Hot Off the Press: Winston AIR 2 TH Is Here

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of the brand new Winston Air 2 TH Series of Spey Rods from R.L. Winston.  Just in time for the tail end of summer steelhead season!  Air 2 TH hits close to home as the entire series was designed and fine-tuned by local legendary guide, Brian Silvey.  These rods were dialed in with the line systems we use on the Northwest steelhead rivers we all know and love.  Winston's Air TH series was excellent and has a huge following, but the new version is a completely different animal!  The Gorge Fly Shop Staff was fortunate enough to spend some time on the water with these rods prior to their release.  Here's a rundown of the major upgrades:

Line-Friendly

This might be the most important upgrade to the series.  Initial feedback from the GFS staff and the Northwest Winston rep, Eric Neufeld, is that Air 2 TH likes a lot of different lines!  Our staff fished the 7129 for a few days on the Deschutes recently and tried several different Scandi and Skagit heads.  Historically speaking, when a Spey rod is available in a longer and shorter 7 weight, the longer option tends to be more all-purpose.  They usually fish well with Scandis and Skagits, alike.  Conversely, the shorter 7's tend to be faster.  They're excellent for heavy metal sink tip fishing, but can be tough to find an ideal dry line for.  That was the real shocker about this 7129.  It fished a 450-480 grain Scandi extremely well with excellent line speed.  That begged the question.....will it have enough under the hood for a heavy sink tip and fly.  And it does!  No problem whatsoever with 10' of T-14 and a weighted fly.  When talking with Eric about the various other configurations he fished, the data was conclusive.  These rods like a lot of different lines and have a fairly broad grain weight window.  This is going to make the series incredibly versatile across the board.       

Grip

Nothing dampens the feel of a great blank like too much cork....and Winston took note of that.  Air 2 TH has a very slim upper and lower grip providing for excellent hand-to-line feel when casting.  This was a huge upgrade from its predecessor.  

Weight

These things feel crazy light in hand.  The 7's feel like a lot of other brands' 6's.  That does not, however, come at the expense of sacrificed power.  They have ample low-end stiffness to accommodate heavy tips and flies and XL fish.  

Additional Configurations

Winston added a few new length/weight combos this time around.  Two that stand out are the 5123 and 8126.  The older Air TH 5120 has a cult following among summer steelhead dry line addicts.  It may very well have been the best casting rod of that series.  That said, it was a hair short.  The additional length will be a very welcome upgrade here.  Then there's the 8126.  A shorter/stouter 8 weight for winter steelhead in tight quarters.  This one is going to be a quick front runner on the coast this winter!

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Choosing the Right Spey Rod for Steelhead

Spey rods for steelhead vary in size almost as much as the fish themselves. With so many rod weights and lengths available, selecting the right setup for a specific fishery can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are great options tailored to every steelhead scenario—from summer-run rivers to deep winter flows.

If you're looking for a basic overview to help match your rod to your fishing goals, this guide covers the essentials.

Quick Breakdown of Spey Rod Weights:

5wt (12'–13') – Light and fun! Best for summer steelhead in the 2–5 lb range. Great with Scandi heads and light flies.

6wt (12'–13'6") – Versatile for floating lines and mid-sized summer fish. Can handle mild sink tips and medium flies.

7wt (12'–13'6") – The most balanced, all-around rod for both summer and winter steelhead. Ideal for larger flies and windier conditions.

8wt (12'–13'6") – Your go-to for winter steelhead and bigger rivers. Handles heavy tips and flies with ease.

9wt (12'–14') – For the trophy hunter. Perfect for massive fish, oversized tips, and deep-water tactics.
 

Looking to dial in your setup? Click below to get the full buyer’s guide, including detailed weight-by-weight breakdowns and recommendations for Skagit and Scandi line pairings.

[Read More →]

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Burkheimer's in stock - Updated March 2025

Just Reloaded with Burkheimer's

See our Selection - IN STOCK and Includes FREE FLY LINE

Few rods are as coveted as the small Washington town, handcrafted, one of a kind Burkheimer's.

They may be mostly known in the Northwest for their extremely comfortable, yet power two hand spey rods. There is also quite a following for the "in the know" trout angler who especially respects the deep load action of the DAL Trout Series.

While we'll gladly take your special custom order for any C.F.Burkheimer you wish for, be sure to first check our current selection, "in stock" of a few of our favorites in both Classic and Vintage finishes.

See What's In Stock...

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Burkheimer Spey Rods in Stock

6128-4 Vintage

Shop IN STOCK BURKHEIMER'S

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King Season is here - Our Top Spey Rods

By John Garrett 

5.24.22 

Headed out to fish for the KING of anadromous fish? Here is a short list of our top choices at the Gorge Fly Shop for Spey rods when targeting Chinook salmon. If I were your Caddy, these are the rods that I would put in your travel bag. There are lots of choices out there, but these are definitely the ones that are up for the job. These are the ones that can throw the heavy heads and sink tips that are sometimes required to be successful. 

Requirements that make these rods our favorites are as follows, the rod must turn over your heavy sink tips and flies with ease, the rod must create tight loops and generate high line speed to cut through wind and provide distance where needed and the rod must handle and fight fish well. Rods which make the list below are in no particular order. 

NOTE: To avoid repetition of recommended sink tips for the following rods, all rods listed below are more than capable of handling the same sink tips listed here: 

• RIO M.O.W. Tips: 10-12.5’ of T-11 (Medium), T-14 (Heavy), T-17 (Ext. Heavy) in. 
• AIRFLO Custom Cut Tips: 10-12’ of T-10 to T-18 
• AIRFLO FLO Tips: 10-12’ of T-10 to T-18 

G.Loomis NRX+ 9133 (13’3” 9wt): 

• Skagit Line Match: RIO Skagit Max Launch 650gr, RIO Skagit GameChanger 625gr (there are 3D and 4D versions depending on your needs). Airflo Skagit Driver 660gr, Airflo F.I.S.T. 600-660gr 

Winston Air TH 9129-4 (12’9” 9wt): 

• Skagit Line Match: RIO Skagit Max Power (Short Head) 600-625gr, RIO Skagit Max Launch 600-625gr, RIO Skagit GameChanger 600gr. Airflo Skagit Driver 600-630gr, Airflo F.I.S.T. 600gr. 

Sage Igniter 9119-4 (11’9” 9wt): 

• Skagit Line Match: RIO Skagit Max Power 600gr, RIO Skagit Max Launch 575gr, RIO Skagit GameChanger 575gr. Airflo Skagit Driver 570-600gr, Airflo F.I.S.T. 570gr. 

Echo King 9130-4 (13’ 9wt): Great Back Up Rod 

• Skagit Line Match: RIO Skagit Max Launch 650gr, RIO Skagit GameChanger 650gr (there are 3D and 4D versions depending on your needs), Airflo Skagit Driver 660gr, Airflo F.I.S.T. 660gr 

Echo King 10130-4 (13’ 10wt): Great Back Up Rod 

• Skagit Line Match: RIO Skagit Max Launch 750gr, RIO Skagit GameChanger 725gr (there are 3D and 4D versions depending on your needs), Airflo Skagit Driver 750gr, Airflo F.I.S.T. 720gr 

NOTE: These are just short quick descriptions of each rod. Here at the Gorge Fly Shop we love to talk about rods and we would love to talk with you more in depth about them. Give the Gorge Fly Shop a call at 541-386-6977 and let us help you get dialed for your next KING trip.

Shop Spey Rods

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OPST In Stock

Shop OPST Spey Rods

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New for 2020 - OPST Pure Skagit Series Two Handed Rods

Designed By Skagit Legend Ed Ward

These rods represent decades of dedication purely to sustained-anchor two-handed casting. A rod reflecting its designer and a true illustration of Ed’s vision. 

Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics is proud to release our very own line of Micro Skagit and Pure Skagit Two-Handed Rods, designed by Ed Ward. We developed our rods over five years during which we refined the taper to represent Ed’s concepts. It will initially include six rods in total, ranging from a 9’9” Micro Skagit Two-Handed 3wt up to a 11’6” 8wt, and every whole rod weight in-between.

This line-up will be classified by design differences, into two categories:

• Micro Skagit - 399-4, 4100-4, 5104-4
• Pure Skagit - 6108-4, 7110-4, 8116-4, 9123-4

OPST Pure Skagit

The Pure Skagit Rod line-up is definitively more focused towards Spey/Skagit-type two-handed casting.

Represented by a 10’8” 6wt, an 11’ 7wt, an 11’6’ 8wt, they depart from our Micro Series in a few ways. The upper grips are double-welled and thus more aligned with contemporary two-handed rods under 12’, while the lower handles remain switch-style.

These rods are also faster than the Micro series, being a true medium-fast action that casts off the upper third of the taper. This taper loads very well during the Sweep phase of the Skagit casting sequence and maintaining that load into the Forward Cast, with a very crisp final delivery.

This rod line-up is targeted toward the fishing of large trout up to Canadian and Alaskan King Salmon.  Rod color is Matte Black with Blue Accent Wraps

Specs

Rod	Line Weight	Length	Sections	Grip	Action
6108-4	6	10'8"	4	Full Wells	Medium/Fast
7110-4	7	11'0"	4	Full Wells	Medium/Fast
8116-4	8	11'6"	4	Full Wells	Medium/Fast
9123-4	9	12'3"	4	Full Wells	Medium/Fast

Line Recommendations

OPST Rod	Commando Head	Commando Smooth	Commando Groove	Lazar Line	Sink Tips	Floating Tips
399-4	150-175 gr	150-175 gr	N/A	30 lb	7.5' 60 grain Micro Sink Tips, 10' 80 grain Commando Sink Tips	7.5' 35 grain and 10' 50 grain Micro Floating Tips
4100-4	175-200 gr	175-200 gr	200 gr	30 lb	7.5' 60 grain Micro Sink Tips, 10' 80 grain Commando Sink Tips	7.5' 35 grain and 10' 50 grain Micro Floating Tips
5104-4	225-250 gr	225-250 gr	200-225 gr	30-35 lb	10' 80 grain and 12' 96 grain Commando Sink Tips	10' 50 grain Micro Floating, 10' 75 grain SHS Floating Tips
6106-4	275-300 gr	275-300 gr	250-275 gr	35-40 lb	10' 80 grain and 12' 96 grain Commando Sink Tips	10' 50 grain Micro Floating, 10' 75 grain SHS Floating Tips
7110-4	325-350 gr	325-350 gr	300-325 gr	35-40 lb	10' 110 grain and 12' 132 grain Commando Sink Tips	10' 75 grain and 12' 90 grain SHS Floating Tips
8116-4	375-400 gr	375-400 gr	350-375 gr	40-50 lb	10' 140 grain and 12' 168 grain Commando Sink Tips	12' 90 grain and 14' 110 grain SHS Floating Tips

*For Commando Groove, drop down 25 gr from the Commando Head or Smooth.

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Review: Burkheimer 6139-4 and Airflo Delta Spey II 6/7

CF Burkheimer released a new rod in their lineup this year, and it was one that sparked my interest from the get go. I've been a big fan of their rods ever since I first laid eyes on one, and even more so after I first cast one. I recently got to play with a 8139-4; pairing it with mid-belly, scandi, and skagit lines. The big stick was an absolute machine that was just begging for Washington's O.P., Skagit/Sauk, or British Columbia steelhead. However, a lighter-weight version of this rod for select Columbia tributaries would be a total blast! I don't do the graphite speed chase when it comes to my two-hander's and I look for rods with lots of feel and soul, which is exactly what Burkheimer is known for. Kerry makes a ton of different two-handed rod tapers/lengths in 3, 4, and 5-piece rods, so it's easy to find the one that's right up your alley.

So why a 13'9, 6wt? Well, I was out on the Deschutes earlier this summer fishing my 7127-4 Burkie and reaching for a distant seam when I realized I was trying to manage about 50-60+ feet of mono running line attached to a scandi head and tapered leader. It worked, but I found I was wasting a bit of time stripping line. Also, every third cast or so I would have my running line knot up in a guide. Again, wasting more time not swinging my fly in the water. It got to a point where I realized I was fed up with fishing shorter scandi heads on medium to large rivers. A long time ago in a past life during my snowboarding career, I realized how important it was to have a quiver of boards to suit specific needs; I.E. Powder days, park days, early/late season conditions, etc. Much like how you wouldn't use just one golf club for all of your golfing needs. 

So what did I do? I grabbed some mid-belly lines and the 12'7 and tried to dial it in. However, I found I was working much harder than I wanted for stripping in less line on the shorter rod. As fate would have it, our Burkheimer rep called to hype up a new rod... a 13'9, 6 weight. I was instantly sold, and rushed to put one on order for an upcoming trip in hopes to have it in time. I lined up my favorite reel- a wide-spool, raised pillar, click and pawl- with a Airflo Delta II 6/7 Mid-Belly. As I patiently waited I tied some favorite patterns and cooked up some new ones. As soon as the rod arrived I went to the local ditch and tested it out. Was it love at first cast? Absolutely. The rod felt more like a 6/7 weight than a true 6 weight to me, and despite being a little longer it was still nice and light in hand. Pairing it with the Delta II Spey line from Airfo was a perfect match! The good news was that I was already fishing my fly at 70 feet with just the head hanging out the rod tip. A few strips and I was already out to 100' with ease.

Snake River, WA: Big water tailored for longer rods and longer lines

 

Now I'll be honest in that the majority of fish I catch are never 100' out. In reality they're more like 40-50', but there are times when I know I'm missing fish if I can't make the cast needed. So next thing I know I'm on the Snake River, which happens to make the Deschutes River look like a tiny creek. I was just itching to give the rod a proper test drive! I know of some competition spey casters who'd said in good return years they've stuck fish at over 150 feet off the bank on that particular river. My ears perked up at the thought of hitting a fish at that distance. On a big water like that it's important to have plenty of backing as hooking a good B-run that charges for the current can empty a reel quickly.

So did I stick any fish at that distance? Nope. But at least I know I have the right tools to do so. I did find some at closer range and the rod handled them beautifully. Some people will preach the short format head systems, and I certainly find them applicable. However, I also feel the same with longer rods and more traditional lines. If I'm fishing a head system I really do like using mono shooting line for extra distance, although when I have an integrated running line it truly seems as though I have a much better connection and feel for how my fly is swinging. With integrated running lines such as Airflo's Delta Spey II, I can feel all the subtle nuances in the water and it heightens my anglers senses. Was that a leaf that just hit my fly? Or was it a light pluck from a chrome-bright hen who was curious to my offering? I'd better make a couple more casts before stepping down, just to be sure...

If you fish medium to large rivers than I highly recommend a slightly longer two-hander coupled with a mid-belly line. I find myself stripping less, casting further, and swinging my fly longer. That whole part about the more time your fly is spent in the water can really enhance your chances of success. Nevertheless, I'm in love with this new 6wt sword and will indeed keep it in the rod quiver for a long time to come. 

 Idaho's Clearwater with the 6139-4 and Airflo Delta II 6/7

As always, we are happy to talk fishing anytime. Give us a call if you have any specific questions on local rivers, gear, and tactics, or if you just want some encouragement to get out of the office.

Cody Booth
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977  

Rod Review: CF Burkheimer 7127-4

 Purple muddler and direct sunlight to break in the 7127's first fish.

There are a lot of options out there when it comes to choosing spey rods and many anglers will select their rods based on specific criteria. For the most part I believe the criteria to be- graphite technology, price, and fit/finish/aesthetics. Now when judging a book by its cover, Burkheimer rods tend to be the most coveted rods on the shelf as far as aesthetics go. They're simply beautiful. Burkheimer doesn't seem to pursue the graphite race as much as other companies such as Sage or G. Loomis, but that's okay with me as these rods have soul that you can truly feel. They tend to be in the upper price spectrum mostly due to the superior craftsmanship and attention to detail incorporated with each hand rolled rod.

Desert Steel taken on a 450gr. Scandi and 15' tapered leader. 

I've always wanted a Burkie, however never saw myself able to afford one as I was always the angler with leaky waders and hand-me-down gear. However, a couple years back I injured my foot fairly bad and now it's more metal than bone. During the long rehab process, I was unable to fish so I started saving up money that was typically spent on fishing trips. Locked away at home I kept dreaming of a rod/reel combo to replace my old wonky set-ups I'd cut my teeth on. Soon enough I was able to get out of the house able to wiggle a few Burkies (though we all know how much that tells us about a rod), but the bottom line was that it was one of the most beautiful rods I'd ever held. The first thing I notice about any rod is the grip- I can't stand big club-like corks, and I loved how Burkheimer incorporates contrasting inlays into their cork. The blank material itself was also slim and sleek unlike some other spey rods I've held. The rod felt super light in hand and I was already day dreaming of what the first fish caught on it would be like.

 When you riffle hitch a purple muddler be sure to hang on!

So I did what any steelhead junky would do so that I could sleep better at night and I bought the sucker. I've never looked back or regretted my decision since. I opted for the "presentation" model as I figured go big or go home, right? This model came with gorgeous cobalt blue graphite that's complemented by chrome guides, and high grade cork. Furthermore, the beautiful wood and bright nickle on the reel seat round out this particular rod's build, though you can certainly customize yours to fit any personal style. While I didn't have a proper reel for it yet, I was able to borrow a vintage Hardy that seemed to suite it just fine. I took it for a test run on a favorite river once I was able to cram a wading boot back on and immediately took notice of how pleasurable it was to cast. Single speys and snake rolls shined on this rod and it was a pure joy to fish all day long. I was also happily surprised at how much line I was able to cast- maybe it was the fresh running line, but I was comfortably getting a handful of extra strips while still feeling like I could push it more- astonishing, as this rod isn't considered a fast-action rod that are generally known for generating more line speed. In general, I find these moderate-fast actions of the Burkheimers much more comfortable to cast day in day out than other faster rods I've used. I even got to break it in on a nice summer-run steelie and a dry fly on its inaugural trip out!

 "Winter's Hope"- Potentially a fruitless endeavor. Dryline and winter-runs...

Over the years I've cast many different two-handers and this rod is still by far my favorite for fishing dry line.  In general, I find the moderate-fast actions of the Burkheimers more comfortable to cast day in day out than other faster rods. While I do tend to like faster action rods if I'm fishing for winter-runs with skagit heads and sink tips, but I've got a dedicated winter stick for those cold months when fish are sluggish and tips are necessary. However, I have fished it for winter-runs and it's handled big fish just fine. The grain window is rather large on Burkheimers as they tend to fit a wide variety of casting strokes. I've dialed in my scandi line preference to a 34' 450 grain with 15' tapered leaders for presentation casting, and if any wind comes up or I've got a big bushy dry fly on I'll opt for a 450 grain Rage looped to a 10' Polyleader and a few feet of Maxima. If I decide to fish skagit heads with this rod, I've found I liked a 480 grain Skagit Switch or 480 grain Skagit F.I.S.T. on it. I also like a 510 grain skagit compact head too that loads it nicely. 10 feet of T-11 is generally my bread-n-butter sink tip and it doesn't seem to have any problems with them. But again, this is my summer rod and it begs for dryline and riffle hitched flies! Since picking up this rod I've added another Burkheimer 7117-4 to the mix, which I thoroughly love for both skagit and scandi casting on smaller water and I am hoping to add the 8134-4 to the quiver for some water and fish up North. There's a reason folks are brand loyal with Burkheimer two-handers, and as soon as you cast one you'll quickly know why. 

A winter hen found on the Oregon Coast with the 7127-4

Cody Booth
Gorge Fly Shop | Product Specialist
541.386.6977

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R.L Winston Kairos Spey - New for 2018

New for 2018, R.L. Winston Kairos. Just arrived are two new Kairos Spey models: 6123 and 7133.
No doubt the size choice emphasis was put on the two most popular steelhead size ranges.

Kairos starts as 100% graphite then wrapped into a modern fast action taper with good tip flex and quick recovery. Like the new Winston Big Sky Blue Nimbus, the Kairos also steers away from Winston traditional green with a clear graphite impact resistant finish. Also sporting a black anodized aluminum reel seat with engraved Winston signature logo. The new Kairos has the look of "all business!"

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Echo Swing Two Hand and Switch Rods - New for 2018

New for 2018, a line rods from Echo simply called Swing! This line of 3 switch rods and 3 spey rods is of the most modern combination of action, load and power designed to compliment all forms of steelhead swing angling.

Echo Videos

SWING SWITCH from Rajeff Sports on Vimeo.

SWING SPEY - Aug 2017 from Rajeff Sports on Vimeo.

Echo Swing Features

• Four piece travel design
• Blank: Gloss blue steel
• Action: Med Fast
• Tube: Fabric-covered rod case & sock
• Guides: SIC stripping guides and hard chrome snake guides
• Grips: Features 2 grip styles
• Reel Seat: Anodized aluminum
• Warranty: Echo Lifetime Warranty

The new Echo Swing Switch and Spey rods feature crisp actions and perfect power to fit a wide range of casting strokes and fishing situations without breaking the bank. Unique switch rod sizes are dialed in for real fishing situations where you need serious backbone but don't have the space for a full-sized spey. Swinging, skating or chucking bobbers -  the new Swing is ready to play.

Specs - 

MODEL	LENGTH	LINE WT.	PIECES	HANDLE	ACTION
6116-4	11'6"	6	4	A	Med FAST
7117-4	11'7"	7	4	A	Med FAST
8118-4	11'8"	8	4	A	Med FAST
6126-4	12'6"	6	4	B	Med FAST
7130-4	13'0"	7	4	B	Med FAST
8136-4	13'6"	8	4	B	Med FAST

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Steve Rajeff - Asquith Spey

 Steve Rajeff - G.Loomis (Asquith Spey)

Steve Rajeff Director of Engineering for G.loomis gives his insight on the new G.loomis/Shimano Asquith Spey utilizing the new Spiral X.

G.Loomis NRX Fly Rods - Sales Event - Changes for 2016

It's a good time to be a G.Loomis fan.

Never before has there been a sale on NRX Fly and Spey rods. 

View Sale Items!

Since conception the G. Loomis NRX is one serious rod to contend with! Other manufacturers scrambled to come up with a design to match the performance and durability of the NRX and most contenders have yet to equal the abilities of this Nano Resin creation.

NRX Fly and Spey Rods

The original color Stealth Matte Black with Blue wraps identified with the bold power the NRX is capable of while the next year came the second color of Evergreen with Green wraps which defines the gentle forgiving nature of the Nano Resin Technology.

Both colors deserve the right to adorn the NRX. Countless inquiries about what one color is the proper choice only led all discussion into a stalemate stance.

So what is the right color choice? Sometimes the obvious answer is not in our own opinions but better matched to the environment in which we place the subject in. Since the NRX line of rods spans the anglers needs from lite presentation trout streams to the explosive power of unforgiving saltwater beast such as tarpon and Permit it was concluded that no one color could properly identify across the board spectrum.

For 2016 the choice was made to establish color identification to the NRX family of fly rods. The NRX Trout, Trout LP, Trout Nymph, Salmon/Steelhead and Two Hand Spey will acquire the Evergreen color while the Saltwater and Saltwater Pro-1 NRX fly rods with be identified with Matte Black / Blue Wraps.

We believe a wise choice has come about that in the end helps everyone. The angler will better understand the thought behind each individual rod, the dealer will see improved availability and G.Loomis will see a more streamline manufacturing that will allow time for future innovations.

With this change comes some inventory that needs to be cleared. Here is a list of models and colors that are affected...

• NRX Lite Presentation - All Matte Black w/Blue Wraps
• NRX Trout - All Matte Black w/Blue Wraps
• NRX Nymph - All Matte Black wBlue Wraps
• NRX Salmon / Steelhead - All Matte Black w/Blue Wraps
• NRX Two Hand Spey - All Matte Black w/Blue Wraps
• NRX Salt - All Evergreen w/Green Wraps
• NRX Salt Pro 1 - All Evergreen w/Green Wraps

View our Inventory!

Why I fish Hatch Fly Reels

Hatch Finatic 9+

There are few investments made by steelhead anglers more critical to their success than a good reel. A good reel can make or break your trip and will definitely increase your hook-up to landed ratio.

I read a review or “shoot out” the other day that had 19 criteria points for what a good reel is. Overall a good review, too good if you ask me. I don’t need a dissertation on the merits of a good fishing reel, I just need to know one thing, does it work? Can I stop a big fish with it? Will it hold up under every day use year over year? I’m willing to pay for quality but I expect a little bling to go with it, ie, it’s got to be pretty. I’ve fished a lot of reels over the years and my favorite are made in the USA by Hatch Outdoors.

My first Hatch Fly Reel

I ran into my first Hatch at a fly fishing show, it was love at first sight. As a young angler I couldn’t get past price but I had a different set of priorities as a twenty five year old. Fast forward another five years and I finally get my first Hatch, it’s a 9+ Pulse. This is still my go to reel and easily the most used of the many I have in service.

Today I’m 44 years old and a full time fishing guide. I make it a policy to only provide the best equipment for my clients and you will find Hatch Reels available in my boat every day. Before the guys at Hatch were “Hatch”, they wanted to build a better reel based on drag, durability and design. They nailed it.

Finatic

Let’s start with the drag, after all this is a reel we’re talking about. I could go on and on about the sealed drag, the stacked discs, resistant to heat issues, pound for pound fish stopping power, or the low start up inertia. I don’t care about the technical stuff although it does sound awesome, it’s just words. For me a drag’s about smooth reliable resistance. I recently fought a seal lice infested Spring Chinook in 200,000 cfs of Columbia river, and believe me my old Hatch Pulse put the wood to him! Lots of reels claim smooth fish stopping power and out of the box maybe they’re telling the truth. Over time things wear out, need maintenance, fail. The big fails for me are surging, free spooling/loss of drag, and total lock up.



That leads us to durability. Hatch reels require no maintenance, that’s right, NO MAINTENANCE! I’m not going to lie to you, after fishing reels every single day over a number of years and tough conditions even all reels may need a little warranty work. My favorite thing about Hatch reels is that I have never had one fail. I have sent reels back because they were no longer working as well as I expect them to. The good news is I can send them in for repair at my leisure because they still function.

Oregon Steel

Let’s talk about customer service. For the record, I’ve sent lots of reels back to their respective manufacturers over the years. The service I’ve received has been a deal breaker for several otherwise decent reels. Sending your high dollar stuff back to the manufacturer is never a good time. What I don’t want to hear is something along the lines of “never seen that happen before”, or “we’re pretty backed up right now but we’ll do the best we can”. Here’s what you get from Hatch, “send it in, we’ll fix it and overnight it back to you”. Yeah, that’s it…I’m good with that. No excuses just fix it and be quick about it.

Design. Like I said, I’m not a real technical guy but I have pretty high standards. The current version of the Hatch reel is the Finatic, prior to that it was the Monsoon, and before that the Pulse. It’s the same reel inside but it’s gotten lighter and prettier. The spools and reels are all interchangeable and there are two spool options, large and mid. As a Spey guy I will note one thing that’s pretty relevant regarding design and Hatch; Hatch reels are consistently heavier than most of their competition. While on the surface this may sound like a disadvantage, it’s not. Fishing a Spey Rod requires a heavy reel, it acts like a counterweight in both casting and holding the rod it the swing position. The other silent advantage is the precise machining of the Hatch reels. Thin diameter running lines are en vogue and for good reason and aside from a fully caged reel none of the competition can keep the running line inside the reel; that’s a problem.

For me it’s easy to be Hatch guy. Without lots of words, form, fit and function or as the Hatch guys say “drag, durability and design”. Nailed it!

Sam Sickles | Steelhead Outfitters
www.steelheadoutfitters.com
541.400.0855

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Get Started in Fly Fishing - Chapter Two - Fly Rods

The look on your face when you get a new rod

The fun begins with your first purchase. You're ready to buy a fly rod. Most will experience one of three possible scenarios.

1) You find yourself in a large outdoor chain store with plenty of things to buy but no help to see you through a good decision.

2) You find yourself in a upscale fly shop where the sales staff proceeds to make you feel inferior and unworthy of the sport.

3) You come across a yard sale or hand me down rod that is always the best ever according to the previous owner. Trust me. Its rare to find any worth $$$ in a yard sale. I know because I look for them.

I didn't intend to start off this article sounding cynical but I bet if many of you would comment with your stories many of them would match one of these three descriptions.

Too Many Choices

Too Many Choices

Lets start with import or USA built.We can discuss this subject from many different angles - here's the facts

USA Built 

Pros - The best fly rods are built in USA. All USA built fly rods are hand crafted. Most if not all USA built rods come with some kind of lifetime warranty. Most have good resale value.
Cons - Expensive! Cost of USA manufacturing, research and development, advanced materials technology that makes these rods the best come at a high price.
Summary - If you become passionate about fly fishing you will own USA built fly rods. What comes with these rods is a sense of pride. Hard to have that feeling for something imported from an overseas factory. I have had the pleasure of visiting many USA rod manufacturer facilities. I like knowing that the hands that built my rods also are as passionate about fishing as I am. Its a feeling you cannot put a price on.

Imported fly rods

Pros - Value per dollar. Good entry level options. Some have lifetime warranty (although you may end up with a different rod than what you started with). Also some very good quality rods for much less than USA built price.
Cons - Hard to tell good from bad. Here today and gone tomorrow.
Summary - There is some really good import rods on the market and they catch fish just like a USA built rods. But the import business tends to flood the market and makes it hard to sift through whats Great, Good, OK or just plain cheap rods. Resale value of imports is weak and often times you can't give them away. I also notice that many come with catchy names to help sell them but not a good description of what the action is, so often you find someone purchased a rod only to find out it is a poor fit for their casting ability or the fishing they are doing.

Premium Picks - 

Sage One

Winston BIIIx

G.Loomis NRX Lite Presentation

All of these rods are beautiful and powerful tools for fishing. Each has great power coupled with very intuitive feeling that will help any angler progress down the path of good casting. Excellent resale value and the industry leading warranty service also add to their value. I should note here that rods like these hold their place in history for years to come.

Mid Line Winners - 

G. Loomis Pro4x

Winston Nexus

Echo 3

Sage ACCEL

These models range in price from about $300 to $595. Winston, G. Loomis and Sage are built in USA. All have lifetime warranty. All of these rods offer excellent performance and value. They could go with you on a lifetime of fishing and you would enjoy them for years to come.

Entry Level Values - Imports

Redington Classic Trout

Echo Solo

Redington Crosswater

Classic Trout and Solo offer lifetime warranty. One year on the Crosswater. I am real fond of the Classic Trout. Its a moderate action easy to cast really good trout rod for the price. The Echo Solo is also a good choice and at $119 with lifetime warranty its hard to beat.

Outfit Options

An outfit is an easy way to get Rod, Reel and Line all in one purchase. 

Sage Approach Outfits

Redington Minnow 
Made for Kids-Loved by Adults

Redington Topo Outfit - Complete ready to fish

Echo Solo Outfit - Great Value

Two Hand (Spey) Rod Choices

No reason one has to start out with a single hand fly rod. If you live in steelhead country just go ahead and jump to a two hand. I've seen too many beginners get a single hand 8wt only to come back in a month and say I want a two hand rod. I think two hand casting is harder to learn on your own but with a good instructor like Tom Larimer of Jeff Hickman you will soon be on your way to fishing success! Learning single hand casting first is not a prerequisite. The rods I choose are all pretty moderate action and not only do they fit beginners well they are also a great action for skagit style two hand casting.

Winston Boron III TH

G.Loomis Pro4x

Sage ACCEL Two Hand

Redington Dually

Echo Dec Hogan II

Sum it up

A popular quote around the fly shop is "if you don't want to buy a more expensive rod than don't cast a more expensive rod." Even a person just starting out with some basic casting skills can feel the difference from these different levels of rods. That doesn't mean they catch more fish, they just cast better and make you feel like a hero. I know plenty of anglers that catch plenty of fish on $89 Crosswater rods. This works on the premise that if you want to catch fish you will use what you got! Spending more on a rod doesn't guarantee you more fish. What I can almost certainly guarantee is if you embrace to sport of fly fishing you will own premium USA built fly rods. It's inevitable!

The way I weigh the options is in one of three choices - 

Buy Top Shelf- You work hard for your money and when you have time off you deserve to enjoy it. Great pride comes with the best rods and you find yourself taking great pride in your fishing. Long after your gone when your grand kids find your fly rod hidden among your treasures they'll know how much it meant to you by the way you took care of it.

Buy middle of the road knowing that you'll get a great rod you can own a lifetime or maybe it will be the first and last rod you buy. I know anglers that only fish their home waters. They usually will fish a dry fly if fish are raising and if not they switch to a nymph rig. One rod can do both methods therefore they only need one rod. They only fish a few days a year and enjoy it as much as anyone. Some of today's mid line rods are a recent yesterdays premium rod.

Buy cheap now knowing that you'll upgrade in the future - Its nice to have a cheapy around for yard casting or letting your buddy or kid have a swing...Hard to hand over your several hundred dollar investment and watch a novice thrash it.

Don't fret over making a wrong choice. There are no wrong choices just future choices and Gorge Fly Shop will be here to help you make that choice whether you buy one or a hundred rods. 

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop Internet Sales Manager | Product Specialist

"Fly Fish the World with Us"