Sage, Burkheimer or Meiser 14'-15' 9wt-ish

[Brian Scott]

I'm looking to pick up another spey rod to accompany my Sage 8126. I'm thinking of something in 14'-15' range, 9wt (no 10wts) from either Meiser, Burkheimer,or Sage that handles Windcutters and MidSpey lengths heads. I'm mainly fish the OP rivers in the winter using the standard 10'-15' sinktips. My 8126 with the Skagit head is great for tight quarters (Sol Duc), but now I want something a little longer and heavier for those wide open glacial rivers where casting room is not an issue. Although my 8126 is quite fast and stiff I'm open to using a more fuller flexing rod as long as it has a quick recovery. Just looking for your experience and suggestions.

Thanks fellas and Happy Holidays to you all.

[FLGator]

Brian,
I'd suggest you get your hands on a Meiser MKS 13' 6" 8/9 and the Burkheimer 8139. Go cast them both with a variety of lines and see which fits your stroke better. Either would be an awesome rod for your application. Both are a little shorter than you are looking for, but do yourself a favor and please cast them before you rule them based on that. They will both handle a wide variety of belly lengths (including any of the long belly lines) and grain weights efficiently.

[fredaevans]

Good answer 'Gator,' for my choice between the two rods listed, I'd go (well I actually did) with the Burkie. This is a rod you can hand to a complete novice and have him casting/fishing reasonably well inside of 30 minutes.

[bigtj]

Look I know you have narrowed your search, but I just wanted to mention you migh consider trying a Sage 7141-4 if you can find one on sale (they are discontinued) it would be a great way to go. Oh heck even full retail this rod is worth it! Don't pay any attention to the line rating; this rod will cast an 8/9/10 wincutter all day long. It should be rated as a stiff 8 / moderate 9. It is a cannon! I am so bummed this rod is discontinued I could cry. If you get a chance cast it...it is a serious weapon perfect for the type of fishing your are talking about. It will handle any steelhead you'll ever hook on the west coast; this summer I landed a 17 lber in BC with it like nothing doing.

Ed Ward once told me it was his favorite winter steelhead rod, it's hard to argue with him. Seriously this rod is worth trying if you can find it.

Good luck.

[Ringlee]

Go with a Burkheimer and you will not be dissapointed!!! 8139 is pretty much my favorite 2 handed rod. I use a Midspey on it.

[Rookiespey]

I've got a Burkie 9143-3 ... absolutely love it!
On the flip side...do check out the Meiser rods. I'm ordering a 16' 7/8/9.
Great advice with the 8139 Burkie & 8136 Meiser. Can you possiby go wrong with either?
Big TJ has a great point as well with the Sage 7141. My buddy fishes that rod & can cast the old style 7/8 Xlt to the backing knot.:eek:

[Jason Hartwick]

I've got the burkie 8139 and it is by far my favorite rod. It handles long belly lines without a problem and is a canon for throwing tips. Out of th efive spey rods i own, i probably fish this rod the most. You cant go wrong with a Burkheimer or a Meiser.

Jason Hartwick

[Brian Scott]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I appreciate the insight. Since they haven't been mentioned yet since my original post, how about the Sage 9141, 9140 or their new z-axis speys? I've cast the Sage 8136 and 8150 and they felt a little noodley to me, but I guess I'm just used to my 8126. How about the Burkie 8141? Also, what's the difference between the Meiser MKS series and his other 4 and 5 piece models in the 13'6" to 14' 8/9wt range?

Also, where can a guy try out a Burkie or a Meiser within the Seattle area?

Thanks again for your comments!

[John Hicks]

Brian,

I have the 9141 and love it. I throw a windcutter 9/10/11 with tips on it and they work great. Very smooth. I have not cast the Burk or Meis rods so cannot comment on them. Also P.M. Steve Buckner about using skagit heads on the 9141. He has been playing around with them on his this winter.

[Joe Smolt]

I think we need a sticky post with a message - Its best to try the rods before you buy and testimonials from those that believe its true.

General questions about which rod to buy come up all the time and I just cringe. Folks told me to try them out before you buy, it matters. I am glad they did because regardless of the price of the rod, some work for you and some don't. From what I saw people's preferences vary more with two-handers. We have a great resource in WA with Aaron's Saturday on the River. I bet one could also ask on this board, who has a "fill in the blank" and is willing to meet with me to test cast. I'll bring coffee, donuts, beer...

As a matter of full disclosure, I settled on a Sage 7141 and love the rod for winter steelheading. When I began to shop and test for a smaller lighter rod, I did not prefer the Sage. Maybe there is a danger to assume you like a manufacturer at one wt line, you will like them at another wt.

As you can tell. I am a firm believer in try, try again before your buy.

Joe

[Dan Page]

Brian
Absolutely go try some rods before you buy. Aaron's is a good place to do it. A quality spey rod is a serious investment for most of us. Make sure you get something you know you will like.
My vote is the Mieser MKS 13'6"-8/9 I love mine but only use Skagit lines on it. The 7/8 would be my choice for lighter lines.

[Jason Hartwick]

I agree as well. Go try the rods you are thinking about before you buy one. Every rod can feel a little different to each person based on their casting stroke.

Jason Hartwick

[Brent Comer]

I have a Meiser MKS. I really enjoy fishing with it. However, you can't go wrong if you try each of the rods you're interested in before you buy one. If you can, spend more time with each rod than just one day trying 'em out.

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/mks_03.jpg

[Rookiespey]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I appreciate the insight. Since they haven't been mentioned yet since my original post, how about the Sage 9141, 9140 or their new z-axis speys? I've cast the Sage 8136 and 8150 and they felt a little noodley to me, but I guess I'm just used to my 8126. How about the Burkie 8141? Also, what's the difference between the Meiser MKS series and his other 4 and 5 piece models in the 13'6" to 14' 8/9wt range?

Also, where can a guy try out a Burkie or a Meiser within the Seattle area?

Thanks again for your comments!

Brian
Give Bob Meiser a shout. He has demo rods you can try. He'll even ship the demo if you pay for shipping.

Beautiful rods. You can see the handle work in Brent's previous post as well as the feather inlay in my avtar.
Cheers

[Will Atlas]

cant speak on the burkie or meiser, but I recently got a sage 8139-4 which is absolutely stellar. They also make a 9144 which is an absolute thunderstick and they're a little less than the meiser or burkheimer.

[bigtj]

Brian,

The 9140 would be OK with and 8/9/10 but my personal preference is that the 9141 is a bit heavy for winter steelhead unless you really need to throw ultra-huge bugs, I just like a lighter stick for fighting fish. The advice to cast the rods is a good one. Pesonally I like an 8 wt better than a 9 so try some of those rods out if you can.

I was thinking last night about how bummed I was they discontinued the 7141 but I realize now it's just a marketing ploy by Sage, next year they'll have so many people screaming for it that they'll include it as a "new" rod and it will sell like hot-cakes....I'm telling myself this to make myself feel better.

[fredaevans]

"Maybe there is a danger to assume you like a manufacturer at one wt line, you will like them at another wt."

Joe, you've nailed it with that "one liner." I have several rods by different designers/builders that are 'one off's.' In a particular 'line weight' 'THAT rod' is the cat's meow.' Other rods/line weights ... ho-hum.

[TallFlyGuy]

Brent Comer,

What size cork and Handgrip did you order when you ordered your MKS?

I specifically ordered cork grip for large hands and the Cork on my MKS is Tiny. Yours looks larger.

Just Curious.


Tall

[Brent Comer]

Tall,

Bob did ask for some of my hand dimensions when he built the rod. I think the cork is a bit taller on the top grip than some of the other MKSs I've cast, but it's not much thicker. The angle of the rod in the picture may make it appear thicker.

Brent Comer,
What size cork and Handgrip did you order when you ordered your MKS?
I ordered specifically ordered cork grip for large hands and the Cork on my MKS is Tiny. Yours looks larger.
Just Curious.
Tall

[Reeltrout]

You can also try out the Meisers on Sunday at the Ben Howard take out on the Sky. Mike Kinney is there every Sunday from 9 until noon. You can fish with the Zen Master himself, aka MKS, (get it???) . He has corrected alot of bad habits for many spey guys around Puget Sound.