I've always been an avid fisherman. Drowning worms, snagging everything on the bottom of a mountain stream, sitting on the back of a snowmachine, and eventually fly fishing. Growing up and living in Wyoming has given me a passion to fish.
Years tick by many a rod broken from car doors to stepping on them. I had to figure out a less expensive solution. I quit fishing but not because of buying new ones, but working as an expat, predominantly on the African continent. Not a lot of days off, but boy, howdy did I rack up air miles.
I finally was able to slow down. After buying some fly rods, it piqued my interest in "Hey, I bet I could build one. Can't be that hard." Muddled through a few. Then, I caught the build bug. A few more fly rods and ice rods.
I had some coworkers see some builds and like many.... hey, can you build one for me? After a year or two , I might as well make a serious go of this building thing. Worked on getting a business put together, website, and such.
Living and growing up in the Rockies gave me many places to fish numerous different species. So goes the story. I've enjoyed building rods, crafting grips, and searching for the perfect reel seat. Ultimately, it comes down to crafting with my hands, creating custom builds.
I focus more on quality rather than quantity. Would I jump on a chance to build for a huge box store? Maybe, I want to craft a rod that when a client pulls it out of a tube or rod sock, their fishing buddies are in awe. Ask questions like how well does it fish? Or hey, the paint on that is sick. Who built that grip? What a great combination of different cork and shapes. Even crafting grips for a specific person's hand.
A hobby has turned into a fun and exciting business. I get to have arts and crafts day just about every day. Tell your boss your arm is in a cast..... casting out that fly, that lure.
Joe Dirt said it best " life's a garden, just dig it!"
Take your passion and go with it.
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