A new publication landed on my desk several days ago and has really caught my attention. So much so that I put off writing this week's feature to try to come up with words to describe the quality of both the layout and content of this magazine.
For many years, I built fishing rods commercially and for personal use. Most of my clients were fly anglers therefore most of my building involved fly rods, however many an ultra light spin or heavy musky rod also left my shop. For the first few years, my rods were for my own personal use and the thrill of landing fish with tackle that I had made myself is something that cannot be fully explained in words. I know by the amount of email and phone calls I receive that there are still many of you that are considering building your own rod or want advice on repairing an older one that retains sentimental value.
When I first began building rods, I discovered that there was a lot of differing opinion as to what a custom rod should be. Guide spacing, the proper way to locate the spine of a blank, high build versus low build finishes and choice of components can be very confusing to the novice builder. I discovered a journal of sorts for rod builders and attended several seminars devoted to the art of custom crafting fishing rods and learned more about both the art and the techniques that helped me build better rods. Without these, I could never have provided a quality product that would have been good enough to provide commercially.
Recently, publisher and custom rod builder, Tom Kirkman, introduced his 'RodMaker' publication. This magazine, which is published bi-monthly, is the best of its kind that I have ever seen. As well as information for the novice, the experienced rod builder will also find lots of information that will be of interest. In the two issues I looked at, there were articles on a variety of topics including product reveiws of the Ryobi Lathe and U-40 Ferrule Lube, making your own tapered reamers as well as helpful business information including recent U.S. tax information, a discussion on warranties and a method to figure out your labor costs.
As well as the interesting and informative articles, the magazine has provided space for reader's classified ads and has a number of shorter news briefs and a 'Letters" forum whereby readers may write in with their own opinions or thoughts without having to write their own long feature article. As well, the layout provides for excellent photographs and illustrations that really show you what is being written about in each article. As long as there is an interest in custom rod building, this magazine is going to be around!
If you are interested in subscribing, you can email the publisher, Tom Kirkman at rodmaker@earthlink.net or write them at RodMaker Magazine, P.O. Box 1322, High Point, NC, USA 27261. The phone number is 336-882-3226.
The Muncher is a favorite of Ian James for carp, smallies, more. 
Thoughts of a Chicken Rancher. Doc tells it like it is.