My Gear--Rods

It's time to take inventory and gear up. The last week I've spent a little bit of time on the vice, a lot of time figuring out a rod-rack system for my truck, and then the usual of going through rods and reels and figuring out what will get me through the season. The rods I choose for clients are Temple Fork Outfitters rods. Why? One, they are solid rods with great action for a fraction of the price of some of the higher-end rods. They're good enough for new-comers to get an accurate feel for how a rod should perform. They're also good enough for an experienced angler to pick up, throw a loop or two and look down and say, "Really? I would have never guessed..." But here's the real kicker; they have the best warranty service in the industry. Period.

I usually put off sending rods back until about this time. I get my line order in and start rummaging through rod tubes and socks and going through inventory of my gear. Sometimes this brings back some difficult memories of carelessness or just bad casting. Sometimes it's the wind. Most of the time you can just chalk it up to, "shit happens" but regardless, there's nothing like hearing the sound of a split-shot smacking a blank, knowing that rod's days are numbered. A piece of lead or a bead from a nymph just grazing a graphite rod can compromise the integrity of the glass so maybe it's the next fish or maybe it's tomorrow's fish, but eventually, that rod will snap under a load. What makes those moments a lot more tolerable is knowing that you're going to be able to replace that rod without breaking the bank.

People often ask me what to look for in a rod and one of the things I point out is that warranty. Spend enough money for the warranty. All the major players have warranties but they're not all the same. Let me just share this last experience with TFO. I sent back three rods last Wednesday. I received a package on my door today, which is Friday--a week and two days later. One of the rods they fixed with a new section of the blank that had broke. Two of the rods they replaced with brand new rods. The cost was $35 per rod. That's service, boys and girls and that's why I choose Temple Fork Outfitters.

Keep 'em where they live...