Tom there is a new guild forming and there e-mail said they will launch this coming Sunday. The people at the old guild said you were behind this. so can you answer some questions? how much to join. Will there be a magazine? Is there going to be a enw forum for this part or will you use this one? thansk.

What they told you isn't the least bit true. I'm going to assume you are referring to the new RodSmith's Guild. I believe this an organization aimed mostly at the bamboo rod making fraternity, however, they haven't contacted me and I really don't know anything about their plans or intentions. If you received an email from them you already have their contact information. I suggest you contact them directly and ask.

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

[rodsmithsguild.com]

Bill - willierods.com

I don't see why an organization dedicated to Bamboo rods would have a spinning rod on their logo.

You can make a spinning rod out of bamboo, can't you? Didn't they use to make all types of rods out of bamboo? They do have a wood plane on their logo. Can't see using that on graphite.

somebody named Al Hutchison from the old guild is saying that Tom is behind it. thats why I asked about it here.

Now there's a guy who would never say anything that's not true, right?

Look, why not just email or call these folks and ask them directly? As I said, I've had no communication with them and therefore have no idea what their plans or intentions are. But it should a be simple thing to find out if you go direct to the source.

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

I found an old bamboo 2 piece spinning rod. While not a particularly high end rod it is quite functional.
I fixed a small crack; reseated the male ferrule; refinished the rod and put on new guides.

A gentle cast will empty the spool of 6# mono from the little Quantum reel. It's my favorite spinning rod now.

is there anyone seriously taking the time, effort, and cost to construct a fine bamboo blank and then build it into a spinning rod? In todays market of high end graphite and fiberglass materials. That's just nonsense.

But I guess anything is possible.

You could say the same thing about bamboo fly rods, where graphite is going to make for a much higher performance rod. And yet, the most expensive fly rods sold each year are far and away in the bamboo market.

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

Matt -
Yes, I build them for about one person / year. Normally what I like to do is do a complete set of a long spey rod where the tip sections can be used as either a light bait caster or spinning rod by embedding a like size ferrule in a wooden handle.

Edited:

with about 2 minutes of research I found a cached webpage listing the founding members of the guild. I then posted the names here. After thinking about it....I guess if they want to be secret until Sunday, they can remain secret until Sunday. If you really must know who it is you know who to get a hold of me.

And no, Tom Kirkman is not named on the list.

matt



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2013 11:37PM by Matt Dotts.

If you recognize these names, you'll quickly realize that they are bamboo rod makers.

I'm not saying that they won't or don't accept makers of graphite and glass rods, just that it would be a simple matter to contact them and ask directly. I have to believe these folks would be more than happy to fill you in on what they've got going on. To speculate when you don't have to is a waste of time.

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

I guess we'll all find out tomorrow exactly what the purpose and goals of this Guild will be. If you do a search under my name going back several years you can see that I had hoped for something like this for a long, long time. So I hope they do allow all custom builders from bamboo to graphite to be a part of such a thing. If you look at the beginning stages of their website and what appears to be coming, it is really a far sight better than what that "other" group was all about. [rodsmithsguild.com]

Good afternoon everyone. I guess I am the horse's mouth so....

I was directed by one of our founding members to this topic, and thought I'd perhaps shed a little light.

The Rodsmith's Guild is not affiliated with Tom, and it is not exclusive to bamboo. Perhaps names like Josh Cooper, Howard Croston, Kerry Burkheimer, David Norwich, Nuno Paulino, and Steve Rajeff (to name a few) will provide evidence that the founding membership includes individuals working with a medium other than bamboo.

The Rodsmith's Guild is open to those practicing in any of the recognized Trades regardless of material, location, or purpose for which the rod is designed and built. There is far too much information to explain in a post, and posts are not the place for us to be promoting the Rodsmith's Guild. So I will simply state that the mission of the Rodsmith's Guild is to distinguish true craftsmen in the rodsmithing trades, and to promote and protect those trades through the sharing of knowledge and skills within the membership, and the perpetuation of those skills to future tradesmen through apprenticeships.

Hopefully that helps, and thanks for the consideration Tom.

---David

No problem at all. I wish you the best of luck with your organization.

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