My Step grandfather first taught me how to hand wrap rods in the late 60's, mostly bamboo rods on a notched cardboard box and a phone book for a thread tensioner. I would do my own repairs and build an occasional rod over the years. I went to work as a sign painter working for 2 different uncles who were master sign crafters. When the computer industry started taking over the sign business I went to work as a cabinet finisher until the doctors told me after 25 years of breathing lacquer and other exotic finishing fumes I should quit or die young. I started a painting contracting business in the 90s, but really missed doing something creative. In 2004 I saw some pictures posted on bloodydecks.com of a few guys that were wrapping some really nice rods and decided to pick up where I had left off. The materials had all changed since the last rod I had done. With my background in exotic finishes it didn’t take long to get up to speed. I’ve found I can take a little bit from all my sign painting and cabinet finishing knowledge and incorporate it into design and building custom fishing rods and restoring and repairing old rods.

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