My dad recently had a minor stroke (he's doing fine!). However, it did leave him with a vision problem which I'm sad to say will prevent him from building rods now.

All of his rod building stuff which includes Clemens books, DVD's, rod lathe (power wrapper), hand wrapper, TONS of thread, etc. etc. Just about everything needed to build rods (to much to list) is now in my
hands. Well, sort of as the stuff is still at Dad's in Rupert, Idaho and I'm in Sacramento, CA.

Dad & I talked about selling everything but what I may like to do is pass all or most of his rod building equipment and materials on to someone just beginning the craft who otherwise would
not be able to acquire the things they really need (for quite awhile anyway) and is being held back for lack of it.

Anyway, I haven't made up my mind just yet on what, if anything, I'm going to hold on to. We've had many many great hours together working at his power wrapper so I might keep that and
a thread head like me can never have enough thread! Still, I really don't have room to set-up another rod lathe or storage room for much more than what I have already. In this poor economy,
filling the wallet a bit with a sale sure would help too but......I'm sure many of you know where I'm coming from.

This would be an easy decision if Dad or I had someone under our wing so to speak but we don't.

Do you? If so, let me know something about them and maybe something can be worked out for them

What would you do In my place?.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Hi, Raymond. sent a message to you at the library. Very sorry to hear about your dad. i can understand that because my dad had a stroke a bout 10 years ago too, fortunatly it was only a slight one. If i was in your place id hang on to all the personal things that will remind you in years to come of the fond memories. but as for the work your dad has created in all the years he's been rod building like weave patterns or crosswraps and anything else of interest i'd share them like you said with new people just starting out, that would be a wonderful way of keeping all your dads work alive for years to come by others. Right, im off to bed its coming up to 1 IN the morning this part of the world, so im goona log off and turn in.

Hi Raymond,
Sorry to hear about your dad, hope he makes a decent recovery and can at least still go fishing.. My dad wasn't a rodbuilder but at least he showed me how to start and finish a wrap as he used to replace his own guides and that got me started in rodbuilding. I've still got his one and only spool of thread as a reminder so make sure you keep some stuff. Looks like some great stuff for a beginner so I hope you can find someone that will appreciate it.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Thanks Guys,

Dad is recovering quite well and I found out a little while ago his vision is even better than expected. He still has to stay away from most power saws and it this point he still can't do any thread work but he CAN do a lot of the shop work he originally thought was out of the question.

With most rod builders being 50 or older we really need to not take things for granted. Spring chickens we are not.

Col,
In my case, I taught dad the craft and MAN what a time we've had with it together. He's the leather guru though so were not done yet!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Hi Raymond,
I'm glad you and your dad have had a great time rodbuilding and hope you can still learn from each other. My dad and I had some memorable times fishing together, he was pretty good and I learnt heaps from him.
Your very correct about the spring chicken business, I just take each day as it comes and be thankfull for every one I get.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Hey Raymond -

I'm very sorry to hear about your father. I sent you an email this morning - please take a look when you have a moment.

Thanks
Neil

Got your email and several others Neil,

Off to work now but will get back to everyone soon.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

Raymond sorry to hear. Do what you can to keep him busy and feeling useful. Nothing worse for a man than to feel he is a burden.

Unless it bothers him to have the stuff around I wouldn't be in a big hurry. It seems he is already making strides and able to do more than he first thought. He may pick it up again in time.

I'm a lot like you. I don't have much but I'm a giving soul. The few times I have tried to do what you are proposing it didn't work out so well. Seems those that really need are too humble and embrassed to step forward. The ones that get rich on @#$%& are who take advantage.

If you decide to sell drop me an email. My daughter has moved in and there is no room for my rod building stuff. It has all been banished from the house. I could use a small hand wrapped that could be set up in a bedroom.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

No problem Raymond. I just wanted to make sure you were aware that I sent you an email. Overall, hope your father is doing well and wish he was able to still use the equipment.


Regards,
Neil

Both you and he are in my prayers ......... here's to a speedy recovery ......... and rodbuilding might help to rebuild if he loves it as much as you ....... good luck

Sory to hear about your dad, hope he's doing better. If you decide you need to let loose of his rod building equipment I'd recommend you look for someone that teaches rod building to kids and make a donation. It could possibly qualify as a tax writeoff and even if it doesn't your dad will be contributing to a legacy that will outlive both of you.

My father also taught me how to build rods as a boy. I remember how excited he got when the new Fuji "speed guides" came out. We used to buy glass blanks from a store called Gibson's in Texas, put on reel seats, grips and guides and sell them. I had a lot of fun learning how to perform basic builds and owe my father a lot for showing me those things early in life. I still have some of his equipment from 35 years ago.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Thanks for all of the reply folks,

Although Larry doesn't post he reads here often and was touched by all of the kind words both here and the emails I've received.


I'm still milling things over and no decisions have been made. I've already gotten back to a few of the emails and will try and get back to the others soon.
I'm sorry I haven't got back to everyone yet.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..