For the second time in a few years " Mud Hole" has featured my rods on the cover of their Summer Catalog. I consider this as a significant event as they have always included some great rod builders on their cover.
I want to personally thank Tom and his Mud Hole talented staff for their work on making my rods look better than they actually are.

The important thing that I want to convey to every one is that none of this would have been possible without
bringing together rod builders, manufactors,and distributers together for a weekend of exchanging information, rod builders needs, etc. While I spent most of my time in the "Skin Shop USA" booth, Steve Gardner and I spent some time discussing micro guides and their application. I realized that it is really possible for two rod builders to have the same concept with out ever knowing that others have the same conclusions.

The bottom line is that none of this would have been possible without Tom Kirkimans sponering such an event and I am especially pleased that it will continue in the near future.

Looking forward to 2008!

Pat

Pat Vinzant, Wetumpka AL

Pat,
You deserve all of the accolades and your work belongs right there with the BEST. I look forward to tallking to you every year. I agree 100% that without Tom and the ICRBE, Rodmaker mag and this site, the craft would not be where it is today.

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Thank you Mike for your kind comments. Hopefully we can look forward to many more ICRB blasts that will showcase the concepts for rod building in the future, that I feel we have only scratched the surface with such things a micro guides, carbon sleeve handles and who knows what in new materals for rod blanks! I look forward to being a part of this in the furture.

Take care
Pat

Pat Vinzant, Wetumpka AL

Pat,

I'm glad to see your post, as I wanted to personally say to you what an honor it was to spend some time talking with you at the Show. I doubt you remember me, but my wife and I came by several times to look at, and admire your snake skin rods. You were so gracious to spend much time talking to us about your techniques. We both agreed that meeting you and seeing your work was worth the trip in itself.

There was a thread some time back that pondered the questions about artistry versus functionality; your work truly combines the very best of form, functionality, and artistry; and I was truly honored and humbled to be able to see your work and listen to advice from a true master of this craft .

I purchased several skins and plan to build a rod inspired by your work in the near future, I hope I do it justice.

You are a gentleman, an inspiration; and you represent in my mind all the best qualities that I hope to acheive in this craft.

Tom has provided this industry a great opportunity to meet and talk shop with the very best, I hope it continues for many, many years to come.

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/19/2008 01:06AM by Walt Davenport.

ICRB, this web site, RODMAKER mag. - for me, TR said it best, and his words apply to Tom's efforts in all three - "the Man in the Arena"

'It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face in marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

AMEN Rich!!!!

Bill in WV