I have been a member here since about 2006. This will be only my first or second post and probably my last. I read but have little to add. Consider me just a spectator that loves to pick up valuable rod building information as it comes online or in the magazine. I am not a good enough builder myself to offer any advice but I recognize good advice when I see it. On to my point. In the eight or so years I have been online with some of these rod building websites I have watched them come and go. I have also watched the flames, fights, general @#$%& and troublemakers that seem to live on some of the boards and are in some of the clubs. Rarely if ever have I seen any of that stuff here. I credit it to Tom and his watchful eye and good common sense rules. And even when he himself has been the target of vindictive and false comments elsewhere he has done nothing but maintain a straight ahead, never get involved approach that further sets himself and this board and its members apart and above. As much as this board has thrived and succeeded over the many years I think that the really wonderful information here is only part of the reason. The other part is that I believe that most rod builders are good people who know how to act like adults and appreciate having a website board like this one where they know others like themselves can come and interact without all the fighting and fussing that goes on elsewhere and is an embarrassment to the rod building craft. This board is a professionally run enterprise with members who conduct themselves in a similar professional manner. The success here, at the magazine, and at the ICRBE is NOT an accident and others could learn a lot by doing likewise, if they were not so busy fussing and fighting. I want to THANK YOU ALL both for your excellent rod building advice and your mature behavior. We are lucky to have a place like this and I hope it continues for a long time into the future.

Ronald if there was a way to "Like" a post similar to FB then I would. However, given we do not have or need that option...LOL Consider this my full appreciation and agreement with your post. I could not have said it better.

Gabe

To be fair, there are some other rod building forums that are professionally run. I sometimes post on one or two of them.

Beyond that, nonsense is never worth responding to nor being involved with.

.............

Above is a very well stated tribute to Tom, his principles and most of all to his dedication to this craft!!

Ronald,

I too am in the same boat as you place yourself. But I love the web site and check it every morning. I have learned so very much from this web site with the solutions to the problem I have been faced with in the past. Tom, Thank you very much for your efforts and keep up the outstanding work!

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

That is why I always come here. Great people that don't mind answering a stupid question by a guy, that guy being ME, that doesn't know. Great site, Great Admin, Great members!! Good read!