To all our our Valued Cutomers,
The purpose of this letter is to inform everyone of a switch in vendors we are making at Batson Enterprises. For the last 18 months, Cascade Composites LLC has been producing the Rainshadow Rod Blank line. The Batson Family owns a percentage of Cascade Composites LLC and had Sole distribution of all products made at that facility. The Cascade Composite factory was built for this purpose ( Rainshadow Blank Factory). It was a vision of ours to be able to produce quality products at reasonable prices in the USA. Decisions rendered by the primary investors in Cascade Composites has made it necessary for Batson Enterprises to source rod blanks elsewhere. This will not affect the viability of Batson Enterprises.
The current Rainshadow line will become obsolete and will be available on a first come first serve basis. We have a very large amount of inventory to carry us through. All warranties will stay the same. If we can warranty your current model we will, if we can't we will replace it with a like model of equal value. This sort of thing happens in this industry.
As for the future of Batson Enterprises we have already established a new domestic supplier and will introduce an entire new line of high -end Rainshadow rod blanks( Made in USA). These new Rainshadow blanks will be the best we have ever offered. This new line of Rainshadow blanks will become avaiable Jan 1st . 2005.
Most current models of Rainshadow blanks that we offer now will be integrated into a new line of high modulas Forecast import rod blanks. ( We will come up with a name for them to differenciate them from our current Forecast models ) . This new series of higher modulas Forecast rod blanks will be featured and introduced in our new color blank catalog due to come out Jan 1st. 2005. Our current line of standard graphite and E-glass Forecast rod blanks remains unchanged.
We want to assure our customer base that this strategic shift in vendor alignment will improve our over all quality and ability to service our customers. We want our customers to know that the Batson Vision of quality products at reasonable prices is alive and well, and will be for generations to come. We also want you to know that our blank quality will be the finest we have ever offered. We will be at the I-Cast show in Vegas July 14-16th, and also at the Fly Tackle Dealer Show in Denver this September with our product line at our booths.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me directly at 877-875-2381.
Some people might say that I am giving away to much info but I feel it is necassary to be up front with everyone.
Bill Batson
CEO
Rainshadow/Forecast - Batson Enterprises
wbatson@olypen.com

Bill
I for one wish you continued success and look forward to seeing and trying your new products. I'm also very appreciative of your, "being up front". That benefits all.
Thank you
Stan Grace

Thanks for letting us know. I'll look forward to your new stuff as I have enjoyed using your blanks and components a lot.

Bill,
I will see you at the ICAST Show. I to am glad you are up front and honest.
Thank You
Neal Cissel

Looking forward to seeing the new USA made blanks in 2005!

Kevin

p.s. A nice rich burgundy or brown color blank would be cool. Hint. Nudge.

Bill I am glade you put to bed all speculations about your company. I well be seeing you near the end of the month
Good Wraps Bob

I've been using the Rainshadow blanks for several years now and have always been very pleased with the quality and the straightness of the blanks. I know that the new line of blanks will be just as good if not better than the current Rainshadow line.
Let us know when they will be available for shipping.

Lance

I hope its true that they will be just as good! how about price? will that change? I also would recommend the brown color.

Bill,
Thanks for the upfront info! Maybe it will kill some of the stupid malicious rumors that have been posted elsewhere. Looking forward to your new line.

If I understood you right, your current Forecast line-up will NOT change in 2005. I'm getting ready to hopefully do a line of "Tough Stick boat trolling rods but it will depend on the future availability of those blanks

Mike

thanks for the heads-up. business decisions are one thing that cannot be controlled, and I wish a smooth transfer when the time comes. I look forward to seeing the new product line when it comes out, I'm sure it will be the quality product that all of us expect from your company.

steve

Bill,
Thanks for being upfront. Am I right to infer that after the change you will have 3 lines of blanks:
1) original forecast, economy blanks;
2) high-end foreign-made blanks duplicating many of the present RX7 and RX8 models
3) new US-made premium blanks with entirely new designs.

?

Thanks for the heads up Bill. I only hope like St Croix, since there has been a lot of good things said of your products, that you don't price yourself out of the box - at least for me. Keep up the good work

Thank you for all the support. I know everyone will be very happy with this new progarm. I have personally E-mailed all who have responded with questions or concerns. If any one else has any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me directly at wbatson@olpen.com.
I am personally excited what this will acheive for the industry.
Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises
877-875-2381
www.batsonenterprises.com
wbatson@olypen.com

Personally I preferred the original Rainshadow blanks you had made by All Star. If All Star will again be producing them for you then that's fine by me. They make a very good product IMO.

Bill, thank you for the info concerning your company. I am really sorry to see this happen as I am one of your best fans. Bill Whitson introduced me to you blanks serval years ago and I have been using them every since, and have never experenced any problems with your products. Do you plan to be in Nashville next January? Good luck.

Best wishes in your new endeavour - please keep that classic Matte Grey finish, and a 15ft, 3 piece would be a welcome edition to the lineup, it would make a great drift rod for Great Lakes Steelhead and Salmon!

Cheers,

J

Bill....Hope all is well with you. I am looking for information only and from the tone of your letter you are real busy so I will be as brief as possible. I purchased a 15 foot Rainshadow steelhead 3 piece blank [its black in colour] from Doug Sagan at First Choice fishing in Guelph Ont.Canada last month and have had it built with titaniun guides and with an awesome wood and cork reel seat and handle. It is a beauty. I own many other custom built steelhead float and fly rods [mosty G.Loomis] and this is my first Rainshadow float rod however I have no idea which one of your rods it is as the only 15 foot on your web site is RXF15010/11-3. Could you find time in your busy schedule to advise me if it is the above mentioned 3 piece rod which is indicated as an RX8 or what this rod is such as modulas etc.Looking forward to your new line of blanks as are many of my buddies on "Floatfishing .net" web site........John Grant...18 Acredale Drive. Carlisle, Ont. Canada...<')////><