I'm going to let you in on a trade secret...

I listened to a conversation between Tom and Ken Preston as the show was winding down. I distinctly heard Tom say that he is committed to making this show better every year -- only he can see the possibilities -- and that he will vary the content of the workshops so that those who attend every year will not get the same experience as the year before.

I never knew or appreciated not only the work and money that Tom puts into the show, but his excitement about what he is doing and his personal involvement to make the show (and this forum) the best that it can possibly be.

I'm sure that I speak for everybody when I say that there is no expression of thanks that is adequate for making all of rod building better for everybody.

Jim

So what is the trade secret?

Lou

The trade secret is that the national show will get better every year.

Jim

The secret is who actually does all the work on the rod building end of things. I spoke to a buddy who I saw over in the fly fishing side and he seemed oblivious to the fact that the rod building show wasn't just another part of the fly fishing thing and done by the same people. I know it's connected but I also know that I've been to Tom's place and I've seen the stacks of cards and brochures and press releases going out and I know that he's the one who is most responsible for getting everything at the rod building end done and done well. I don't even think the fly fishing show guy could have told you anything about the seminar presenters on the rod building show side. They don't seem to be really involved in that end of things. I hope they pay Tom a good wage. He earns it.