As another year has flown by, it's time once again for my annual "State of The Rod Shop Address" to you all. It really is amazing how quickly this year passed for me. I've been making rods full time for over fifteen years now & each year seems to go by faster than the one before. I'm pleased to report that the state of the rod shop is better then it's ever been!!
It was a very busy year in the rod shop. It began with a lot of leather work, making some of the best leather accessories I've ever produced. I was able to introduce a couple styles of leather reel cases that I've been wanting to make for years. Both clamshell & D-block style cases are now among my offerings.
It was a very busy year in the rod shop. It began with a lot of leather work, making some of the best leather accessories I've ever produced. I was able to introduce a couple styles of leather reel cases that I've been wanting to make for years. Both clamshell & D-block style cases are now among my offerings.
These were a bit of a challenge to figure out, as I make them with mitered corners, which leave no visible seams in the case. In leather working, it is the top of the craft to produce a leather box or case with mitered corners. There's only two people in the market that make reel cases this way - & I'm one of them. I'm very proud of these reel cases!
In addition to adding these reel cases, I also redesigned the leather fly wallets I offer. Through the years of making my old style fly wallets, I had different ideas on how to make them better, to bring them up in quality. Well, I believe I've done just that. Now they're made from vegetable tanned leather, they have 100% wool felt pages that have their borders cut with a pinking cut, & they are lined on the inside with a black suede leather. Talk about an upgrade!!
I was also honored to make some really nice custom fly rods this year. Here are just a few of them:
This was the year I finally jumped into the 21st century (well, sort of) by getting onto instagram. I must say that I was surprised - no, shocked - at what I've seen going on there. I am blown away at all the talented folks out there - so many people sharing their passions & work & stories there. It amazes me just how much talent is around in the world. The internet continues to amaze me. The instagram experience has reminded me just how much this sport of fly fishing brings so many different people together from all over the world.
I say this almost every year in this address, but I sincerely mean it: the greatest part of being a rod maker is all the nice people I get to meet & work with. I've been so blessed by rod making that it blows my mind! I have friends & clients from all over the world, people of all different backgrounds, even some famous names you might recognize, & all of them are like you & me - they love fly fishing. I'm so honored to know & work with such awesome people from all walks of life.
I say this almost every year in this address, but I sincerely mean it: the greatest part of being a rod maker is all the nice people I get to meet & work with. I've been so blessed by rod making that it blows my mind! I have friends & clients from all over the world, people of all different backgrounds, even some famous names you might recognize, & all of them are like you & me - they love fly fishing. I'm so honored to know & work with such awesome people from all walks of life.
I was having a conversation with a friend earlier this year & the discussion of money came up - what would you do if you won the lottery or suddenly came into a fortune. We've all had these thoughts. I didn't hesitate on my answer, which was that I would be doing exactly what I'm doing now. Sure, I'd love to be able to afford a brand new truck, have a nicer home & bigger work shop, be able to buy the fancy bread at the grocery store - but even if I had more money than I could spend I'd still be making fly rods. I would because I love it. It's my passion. I get up every morning & can't wait to get to work. I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I'm pretty certain you can't buy that. I am so blessed to do what I do every day & to work with all of you. Thank you all so very much!!!
To that end, I'm excited to start the New Year. I have a new leather accessory in the design phase now that I hope to introduce before the spring fishing season comes around. I have some other very cool fly rods planned out to make & I'm currently working on a bunch of rods for folks who have ordered them. I plan to hit the new year running. I'm looking forward to working with you folks, making new friends, & continuing to produce the best work I possibly can in 2020.
Happy New Year to you all,
may it be your best one yet!!!
may it be your best one yet!!!
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