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Valued Customer Input

12/24/2011

Remember when I talked about selecting your builder? I mentioned having a rough idea of what you would like. Ring a bell? Here is an example of what I was talking about. The customer commissioned a Steffen Brothers 7 weight fiberglass rod. He knew he wanted a Reverse Half-wells handle necked down to flow into a down locking Nickel Silver seat. I made the handle 7” long to accommodate the heavier rod, machined the insert out of Maple Burl and machined a Nickel Silver winding check to look like the older traditional stamped checks. The rod will be complete shortly, but I wanted you to see how a customer's input effects a build. I believe he hit the nail on the head with his outline.

I and many custom builders greatly value customer input on any custom build. Just give the rod outline a little thought and you and your builder can come up with exactly what you really want.

Until next time my friends,
Pete

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In-house Wedding Band Reel Seats

12/20/2011

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Within the last year I have started machining my own wedding band reel seat hardware, along with turning all the reel seat inserts. I use both Nickel Silver and Aluminum. The weight difference between the Nickel Silver and Aluminum is quite noticeable. If you are concerned about weight on a smaller rod, you might think about using an Aluminum seat. As with any metal, Aluminum can oxidize over time. The oxidization can be avoided by properly caring for your rod. When you are done fishing for the day, wipe the entire rod down before you store it. Then again, patina can give the rod a bit of personal character...... as in: "I bought this rod to use and by golly I'm using it."

Eventually the plan is to become a Rodsmith and make the majority of the components in-house. Along with the reel seats, the hope is to include machining the Nickel Silver ferrules for the Bamboo rods and making my own snake guides. The guides will have the old school look and will not be chrome plated.

Below are a couple of the seats and inserts that have come out of the shop. The top seat is Aluminum with a Sycamore insert. The bottom seat is Nickel Silver with a stablized Maple Burl insert.

Until next time my friends, Merry Christmas
Pete

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You and a Custom Rod Builder

12/14/2011

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What should you look for in a custom rod builder? First off check out web sites and there are plenty out there to choose from. Find a builder with a style that fits your needs. Once you find a builder that interest you, interview them. Questions, questions, questions, get all your questions answered. You are hiring a builder for your custom rod build. Get enough information to make an informed decision. Ask for references. Former customers are a great source of information.

There are some preliminary things you can do to help in the selection of your builder. Have a rough outline of what you want in your custom rod. Things like: Budget? What kind of fishing do you plan on using the rod for? How about weight, length, number of sections, and rod action? What types of options do you want? Agate strippers, feather inlays, custom handle, reel seat insert, yada, yada, yada..... Having a rough outline can really assist the builder in knowing where to start. Don't worry if you don't have things nailed down. A good builder will ask the right questions to finalize the build before they start.

Questions to ask your prospective builder:
* Cost? Does the quote include everything? Shipping, taxes, insurance?
* Delivery date? If they have a waiting list where would you fall and what is the estimated delivery date.
* Is there an inspection period after delivery? A few days to inspect the workmanship and lawn cast the rod. And no, it isn't a period for you to take the rod on a fishing trip.
* Do you have the ability to perform the extras that I want? For example, if you want a custom handle, can they do it?

Things you should expect:
* To be heard. You are paying good money to have your dream rod built. The builder should listen to what you want and do their level best to provide it.
* Communication. If you ask for a status update, your builder should provide status as often as you request it.
* A deposit required to start the build. This deposit can differ between builders. Example: I require a deposit to cover the cost of the components and in the case of a bamboo build, the bamboo. That deposit is refundable until I order the components or split the bamboo. But, that is just my way of handling deposits.
* Pay for changes. If you start changing things after the build details are finalized expect to pay. Example: If you want a custom handle made one way and then change the design, it will probably cost you extra.

From the builder's side: Builders put more time and effort into preliminary build details than most customers realize. If you decide not to have them build a rod for you, please communicate that to them. I understand my style doesn't suit everybody's needs and I don't take it personally, but I would like to hear back even if the answer is no.

Until next time my friends,

Pete

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Build Style

12/7/2011

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I was sitting in my rod building studio last night.   Not really doing anything, just sitting there thinking about rods I have built and would like to build.   A couple of questions came to mind. First: Do I really have a style? And second: Why do I stick to "my style"?

Do I have a style? I think I do have a style. I prefer to build rods that have a classic/ traditional look to them, especially Bamboo and Fiberglass rods. Personal preference: the components of a rod should compliment each other. The wood insert in the seat should flow with the wrap color. The Agate stripping guide, if used, should flow with the wraps and seat. Never felt the need to go with the latest trends, in rod building. Trends come and go, but the classic/ traditional looks will stand the test of time.

Why do I stick to my style? Short answer: Because it's who I am as a builder and fly fisherman.   Fly fishing has been referred to as "The Quiet Sport".   I fly fish because it gives me the opportunity to just drop everything and decompress from any stress.   When you are fishing your favorite water, ever notice how the colors of everything flow together?   The rocks, water, trees, and even the fish are all in sync.   That is how I want to fish, in sync with my surroundings. My builds need the same elements. They need to be in sync with each other. Like nature, the rod should flow. Nothing against a loud, bright, NASCAR or Bass Pro circuit colored rod.   I just don't build them.   It isn't my style.   And to be the best builder I can be, I need to stay true to what works for me.

My style doesn't fit yours? No problem. builders talk to each other. I know several fantastic builders, all with different styles. I can refer them to you with 100% confidence they will deliver a top quality rod. It isn't about me getting all the business I can. It's about ensuring your custom rod experience is the best it can be, no matter who builds your rod.

What's all this talk about flow, in sync, compliment?   Pete, you some sort of hippie? Nope, check out the pictures on the site.   Hopefully you will see what I am talking about when I say flow.   The rods in the pictures should flow together just like the natural surroundings in the fishing shots. Look at your own fishing pictures and I bet you will see the same thing. ........nature flows.

Until next time my friends,
Pete

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Valued Customer Input

In-house Wedding Band Reel Seats

You and a Custom Rod Builder

Build Style

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