Rods as distinctive as the rivers they are cast in

C.F. Burkheimer fly rods are known for feel, craftsmanship, and a level of soul that is hard to describe until you cast one. Built in Washougal, Washington, Burkheimer rods have earned a loyal following among trout anglers, steelheaders, Spey casters, and saltwater fly anglers who value more than just distance and speed.

Here at Gorge Fly Shop, we carry Burkheimer rods because they represent the kind of gear we believe in: thoughtful design, refined performance, and hand-built quality from the Pacific Northwest. These are rods with character. They are built to fish beautifully, not just cast well.

Why Anglers Gravitate Toward Burkheimer

There comes a point in many anglers’ journeys when fly rods become less about raw power and more about feel. Burkheimer rods live in that space. They are smooth, responsive, and deeply connected to the cast.

Whether you are swinging flies for steelhead, fishing dry flies for trout, or preparing for travel, a Burkheimer rod brings a different kind of confidence to the water. The cork, the balance, the recovery, and the finish all work together in a way that feels intentional.

These rods are not built around hype. They are built around experience.

The Burkheimer Legacy

The story of C.F. Burkheimer Fly Rod Company began in the Pacific Northwest, where Kerry Burkheimer developed a reputation for building rods with feel, feedback, and purpose. At a time when many fly rods were chasing faster and stiffer graphite designs, Burkheimer stayed focused on connection between angler, line, rod, and water.

Made in Washington

Based in Washougal, Washington, near some of the most iconic steelhead and trout water in the region, Burkheimer rods reflect the rivers they were built around. Every rod carries a blend of traditional aesthetics, modern materials, and carefully considered performance.
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Handcrafted Fly Rods 

Burkheimer rods are handcrafted with attention to detail from blank to finish. The result is a fly rod that feels refined without feeling fragile, powerful without feeling stiff, and elegant without being overdone.

From two-handed Spey rods to single-hand trout models and saltwater rods, Burkheimer has built its reputation on rods that respond naturally to the angler. They reward timing, touch, and a thoughtful casting stroke.

Performance with Soul

C.F. Burkheimer rods are built for anglers who appreciate how a rod feels throughout the cast. They are not designed only for parking-lot shootouts or spec-sheet comparisons. They are built for real water, real casts, and long days of fishing.

Their Spey and Switch rods have become favorites among steelhead anglers for their smooth loading, controlled power, and ability to handle Scandi, Skagit, and Rage-style lines. Their single-hand trout rods offer touch, line control, and accuracy for anglers who value presentation as much as distance.

Burkheimer Trout & DAL Series

Burkheimer trout rods are offered in actions designed to suit different casting styles and fishing situations.

• Trout Action: A crisp, responsive action well suited for larger flies, wind, and western river conditions.
• DAL - Deep Action Load: A smooth, progressive action with deep loading feel and fast recovery. These rods are ideal for anglers who like to feel the whole rod work through the cast.

If you like to push the cast and drive line with a more direct stroke, the Trout Action may be the better fit. If you prefer a deeper-loading rod with a smooth, connected feel, the DAL series deserves a close look.

Single-Hand Trout & DAL Rods

Burkheimer single-hand trout rods are built for anglers who care about feel, presentation, and control. These rods cover everything from small stream work to western trout rivers, dry-fly fishing, light nymphing, and refined all-around trout applications.

Popular trout configurations may include 4-weight and 5-weight models, along with DAL options for anglers who prefer a deeper flex and relaxed casting rhythm. Inventory changes often, so current availability may vary.

Steelhead and Salmon Rods

Burkheimer steelhead and salmon rods are built for anglers who understand the value of timing and feel. These rods are smooth, capable, and designed to handle the demands of anadromous fish without feeling overly stiff or lifeless.

From single-hand steelhead rods to two-handed Spey models, Burkheimer rods offer the blend of power and control needed for summer runs, winter fish, sink tips, floating lines, and long days on the swing.

Two-Handed Spey and Switch Rods

Burkheimer Spey rods helped build the brand’s reputation both nationally and internationally. These rods are known for smooth loading, generous grain windows, and a casting feel that encourages rhythm rather than force.

They are powerful, but not harsh. Smooth, but not slow. For many steelhead anglers, that balance is exactly what makes a Burkheimer two-hander special.

Why Anglers Love Burkheimer Spey Rods

• Smooth, natural loading
• Excellent feel through the cast
• Useful grain windows for line flexibility
• Strong performance with Scandi, Skagit, and Rage-style lines
• Well suited for both summer and winter steelhead applications
• Powerful without feeling overly stiff

Popular Spey configurations may include models such as the 6128-4, 7115-4, 7127-4, 7134-4, 8115-4, and 8134-4. Availability changes as rods come and go.

Single Hand Spey Rods

Burkheimer Single Hand Spey rods bring two-handed casting influence into a single-hand format. These rods are ideal for smaller water, tight casting conditions, and anglers who want to fish short Skagit heads, compact Spey lines, and versatile steelhead or trout presentations.

They are approachable for anglers learning Spey-style casts and rewarding for experienced casters who want a compact, capable rod with plenty of feel.

Streamer Rods

Burkheimer Streamer rods are built for anglers throwing larger flies, fishing from boats, and making repeated casts throughout the day. These rods are designed to carry bigger patterns efficiently while maintaining control and accuracy.

For anglers fishing heavy trout streamers, warmwater flies, or larger patterns in demanding conditions, the Streamer series offers a purposeful design with plenty of backbone.

Sea Trout Series

The Burkheimer Sea Trout series is designed for coastal conditions, distance, and controlled presentations in wind. These rods bring Burkheimer’s smooth casting feel into a format built for rugged environments and traveling anglers.

Sea Trout rods are often associated with longer casts, open water, and conditions where accuracy and line control matter.

Burkheimer Saltwater Series

While many anglers associate Burkheimer with steelhead, trout, and two-handed rods, the Saltwater Series brings the same hand-built quality to flats and bluewater applications.

These rods are designed for wind, distance, heavier flies, and fast shots when timing matters. From permit and bonefish to tarpon and larger saltwater species, Burkheimer saltwater rods are built with purpose.

Saltwater, Tarpon, and Bluewater Rods

Burkheimer saltwater rods are made for demanding conditions where quick loading, accuracy, and lifting power matter. They are not simply freshwater tapers with saltwater hardware. These rods are designed to perform when the cast needs to happen now.

The Tarpon and Bluewater models are built for larger species, stronger runs, and the kind of pressure serious saltwater fishing can put on a rod.

Build Styles and Finishes

Burkheimer rods are known not only for how they cast, but also for how they look and feel in hand. Depending on the model, rods may be available in build styles such as Classic, Presentation, or Vintage.

• Classic: Traditional Burkheimer styling with refined components and a clean, understated look.
• Presentation: Elevated cosmetic details for anglers who appreciate a more refined finish.
• Vintage: A traditional aesthetic with classic hardware and a timeless feel.

Finish and component details can vary by model and inventory, so check current listings or contact the shop if you have questions about a specific rod.

Why Gorge Fly Shop Carries Burkheimer

Gorge Fly Shop has outfitted serious fly anglers for decades, and Burkheimer rods fit naturally into the kind of gear we believe in. They are built close to home, designed with intention, and trusted by anglers who care about feel as much as performance.

• Handcrafted in Washington
• Proven on Pacific Northwest trout and steelhead water
• Known for smooth casting feel and refined performance
• Available in trout, steelhead, Spey, saltwater, and travel-focused models
• Backed by real shop knowledge from anglers who understand the gear

What to Know About Burkheimer Availability

Burkheimer rods are made in limited quantities, and available models can change often. Some rods may be in stock and ready to ship, while others may not be available at all times.

If you see a Burkheimer rod in stock that matches your fishing style, it is worth taking a close look. These rods are built with care, and availability can be limited.

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The Final Cast

Owning a Burkheimer is not about chasing trends. It is about fishing a rod with feel, purpose, and lasting character. These rods are built to perform, crafted to last, and made for anglers who appreciate the connection between rod, line, water, and fish.

Whether your path leads to trout streams, summer steelhead runs, winter rivers, coastal water, or saltwater flats, a Burkheimer rod brings a sense of tradition and intention to the cast.

At Gorge Fly Shop, we are proud to offer C.F. Burkheimer rods and help anglers choose the model that best fits their water, casting style, and fishing goals.

Models and sizes come and go. Inventory changes often, so check current availability or contact us with questions.

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Let us help you find the Burkheimer that is right for you.
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