Tom,

I see that you uploaded the CCS data for a CFB383-2 Burkheimer 3wt. I have heard some good things about Burkheimer blanks. Did you build the blank up? If so how did it perform on the water. What were its strong points vs weak points (if any)? How does it rate amongst your top 5 small stream rods?

Do you think it will be suitable for what I am after - see my post "winston boron iix" a few days ago!

I hadn't read this until this morning - I don't read all the various posts, too busy.

The Burkheimer blanks all cast very nicely. Kerry does a good job rating his blanks for average and practical use. For instance, the rated line weight is for best use with 30 feet of line aerialized. Thus, he then rates each blank for the 3 line weights they'll most easily handle. The 383-2 is rated for 2, 3 and 4 weight lines, with the 2 for far out, 3 for average distances and 4 for in close. And if you follow those guidelines, it'll work extremely well. If only all the fly rod makers would return to this common sense approach for rating their rods.

I can't really answer your question as to how well it will cast drys versus nymphs, as I'm from the school that believes one rod will cast either equally well (I do). For me (us) your casting ability determines the ability to present various flies in various ways. The same rod will do it all, for me, anyway.

Because I haven't cast the Winston you mention I'm afraid I can't advise on any comparison of the two. Wish I could. I can tell you that the Burkheimers are medium fast actions that load nicely with the rated lines at the advised distances. Very easy to cast and very pleasant to fish with. I do prefer my older St. Croix SCIV with the super fast action light tip, but they aren't made anymore and most guys don't like their fly rods to have such extremely fast actions anyway. But the Burkheimers go along with me on many trips and I always notice how easily they cast.

Strong points are straightness, nice finish, easy to cast and practical line ratings. I don't really know of any weak points, other than the long wait times to get one. If Kerry has one in stock you're in luck. If not, you may be in for a bit of a wait.

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Nice review, Tom, and how refreshing to hear just facts and observations without hype. I built a Burkheimer one time for a friend and if I recall correctly it was 7'10" and rated 3/4/5. Fit and finish, straightness, and line rating all seemed top-notch to me - as good as I've seen from anyone. It was before CCS so I don't know what the numbers were. But also like Tom said, I would not have traded my St. Croix 4F864 or 4F865 for it, which I regard as real gems and ideal for the way I fish and cast.

Thanks Guys. It is indeed a pleasure to get straight answers. I've tried so many rods simply because of the advertising hype and often I have been bitterly dissapointed. Hopefully I will find that "go-to gem of a rod" one day (probably have it already but saying I have not found it simply allows me to accumulate more rods...). Some chaps have recommended that I try Dan Craft's FT series (fast tip) I may just do that - I have been really impressed with my Sig V 3wt that I built up (better than many of the other big name rods I have cast) so I may just have to go for it. I am busy building up an 8wt FT right now. I also dropped Tom Morgan a line to find out about his rods - I have heard rave reviews (but once again no CCS data) so no objective comparison.

Gavin

Gavin

I've been wrapping rods for Kerry for about four years now and have had my hands on every rod he has made in that time. The best thing about Burkheimer rods is Kerry. He is willing to work with you and will design a blank to meet your particular needs if you can not find what you want in his line. Kerry is a perfectionist and his rods show it and on top of that he is one of the nicest people I've ever met.

Thomas F. Thornhill

Hi Thomas, thank you for your post. I have heard such good things about Kerry's blanks and would love to get my hands on some to build up for myself. I e-mailed Kerry a while back, but did not get a response (presumably he did not get my mail). Do you have his current e-mail address (if so perhaps yopu could e-mail it to me). Do you know if Kerry sells blanks to customers or whether he only sells finished rods? I would just love to get a 8'3 or 8'9 blank with an ERN of around 2-3. I hear that all of Kerry's rods have the most wonderfull "feel" and are powerful yet sensitive at the same time. What are the actions on his lighter line rods like?

Thanks,
Gavin

Gavin

Kerry does sell blanks. Try emailing him again, he tends to get distracted playing with new rods or talking to customers and doesn't check his email as often as he should. His lighter weight rods are also a medium fast action. I hope this helps but if you still have trouble getting hold of Kerry email me at tommystyx@hotmail.com and I will hand deliver a copy to him.

Thomas F. Thornhill

Fantastic! Thanks Thomas. I will try him again. If I dont have any luck I will get back to you.

Best regards,
Gavin