Last week I learned that a former customer and acquaintance of mine has just taken over as the new President and CEO of Cabelas. As it happens, this gentlemen leans more towards the hunting and dog end of things - he was the previous CEO of Remington Arms Company.

We will be speaking shortly about a number of matters. My main goal is to get Cabelas actively participating in the continued growth of custom rod building. Not that they don’t do that already - their TackleCraft Catalog has probably gotten more folks started in custom rod building than any other single entity out there. I bought my first components from them way back in the 1970's. Many of you may have gotten started with them as well (Cabelas is mainly aimed at the first time builder - they usually move on to other companies such as the sponsors here once they get a kit rod or two under their belt).

The thing is, they have the resources to do a great deal for the craft which in turn benefits everyone involved. I have no idea where this relationship might lead, but we’ll be talking and running some ideas back and forth in the near future. I’ll keep you posted.


.......................

Jim Rippe works at a Cabela's in Indiana, and I think he tries to get people involved in rod building. I wonder if he'd be capable of assisting in any way.

I've already included him in our conversations.

..............

As some know, I have done some demos during the weekends at the Hammond Cabelas on the sales floor. I have also gone to a spring outdoor show with Cabelas to do a demo. I got to keep it very basic due to the time I have for the demos.

[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.photoshow.com]

I do wish they were a sponser here, I always try to use our sponsers first. That said, there is a Cabelas across the river from me and shipping being a big cost factor, I can order on the net and pick it up in person and pay no shipping costs at all.