Hi all,

We have recently started up a saltwater flyfishing club in my area and I was asked if I could give a presentation to the club on rod building. I said sure, but then later a million things started going through my head about how I'm going to do this and what I want to tell them. I was wondering if you folks that have done something like this could give me some pointers.

I think my main focus is going to be to educate them on how rods are built, and also to show them the options and advantages they get with a custom rod. If a few people show interest in building their own rods, then maybe I'll set up a seperate class to show the step by step procedures in a more hands on atmosphere. Anyway, those are a few of my thoughts, and if anyone has any input I would greatly appriciate the advise.

TIA,
Eric Young
New Smyrna Beach, FL

Eric,

You are on the right track. What you want to do in such a situation, is realize that not everyone in the audience is interested in custom rods, but they all use fishing rods of one sort or another.

So if you aim your presentation at the general make-up and assembly of fishing rods in general, but gently toss in the subtle yet very real differences between the commercial and custom variety as you go along, you will hold everyone's attention and also gain the interest of some of those who previously had no idea why or how custom rods could be better.

Another thing I have done is to keep a portion of the presentation open for general questions. Let the audience know that you are not there to sell them anything, but to answer their questions about rod in general. Once the ball starts rolling you should get questions on how to store rods, what is the difference between action and power, what does modulus really mean to the fishermen, etc., etc. By answering these questions you become the expert and they guy people will go to when they need repair or even if they decide to acquire a custom rod.

If you have a slide show presentation you will have a bit more "color" in the whole affair and can elecit more questions.

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

Eric,

There is a rod building club in Orlando. Check your e-mail for info.

When I do a presentation, I like to start off by showing the first part of Doc Ski's rod building video, which shows blanks being manufactured in the Calstar factory. Most people have no idea how a blank is built and are fascinated by the process. Also, you have created a great springboard into discussions of everything from spine to action to guide placement.

Hi Eric-

The previous posts are all right on the money- educate, educate, educate.

Tom Kirkman's point about getting discussion/Q&A rolling is great. I always do that, and believe me- you'll get questions you'd never expect!

Best thing to do is try to think of possible questions, and try to incorporate them into your presentation before they ever get a chance to be asked. Think about what went thru your mind when you used to buy off-the-shelf gear. What questions did you ask the guy in the sport shop? Tell the group about your experiences with your old tackle that made you turn toward custom gear.

Best of all- show the group how to FIND the SPINE- as well as what it means in relation to any rod they'll ever hold in the future. Fully explain how spine orientation can effect overall rod performance. They'll appreciate it greatly.

Hands-on types of things are great for groups- get them ALL involved! Show them how different blank materials affect performance- and what to expect when they make a choice to buy any kind of rod. Show them how to select a balanced setup- how to combine tackle that really will work for what they want to do..... catch fish!

Recount to the group why you started building- and why they can, too. Really, just about anybody can build a rod with some patience and time. Let them know where you go for information- Rodbuilding Dot Org!!! Let them know that they can come here to learn or speak.

Tight lines and make your presentation the best ever!

Don't worry- they get easier.

P.S.- A little enthusiasm goes a long way, too!

Tom Kohl
PetroChem

Hi Eric-

The previous posts are all right on the money- educate, educate, educate.

Tom Kirkman's point about getting discussion/Q&A rolling is great. I always do that, and believe me- you'll get questions you'd never expect!

Best thing to do is try to think of possible questions, and try to incorporate them into your presentation before they ever get a chance to be asked. Think about what went thru your mind when you used to buy off-the-shelf gear. What questions did you ask the guy in the sport shop? Tell the group about your experiences with your old tackle that made you turn toward custom gear.

Best of all- show the group how to FIND the SPINE- as well as what it means in relation to any rod they'll ever hold in the future. Fully explain how spine orientation can effect overall rod performance. They'll appreciate it greatly.

Hands-on types of things are great for groups- get them ALL involved! Show them how different blank materials affect performance- and what to expect when they make a choice to buy any kind of rod. Show them how to select a balanced setup- how to combine tackle that really will work for what they want to do..... catch fish!

Recount to the group why you started building- and why they can, too. Really, just about anybody can build a rod with some patience and time. Let them know where you go for information- Rodbuilding Dot Org!!! Let them know that they can come here to learn or speak.

Tight lines and make your presentation the best ever!

Don't worry- they get easier.

P.S.- A little enthusiasm goes a long way, too!

Tom Kohl
PetroChem

Hi Eric-

The previous posts are all right on the money- educate, educate, educate.

Tom Kirkman's point about getting discussion/Q&A rolling is great. I always do that, and believe me- you'll get questions you'd never expect!

Best thing to do is try to think of possible questions, and try to incorporate them into your presentation before they ever get a chance to be asked. Think about what went thru your mind when you used to buy off-the-shelf gear. What questions did you ask the guy in the sport shop? Tell the group about your experiences with your old tackle that made you turn toward custom gear.

Best of all- show the group how to FIND the SPINE- as well as what it means in relation to any rod they'll ever hold in the future. Fully explain how spine orientation can effect overall rod performance. They'll appreciate it greatly.

Hands-on types of things are great for groups- get them ALL involved! Show them how different blank materials affect performance- and what to expect when they make a choice to buy any kind of rod. Show them how to select a balanced setup- how to combine tackle that really will work for what they want to do..... catch fish!

Recount to the group why you started building- and why they can, too. Really, just about anybody can build a rod with some patience and time. Let them know where you go for information- Rodbuilding Dot Org!!! Let them know that they can come here to learn or speak.

Tight lines and make your presentation the best ever!

Don't worry- they get easier.

P.S.- A little enthusiasm goes a long way, too!

Tom Kohl
PetroChem

Thanks everyone for the great advise. And also to Mike for passing along your outline! It really helped me put my thoughts together. Now I just need to start rummaging around here to see what kind of supplies I have for show and tell.

Thanks again everyone!!
Eric Young
New Smyrna Beach, FL