Thank You for a Successful Rods 4 Troops Program!!!

A challenge was made to the industry at large and the custom rod building community in general ....and you responded!!

We want to thank each of you for providing your time, materials, and skills to build the quality fishing rods for those on duty across the seas from their homes.

Working closely with the MWR - Morale, Welfare, & Recreation section of the US NAVY we were able to have all finished rod delivered.

Listed below is a tribute to some of rod builders that dedicated their time and skills to show their support for our troops:

Alan Beck - Gotta Fish Custom Rods
Paul Blanch
Charlie Block - Block's Custom Rods
Lance J. Bosma
Terry Brodsky - North American Fisherman
Allen Fish
Harv Gorton
David Henney - Dave's Custom Rods
Eddie Hinote
Bill Masters - Masters Bait and Tackle
Dusty Mayer
Mick McComesky
Doug Moore - Tideland Rods
Eugene Oppe
Randy Parpart - Putter's Custom Rods
Arthur Parramoure - Art's Rod Shop
James W. Pete - Kornegay
Russ Philstrom
Frank Quigley
Steve Satterfield
David Smith
Bill Swift - R & S Outfitters
Jim Upton
Ron Walter

And special thanks to Okuma Fishing Tackle and Shakespeare Fishing Tackle for donating reels. When we finished with our new web site updates, there will be a special page dedicated to the work of these folks.

FYI, Future Fisherman Foundation has also initiated a similar program to provide tackle for troops. I am happy to see so many people coming together for a worthy cause, but I am sure many more will be willing to participate in this year's program, if we can start it earlier in the year. So, stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Bob Lee
CEO
Pacific Bay International, Inc.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2005 09:07PM by Moderator.

Hats off to you Bob, for setting it all up. Give a troop a fish and he'll eat it while thinking of beer. Give a troop a rod, and he'll spend an inordinate amount of resources to acquire beer in order to use said rod. lol

I think most builders, at least the ones that I have gotten to know, are basically a generous sort. Commision a rod and we'll get our top dollar. Ask for a donation to a worthy cause however and a line will form.

Personally, I enjoyed the opportunity to take part in this and feel as though I owe you one for it. Especially becaue of my embarrassment about my inscription area.

Thank you again, sir.

Bob its good to see it was a great success, I hope it will run again this time opening it internationally so builders from around the world can give their thanks.

Did you not recieve mine. I built a 6'6" spinning rod and hadnt heard anything from anyone after shipping. I know I didnt make the first deadline but did get it shipped by the date you asked me to have it out by. I really hope you got it safely since I took off a day of work to finnish it. Let me know? Travis Thompson

Travis,

Please email Bob direct in case he doesn't peek back in here. It would be a shame if your work was not received. I'm sure some soldier would love to have it.

.............

I don't know how I missed the Rods For Troops Program but I want to participate in the next round. Can I expect to see it prominently announced in this Forum? Sure would hate to miss it. What type of rods are in most demand? Saltwater boat rods? Fly rods? Freshwater? I'd just as soon get busy building one now in advance of the promotion.

Sorry about that Tom my computer isnt letting me email right now. I think I have his # I'll phone him tommorow

I was tickled to be able to help with this; it gave that warm feeling that Dundee spoke of in "the line forming". Bob, definitely put me on your list for 2005!! Can't wait for this one; I'll try and take a bit more time on this next rod...

Putter

Bob, Did you ever find out how the rods were dispersed ? I put my email addy right on the rod,maybe I'll get a note someday...

Bob, thanks for the opportunity. Count me in again next time around.

Thanks

Regards......Doug@
TCRds

Thanks, guys. Last year's program started as a fun idea, and we really did not plan too much for it before the announcement. JT and Erik did most of the work, though, so all credits go to them.

I promise to have better planning make it more prominent this year so we can get more of the folks involved. We will employ more channels of communications to bring awareness to more people.

By the way, as soon as I have more details on how the rods/tackle were distributed, I will let you all know.

Thanks again, Rod Builders!

Best regards,

Bob Lee
Pacific Bay International, Inc.

Travis Thompson: No, I never did rcv your rod. We have a spreadsheet that we used to monitor all rodbuilders and their current status - Rcv'd Rods and Pending. I just checked and I never did get a shipment in from you. Do you have the tracking number? I'll roll up my sleeves and see if I can't find anything more...

David Gilberg: Yes, please email me your name, address, phone number - and we'll get you in our system for upcoming R4T programs. I'm sure that you will be informed on this board if such an event occurs...

Harv Gorton: I do not believe that the rods have made it into the soldiers hands yet. They were going to take photos of them when they got them - I'll have to check on the current status...I'm sure that you will get a note when they get an opportunity.

Regarding Type of rods to build: We decided that we'd target a 6 foot spinning rod, 2pc. I am not sure how well this worked out - we'll have to wait for feedback from the troops.

Side note: A sargent from IRAQ email us - wanting to get a fly rod - because his collaspable fishing pole and tackle does not seem to be working. Mentioned that the fish only seem to be biting on flies. I happen to have a Fly Rod Kit w/ reel that I am going to send him - because the R4T project is now over. I am also going to send him (3) spinning rods that had the tips of them broken off during its journey to Pac Bay for the original R4T project. I'll just throw a larger tip top on them. I still need to find (3) reels to go with them - can anybody help me out here?

I hope that I answered all the questions - if not just let me know!

Sincerely,

Erik Thompson
Pacific Bay International, Inc.
erik@fishpacbay.com
800.272.2229