the 8139-4 VT2 will appeal to many winter steelheaders.  With its high performance, beautiful finish and moderate price, it is bound to be a financial success for Sage and their supporting shops.

My own particular choice out of the four rods tested. is the Burkheimer 8139-3.  It is very comfortable for the waters that I fish the most.  It turned out to be the rod that I used the most on the Deschutes this last season, which is what prompted this article.  It is a heavier rod than you will need for half of the Deschutes steelhead.  However, this rod sure is pleasant when White River gives you another sinking-tip-day or the wind is howling.  For sure, it will get used a lot this winter on the Sandy.  It has an action that is easy to time, but still develops the line speed that will appeal to most of the Shop Rats.  It should.  It was originally designed by one.

Meet Tippet The Kat

New Tube Fly Tubes For The Fly Tier
Tube flies are gaining popularity in fly fishing for steelhead, salmon and saltwater fish.

Quantity = 10 per package.
Size: 4mm X 13mm
Slots: (3) unpainted

Quantity = 10 per package.
Size: 4mm X 13mm
Slots: (3) unpainted

Quantity = 10 per package.
Size: 4mm X 13mm
Slots: (4) unpainted

Quantity = 10 per package.
Size: 4mm X 13mm
Size: 5mm X 13mm
Slots: (4) unpainted

Quantity = 10 per package.
Size: 5mm X 13mm
Slots: (3) unpainted

Quantity = 10 per package.
Size: 5mm X 13mm
Slots: nine

These assortments contain six 6-inch pieces of soft plastic tubing: pink, orange, olive, clear and chartreuse. 
Chartreuse and Reddish Pink are also available in single 12-inch pieces.
Large: fits tubes with 1/8" or slightly larger diameter.
Small: fits tubes of 1/16'-3/32" diameter.  Fits Yuri Shumakov tubes.
The Junction Tubing is usually cut into 3/8" to 1/2" lengths.  Each is then slipped over the rear end of a tube fly. The

hard tube is inserted into the soft tubing so that it takes up half of the length of the soft tubing.  A straight eye hook is inserted into the other half of the tube, eye first.  This Junction Tubing must fit the fly tube tightly as it is held in place by friction. 

These assortments contain six 6-inch pieces of soft plastic tubing: bright red, purple, clear, black, dk. olive, dk. red . 
Large: fits tubes with 1/8" or slightly larger diameter.
Small: fits tubes of 1/16'-3/32" diameter.  Fits Yuri Shumakov tubes.
The color of the Junction Tubing can greatly influence the coloration of any fly.  Colored tubing can give your fly a "finished" look.  Will it enable you to catch more fish?  Only if you try it.
 

HMH Cone Heads For Tubes
A fly that employs a cone head for weight is streamlined and comparatively easy to cast. Usually these flies will sink slightly faster than the fastest sinking fly line.  this is a distinct advantage when fishing for salmon and steelhead holding deep in cold water.  Cone heads are easy to tie with and can be added to a tube fly either before or after the rest of the fly is constructed.  melt the front of a plastic tube so that it swells and  holds

the cone in place.  These "large bore" cones fit over several types of tubing.  They are most often used with Hard Plastic tubes.  Temple Dog style flies take on very seductive actions when front weighted with a heavy cone.  Saltwater squid and minnow imitations also assume "duck & dive" actions when tied with these cones. 
Quantity = 10 per package.

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Free Fly Tying Party
Dec. 3 -  3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Saturday Afternoon.
Tying Basic Nymphs (achieving traditional proportions).
This program is for new tiers and experienced tiers alike.
Instructional demonstrations with big-screen TV,
and all tying materials & hooks are free.
A custom made fly tying room with perfect lighting
and special teaching aides are provided.
You get to keep all the flies you tie.  
Please bring your own tools & tying thread if you have them.
If you don't have them, we will provide them.
Refreshments will be served.  Bring snacks if you want to.
Everyone is welcome!

Fly Fishing Tattoo
You never know what you are going to see at The Fly Fishing Shop.  The other day local steelhead angler, Bruce Sempert said, "Hey I saw pictures of fly fishing tattoos in your news letter. Want to see mine?"  Then he proudly hoisted his pant leg and right over the top of his work boot was this heart with crossed spey rods and the words "Wild Steelhead".  While I don't have a tattoo, art is art and fly fishing art is some of the best of it.  Ten thousand years into the future if some archeological group digs up this piece of hide, they will know for sure that this guy loved spey rod fishing for wild steelhead.