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 blank from a closing sporting goods store. With limited access to parts in Germany, he learned to improvise with parachute cord, electrical tape, goose quills, and whatever materials he could find.

Bill and Mark discuss Mark’s wide range of rod building skills, including decorative wraps, cork, wood, birch, acrylic, carbon fiber, marbling, finish work, custom butt caps, reel seats, trim pieces, and ergonomic grip designs.

The conversation also goes deep on how Mark is using 3D printing to create custom reel seats, winding checks, grip shells, trim parts, and carbon fiber-covered handles. He explains filament choices, printer setup, heat resistance, wall thickness, carbon fiber sleeves, and why 3D printing gives rod builders new ways to create truly one-of-a-kind components.

Mark also shares thoughts on matte finishes, ultralight rods, fly rod handle fit, hydro dipping, custom inlays, and why serious rod builders should focus on developing their own style instead of copying someone else’s work.

The episode also includes details on the 2026 Mastering Rod Building Seminar, happening August 14–16 at the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. The weekend will feature hands-on rod building education, seminars, meals, a Saturday crawfish and shrimp boil, discounted lodging nearby, and fellowship with the rod building community. For more information, email Jack Barron at [email protected] or call 251-943-4491.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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 like Mel Krieger before becoming a world champion caster as a teenager.

Bill and Steve discuss Steve’s early work with graphite and boron rods, his time at Sage, and his long career at G. Loomis, where he helped design thousands of rods across fly, bass, spinning, casting, saltwater, and specialty categories.

The conversation also covers Team USA casting, the American Casting Association, the upcoming World Fly Casting Championships in Italy, and how elite casters think about rod weight, guide spacing, line speed, blank design, and components like Fuji titanium Torzite single-foot guides.

Steve explains the differences between fishing rods and competition casting rods, including why lighter blanks, smaller guides, moderate actions, shooting heads, monofilament running lines, and precise guide placement all matter when chasing maximum distance and accuracy.

The episode also includes details on the 2026 Mastering Rod Building Seminar, happening August 14–16 at the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. The weekend will feature hands-on rod building education, seminars, meals, a Saturday crawfish and shrimp boil, discounted lodging nearby, and fellowship with the rod building community. For more information, email Jack Barron at [email protected] or call 251-943-4491.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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. What started as helping with prep work and handles eventually turned into his own growing custom rod business, focused heavily on California trout anglers.

Bill and Carlos discuss why trout fishing in California is so unique, from private and pay lakes to the Eastern Sierra and Santa Ana River Lakes. They cover big stocked rainbows, lightning trout, trout tournaments, mini jigs, spoons, light braid, fluorocarbon leaders, and the serious high-end setups many anglers use.

Carlos explains why his trout rods are usually 7’6” to 8’ long, giving anglers better casting distance with tiny jigs and spoons from shore. He also talks about developing his own blanks, using fast actions with a slightly softer tip to work mini jigs, drop shots, and spoons while still having enough backbone for larger trout.

The conversation also covers Fuji titanium AT guides, lightweight guide trains, size 5 running guides, one-coat finish work, Tennessee-style handles, sliding rings, carbon grips, and why keeping ultralight rods balanced and sensitive matters so much.

Bill and Carlos wrap up by talking about lure colors, bait makers like Trucha Spoons, Trout Vet Custom Baits, Get Bent Customs, and SoCal Trout Cartel, plus Carlos’s Carlitos 395 branding and connection to Highway 395 and the Eastern Sierra. Overall, this episode is a deep look at California trout fishing, ultralight rod design, and the innovation coming from a highly specialized fishing community.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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, and how that passion led him to Lang’s Tackle Auction and later to his role as curator of the American Museum of Fly Fishing. He also gives listeners a look inside the museum’s collection, including historic rods, reels, flies, tackle artifacts, and its growing online database.

Bill, Jim, and Bernie discuss what rod builders should know when someone brings in an old bamboo, fiberglass, or unusual vintage rod for repair or restoration. They cover why condition, originality, provenance, and proper identification matter, and Jim points listeners toward resources like the American Museum of Fly Fishing and his personal site, Side Mount Reels, for learning more about early American reel history.

Bernie adds the lure collector’s perspective, explaining why original paint, packaging, and rarity are so important. He also talks about collecting early Florida lures, Pflueger, Heddon, Shakespeare, and other historic tackle, while sharing more of his own vintage tackle writing and collecting interests at Bernie Schultz Fishing.

The conversation also covers insurance, documentation, auction values, museum donations, early rod and lure materials, and the importance of preserving fishing history. The episode closes with a live unboxing of Bernie’s 1920 Creek Chub Husky Muskie, giving listeners a real-time look at the excitement behind vintage tackle collecting. Overall, this episode is a fun and detailed look at fishing history, craftsmanship, collecting, and the innovations that helped shape modern rod building.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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 major shift in how custom rods may be built moving forward.

Aleks explains how Air Carbon Mesh grew out of a much longer history of carbon fiber experimentation, including Gary Loomis’ work with paper carbon scrim, hoop strength, resin systems, and lightweight blank construction. He breaks down why controlling ovaling and improving strength-to-weight performance are so important in rod blank design, and how Air Carbon Mesh eventually moved from an internal blank material to something builders could use for guide wraps.

Bill and Aleks also walk through the practical side of using Air Carbon Mesh, including why fiber orientation matters, how to cut the material, how many wraps are needed around a guide foot, and why color preserver or polycrylic is used as an activator rather than as a traditional color-preserving step. They also cover common mistakes, including using the wrong solvents, overcomplicating the process, or judging the material without following the proper application steps.

The conversation then moves into the larger debate around Air Carbon Mesh and what it means for custom rod building. Bill and Aleks discuss why some builders see it as an exciting new tool, while others worry it could take away from traditional thread work. Rather than treating it as a replacement for craftsmanship, they frame Air Carbon Mesh as another option for builders, especially those interested in faster guide work, guide repair, lightweight builds, accessibility, or new decorative possibilities.

On the industry side, Aleks explains why labor is such a major factor in rod manufacturing and why factories have been looking for better ways to attach guides for years. The episode also touches on future possibilities, including colored Air Carbon Mesh, Air Carbon blank designs, faster finish systems, and even new developments with linen blanks. Overall, this episode is a deep dive into innovation, tradition, performance, and where rod building may be headed next.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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 discovering trout rising in a local stream pushed him toward fly fishing, rod building, and eventually blank design. What started with building rods from catalog blanks turned into a much deeper pursuit of taper design, fiberglass experimentation, and eventually acquiring the former Diamondback rolling equipment to launch his own blank-making operation.

They break down how McFarland developed custom fiberglass and graphite tapers, what goes into designing a blank from the ground up, and how Mike now works with other small builders to create exclusive blank models in low-volume runs. Along the way, they discuss the importance of taper over hype, the realities of maintaining blank-rolling equipment, and why custom small-batch design still fills an important niche in modern rod building.

On the performance side, Mike explains why he prefers softer rods for both fishing and casting, how fiberglass and graphite differ in feel and application, and why he believes glass rods are especially underrated in longer trout and saltwater setups. The conversation also touches on E-glass versus S-glass, tournament casting, saltwater fly rod design, and why the right rod should match real fishing conditions rather than just casting trends. 

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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 experience exceeded expectations from the moment it began. What stood out most was not just the chance to build a bamboo fly rod by hand, but the way Oyster and his team have refined the class into a highly organized, approachable, and deeply enjoyable learning experience.

They break down what students actually do during the six-day class, how the instruction is structured to make a complex craft accessible, and why the process works so well for people with very different levels of skill and experience. Along the way, they discuss the class atmosphere, the camaraderie that develops among students, the personalization options that make each rod unique, and why so many participants sign up for another class before they leave.

On the bamboo side, Oyster explains why these rods should be understood as serious fishing tools rather than fragile relics, how bamboo fits into American fly-fishing heritage, and why the appeal goes far beyond nostalgia. The conversation also explores engraving, rod design choices, balance and fishability, and the deeper satisfaction that comes from fishing a rod you built yourself from raw cane.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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 approach to tackle selection and made versatility a core part of his business. As a guide who splits time between fly and conventional fishing, he brings a broad perspective to building outfits that truly fit the application.

They break down how he thinks about pairing rods and reels for real world performance, including why longer, softer tipped spinning rods help cast light artificials farther to spooky shallow water fish, why shorter rods shine around docks and close targets, and how reel size, spool design, braid, and leader choice all work together to improve casting, balance, and fishability.

On the broader tackle side, John explains why durability and system balance matter more than specs on paper, how he rigs for everything from redfish and sheepshead to cobia and bottom species, and why investing in quality reels that can be serviced over time pays off for anglers and rod builders alike.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

• Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]
• American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]
• Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]
• Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]
• Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]
• Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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 competitive distance casting and surf fishing.

They break down the real-world system: why overhead (revolving-spool) reels outcast spinning when set up right, why Tommy prefers 20–25 lb mono with a 50–60 lb shock leader, and how compact fish-finder “8-and-bait” rigs help maximize distance without helicoptering.

On the rod-building side, Tommy explains why heavy surf rods need leverage (longer handles set to the angler), how guide placement can change how a blank loads, and the five fundamentals he teaches: footwork, body rotation, arms, acceleration, and the importance of 45 degrees.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

• Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]
• American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]
• Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]
• Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]
• Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]
• Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]

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 fishing as an escape after bicycle racing and a life-changing accident, to teaching himself bamboo rodmaking from books, building his first 7-foot 3/4-weight, and eventually turning a surprise wave of early orders into a full-time shop.

They also break down what makes Oyster’s classes unique—finishing a complete rod in six days with all tools and materials provided, optional upgrades like engraving and extra tips, and the community aspect that keeps students coming back year after year.

They close with a quick history lesson on split-cane bamboo as an American-born craft, plus why modern bamboo rods belong in today’s fishing—including serious saltwater applications like redfish, specks, and beyond—and tease a follow-up episode after Bill and Aaron complete the class.

Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.

Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)

• Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • [email protected]
• American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]
• Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]
• Spain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • [email protected]
• Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]
• Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]