I do not depend on it for a living so its not a big deal, but are any of the other builders who sell rods finding that this year is kinda slow? I guess the economy has finally caught up with my business. First time in years that I have been completely caught up with no orders pending. Is it just me? They say when people are out of work they devote more time to their hobbies. Maybe they are fishing more but my experience is that they are not buying rods. At least not from me. Just curious how others were faring.

I think I have fewer "tire kickers". Guys just looking.

My orders are pretty steady. Possibly slightly fewer than last year. I haven't taken a look at the numbers but I actually think I may be ahead of last year dollar wise as I've had more higher end rods.


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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I am in the same boat as Matt ... fewer nonsense calls, not many requests for low-end "glitter" builds. However, I am staying busy with high-end builds and repair work. Currently, I am booked until November.

I've got all the business I care to handle - even had price increases this year on all rods, including plain janes. I've noticed an increase in sales even with that.

One thing I have noticed is guys still spending their money but doing so more cautiously. I believe that's a plus for the custom builder.

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AD

I'm a little slow right now but '09 was a banner year for me. I hooked up with a couple of guides and some tournament guys. This year has seen my tournament staying close to home and my guides are kinda slow.
But fear not, our President is gonna fix it.

yeah, our president will fix it all right. We will have socialized fishing rods. LOL you get to build it and pay for it and then somebody else gets to fish with it.

Im turning business away. Its a solid year for me. Offshore mostly and basically my model is to go after the people laying off workers and not the people being laid off.

Kevin

Guys,

Please keep the political stuff out of this per the rules about that kind of thing. Thanks.

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I stopped at St Croix Factory over vacation in June. I was talking to one of the guys behind the counter, he was saying that sales were up this year vs last year. Don't quote me, but I thought he said something about 20,000 more units this year than last. I wonder if the fact that people aren't traveling as much if they aren't spending more time doing simple things around home; like fishing.

Mark, we live in Cerad Rapids, IA. Met you last November here at the rod building guild.. I see a real increase in the presence St Croix has in this area. All the big stores are really pushing St. Croix a lot more. less Shimano presence, IMO.
Kyle Robinson

I build mostly Bass and Striper rods. Here in Georgia, the economy seems to be biting us in the butt especially hard. This has been my slowest year, with only high end and repair work, and not as much of that as in previous years.