Mastering Rod Building Bill Falconer

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building podcast, Bill takes us on a journey back to his childhood in Texas, where his passion for fishing and rod building first took root during outdoor adventures with his family. He reminisces about the days spent crafting ultralight baitcasting rods and reels, a labor of love aimed at perfecting the art of throwing tiny topwater lures for his father-in-law. Through these experiences, Bill gained invaluable insights into rod performance and the intricate balance between form and function. He shares how the process of building custom rods to address specific fishing challenges has become deeply fulfilling, serving as both a creative outlet and a practical solution to angling dilemmas. Moreover, Bill underscores his commitment to fostering a vibrant rod building community by advocating for knowledge-sharing and encouraging more enthusiasts to join the fold. Tune in as Bill's passion for fishing and rod building shines through, inspiring listeners to embark on their own custom rod building adventures.

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, host Bill Falconer welcomes Roger Seiders, founder and president of Flexcoat, for a conversation about their shared passions for fishing and rod building. Roger, with over 55 years of experience as a custom rod builder, shares his journey into fishing, starting with a memorable encounter with a PICO perch at his granddad's pond. He reminisces about his early fishing adventures in Texas and how a trip to Galveston with a friend sparked his interest in rod building after seeing fishermen with homemade Calcutta fishing rods. From there, Roger details the fascinating history of how the global brands of Flex Coat and YETI were founded and grew into what they are today. Tune in to hear more about Roger's beginnings and his journey in rodbuilding.

Bill Falconer interviews Bill Batson, owner of Batson Enterprises, about his 45-year career in the fishing industry. Batson shares how he got into rod building at age 12 after seeing his father build rods. They discuss Batson's extensive rod collection and the history of companies like Pacific Bay and Woodland, Washington. Batson Enterprises manufactures over 700 rod blanks annually and supports veterans through donations and classes. They discuss favorite Batson blanks, applications like slowpitch jigging rods, and modernizing companies with new tools. Both express optimism about growing the industry through passion and community outreach programs like Find a Rod Builder.

This episode features legendary custom rod builder Jim Trelikes. Jim has over 49 years of experience and is known for techniques like the dragon scale wrap and JTOB designs. He discusses his early years building rods in his father's tackle shop at age 12 and how he developed various techniques over the decades to meet customer needs. Jim and the host reminisce about their fishing experiences in San Diego and the evolution of gear. Jim shares stories of developing new techniques like the olive branch and dragon scale to solve color combination requests. They discuss the influence of West Coast builders on the industry and how Jim's generosity in sharing knowledge has helped many. The host praises Jim's artistic eye and ability to combine elaborate inlays cohesively from butt to tip. Jim emphasizes the importance of finishing work and advises rod builders. The episode concludes with Jim sharing the story of his pet dove Groot and his contributions to the rod building community over 49 years.

Dr. Dylan Kiene, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of South Alabama, discusses his research on southern flounder populations in Alabama. Dylan has recently gotten into rod building and he has dialed in how to make the perfect flounder rod. Dylan's rod building expertise helps target specific species like flounder and Dylan gives great insight on how and why he builds his flounder rods. He recommends light tackle with an emphasis on sensitivity. His tagging studies using acoustic transmitters have provided valuable data on flounder migrations. The population has rebounded due to regulatory changes like size limits and seasonal closures. Dylan emphasizes releasing larger breeder fish to support the fishery. He describes flounder life history, including environmental sex determination. Dylan's otolith studies aim to determine if there are separate flounder contingents with different migration patterns. Angler participation in tagging and data reporting is encouraged to aid fisheries management. Responsible harvesting practices and supporting conservation efforts can help sustain flounder and other important recreational fisheries.

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building podcast, we sit down with Mary McIntyre Christy, a seasoned custom rod builder with 13 years of experience. As a brand ambassador for Foundation Outdoor Group and American Tackle, Mary brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. She's the founder of decorativestudio.net, your one-stop destination for rod building tools, supplies, lessons, and more.
Mary's journey into rod building is unique—introduced to the craft by her husband West, despite never having fished before, she quickly found her passion. Starting with decorative wraps to enhance rod aesthetics, Mary has since mastered all facets of rod building.
Tune in as Mary shares her insights into developing thread tension, wrapping techniques, and her innovative approaches to rod design. Discover her step-by-step guides to techniques like Chevron wraps and delve into the creative process behind her stunning rod creations.
Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Mary McIntyre Christy, co-founder of the Southern Rod Builders group on Facebook, as we explore the artistry and craftsmanship behind custom rod building.