1.) Classic Sporting Enterprises. Bailey Wood & the folks at CSE produce some of the finest rod components available on the market today. The quality of their ferrules, winding checks, reel seats, etc are all second to none. These folks know what they're doing. I use their ferrules now exclusively on all my bamboo rods. They have the quality & service that are head & shoulders above anybody else in the rod component business. These folks are true craftsmen, too & can make components to your specifications. You can't ask for more than that. In addition to components they also offer a wide array of tools for the rod maker. If your a fellow rod maker call them up for all your rod making needs.
2.) Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. If you want to learn more about fishing in the keystone state, than this is the place to go. The Commission is the state agency for all fishing & boating in PA. You can buy a fishing license, learn about regulations, read & print maps of streams & lakes, find out when trout are being stocked, etc. This is a very useful website for folks who are planning to visit & fish in the Commonwealth as well as those of us who live here in PA. As a PA angler myself, I'm always checking this site for the latest stocking info & fishing news.
3.) Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. This group, along with all the local TU chapters across PA, are doing good work towards conservation in a state that has, in the past, had considerable loss of cold water habitat due to pollution, mining, industrialization, etc. They are 13,000 members strong made up of 53 TU chapters across the Commonwealth. They work to conserve & enhance the cold water fisheries in PA. They are working especially hard to help our population of native Brook Trout.
4.) The Whitefish Press. This is a publisher of fine books focusing on the subject of the history of fishing & fishing tackle. They offer many great books that you just can't find anywhere else. In particular, I would recommend Forgotten Fly Rods, by Dr. T.A. Larson. This book is filled with information about some of the best rod makers in history you've probably never heard of & it gives a picture of what life was like earlier in America. This & other fascinating titles are available on their website.
5.) JD Wagner, Bamboo Rod Maker. Yup, that's right...I'm a rod maker with a link to another rod maker on my website. That's because I truly admire Jeff & Casimira. They make some of the best casting & truly beautiful fishing rods. Being two of the nicest people in the fly fishing business, they've helped me out many times. They offer a whole lot more than just rods as well. If you are interested in learning how to make a split-bamboo fly rod Jeff & Casimira offer classes a few times a year in a beautiful private fishing club up near Sandusky, Ohio. While I've never attended the class I have no doubt that it would be a great experience for someone wanting to learn how to make rods. I highly recommend taking their class if you want the best possible education in making split-bamboo rods. Click HERE to learn more about their classes. Check them out for all kinds of other things as well such as high end fly reels, silk fly line, rod building tools, etc. Many of my tools & supplies have come from them & they are experts in what they sell. They are two honest, kind, & hard working people that I am proud to list here on my website.
6.) Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. Here is an organization I am very proud to be associated with from early on. Founded by Capt. Ed Nicholson, PHW serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and fly tying and by using and enjoying these skills on fishing outings and as lifelong recreation. Initially PHW started in the Washington D.C. area, but has since spread out to active military personnel & veterans in Dept of Defense & Dept of Veterans Affairs hospitals nation wide. I cannot say enough about the good work this organization does. PHW, in my opinion, is the perfect example of what positive things can be done through the sport of fly fishing. They have my support 100%. You won't find a better group of people to work with than the folks at PHW and it has been a joy to watch this organization continue to grow. Please go to their website & do whatever you can to support this fine organization.
7.) The Contented Angler. Joe & Amy Gablick, proprietors of "The Contented Angler, a Genuine Fly Shop" have a lot to offer any fly angler of any level. These folks are a great example of the small, independent fly shops that I urge you to support whenever you can. More than just a retail website, here you'll find so much information, entertainment, & food for thought that you'll keep coming back to their site. More than just a fly shop, The Contented Angler is a community & a meeting place where fly anglers come to learn from one another & meet new friends. To say Joe is a good fly tier is a gross understatement. If you want to learn more about fly tying, he's your man. The Contented Angler is both a website, community, & fly shop I encourage you to visit.
8.) Glenda O'Donnell, Custom Art Engraver & Carver. By far, Glenda is one of the most talented people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. She is, without a doubt, the BEST engraver & carver I've ever seen. Her work is on a level all it's own - seriously. No matter how complicated a project I bring her, she's always willing to help me out & does a fantastic job. You see, when a rod client requests an intricate, highly detailed engraving on their fly rod that is beyond my abilities, Glenda is the person I go to for help. Gun stocks, watches, commemorative plaques, etc, if you've got something you need custom engraved or carved Glenda O'Donnell is the best in the business.
9.) O'Donnell's Sports Supplies. If you're going to be in the Western PA or Eastern Ohio area, then stop by & check out this store. They have all your hunting & fishing needs in stock, all at great prices. The folks there are very friendly, helpful, & can answer all your questions about fishing or hunting in the area. Located in close proximity to Lake Arthur & McConnell's Mill State Park, they're right in the heart of some of the best fishing & hunting in the region. Visit them online, or stop in next time you're in the area. This is exactly the kind of independent outdoor shop I encourage you to do business with.
10.) Tenkara Fly Shop. Tankara, the ancient method of fly fishing in Japan, is catching on in a big way here in North America. Anglers here are really getting into it & enjoying the focus & simplicity that this method of fishing employs. No matter if you're experience or brand new to Tenkara, The Tenkara Fly Shop is the place to visit on the web to pick up your supplies & learn about this style of fly fishing. Have a specific question about it? Contact The Tenkara Fly Shop & Jim will be more than happy to help you out. He's extremely knowledgeable friendly, & he stands behind everything he offers there. You can't ask for better than that. See the hand tied flies, beautiful hand-made fly boxes, or just enjoy some good reading when you visit The Tenkara Fly Shop.
11.) Steffen Brothers Fly Rods. This family run business makes, in my opinion, the best casting fiberglass fly blank available on the market today. Mark Steffen is an experienced, skilled craftsman who knows what he's doing & is a pleasure to work with. For custom fiberglass rod orders I always encourage my clients to have me make their rod on a Steffen Brothers blank. These are not mass produced blanks & often we have to wait on them, but I assure you they are very much worth the wait!! If you want your rod made on the best glass blank possible, have it made on a Steffen Brothers blank.
12.) Lew Wilson, Artist. For over 30 years, professional artist Lew Wilson has been documenting the rivers of America in an attempt to bring attention to their importance & to raise concerns for those waterways - that we keep them clean & as Nature intended them to be. This work has taken Lew all across the country & through the years he has established quite a large body of work. Now he is attempting to establish a physical gallery for his work, so that future generations may also hear & see Lew's message to keep our rivers pure. His art is beautiful & thoughtful. Any angler - or lover of nature - would enjoy having a print of Lew's work. You can help Lew carry on his message by purchasing prints of his work HERE. A great gift for a fellow angler or for anyone who appreciates nature's beauty while helping to keep Lew's message of the importance of clean rivers going long into the future. As Lew says, "rivers have a message." That message is worth listening to.
13.) HD Laser Engraving. This is a great company to work with operated by Kodey Young. She is very skilled in her art & can engrave - with fantastic precision - just about anything you want on just about any material. Metal, wood, glass, etc she has the ability to do everything from engrave a company logo, a personalized image, or anything else you might want onto many different items - including the metal hardware on a fly rod. If that wasn't enough she can also do custom embroidery work as well. Kodey is extremely professional, honest, & will work hard to make sure your items come out exactly how you want them.
14.) Resource For Knots & Hooks: Here is a great reference source for all kinds of knots, hooks, etc that are used in fishing. Every angler should know their knots & this reference lists all the common (& some uncommon) specialty knots we use in fishing. It's extremely useful & valuable info all in one convenient place. (Special thanks to Boy Scout Sean & Assistant Troop Leader Matt for sharing this resource with me.)
15.) Basics of Fly Fishing: Looking for a good place to point someone who is brand new to fly fishing & wants to learn more? Here is an excellent resource for them. While this article is a very good one, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of it for a whole list of online resources & articles that cover a variety of fly fishing topics. There's lots to learn when starting out & this is a very good place to begin. (Special thanks to Dylan from Ms. Ackford's group for sharing this with me).
2.) Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. If you want to learn more about fishing in the keystone state, than this is the place to go. The Commission is the state agency for all fishing & boating in PA. You can buy a fishing license, learn about regulations, read & print maps of streams & lakes, find out when trout are being stocked, etc. This is a very useful website for folks who are planning to visit & fish in the Commonwealth as well as those of us who live here in PA. As a PA angler myself, I'm always checking this site for the latest stocking info & fishing news.
3.) Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. This group, along with all the local TU chapters across PA, are doing good work towards conservation in a state that has, in the past, had considerable loss of cold water habitat due to pollution, mining, industrialization, etc. They are 13,000 members strong made up of 53 TU chapters across the Commonwealth. They work to conserve & enhance the cold water fisheries in PA. They are working especially hard to help our population of native Brook Trout.
4.) The Whitefish Press. This is a publisher of fine books focusing on the subject of the history of fishing & fishing tackle. They offer many great books that you just can't find anywhere else. In particular, I would recommend Forgotten Fly Rods, by Dr. T.A. Larson. This book is filled with information about some of the best rod makers in history you've probably never heard of & it gives a picture of what life was like earlier in America. This & other fascinating titles are available on their website.
5.) JD Wagner, Bamboo Rod Maker. Yup, that's right...I'm a rod maker with a link to another rod maker on my website. That's because I truly admire Jeff & Casimira. They make some of the best casting & truly beautiful fishing rods. Being two of the nicest people in the fly fishing business, they've helped me out many times. They offer a whole lot more than just rods as well. If you are interested in learning how to make a split-bamboo fly rod Jeff & Casimira offer classes a few times a year in a beautiful private fishing club up near Sandusky, Ohio. While I've never attended the class I have no doubt that it would be a great experience for someone wanting to learn how to make rods. I highly recommend taking their class if you want the best possible education in making split-bamboo rods. Click HERE to learn more about their classes. Check them out for all kinds of other things as well such as high end fly reels, silk fly line, rod building tools, etc. Many of my tools & supplies have come from them & they are experts in what they sell. They are two honest, kind, & hard working people that I am proud to list here on my website.
6.) Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. Here is an organization I am very proud to be associated with from early on. Founded by Capt. Ed Nicholson, PHW serves military personnel who have been wounded, injured, or disabled to aid their physical and emotional recovery by introducing or rebuilding the skills of fly fishing and fly tying and by using and enjoying these skills on fishing outings and as lifelong recreation. Initially PHW started in the Washington D.C. area, but has since spread out to active military personnel & veterans in Dept of Defense & Dept of Veterans Affairs hospitals nation wide. I cannot say enough about the good work this organization does. PHW, in my opinion, is the perfect example of what positive things can be done through the sport of fly fishing. They have my support 100%. You won't find a better group of people to work with than the folks at PHW and it has been a joy to watch this organization continue to grow. Please go to their website & do whatever you can to support this fine organization.
7.) The Contented Angler. Joe & Amy Gablick, proprietors of "The Contented Angler, a Genuine Fly Shop" have a lot to offer any fly angler of any level. These folks are a great example of the small, independent fly shops that I urge you to support whenever you can. More than just a retail website, here you'll find so much information, entertainment, & food for thought that you'll keep coming back to their site. More than just a fly shop, The Contented Angler is a community & a meeting place where fly anglers come to learn from one another & meet new friends. To say Joe is a good fly tier is a gross understatement. If you want to learn more about fly tying, he's your man. The Contented Angler is both a website, community, & fly shop I encourage you to visit.
8.) Glenda O'Donnell, Custom Art Engraver & Carver. By far, Glenda is one of the most talented people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. She is, without a doubt, the BEST engraver & carver I've ever seen. Her work is on a level all it's own - seriously. No matter how complicated a project I bring her, she's always willing to help me out & does a fantastic job. You see, when a rod client requests an intricate, highly detailed engraving on their fly rod that is beyond my abilities, Glenda is the person I go to for help. Gun stocks, watches, commemorative plaques, etc, if you've got something you need custom engraved or carved Glenda O'Donnell is the best in the business.
9.) O'Donnell's Sports Supplies. If you're going to be in the Western PA or Eastern Ohio area, then stop by & check out this store. They have all your hunting & fishing needs in stock, all at great prices. The folks there are very friendly, helpful, & can answer all your questions about fishing or hunting in the area. Located in close proximity to Lake Arthur & McConnell's Mill State Park, they're right in the heart of some of the best fishing & hunting in the region. Visit them online, or stop in next time you're in the area. This is exactly the kind of independent outdoor shop I encourage you to do business with.
10.) Tenkara Fly Shop. Tankara, the ancient method of fly fishing in Japan, is catching on in a big way here in North America. Anglers here are really getting into it & enjoying the focus & simplicity that this method of fishing employs. No matter if you're experience or brand new to Tenkara, The Tenkara Fly Shop is the place to visit on the web to pick up your supplies & learn about this style of fly fishing. Have a specific question about it? Contact The Tenkara Fly Shop & Jim will be more than happy to help you out. He's extremely knowledgeable friendly, & he stands behind everything he offers there. You can't ask for better than that. See the hand tied flies, beautiful hand-made fly boxes, or just enjoy some good reading when you visit The Tenkara Fly Shop.
11.) Steffen Brothers Fly Rods. This family run business makes, in my opinion, the best casting fiberglass fly blank available on the market today. Mark Steffen is an experienced, skilled craftsman who knows what he's doing & is a pleasure to work with. For custom fiberglass rod orders I always encourage my clients to have me make their rod on a Steffen Brothers blank. These are not mass produced blanks & often we have to wait on them, but I assure you they are very much worth the wait!! If you want your rod made on the best glass blank possible, have it made on a Steffen Brothers blank.
12.) Lew Wilson, Artist. For over 30 years, professional artist Lew Wilson has been documenting the rivers of America in an attempt to bring attention to their importance & to raise concerns for those waterways - that we keep them clean & as Nature intended them to be. This work has taken Lew all across the country & through the years he has established quite a large body of work. Now he is attempting to establish a physical gallery for his work, so that future generations may also hear & see Lew's message to keep our rivers pure. His art is beautiful & thoughtful. Any angler - or lover of nature - would enjoy having a print of Lew's work. You can help Lew carry on his message by purchasing prints of his work HERE. A great gift for a fellow angler or for anyone who appreciates nature's beauty while helping to keep Lew's message of the importance of clean rivers going long into the future. As Lew says, "rivers have a message." That message is worth listening to.
13.) HD Laser Engraving. This is a great company to work with operated by Kodey Young. She is very skilled in her art & can engrave - with fantastic precision - just about anything you want on just about any material. Metal, wood, glass, etc she has the ability to do everything from engrave a company logo, a personalized image, or anything else you might want onto many different items - including the metal hardware on a fly rod. If that wasn't enough she can also do custom embroidery work as well. Kodey is extremely professional, honest, & will work hard to make sure your items come out exactly how you want them.
14.) Resource For Knots & Hooks: Here is a great reference source for all kinds of knots, hooks, etc that are used in fishing. Every angler should know their knots & this reference lists all the common (& some uncommon) specialty knots we use in fishing. It's extremely useful & valuable info all in one convenient place. (Special thanks to Boy Scout Sean & Assistant Troop Leader Matt for sharing this resource with me.)
15.) Basics of Fly Fishing: Looking for a good place to point someone who is brand new to fly fishing & wants to learn more? Here is an excellent resource for them. While this article is a very good one, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of it for a whole list of online resources & articles that cover a variety of fly fishing topics. There's lots to learn when starting out & this is a very good place to begin. (Special thanks to Dylan from Ms. Ackford's group for sharing this with me).
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