'First Burkheimer rod I’ve touched. First impressions - it clearly comes straight from a tradition of craft and custom building. Ok, I’ve seen custom built rods before but Burkheimer seems to take that farther into craft.As soon as you see this the hallmarks of that tendency shout out: details are hand painted on the butt, lovely subtle job; fine dark snake rings, agate lined butt ring; blackened nickel silver and hardwood seat; slim thread wraps with fine subtle tip wraps, low build varnish; hand turned grip with fine burl cork rings, no trace of filling. Quite clearly made to look special, I can see the care and attention taken in every department.Ok, so it looks great, but is it a fishing rod? This is has 3/4/5 painted on the butt. I decided to start with a #4 line – a modern presentation #4. From the first flick, this rod had me convinced; words like tactile, crisp, precise and delicate come to mind. Aim at a target and the fly lands on it. Craft a tight loop and it’s tight. Make a delicate reach and the V is crisp. Now open up a little and loops stay tight and quick. Shoot and the line lands in a dead straight – unless I decide it should be squiggly or curved. Fit a #3 line and this is more delicate but well – hmm - if you want it to feel that way. Same with a #5 line really, the rod simply bends and slows a little, I can imagine some might like that feel. I’ll stick with a #4.You might have guessed by now I like this. I like the subtlety of the build, nothing flash or brash, the sense of something unusual and special is private, how it casts supports that sense 100%. Delicious! Lovely precise dry-fly or light nymph rod.Burkheimer build several rod series on the same blanks, Classic Series, Presentation Series and Vintage Series, which this is, the most expensive of the three. Burkheimer 8’3” #4 4pce • Stiffness: 83g • Action Angle: 70 • Sections: 4 • Weight: 90g (3.17oz) • Rings: Agate lined butt ring, fine snakes • Handle: Half wells, excellent cork • Reel Seat: Blackened nickel silver, hardwood spacer • Fighting butt: No • Blank: Dark green • Thread: Dark green • Build quality: Excellent • Rod bag: Canvas • Rod tube: Alloy • From: Alternative Tackle • www.alternativetackle.com Tel. 08700 637 466'
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