Pass It On!

The Custom Rod Builders Guild (CRBG) has thrown its support behind the Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors program developed by Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). The initial pilot program involved Guild members in Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin working with local BBBS agencies to offer fishing rod building classes in an effort to “pass on” the joy and satisfaction of building their own fishing rods. The program has been approved by the Guild BOD for full implementation. It is expanding to include classes in Utica, NY and instructors are being sought for other agencies across the country.

"The Custom Rod Builders Guild is pleased to be working together with Big Brothers Big Sisters in their new Pass It On outdoor mentor program. The fishing rod building program will give the participants a higher level of enjoyment in the sport of fishing. There is nothing like the feeling of being able to catch a fish with a rod that you have built yourself. We are honored to be a partner with such a wonderful organization like Big Brothers Big Sisters in order to bring a great tradition to this generation," said Neal Hall, CRBG.

The CRBG has made the components needed to build the fishing rods available to the matches at no cost, working with the manufacturers to make that possible. Some of the manufacturers who have helped with this project include Alert Stamping, American Tackle Company, Baston Enterprises, Flexcoat, Gudebrod, Lamiglas, Pacific Bay International and St. Croix.

Pass It On helps match Big Brothers and Sisters with youth through the common interests of the traditional outdoor sports. This program started in 1999 and has enjoyed tremendous success in its home state of Kansas.

Corporate Sponsors of this program include the following: