Where is the average custom rod builder? I’m talking less about geography and more along the lines of where you’d be most likely to run into the bulk of those who practice this craft.  Where does the mainstream craft reside? Because I deal with two vastly different mediums, the internet (www.rodbuilding.org) and the print industry…

Continued from yesterday… As Tom Greek was telling me that he was dropping his collective advertising service for his organization members, I countered with an idea for doing the same thing in a manner that wouldn’t require as much of his time. Something that would be almost self supporting and require far less of his…

In November of 1998, I received a call from Bob McKamey at Custom Tackle Supply in Tennessee. Bob said that he had a friend there that wished to speak with me if I had a spare moment. So we spoke. The man’s name was Tom Greek and he said he had a business proposition to discuss…

Some stories can only be told after the subject is no longer with us. Shortly after commissioning Gene Bullard to write for RodMaker Magazine in 2005, an episode began in which one of the very earliest rods which Gene had built in the mid-1960’s began a voyage which resulted in both a sad and a…

The year 2010 and Volume 13 is now complete. The best year in RodMaker’s history with not only more readers than at any time in our history, but the biggest and best issues we’ve ever produced! RodMaker Magazine remains the premier publication for custom rod builders. RodMaker also remains the least expensive publication for custom…

Shortly after I launched RodMaker Magazine, I got a call from a former magazine editor/publisher who wished to offer me a great deal of advice.  After listening patiently for about 30 minutes, I asked him how his publishing ventures had faired. He quickly admitted that all 4 of the magazines he had been responsible for…

I took the morning off to attend the Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Show with Rodney Powell and Sammy Mickel.  Nice event. Several well known custom rod builders were in attendance. Scott Parsons from RodDancer/Fishsticks was on hand… but not to display his rod building products, Instead, he was demonstrating a new live bait tank…

One of the many features found at the Rodbuilding.org website, is the complete Rod Building Glossary. For many rod builders, particularly beginners, this online glossary helps them gain much greater insight into unique rod building terminology. What is the rod building definition of Action? Power? Speed? Who patented the Spiral Wrap? Who invented the 3D…

Most rod builders recognize the International Custom Rod Building Exposition as the world’s largest custom rod building event. What many don’t know, is where it got its start. While attending Barry Serviente’s 2003 Fly Fishing Show in Charlotte, NC, I approached him about the unused space in the Charlotte Convention Center. Turns out he was paying for…