I have been reading this forum for several weeks now and wanted to step in and say this is a great site. :-)

I have built about 30 rods over the last 20 years and have pretty much self taught myself. My first rod I didnt know I was suppose to only put finish on the threads, I coated the entire rod. I have become much wiser over the years and have read a few books and actually produce a decent looking rod now. I recently read Tom Kirkmans book and learned a few things I have been still doing wrong/different all these years.

I am ready to advance my love for making rods to the next level and try and sell a few rods. I have gotten my business license and am trying to open accounts so I can purchase the materials at the right price, or least better than I have in the past. I dont really know where I am gonna find a buyer for my rods but I hope to find a guinea pig soon.

When you master rod makers first got started in business, did you build hand made rods and try and sell them complete, or did you try and find the end user first and make it custom to their specs? It seems to me that I have to start making rods and hope to find a buyer for that completed rod so I can have some examples of my work for references.

Also when I try and read the older post on this forum, I can only view about 2 pages of older threads. Do the older post get deleted, or am I missing something, I click on older post in the top right corner and get to do that for one or 2 pages and then it only gives me a choice for newer post, the older post link disappears.

I am sure as I undertake this venture, I will be back asking for advise.

All the pages dating back to June 12, 2001 should be here. If not, you can uncover any info you want by using the search feature at the top of the page. There are currently 10,300 posts to choose from.

How to get started in the custom rod building business varies. Some of us were out using a rod we had made for ouselves and someone noticed it and asked to have a rod made. Others just hung out a shingle and went to work.

One of the very best ways is to get involved in rod repair, if you have the skill and can afford to stock a good selection of rod components, and go from there. Once people know you do repair they will beat a path to your door and quite a few of them will inquire about custom rods. Of course, getting the word out via cost effective advertising is what keeps many rod builders from growing their business effectively.

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Tom is right on about the repair approach. I think the majority of my new rod business has come from customers I did previous repair work for. If you take on repair work and do it with the skill and care you would use on a new rod, it will be noticed. Word of caution, don't quick fix or do shoddy work on repairs or people will think you do your new rods the same way.

Ray Alston
Goldrush Rods