Mastering Rod Building

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Roger Hinchcliff of Lamiglas and the Steelhead Manifesto about steelhead fishing, Lamiglas rods, and what rod builders need to know when building technique-specific steelhead rods. Roger shares how he got started fishing as a kid in Michigan, spending countless hours on the Huron River catching bait, reading water, and...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with longtime custom rod builder Mark Crouse , also known as the Munich Rod Man, about 52 years of rod building, custom craftsmanship, 3D printing, carbon fiber grips, and building a recognizable personal style. Mark shares how he started fishing as a child and built his first rod at age 12 after his mother brought home a b...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with legendary caster and rod designer Steve Rajeff about world-class casting, rod design, and the performance details that separate good rods from elite-level tools. Steve shares how he got started fishing as a kid in San Francisco, learned fly casting at the Golden Gate Angling and Casting Club, and was mentored by names...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Carlos “Carlitos” Sanchez of Carlitos 395 Custom Rods about California’s ultralight trout scene, custom trout rods, and the specialized gear anglers use to target big trout on light tackle. Carlos shares how a high school friend introduced him to fishing and how he later got into rod building through BB Custom Rods. Wh...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Jim Schottenham of the American Museum of Fly Fishing , along with returning guest Bernie Schultz , about vintage fishing tackle, collecting, restoration, and why fishing history still matters to modern rod builders and anglers. Jim shares how he became interested in early American reels, especially side mount reels, a...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Aleks Maslov of Composite Ventures, North Fork Composites , Edge Rods , and Striker Rods about one of the biggest rod building conversations in years: Air Carbon Mesh. The episode digs into what Air Carbon Mesh is, where it came from, why it has created so much interest among rod builders, and whether it represents a m...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Mike McFarland of McFarland Rod Company about how he got started in fly fishing and rod building, how he eventually began designing and rolling his own blanks, and why slower, more responsive fly rods still matter in a market dominated by fast-action graphite. Mike shares how growing up in central Pennsylvania and disc...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Bill Oyster of Oyster Bamboo about his experience taking the Oyster Bamboo Rodbuilding Class in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and what makes the week so memorable for rod builders, anglers, and first-time bamboo students alike. Bill shares how years of hearing about the class finally led him and others to commit, and how the ex...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Captain John Irwin of Fly Right Charters about matching rods, reels, line, and technique into a complete fishing system for inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing. John shares how a lifetime of fishing, from freshwater and fly fishing as a kid to guiding full time in the Charleston area since 2002, shaped his approac...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Tommy Farmer of Carolina Cast Pro about building true long-distance surf casting setups for big red drum—rods, reels, rigs, and the casting mechanics behind them. Tommy shares how a 1996 trip to Cape Point, including landing a 45-inch drum and watching champion caster Mike Langston bomb a cast, sparked his path into co...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with master bamboo rod builder and engraver Bill Oyster of Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods about bamboo craftsmanship, building rods at the highest level, and the weeklong class in Blue Ridge, Georgia that fulfills Bill’s 30-year dream of making a split-cane fly rod. Bill and Bill walk through how Oyster got his start—from fly fishi...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with David Boyle of ThreadCentral about what’s new at ICRBE 2026 under new ownership and why the EXPO remains the can’t-miss event in custom rod building. Bill and David break down the expanded show footprint with more floor space, two exhibit halls, dedicated seminar areas, and two Learning Center spaces designed for hands...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Kevin Brotz of Get Bit Outdoors about new rod-building innovations—especially the Next Level and Halftime finishes—and why stability, clarity, and reduced yellowing matter. Bill shares his firsthand experience building a full rod in one day using Halftime, and the two cover practical application tips for smoother finis...

In this episode, Bassmaster Elite Series angler Beau Browning joins us to break down everything anglers need to know about crankbait rods, from choosing the right rod blank to customizing the perfect setup. Beau shares his pro-level insights on the best rod specifications for crankbaits, including action, power, line weight, lure weight, tip taper, and rod weight. We also dive into handle design,...

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, host Bill Falconer sits down with Bassmaster Classic champion Easton Fothergill to dive deep into advanced bass fishing strategies. Easton shares expert insights on drop shot rods, essential gear setups, finesse techniques, and real-world tournament experiences, including his recent run at the Skeeter Saltwater Redfish Series. Discover pro tip...

In this episode, we sit down with legendary rod builder and educator Todd Vivian, a driving force in the world of custom fishing rod building, rod-building innovation, and craft preservation. Todd shares how he got started in the industry, the early challenges that shaped his skills, and the moment he realized rod building would become his life’s work. He opens up about his creative process—from d...

Join host Bill Falconer on the Mastering Rod Building Podcast as he welcomes Nikki Paschen , renowned Gyotaku (Japanese fish printing) artist, ceramic specialist, and owner of Nautical Paschens , along with her collaborator Jen Cox. Dive into the vibrant world of Gyotaku fish printing on the Gulf Coast as Nikki and Jen share their journey from yacht detailing to creating stunning fishing art, appa...

On this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, we sit down with AFTCO's Robby Gant to explore the deep history of one of fishing's most iconic brands. We trace AFTCO’s journey from its groundbreaking origins in rod components, discussing what made their roller guides revolutionary, to its evolution into a full-fledged fishing lifestyle brand. Robby shares the story behind their ico...

Join host Bill Falconer as he welcomes Andrew Tsui , founder of the Ike Jime Federation , for an in-depth discussion on Ike Jime and Shike Jime—revolutionary fish care techniques that elevate seafood quality and ensure humane harvesting. Discover the science behind rigor mortis, the impact of proper fish handling on flavor and safety, and practical tips for anglers looking to improve their catch....

In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer sits down with renowned craftsman Mark Blaum for an in-depth exploration of artistry, innovation, and tradition in custom rod building. Broadcasting from the heart of the rod building community, Bill and Mark trace Mark’s evolution from a passionate woodworker and pen turner to a world-class creator of segmented wood handles—pieces that...

In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer welcomes Steve and Joe Haywood—the father-son team behind HFF Custom Rods —for a special look at family legacy, innovation, and the future of custom rod building. Broadcasting from their Michigan showroom, Bill, Steve, and Joe trace the Haywood family’s journey from consulting careers to building one of the fastest-growing, most communi...

In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer welcomes two pivotal guests: Roger Seiders, the legendary founder of Flex Coat, and Brooke Oliva, president of Foundation Outdoor Group—the new stewards of the iconic brand. After nearly five decades at the helm, Roger reflects on Flex Coat’s origins, its impact on the rod building community, and the personal journey that led to this ma...

This week on the show, we go  Inside the Blank . We’ve assembled a powerhouse panel with three of the leading minds in rod development— Rob Jenkins, Benny Ortiz, and Jorge Polo —to talk about the complex engineering behind slow pitch rods. They pull back the curtain on modern blank design, revealing why the blank itself, not the components, is the true heart of slow pitch performance. From the cor...

This week on the show, we’re joined by Todd Vivian , a respected leader in rod design and innovation, to talk all things travel rods . With more anglers looking for gear that can go anywhere without sacrificing performance, travel rods are having a serious moment—and Todd breaks down why. From the rise in demand to the engineering behind a great multi-piece rod, we explore how these rods are desig...

In this episode of Mastering Rod Building , host Bill Falconer is joined by Tom Kirkman, founder of the International Custom Rod Building Exposition (ICRBE), and David Boyle, who will be taking over ownership and management of the event beginning in 2026. After more than two decades of organizing the world’s largest custom rod building expo, Tom reflects on the growth, impact, and enduring appeal...