There has been great interest for this gathering to happen, and as a result this is going to happen on April 22nd in Joliet, Illinios at Al Ciner's place.

For each person intersted in attending, it is asked that you contribute a little something - a food dish, few bottles of soda (or pop, is that what you guys call it?), pasta, pork shoulder, baked ziti, wings, cheescake - nothing crazy.

Start time will be determined at a later date, usually the NERBs gatherings run from 9AM until 7PM (8, 9, or 10PM as well, lol) - the time will be determined by the people who have to drive the furthest. I'll let everyone know when we figure it all out.

Topics to be covered - that's up to teh builders attending and what you want to see. Just let us know beforehand so someone is prepared to help you out. Make sure you bring a list of questions, and I'm sure they'll get answerred.

If you or any of your buddies are interested please post here &/or contact:
Al Ciner:[email protected] ;
Jim Rippe: loafers4@earthlink.net;
or myself: vivonab@colsonservices.com

I'll be there, will be traveling from Whitewater WI

Let me know the start time from here it would take about 2 hours to get to that destination.

Bummer for me, club tournament that weekend down at Cinton lake. Otherwise would be there.

Mike, not a big deal, because based on how many people expressed interest from this area, I'm 90% sure this will be the first of many Gatherings in this area.

If there's anyone else this date doesnt' work for, dont' be shy - let us know you're interested this way when we plan teh next one you'll be included on a direct e-mail letting everyone know what's going on.

Count me in! I'll be coming from Indianapolis and anyone coming through Indy is welcome to carpool with me. You can park at my house and we can ride up together. Any idea what will be going on at this meeting? I imagine mostly sharing of techniques,@#$%&-ing, telling stories and what not. Anyone interested in the carpool send me an E-Mail.

John

Hi John. Why not bring something for "show and tell" and we can go over different techniques. Remember, this is the first "Midwest Gathering". It's going to be a great time. And it's only going to get better.

I would like to see an inlay be done if anyone would be up to showing a fellow rod builder

What type of inlay? Guide, grip?

any type would be good, i would even bring one along if that would help

I would love to see an example of tying off the ends of a butt wrap when you're finished. Everybodys end wraps are always perfectly level and beautiful, and mine look very lumpy and unrefined.

I'm sure someone will be able to help you guys with both requests. The more questions you have, the easier it is to put togehter an informative gathering.

So far there are 8 people who have confirmed they are IN. That's an EXCELLENT response.

If there is questions like the tie wrap ends, i would like to see a rod taken with guides on it and everyone tie a guide and explantions of maybe where someone could give you ideas on how you culd posibly help yourself in doing the procedure. Maybe this sounds to off the wall but thought i would mention it.

Al - that's exactly what makes these small gatherings great - you CAN do exactly that. I find you learn more when you see other people do something ratehr than explain it. There might be the smallest of small details that make the diffrence between a smooth tie off, and a lumpy one - which you NEVER would be able to figure out through a phone call or message board post, that yo "get" when you see it done.

The more ideas you have the better, worst case scenario is you want to see too much, you dont' get to everything, and you "have to" have another gathering in teh future, lol!!

Youre exaclty right, with a habit like this there is so much that person wants to learn and not enough time to learn it all when you have experts around like you. One question i had asked here on this board long ago never really got answered, it was how do you figure line weight-lure weight when building a rod, this i think would make great conversation between rod builders.

I would love to try and make it to this but I too have a tournament that weekend. Please keep me posted of any future events.
Brian

I would be interested in a discussion on Inlays, Marbeling, and the new bumper wrap. I'll bring the first rod I built and have it critiqued. I did a gold leaf inlay on the split grip so if anyone is interested in this techique I will offer some pointers.

John

Billy,
I am very interested in attending but I will be in Washington, D.C. with my grandchildren. Please inform me of your next one and I will do anything I can to help make it a success.
Ron

Is this gathering open to all - including those of us from north of the border? If it is you can count me in. Please let me know.

Man, I wish I had known about this sooner, but my email has been DOOOOOWWWWNNNNNN!

Unfortunately I have a guide scheduled for that day!

Matt P.