R۰O۰D۰M۰A۰K۰E۰R۰S
CUSTOM FISHING RODS AND
ACCESSORIES
ROD REPAIRS 

March 30, 2003

Long casts and tight lines from RODMAKERS. . . . . . . . . . . .

In keeping with my concept of useful marketing, this is the second bi-monthly email I hope you find of interest with knowledge gained and current fishing stories and conditions.  If this is a duplicate email, please advise so I can revise my list.

I ‘officially’ opened RODMAKERS this past Monday and continue to be delighted with positive comments I hear from both new and previous customers.  If you haven’t stopped by, please do so.

I have been busy building new shop/demo rods notably a St. Croix 9’ 7 weight in 3 piece graphite IV that retails for only $312; a Sage VPS 4 piece 9’ 8 weight for $367.50; a Sage 9’ 8 weight 3 piece RPLXi $458.50 and a couple of coast casting rods in 71/2’ and 81/2’ lengths.  Neat rods.  More to build in the next few weeks.  I plan on photos of the rods built and for sale in Rodmakers and will be including them on the Web site.

Have you seen/fondled the new Ross Evolution reel?  Incredibly light, wide spool, good for salt/trout in sizes 1.5 to 3.5 (up to an 8 weight) in black and ‘slate blue’, and it’s affordable!  Remember, rod, reel, and case will get you free backing and free fly line!

A NEW SERVICE I am offering:  If you have a rod you want to dispose of for reasons you don’t like it, or hopefully, with intention of building something new and something you will like, I will sell your old rod on eBay for you.  I have opened accounts to sell on eBay and will take the photo’s, clean up your old rod and make ready for sale, sell and collect the monies, and ship the rod on a cost only basis if you buy or build new in the shop, or will charge 20% of sales price for rods you simply want to dispose of.  Call or email me for details and questions.

I had a good turnout for the ‘free’ rod building clinic held in the shop Saturday the 29th.  Many thanks to Mike Munoz for assistance.

Speaking of clinic’s, I just received a call from Bill Childs, owner of the Shonto Ranch (www.shontoranch.com) enticing me to do fly fishing clinic’s at the Shonto.  He indicated he is willing to work with us on the price and to allow us to keep at least one nice fat Rainbow!  The Rainbow season will only last another 3 weeks or so on the Shonto and Bill confirms there are many, many beautiful fish yet to be caught!  I anticipate full day clinics will run around $125 per person making it a wonderful value when you consider the facilities at the Shonto, personal lessons, all the while fishing over quality Trout and Bass.  For beginners and experienced as well.  Call me at 479-3477 if you or a friend has an interest.

Anyone interested in Fly Tieing should contact Gary Lehman at his email address flyman1703@yahoo.com.  I have offered the shop to Gary for classes.

Fishing Reports:

Solomon Abdo sent the picture of his son on a family outing (on the Web site photo gallery) in Port Aransas while fishing with guide Pete Cooper.  He said the sheepshead ate the best of all when cooked fresh at the Cast-A-Way Restaurant (sp) in Port A.!  Sheepshead is a fish that doesn't get much respect from trout and red fishermen.  Like the pesky triggerfish offshore, sheepshead and triggerfish are wonderful on the table.  Better than the large drum!  Said the fish combined weight was 138 pounds!!!!!

The picture (again, on the Web site) of Gary Lehman with a nice Largemouth Bass (note the RODMAKERS HAT!).  Gary ties many of the wonderful flies proven so effective for the hill country and on the coast I carry in inventory.  They work. . . . . . .Hats and flies are in the shop!

I received two emails from guide Billy Sandifer (billysandifer@stx.rr.com) this past week telling me the surf is FULL of Bonita and Jacks.  He and fly casting guru Bill Gammel caught 18 Bonita to 6.8 lbs. and Jackfish to 22 lb 13 oz. on fly in a single outing.  He said the bonita will gobble up pinfish fished as bait as well.  I can’t imagine what a day that must have been, or in Capt. Billy’s words, “awesome”.  In another email, Billy said he would be manning the “Hell’s Bay” booth at the Houston shallow water expo this weekend.  Stop by for a visit if attending or, you would have the surf to yourself!!

Larry Crutsinger and his fishing partner, new to fly-fishing, caught many Rainbows’ on the Shonto with his friend keeping two – one a 20” trophy followed by a 22 ½” rainbow this past week.  Bill Childs told me of one man from Chicago that brought his own Woolly Bugger flies tied in Chartreuse and Orange colors, caught 48 rainbow trout and several bass over a two day period.  Go figure!

‘Ol Herb (Mossman) just stopped by returning from Port A. telling me the conditions were not very favorable for shallow water fishing although he did manage to catch several trout and one good flounder blind casting the channels and potholes.  He was testing a new ‘secret’ fly that if I have my way, won’t remain a secret for long!

I hope as time passes, I will be able to relate more fishing stories and less commercial message, but since these emails and my Web are IT for advertising; I need to get my message out to survive.  As you all know, money has gotten tight for discretionary spending.

Keep our troops and our objectives overseas in your thoughts and prayers.

 

Dennis O. Freeman
RODMAKERS
13457 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX. 78216
210-479-3477 (3488 fax)
email:  rodmaker@rod-makers.com
Web:  www.rod-makers.com