in the thread below about steelhead rods Tom mentions his New Concept System. I have seen in other places on the internet where other rod builders have noted that Tom is not the one that actually came up with the system. They say it was Fuji and some have proven with older literature that it WAS Fuji that came up with the system. Where oh where has honesty gone in todays rod building world........

It is my understanding that Fuji makes Concept guides, but Tom introduced the Concept SYSTEM of guide placement (which can use any type of guide).

"Robert,"

I have written no less than 4 articles on the Concept System since the mid 1990’s. The first ran in an issue of the old Rodcrafter’s Journal and 2 others subsequently appeared in RodMaker Magazine. The book I wrote for Amato Publications contained a chapter on the concept. At no time in any of those articles did I claim to have originated the “New Guide Concept” nor take credit for it in any way. I always credited Fuji.

Take a look at the online glossary here on this forum. I wrote and installed it here back in 2002. Pay particular attention to the entry “New Guide Concept.” You’ll see that I credited Fuji for it then and that was 8 years ago.

The folks that say I stole the idea or have taken credit for it have either not read the articles or are pushing their same tired, ill-founded agenda.

All I have done is provide a method that makes it easy to set up the system in an interactive fashion without the use of a generic chart, so that each set-up is tailored to the specific rod/reel/line assembly. The concept itself remains Fuji’s and I have pointed this out numerous times over the past 15 years. The proof is in the articles, the book and the glossary, if you'll only take the time to look for yourself.


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

Honesty may have gone the same place as "jumping to faulty conclusions and false accusations " has gone.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2009 06:33PM by Phil Erickson.

Tom, I am glad you have thick skin, and I am sure that most of the other members on this forum feel the same. Keep doing what you do, as you do it very well. I have been a member on here for only a year, but I have read about everything there is to read here. Love the library and all of its info. You have always done things first class. Giving credit where it is due.
Keep up the good work.

Kyle Robinson

Tom just took Fuji's system and made it better and easier to use.

Bill - willierods.com