Attention suppliers:
I have been asked to assist some Technology Teachers (in my day, it was “shopâ€) at one of our local high schools with a program called BRAVE. They set up programs for “at risk†students, or any other student who wants to attend in an attempt to get them more involved in school. We have decided to have a 5-session class on rod building. Pretty cool eh!
I am trying to put together a budget proposal. I am passing on my wholesale costs to the school. I want to find some decent blanks, nothing high end, but something that they can use to fish with and that they will be proud to show other anglers and peers that they made. We will basically be assembling parts. I am looking for suggestions for some spin and baitcast model blanks that are affordable that I can get at wholesale pricing. And they need to be readily available, as we will have our parts order meeting next week and hope to start building two weeks after that.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. You can post your reply on this board or send an email direct to me at
rodmaker@thesurf.com
Thank you
Buzz Butters
B & B Custom Flies and Rods &
City of Ripon Police Department
A side note. If your local police department is looking for some way to do some one on one with the local youth here is an idea they may want to look at. Throughout my career in law enforcement (22 years and still going) I have noticed that there are a number of kids that DARE and other programs are not reaching. And while these types of programs may have some positive influence it isn’t easy to tell. A couple of years ago I started giving out used fishing rods and reels to youth that I found near our local pond that did not have any fishing gear. We have a 50 some acre fishing pond in Ripon that gets a lot of fishing pressure from young and old alike. If I saw a group of kids fishing I went up to them and asked them how the fishing was. If one of their group did not have a rod and reel, I went and got them a used one from my shop at home. (still working on getting the Chief to put a rod rack in the squad car !!) My expense is minimal. I go to garage sales and buy used equipment, fix the rods and reels and then give them away. The word has spread to where fishing clubs donate some of their used to equipment to me for this program. Some anglers have donated new combo set-ups that I give to needy children at Christmas time in cooperation with our Shop With A Cop Program. Cost you see is at a minimum.
When I give them the gear I also give them a copy of the regulations. I do a follow up a couple of days later at their home by quizzing them on some of the basic fishing laws. Fish ID, size and bag limits, the usual. This way the parent(s) know that they got the rod and reel without stealing it. So far the feedback has been great. Have we slowed down crime? Don’t’ know. I do know that a lot more of the local youth are waiving to police and this time using all five fingers! I have had several juvenile criminals come down to the police department to update the officers on the local fishing conditions. Previous visits usually have these same persons wearing cuffs.
Something to think about.
Buzz
