February 2011

Over the years I’ve gotten many requests for Expo booths from folks who aren’t really associated with the custom rod building craft. While booth sale money is always nice, I’ve always preferred to keep the Expo an exclusive rod building event. So, aside from the kayak manufacturer (who provides us with a fishing related grand…

There is a common misconception that when you post something on an internet rod building forum you’re reaching the bulk of the custom rod building craft. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, you’re barely covering the tip of the iceberg where the mainstream custom rod building craft is concerned. I’m…

Each year, RodMaker Magazine hosts an informal reception for its subscribers. This event is held in conjunction with the International Custom Rod Building Exposition. This year’s reception will be held on Friday, February 25th, the evening before the Expo kicks off. This year, the reception will be held at the Centennial Station, a restored freight…

A rod builder who is well educated on the history of the craft, is a better rod builder. There are only advantages to knowing about the materials, products and techniques that have custom rod building to where it is today.  For this reason, RodMaker has always carried some amount of historical rod building information. Generally,…

Five years ago a fishing buddy and I bought identical pairs of Bite Primal Flats Wading Boots. They proved to be exceptional. So much so, that when they recently began showing their age after much frequent and hard use, my buddy began looking for another pair. He found they were no longer in business and…

This morning I completed the arrangements for the 2011 RodMaker Magazine Reception. This event has become a much anticipated evening for magazine subscribers and their guests. The first reception was held inside the Charlotte Convention Center in 2004 during the National Rod Builders’ Show. By the 3rd year in that location, we were close to…

I was told it would take four years. As it turns out, it only took two and a half. When I created and published the International Symbol for Custom Rod Building, it was automatically copyrighted under the Berne Convention of which the United States is a participating member. Copyright is automatic under the Berne Convention,…

The biggest problem facing the rod building industry today is duplication and over-saturation of product. There simply aren’t enough rod builders out there to buy all the product currently being manufactured and offered, and thus not enough business exists to profitably support every rod building manufacturer and dealer out there. Of course, a handful of…

I was asked today why the Expo stands as the most successful custom rod building event of all time. I gave the reason in an instant – I would have thought it was obvious. Granted, success is usually multifaceted and this holds true with the Expo as well. The geographic location certainly plays a big…