C.F. Burkheimer Fly Rods at Gorge Fly Shop

"Rods as distinctive as the rivers they're cast in"

What You'll Discover in This Article

• Why C.F. Burkheimer rods are celebrated for unmatched craftsmanship, feel, and performance.

• How these American-Made rods honor traditional design while offering modern fly fishing precision.

• The range of Burkheimer models we carry at Gorge Fly Shop, from trout to steelhead to saltwater options.

  
  

At Gorge Fly Shop, we take pride in offering fly rods that are more than just tools, they're extensions of a tradition, a philosophy, and a passion for the water. Few rod makers embody this better than C.F. Burkheimer, whose handcrafted fly rods are revered by anglers around the world for their soulful feel, refined performance, and heirloom-level craftsmanship.

Burkheimer at Gorge Fly Shop

Here at Gorge Fly Shop, we've been outfitting serious anglers for decades. We carry Burkheimer because we believe in Kerry's philosophy and the integrity behind each rod. We fish them ourselves. We know the waters they were designed for. And we're here to help you find the Burkie that matches your style, your species, and your story.

Whether you're stepping into Spey casting for the first time or seeking a trout rod that will stay in your family for generations, C.F. Burkheimer is a name that represents something rare: American-made rods with character, intention, and soul. 

Stop In. Cast One. Feel the Difference. Visit us at Gorge Fly Shop in Hood River or explore our online collection of Burkheimer rods (In stock inventory). Let us walk you through the models, talk lines and casting styles, and help you experience why owning a Burkheimer is more than a purchase, it'a partnership with one of the finest rod builders alive today.

"Burkheimer sure nailed this one.. the 6128. Beautiful slim cork for excellent hand-to-line feel. It's a dry line machine!"

A Personal Evolution:

Why Anglers Gravitate Toward Burkheimer

There comes a point in every spey caster's journey where tools give way to artistry, where casting becomes more about feel than force. That's the moment a Burkheimer enters the picture. After years spent testing and mastering countless rods, one steelheader described the Burkheimer 7134-4 not as a rod he earned, but one he's grown into.

It wasn't just about performance, though Burkheimer rods deliver power with elegance, it was about craft. The feel of the cork, the balance in the cast, the respect it commands on the water. In his words, "You don't hand the keys to a teenager". These rods are meant to be appreciated, not rushed. And when the timing is right, they become more than gear. They become part of your story.

The Burkheimer Legacy

The story of C.F. Burkheimer Fly Rod Company began in the late 1970s when Kerry Burkheimer, a curious and meticulous angler, began designing and building his own fly rods in the Pacific Northwest. At a time when fast-action graphite rods were gaining popularity, Kerry went in a different direction as he favored feel, feedback, and the connection between angler and river.

Kerry honed his skills under the mentorship of legendary rod builders, eventually establishing his own shop in Washougal, Washington - just upriver from the Columbia Gorge. That small shop, nestled between some of the most iconic steelhead and trout water in North America, became ground zero for rods that married traditional aesthetics with deeply considered performance.

Handcrafted Fly Rods - "Made in Washington"

From the beginning, Burkheimer rods were built with a dedication to precision, balance, and understated beauty. Every blank is rolled in-house. Every guide is wrapped by hand. Every reel seat is hand-fitted. Kerry's philosophy has always been to build rods that "fish beautifully, not just cast well." That mindset is still at the heart of everything the company produces today.

"Built with soul. Fished with heart. Crafted for life."

View our Burkheimer Inventory

Performance with Soul 

C.F. Burkheimer rods are not made for the masses, they're made for the passionate few who understand the difference. Whether you're swinging flies for winter steelhead, chasing summer trout on dry flies, or exploring saltwater flats, Burkheimer rods are built to respond with precision and grace.

Their Two-Handed Spey and Switch series have become legendary among steelheaders and Spey casters, offering deep-loading power with a buttery-smooth recovery. Meanwhile, their Single-Hand trout rods deliver refined touch and control for anglers who value feel as much as distance.

Burkheimer also offers custom finishes, allowing anglers to personalize everything from hardware and thread wraps to grip shape and reel seat wood. These rods aren't just built for you, they're built with you in mind.

"A rod isn't just about how far or how fast you cast, it's about feeling connected to the water, the line, and the fish. It's an extension of your own rhythm."

On craftsmanship:

"Every rod that leaves my shop carries a piece of the river - the care, the history, the moments that make fishing unforgettable."

On design:

"'Im not chasing trends. I'm building tools that honor tradition while giving anglers something unique to trust on the water."

On Burkheimer's legacy:

"It's not about making the most rods, but the right rods. One at a time, for the people who truly appreciate what a fly rod can be."

Real Story, Real Rod

"I picked up a Burkheimer 7127-4 after months of recovery from an injury. That rod is a beautiful cobalt blue, high-grade cork - felt like a dream before it even hit the water. First trip out, I swung a purple muddler and hooked a chrome-bright steelhead on a dry line. The feel, the way it loaded, the balance - it became my favorite two-hander overnight."

Models & Details

Burkheimer Trout & DAL Series
Two distinct actions serve a wide range of trout anglers:

• Trout Action: A crisp, tip-loading fee's ideal for casting larger flies or dealing with wind on western rivers.
• Deep Action Load (DAL): Smooth, progressive loading with fast recovery. Despite the deeper bend, DAL rods maintain surprising line speed and exceptional control for light presentations or deep nymph rigs.

Both actions are offered in Classic, Vintage, or Presentation builds. If you like to push your cast, choose the Trout Action. If you prefer to feel the whole rod work, DAL is your rod.

Burki Agate Guides

Single-Hand Trout & DAL Series

• 389-4 DAL Trout Rod (9' 4wt.) - Vintage build; deep-action, full-flex blank with firm tip and fast recovery. Ideal for relaxed casting on small to midsize streams.
• 489-4 Trout Rod (8' 4 wt.) - Classic build: deep cedar green blank, nickel & maple reel seat, chrome guides, Wells cork handle.
• 590-4 DAL Trout Rod (9' 4 wt.) - Classic build, part of the DAL (Deep Action Load) series; crafted for trout anglers who enjoy deep flex.

A Winter Steelhead on a Burkheimer and Hardy Reel

Steelhead / Salmon

DAL Steelhead/Salmon Rods - Available in Classic, Presentation, and Vintage builds. They share the same pro-level blank designed for a relaxed stroke, deep loading, and quick recovery - perfect for single hand and single handed skagit casting. 

Expanding the Line:
When Choosing Spey Rods:

Many anglers focus on graphite technology, price, and fit/finish/aesthetics. Burkheimer rods stand out especially for their craftsmanship and beauty, they're simply stunning. While not chasing the graphite technology race like Sage or G. Loomis, Burkheimer rods have a soulful feel you can truly connect with. Their price reflects the superior hand-rolled craftsmanship and attention to detail in every rod.

Two-Handed Spey & Switch Rods: Burkheimer's two-handers are legendary. They're not built for parking lot shootouts, but for long days on rivers with purpose. These moderate to moderate-fast action rods handle Scandi, Rage, and Skagit lines with ease, adapting to a wide range of casting styles.

Why anglers love them:

• Big grain windows = Line flexibility
• Naturally smooth stroke
• Powerful, but not stiff
• Ideal for dryline Summers runs to winter dredging... capable with sink tips when called upon

"Once you fish one, you'll understand why Burkheimer loyalists don't switch."

View our Burkheimer Inventory

Two-Handed Spey Rods

Burkheimer Spey Rods put the brand on the map both nationally and internationally.  Available in Classic, Presentation, and Vintage builds. All models share the same taper but differ in cosmetic appointments.  Popular configurations include:

• 6128-4 Spey - 6 wt. - 12'8"
• 7115-4 Spey - 7 wt. - 11'5"
• 7127-4 Spey - 7 wt. - 12'7"
• 7134-4 Spey - 7 wt. - 13'4"
• 8115-4 Spey - 8 wt. - 11'5"
• 8134-4 Spey - 8 wt. - 13'4"

Components in Classic build: dark anodized aluminum reel seat, chrome guides, 3-layer cork, nickel silver winding check, deep cedar green blank.

(Above) From Burkheimer

Single Hand Spey

Single Hand Spey rods, offered in 6, 7, and 8 weight 10'4" four-piece models, blend the power of spey casting with the finesse of single-handed use. Ideal for smaller water or tight spaces, these rods offer great versatility and make learning spey casting approachable for beginners and rewarding for experienced casters. Their design perfectly complements modern short Skagit heads, popularized by OPST, RIO, Airflo, and Scientific Anglers.

Streamer

For streamer anglers who demand a rod built specifically for heavy flies and repetitive casts, the Streamer Series offers 8' 8" four-piece rods crafted with a powerful, efficient taper. Designed for boat anglers and those throwing large, wind-resistant flies, these rods provide excellent control and endurance. The 888-4 model, in particular, pushes the limits on fly size and trophy fish handling.

Burkheimer Sea Trout - Classic (Built to Order)

Sea Trout Series

Built to thrive in rugged coastal conditions with long-distance casting in mind:

Models include

• 590-4
• 595-4
• 690-4
• 695-4
• 790-4
• 795-4 (length-line indicated)

Classic build: aluminum reel seat, Ti/Nanolite stripping guides, recoil snakes, deep cedar green blank, Wells cork, fighting butt.

Burkheimer Saltwater Series

Built for the Big Water: Fly anglers often associate Burkheimer with rivers, steelhead, and two-handed casts - but saltwater is where their design principles face some of their toughest tests. From precision flats work to offshore battles, the Burkheimer Saltwater Series brings the same hand-built quality and soul into rods made to handle wind, weight, and wild runs.

Whether you're stalking Permit with the 9-weight Saltwater model, chasing Silver Kings with the dedicated Tarpon Series, or stepping onto the bow for tuna and billfish with the Bluewater 1488-4, these rods are purpose-built - not just freshwater tapers with salt seats. They're fast-loading, quick-reacting, and built to deliver perfect shots when seconds matter.

Saltwater & Tarpon

Saltwater Rods - Offered in Classic builds; blanks designed to load quickly and cast heavy flies accurately in wind and open water. 6-10 weights, ideal for permit, bonefish, redfish, and snook. With custom options available to suit your preferences. As with everything from C.F. Burkheimer, they're made one at a time, with care, purpose, and absolutely no shortcuts.

Tarpon Rods - Heavy-duty versions built to handle the power and conditions required to battle tarpon. 

Build Finishes & Customization

Most two-handed, trout, steelhead, and sea trout models are offered in three distinctive builds:

Classic - Dark anodized aluminum or nickel reel seats, deep cedar-green blanks, 3-layer cork, chrome guides.

Presentation - Unique aesthetic elements (e.g., polished hardware, lighter wraps) geared towards refined styling.

Vintage - Traditional look with classic hardware finishes.

Saltwater and sea trout rods include Classic builds with corrosion-resistant components. 

Hardy 1921 Wide Spool 4" shown on a Burkheimer Vintage Spey

The Final Cast

Owning a Burkheimer is't about trends or hype's about investing in something real. These rods are built to perform and crafted to last, but more than that, they're made for the journey. Whether your path leads to quiet spring creeks or storm-washed coastlines, a Burkheimer connects you to tradition, water, and the soul of fly fishing itself. At Gorge Fly Shop, we're honored to help you find a rod that does't just match your techniqu - but reflects your values. Fish with intention. Cast with soul.

Why Gorge Fly Shop carries Burkheimer:

1. Gorge Fly Shop pre-orders custom Burkheimer rods so they're in stock and ready to ship rather than wait months.
2. We stand behind Kerry's philosophy - One of a kind, one at a time - ensuring every rod receives unique attention.
3. Purchasing from us allows you to connect with real anglers who know the gear, fish the region, and care about your experience on the water.
4. From Hood River to the coast, from trout to tarpon - Burkheimer rods are designed to be fished, cherished, and passed down.

What You Should Know About Ordering a Burkheimer from Gorge Fly Shop.

• Custom builds, not off the shelf: Every Burkheimer fly rod is crafted one at a time by master rod builders in Washougal, WA.
• Your rod, your way: Choose from Classic, Presentation, Vintage, or Titanium grades, and customize details like reel seats, extra tip sections, and finish styles.
• Made-to-order means patience: Most rods are special order and may take 6-8 weeks. Trust the process - perfection takes time.

Gorge Fly Shop has proudly outfitted anglers with Burkheimer rods for over a decade. If you're unsure about options, still have questions or want something not listed online, just give us a call - We're happy to walk you through the process.

*Models and Sizes come and go. Inventory is constantly changing so check often.

View our Burkheimer Inventory

Let us help you find the one that's right for you.
541-386-6977

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