Volume21, issue1 of RodMaker magazine contained a how-to article on “Open-End Hookkeepers” by Norman Miller, a trusted wealth-of-information on this site. Immediately recognizing the simplicity yet functional benefits of his keeper, I have employed its attributes to every rod I have built since! When showing potential customers examples of my builds, at least 75% of them notice, like and comment on Norman’s keeper and all who order a rod insist such a keeper be used on their rod. Norman’s experimenting has produced a superb and attractive design. I should be angry with Mr. Miller due to as much attention given to his keeper compared to my wraps. While the keeper only takes ten minutes to fabricate, some of my builds require a full day to wrap nine guides. Joking aside, thank you Norman, not only for your experimentations but your willingness to share the fruits of your labor with the rest of us.

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

Mark thanks for the kind words. For anyone who has not seen the article or the read previous post on this I have attached a search link to the open end hookers and how to make them from about two years ago.
[www.rodbuilding.org]
Norm

Very good idea, Norman. May I suggest everyone consider utilizing Norman’s hookkeeper. It is simple yet extremely effective, easy to make, looks great and adds that additional custom aspect to any build. The prefect hookkeeper!!!

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

Few weeks ago as my buddy and I decided to call it a day being the Walleye weren’t biting, I commented how slick an idea this hook keeper was on my new Denali Myriad rod.

How something as simple as a hook keeper has been taken to the next level, absolutely fantastic functional concept.

Wonder where they might’ve gotten this idea from ;-)

Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars...

A few years back I made a couple of rods for a tournament fisherman who was sponsored ny Denali rods. I put my hook keeper on those rods. He liked them so much he had me put them on every rod he owned. A year or so later I saw that Denali Rods were using a hook keeper very similar to my design. Small world.
Norm