If you haven't seen this before, the interview with MR. Loomis is rather educational.

[www.youtube.com]

Roger

I was fortunate to hear Gary in person once and I love to listen anytime he speaks.

Thanks!

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

I enjoyed listen to Gary anytime that he tells his story. Thanks for the you tube site. I did have one problem and that is with you tube. the ads from the right side of screen keep breaking in. Being hard of hearing I would miss some of what Gary was saying.
Again Roger thanks for the site.

Corky
Corky's Custom Rods
Savannah, Georgia

Several years ago - -like maybe 1999 or 2000 - there was an organization started by Tom Greek called the Custom Rod Builder's Guild. One of the things that organization did was put on an annual Conclave in Nashville. While nothing by comparison to the RodMaker community and the High Point shows Tom K has managed to pull off in recent years, it was a step up on a national level when compared to previous events (regional RodCrafter's seminars, etc.). Plus it gave all the people in all the chat rooms an opportunity to meet in person which was a lot of fun.

I lived in Nashville at the time and was one of the guys who ran around doing errands, etc. to help the show run smoothly. That show only lasted a few years, but I got to rub elbows with some of the luminaries of the industry at that time. Jeff and the guys from St. Croix were there...Ralph O'Quinn was there...Bill Batson was there...Todd Vivian and Bob McKamey were there. Apologies to those I am no doubt forgetting.

Anyway, i was essentially a gopher but was tickled pink to be doing it. I still remember when Tom Kirkman asked me if I would mind picking up Gary Loomis at the airport and bringing him to the show hotel to help him get checked in and settled. One thing led to another and I ended up getting to eat dinner with Gary and Tom that night...BBQ as I recall. It was without a doubt one of the most interesting - and informative - dinners I've ever had anywhere with anyone. I could not believe how down to earth, humble and approachable Gary was. He was a rock star in the fishing rod industry but he did not act like it. He had time for everyone and was extremely patient in answering everyone's questions...especially mine. He was just a down to earh, extremely nice man. And he knows a LOT about fishing rods. (As an aside - Tom is a really interesting guy, too - ask him about rockets some time!)

I still have conversations with customers today where I use the same illustrations and analogies to help them understand fishing rod construction and performance that Gary used with me that day. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to meet him and that he - and so many others - continue to be so generous in sharing their time, knowledge and expertise. It really is a critical component to how this craft has survived and even thrived in a down economy where so many others have suffered.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/2013 12:57PM by Bill Falconer.

What a great expierence that must have been for you, to have all of that liesure time with those two

Bill

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio