Fishing is in my blood, especially sea fishing from the beach. During my youth you could find me fishing from one of several beaches located on the East Coast of England, either in Club competition matches or simply enjoying being out there fishing. From the many visits to tackle shops at the time, I always asked myself "Why are all rods finished in black?" So at the age of 14, with my late father, I went off to the East End of London and a cane merchant where I purchased a 25ft to 30ft Burma Pole. From this length of whole cane I built my first fishing rod, an 11ft beach rod finished in red and black. This led to a Saturday job in a local fishing tackle shop, followed by a full year in the shop doing the shop rod repairs before entering public service. Throughout my 30 years of service I kept my hand in repairing & building rods for all disciplines of angling.
Retiring 13years ago it was time to change direction in my life and with the support of Wendy, my wife, an opportunity to advance my rod building skills. Plus I wanted to learn more about thread art, specifically working with metallic threads. There was only one place to head for - the USA and membership of the Rodcrafters Assoc. of America. Attending National & Regional Seminars of Rodcrafters in Allentown, PA; Kissimmee, FL; New London, CN, then, following the merger of Rodcrafters with the Custom Rod Builders Guild, attending Conclaves in Atlanta, GA, Minneapolis, MN and Allentown, PA. Along the way I have been privileged to meet some of the greatest custom rod builders of this era and I could fill several pages with names and memories. A few hold special places. The late Cantwell ‘Cam’ Clark, for his warm and generous welcome for Wendy & I on our very first visit, his willingness to share, his humour, plus with his cardboard tube and ropes he taught me the basics of weaving. "Doc Ski" the master of weaving and so much fun when out fishing even if I can’t cast!! Al Goldberg, angler, rod builder, master chef – a natural, not forgetting he is a most generous host. Then, for me, the most inspirational rod artist I have shared time with, shared skills with, laughed with, fished with and cried with - Bernie Cohen the rod builder who developed the "Bernie Wrap" for stripe bass rods. There are many more, too many for this page, just to let them know and say "Thank you" - TLC; Kel; Sam; Kris; Buddy; Jessie; Curt; Dick; Todd; Walter; Doug; BD; Joy; Jack J, and all other members I have enjoyed sharing time and skills with.
Around the same time as I retired I also qualified as an Angling Coach, "Licensed" to coach & tutor sea shore fishing and UK freshwater fishing. This qualification has opened many doors and unbelievable opportunities. For the past 7yrs I have travelled annually to coastal regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia coaching competitive shore fishing skills to potential Team members of Saudi National Teams. The picture featuring my Saudi visits shows me being introduced to the Amir of Jizan, Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, at the Harrad (Parrot fish) Festival on the Farasan Islands in the Red Sea. These coaching visits are part of a much larger sports youth welfare & development project covering 50 to 60 different sports.
Back to rod building. Those early years at seminars were mind blowing, so much to learn the brain couldn’t take it all in. The long flights across the Atlantic were time to unscramble some of the scribbled notes, read the handouts and put the lot together ready for the next rod building project!. Slowly the tide turned and I started sharing and leading the seminar workshops with some of my skills. One day in the UK I was shown some key-rings shaped as the three main styles of fishing reel - my visualisation said "These need a fishing rod". The mini-custom built rods were born. Late 2006 I was approached to work with golf clubs for the 2007 International Pairs World Golf Championships. Within the logo of "International Pairs" the "I" is the image of a golfer hitting a drive off the tee. This image I created into a weave and worked onto the pair of golf clubs presented to the 2007 World Champions. 2007 was a milestone in my Custom Rod Building career. Conclave VII honoured me with a nomination of "Legend of Rod Building". My peers placed me alongside Custom Rod Builders who I look up to, whose skills I aspire to emulate.
Attending the Seminars is probably the most significant benefit to be enjoyed by any member of either the former Rodcrafters or the Guild. Meeting, talking, debating shared or differing views, trying something new (feather inlays with Fuzz Morgan at Conclave VII) and gaining the knowledge that we are all on the end of a phone or an email away when support is needed for that new rod building project. I am happy to openly admit that it is those very members who I share my "Legend" nomination with, as their support enabled me to enhance my lifetime rod building skills.
In the future I foresee the Guild growing in stature enabling members to enjoy all the benefits I have experienced. I hope to return to the USA to attend more Seminars, meeting old friends, making new friends, extending and sharing my rod building skills in the craft that is custom rod building.
