Following are the companies that have purchased booth space for the 2013 International Custom Rod Building Exposition. Expect to see about a dozen additional exhibitors on board prior to Thanksgiving.

 

Seminar Presentations are being decided upon now and I’ll add those here in about two weeks.

 

 

As of November 1, 2012

 

AFTCO Mfg.

 

Angler’s Envy

 

American Tackle

 

Angler’s Resource (Fuji)

 

Angler’s Roost

 

Axii Rods

 

Batson Enterprises/Rainshadow/Alps

 

Bingham Enterprises

 

C. Boyd Pfeiffer

 

Craftsman Concepts

 

Cork 4US

 

DBlue Fishing

 

Decal Connection

 

Fishhawk

 

FishSticks

 

Get Bit Outdoors

 

Hydra Fishing, LLC

 

Klingspors Woodworking Shop

 

Klondike Rod Company

 

Lamiglas, Inc.

 

Mickel’s Custom Rods

 

Mudhole Custom Tackle

 

Pacific Bay, Int.

 

RodDancer

 

RodMaker Magazine

 

Schlesinger Wood Turning

 

Seeker Rod Company

 

St. Croix Rod Company

 

Sticks ‘N Bones

 

Swampland Tackle

 

Talon Graphite

 

Trondak U-40

 

United Composites

 

Wind Rods

 

The Volume 15 #5 issue is in the mail as of October 1st. Most subscribers will see it around the end of this month. Enjoy!

 

The long awaited electronic versions of the more recent RodMaker Volumes is underway! This one will include 6-years worth of issues, from Volume 10 thru Volume 15 (yes, that’s 6-years, not 5. Count ‘em on your fingers if you can’t make it work in your head.)

 

The set will include a total of 36 issues, which sell for close to $300 if you purchased them in the hard copy version. The CD containing the electronic PDF versions is expected to sell for less than $100, including shipping.

 

Each included issue will be an exact replica of what appeared in the hard copy versions and suitable for viewing on any computer or device that will display PDF files.

 

Because files intended for print and for electronic use will tend to render slightly differently, I’m having to go through, page by page, and tweak and modify certain settings. Obviously, this takes a lot of time – I’ve got almost 1500 pages to work on before I can release the CD.  But it’s going well and barring some unforeseen circumstance, I expect to have the project completed by Thanksgiving 2012. Stay tuned for the official release.

 

Tom Kirkman

 

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A quick update of the Exhibitors and Vendors who have bought booth space for the upcoming 2013 International Custom Rod Building Exposition:

 

As of October 1st , 2012

AFTCO Mfg.

Angler’s Envy

American Tackle

Angler’s Resource (Fuji)

Angler’s Roost

Axii Rods

Batson Enterprises/Rainshadow/Alps

Bingham Enterprises

Craftsman Concepts

Cork 4US

DBlue Fishing

Decal Connection

Fishhawk

FishSticks

Get Bit Outdoors

Hydra Fishing, LLC

Klingspors Woodworking Shop

Klondike Rod Company

Lamiglas, Inc.

Mudhole Custom Tackle

Pacific Bay, Int.

RodDancer

RodMaker Magazine

Schlesinger Wood Turning

St. Croix Rod Company

Sticks ‘N Bones

Swampland Tackle

Talon Graphite

United Composites

Wind Rods

More TBA (Approximately 50 to 55 companies will be displaying – all related to custom rod building)

A few years ago I was approached by a gentleman who informed me that certain blank manufacturers claimed to be experiencing breakage problems among certain lines of multi-modulus blanks. This is supposedly due to articles appearing in the magazine that advise building on the straightest axis rather than on the “spine.”  Due to the nature of what a fishing rod goes through on the water under actual fishing situations, the idea that a rod must be used on a particular axis at all times in order to prevent breakage is a bit of a stretch. It would, in fact, be impossible. However, it brings up another interesting question – what are these folks selling? Fishing rod blanks or hot dogs?

A hot dog needs no instructions.  Just about anyone that you hand one to can quickly figure out what to do with it. With rod blanks things are a bit different.  If there is, in fact, a particular axis upon which they should be built, why not include that stipulation with the rod blank? Nearly every other product under the sun includes information pertaining to the correct and safe use of the product.  Why not rod blanks?

While no one should expect blank manufacturers to include a full instructional treatise on how to build a rod, it would be a simple matter for any blank maker to use the back of the blank package header card to stipulate upon which axis the blank should be built, or whether or not a ferrule reinforcement wrap is required and if so, how long it should be. A sentence or two on use and safe storage would certainly not be out of line either and would indeed go a long way to educate the rod builder and fishing public about the dangers of things like “high sticking” or “overlining.”

If there are specifics about a blank that are critical to the use of that blank, the manufacturer should assume the responsibility for informing their customer and include any and all required information.  The packaging is already in place, the means is already available and the cost to include such is absolutely infinitesimal. A paragraph or two on the back of the header card is all that’s needed. Unless, of course, you’re selling hot dogs.

 

Tom Kirkman

 

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Because of my position as editor and publisher of the world’s most popular rod building magazine, along with being the owner and organizer of the world’s largest custom rod event, I have to be careful what I say when asked what my preferred blanks and components are. A nod towards one can be seen as an insult to another. And yes, I do get asked. Almost daily, in fact.

 

I built rods professionally for many years and held what I believe were very high standards, not only in my own work, but for the blanks and component parts I used. I did not build to a price point – I built to a performance level and then arrived at the required selling price, whatever that turned out to be.

 

These days I only build rods for myself and have no reason at all to be frugal. I enjoy good equipment and will not use anything that I feel is even marginally deficient in any aspect. I can afford the best and the best is what I buy and use.

 

So what blanks and components do I prefer when I build a rod for myself? I’d like to tell you, but going back to the original statement in this post, I just can’t do it. I will say this – never before in the history of custom rod building have custom builders had such a varied and myriad selection of quality blanks and components available to them. In fact, unless you’re buying from a shady character standing in an alley along a darkened street, you really can’t do too badly with any of the name brand stuff out there today.

 

Tom Kirkman

 

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The Volume 15 #4 issue is in the mail now. Most subscribers should receive it the 3rd or 4th week of August. Enjoy.

A few years back, the RodMaker Special Edition CDs were introduced. The set includes 3 volumes: #1 – Guide Sizing & Placement (all rod types), #2 – Task Specific Rod Building, and #3 – Rod Building Shops, Tools & Equipment. Priced at just $29.95. they have been brisk sellers.

 

Now for a limited time, buy any 2 and get the third one for free. In other words, you can now get the whole set for the price of just 2!

 

But wait! (now this sounds like a good early morning TV ad) With every order I’ll toss in another freebie – the 2011 International Custom Rod Building Exposition Presentation on Custom Rod Building History, Custom Rod Gallery, and Custom Rod Builders. This presentation grade DVD includes over 100 plates and runs roughly 40 minutes in length. It includes some of the most beautiful custom rods you’ll ever see, plus the history of the craft as never compiled before. Plays very well on even large screen televisions.

 

This offer is only available by mail order. Total price, postpaid, is just $59.95. Send check or MO made out to: RodMaker, to RodMaker, PO Box 1322, High Point, NC 27261. Orders postmarked no later than August 10th will be honored. Orders received after that date will be returned. Enjoy!

 

Tom Kirkman

 

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It’s still very early, extremely early in fact, but the International Custom Rod Building Exposition is off to a fast start. Following are the companies that had signed on to exhibit and display at the 2013 event, as of July 12, 2012.

Angler’s Envy

American Tackle

Angler’s Roost

Batson Enterprises/Rainshadow/Alps

Bingham Enterprises

FishHawk

Fishsticks

Mudhole Custom Tackle

MHX Rod Blanks

Renzetti, Inc.

Roddancer

RodMaker Magazine

United Composites, USA

Obviously, this is the tip of the iceberg. The 2013 event will feature over 50 exhibitors (actual rod building related exhibitors) and in 100 booths. Stay tuned over the next few weeks as the bulk of the custom rod building industry signs on for what is destined to be the largest and best custom rod building event in history!

Tom Kirkman

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