This marks RodBuilding.Org's 17th anniversary. In these past 17 years, the forum has garnered nearly a half million posts (479,303) for an average of just over 77 posts per day and accumulated 12,036 registered users, of which nearly 3/4 have logged in within the past 30 days.

The Photo Page is not quite as old, but is running on it's 15th year, and remains the world's largest repository of custom rod photographs (18,948) It has 4,429 registered users and has received nearly 41 million views (40,762,920) during these past 15 years. As of 12:45, as I write this, there were 315 persons viewing photos on the site. It remains hugely popular.


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Considering the turnover rate in rod building, the fact that nearly 3/4 of 17 years worth of registered users are still active is staggering!

Thanks for a well run forum Tom!

Tom, we owe it to you, for providing a most valuable asset to our rod building hobby or business! The forum is invaluable, in providing ideas, techniques, lessons and inspiration to us builders.

THANK YOU

Well done, sir. Well done.

Now lets not suck up to Tom too much , he's already very aware thats he's a tremendously impressive physical and mental specimen far exceeding us mere mortals .

The fact is that RBO was not only one of the first rod building message boards but later during a time when flame wars and childish behavior was the norm on most rod building forums RBO was a sea of tranquility where serious rod builders could come to discuss actual rod building without all the silly and childish rubbish going on elsewhere. That it is one of the few surviving with good participation numbers is not a surprise to me.

Thanks Tom for putting this site together and thanks to all the guys and gals that use it. Rodbuilding.org is the reason I turn my computer on every day.I would truly miss not being able to come here every day. Let's all carry on.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Congratulations Tom.

51% of what i know about rod making came from this site, the rest from brutal experience..lol..thanks Tom and those who share thier experience..

I've been repairing/building rods since the 50s and had to either improvise or figure things out myself until I joined this forum. I didn't know what I didn't know until I got on here, thanks guys.

Even experienced rod builders learn new things on this site. It is a very friendly and informative resource for anyone who builds and repairs rods. People on this site go out of their way to help.
Norm

Congrats and Thanks

I can't tell you how much this site has meant to me and how helpful it has been. Thank you again.

As a rookie, I'd be completely lost without all the input from this forum!

RBO has virtually flattened my learning –curve regarding any aspect of rod building. I have learned to enjoy, respect and utilize 95% of the of the responses of fellow rod crafters to my inquiries with their generous input, insight, suggestions and advice which has lead to a few closer friendships as well. Although all the replies prior to mine were very good, I have to say I particularly like the reply from Mike Ballard, “… Good participation numbers is not a surprise to me”. While the entire membership deserves thanks for their contributions, helping others and offering “fuel-for-thought”, none of it would be possible without the commitment, knowledge and impeccable ORCHESTRATION of Tom Kirkman. My fishing hat is off to you, Tom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

From everyone at American Tackle...... CONGRATS !!!!

Keep up the good work.

_______________________________
God Bless, Don Morse

800-516-1750 ext. 1207 / don@americantackle.us

Rod Building..... It's What We Do.

Thanks Tom,
I do not post much anymore, but check in often and still build a few rods for family and friends.
Steve

Real names combined with honest talent and selfless advice - a winning combination every time. Thanks to Tom and all who post here.