2017 was the busiest year the rod shop has seen in a long time. It was a banner year with the introduction of my hand stitched leather accessories. It was a dream fulfilled to be able to make & offer these items. It took a lot of long hours & a lot of sweat to be able to add these great accessories to the catalog, but it finally was accomplished this year. From reel cases to fishing bags & now leather covered rod tubes, I’m now able to offer you some of the finest leather fishing accessories you can find. I’m also (to the best of my knowledge) the only craftsman working today that can make you a matching set of leather accessories & a rod that matches as well, all from the same leather & all made under the same roof from start to finish. I want to thank each of you who bought one of these items, as well as Fred Balling of the Perfection Reel Company.
I again enlisted the help of master engraver Glenda O’Donnell with her skills on this wonderful cactus engraving. How does she do it???
The fishing season started slow for me this year, but I made up for a sorry spring with a good summer & a fantastic autumn of fly fishing. There were some very memorable fish, too the memories of which will stay with me a long time. I had a blast on the streams & I’m really looking forward to next year’s season & hatches.
2018 is shaping up to be as busy as last year was. I’m really looking forward to the work, too. I absolutely love what I do. Every day I’m happy to go to “work” on the rods & accessories you folks want. To me it’s both an honor & a blessing to do this & I consider myself extremely lucky to be able to do it. It’s because of you folks that I’m here, making rods & accessories. Thank you all so very much!!
Last year was pretty good, so let’s all keep it going. Good Lord willing, we’ll meet back here again after a fantastic 2018, too!!! I hope for each of you that the new year is your best one yet!!