I'm not sure how many folks caught the CBS Sunday Morning piece on rod builder Tom Morgan but it was a true inspiration story. This was true heart tugging story about a man with Multiple Sclerosis still building rods and positively impacting our craft. I have never met the man but my respect and honor has never found a more deserving soul.

To see someone like Tom that has been unable to wet a line in 20 years who continues to impact our craft simply makes me enjoy the craft that much more.

Fishing legend shares a surprising secret
Tom Morgan, of Bozeman, Mont., creates the Holy Grail of fly-fishing rods, but hasn’t been able to fish himself in nearly 20 year; Steve Hartman reports on how Morgan, stricken with multiple sclerosis, continues to fashion such cherished sporting equipment

Take a moment and view the story for your self.

[www.cbsnews.com]

Gabe Neal

I first met Tom not long after he bought R L Winston Fly Rods in the '70's, at an International Sportsman's Expo in Seattle. I was demonstrating rod building and he came to me to find out how I got such a clear hi-gloss finish on my rod wraps. Over the 4 days of the show we spent several hours together and I told him what I used and how it was applied. The next year at the same Expo, he had me come to his booth to examine his wraps and rods. The finish on the wraps was a little football shaped and we went over the application of the finish again. The next time I saw his work, they were as good as anyone could hope for. If I remember correctly he had Joe Fisher make his blanks and then he finished them in the signature green color that the Winston graphite rods were famous for. Quite a guy. So sorry he has MS. I wish him well.

I purchased one of his new "Stalker" fiberglass blanks, and after waiting 18 months for delivery, I built it out and have been fishing it for some time.

The blank is gorgeous and made to perfection (that's why the long wait). I cannot say enough good things about Tom during this whole process, he's a gentleman and a professional!

If you have not seen the new blanks, your missing a real opportunity if you have customers interested in a classic fiberglass rod!

The TV show was extremely well done.

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for your comment about Tom Morgan. Glad to know that he is still doing as well as he is. I visited with him at his home back in the 1990's. Almost got one of his planing machines. Still had the urge to take up bamboo but did not. Continued to work with graphite until 2006 when guys and gals stopped asking me to build rods for them.

Glad to see that you mentioned Joe Fisher. Always liked Joe; quiet, polite, soft spoken; a gentleman in every sense of the word. Have known Joe since J. Kennedy Fisher rods were located in a very bad part of L.A. Then visited him in Nevada, outside of Carson City. He built blanks for most of the "big boys" until each started making their own blanks which caused a huge financial downturn in his business. He made products for the space industry but when "things" took a downturn in the space industry that had more negative impact on his bottom line. They sold out to "someone" who, apparently, could not stay in business. Was very sad to see all that happen. I have known Joe since 1976 but I lost track of the Fishers after they sold out.

Although I do not know you, I hope that you are still enjoying rod building.