All,

I have returned to my beloved New Mexico after a GREAT weekend in Charlotte. Tom asked me if travelling such a long distance to the show was worth it, and I can answer with an hearty "yes". The main things for me were being able to meet the people with whom I have done business and those with whom I have communicated, and to be able to inspect virtually any component or tool that I wanted. I am especially grateful to the Trondak people for showing me how to finish a rod their way (much superior to my own), to Bob of Custom Tackle for taking the time to personally assist me with my show order and future ordering, to Andy Dear for his personal assistance with my questions about the products he sells, for Rich Forhan for his advice regarding the Forhan wrap, and of course, for Tom for his supreme effort to put on a show that was better than I could have imagined, and for his friendship.

Being a fly tier and fly fisher, I also enjoyed the casting clinics put on by Steve Rajeff and Joe Humphries, and the nymph tying clinic by Dave Hughes.

The bottom line: if you are even moderately interested in rod building, do yourself a tremendous favor and ATTEND THIS SHOW as soon as you can.

Jim