I have been asked by our local bait store to give a talk on custom rod building at a small "outdoor show" in our town. Every year customers bring outdoor equipment, set up tables and have a garage sale, there is food and several experts discussing different topics. Its an informal format and I've been asked to keep the talk to 20-30 minutes I think the audience will be about 30-50 people. Does anyone have a presentation or ideas on the best topics to cover?

Thank

If you got only 20-30 minutes, you are very limited, so I would explain why to get a custom rod and not one of the shelf, fisrt chapter in Clemens his book.
Best Regards Mark Crouse-The Munich Rod Man

Don't drink a lot the night before. I learned that at the Mudhole open house for a basic rod building seminar

I think most fishermen are pretty interested in learning about the proper terms and what they mean - action, power, speed, etc. along with some education on how to properly use a rod to fight a fish. Then a brief run down on how blanks and rods are made and the little things that can be done to fine tune them to the individual. You don't want to spend all your time trying to sell yourself or custom rods, rather, spend your time educating the fishermen on how rods are made, how to use them and then add in that extra bit about what else can be done to make rods even better.


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A simple demo patterned off the Rodmaker Article on breaking rods would do everyone a big favor.
Tip Pressure by pinching, high sticking, high grapping, proper landing technique

I have an old fiber glass solid blank the will bend double and show how this can not be done with a modern day graphite blank.

When you ask someone if a graphite blank is bent until it breaks what happens? - they go blank!

They are astounded when they discover that the bottom of the thing crushes - by going oval -

Fit up grip, seat and blank with arbor and show how to place on curve of blank.Put together the components.

If you decide to do any kind of wrapping - do it on a four inch piece of PVC with rope so everyone can see.
Mark Crouse's demo of a simple chevron amazes all who see it happen right in front of their eyes.

Enjoy yourself this will be a lot of fun.

Gon Fishn

Since I would consider attending something like that at a small outdoor show, I second what Mr. Kirkman said. Describing how the rod works, different actions, etc.. would be at least enlightening. Tell me the difference between off the shelf and custom, or better yet, SHOW me the difference if thats possible.

A Smith

Tell them all to buy Tom's book :o)...and then to prepare their spouse for the addition of a line item in the household budget!!! Merry Christmas!

Paul

I'd set up a rough demo (parts already ready and fitted) on creating a custom rod and after the demo, explain the whys of how much better a custom really is. Nothing makes a bunch of eyes stare more than showing how it's done/works, it keeps up intrest as you build/show. Have parts for everyone to pass around to show the insides of the reel seat as well.

DR

Scott Y ,are you the one that do the rodbuilding semilar at Mudhole ?i'm the one with the camera phone.

I have presented demos at a couple of Farmer's Markets in my county. The format is different in that I am there for three hours while people come and go as they please. Occasionally some will stay a half hour or more. I found most people were pleased to learn the true meaning of terms as Tom suggested; Action and Power being the most helpful. I always brought a Bumper Wrapped rod to show. This is something that the public will benefit from seeing and having the benefits explained. If you can bring a conventional and Spiral wrap version for comparison it's even easier to prove the superiority of the Spiral rod.

I make sure to explain the benefits of custom rods; proper guide placement, why added weight is the bane of rod performance; how to properly care for a rod, cleaning; high sticking and other dangers; and of course; answering questions.

In a limited time frame as yours actual demos of work are not practical. You'll not be able to complete any but the simplest task while talking and there are so many more important things to teach.

I bring many items to show. Fly rod reel seats, a hand wrapper or power wrapper to briefly show how guides are attached; grips, loose cork rings, glued up rings, shaped grips, etc.

Your limited time window dictates that you maintain the flow of your presentation. I suggest following a well thought out list of topics. Leave questions for the end.. if they permit you extra time. Random questions will derail an informative demo.

With a copy of Tom K's "Guide to Rod-Building on the table along with various rod parts:

Here's a guildeline I'd use:

- Action... Flex a rod or blank to show the difference between Fast, Medium and Slow.
- Power... Show blanks or rods of various power.
- Custom = precision guide placement, solid construction, incredible variety of options, fancy wraps, decals, grip materials, etc.
- Dangers of High Sticking; Boat lockers
- Spiral Wrap
- Rodbuilding on a budget.. a great hobby for man and child (Hand Wrapper in a box, discounted blanks,
- Why some blanks cost $20 and others cost $200
- Importance of cleaning rods and reels

To cover all that in 30 minutes you will have to stay focused. You are presenting a visual menu as opposed to a meal. A reasonable goal is to spark interest in Custom Rods and rod building as opposed to providing much specific instruction. It's similar to a fishing expedition; your success will be in the number of folks who will seek more info on their own. Bring your business card. Make yourself available for private conversations after.

The main thing is to enjoy the demo. Enthusiasm is the greatest attractant. Too much detailed info will clog most minds. Keep it simple and you will do well.

You'll do great.

Jim, I did a 1 hour presentation last winter for our local web page group on some of the very same topics listed above, I have a five page outline in EXCEL I can send you to give you some thoughts on content. Let me know your e-mail address so I can send it if you want.

rayzct@cox.net

Danny that was me with the basic seminar at Mudhole. I remember you with the camera phone. I put together a tutorial on how to do those trim bands I was showing you if you are interested e-mail me at Pikapp122@Hotmail.com