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Artwork for Mastering Rod Building

Mastering Rod Building

Bill Falconer
Rod Building
ICRBE
True Natural Frequency
Air Carbon Mesh
ICRBE 2026
Drop Shot
Ike Jime
Lama Glass
3D Printing
Outdoor Scholars Program
Steelhead
Slow Pitch Jigging
Vintage Fishing Tackle
University Of Montevallo
Aftco
Crankbait
Distance Casting
American Museum Of Fly Fishing
Carlitos 395 Custom Rods
Gyo-Taku

Discover the art and craft of rod building with host Bill Falconer. Get insider tips from experienced rod builders, industry insiders, and experienced anglers on building custom fishing rods with the latest trends. Learn how to match technique-specific fishing rods with different fishing conditions and how to maintain and repair them.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes88Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToEducationSportsWilderness

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Artwork for Mastering Rod Building

Latest Episodes

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with legendary custom rod builder James "Doc Ski" Labanowski about his lifetime in rod building and the evolution of decorative thread work.

Doc shares how he began wrapping ... more

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 steel... more

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 buil... more

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 s... more

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Recent Guests

Roger Hinchcliffe
Founder of the Steelhead Manifesto, Lamiglas Pro Staffer and veteran angler
Lamiglas; Steelhead Manifesto
Episode: Rod Recipes – Salmon/Steelhead Rods with Lamiglas
Mark Crouse
The Munich Rod Man, renowned rod builder with 52 years of experience
Independent rod builder / Munich Rod Man
Episode: Rodfathers: Mark Crouse and the Rise of 3D Printing in Rodbuilding
Steve Rajeff
Legendary rod designer and distance/accuracy caster
G. Loomis (formerly) and Sage (historical)
Episode: Rodfathers: Inside the Brain of Steve Rajeff - Rod Design at the Highest Level
Carlos El Rey de las Truchas Sanchez
El Carritos, Carlitos 395 Custom Rods founder
Carlitos 395 Custom Rods
Episode: A Consultation on Trout Rods with Carlitos 395 Custom Rods
Jim Schottenham
Current curator (since 2022) of the American Museum of Fly Fishing; expert on vintage reels and tackle
American Museum of Fly Fishing
Episode: Why Antique Fishing Rods (and Lures) Are Trending — and What They Teach Modern Builders
Bernie Schultz
Longtime Elite Series angler; avid vintage tackle collector
Independent/Angling Community
Episode: Why Antique Fishing Rods (and Lures) Are Trending — and What They Teach Modern Builders
Aleks Maslov
Owner of Composite Ventures; partner with Edge Rods/North Fork Composites
Composite Ventures / Edge Rods / North Fork Composites
Episode: Is Air Carbon Mesh Changing Rod Building Forever? Feat. Aleks Maslov
Mike McFarland
Rod builder and designer behind McFarland Rods
McFarland Rods
Episode: Rod Recipes - Fiberglass Fishing Rods with Mike McFarland
Bill Oyster
Owner of Oyster Bamboo, master engraver, instructor
Oyster Bamboo
Episode: What We Learned at The Oyster Bamboo Rodbuilding Class

Host

Bill Falconer
Host of Mastering Rod Building; focuses on craft, technique, and the business side of rod building.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 65 ratings
  • Great Listen!

    This has been a huge help in getting me going in my rod building journey. So many good topics and great guests

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jackbaron35
    United States4 months ago
  • Fantastic fishing and rod building podcast

    I love listening to Bill talk about rod building and fishing. I’ve gotten to hang out with him at the Mastering Rod Building seminar last year and then again this year at the ICRBE in Salem. I discovered this podcast last year. It’s incredible how much you can learn from a podcast. Bill is such a huge wealth of information and such an incredible teacher. Very grateful that this podcast exists. Looking forward to the Mastering Rod Building seminar this year in August.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ctillman
    United States4 months ago
  • Exceptional content

    Bill has done a brilliant job of becoming the conduit between a new generation of rod builders and the history of rod building. I have learned so much through his interviews with some of the greatest builders of all time. I find myself impatiently waiting for the next episode to come out just to hear the stories and learn from icons in the industry.

    Jim Kolba

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jim Kolba
    United States2 years ago
  • Don’t miss an episode

    The team at Angler’s Resource have really added to the rod building and fishing communities with this podcast. The guests that Bill Falconer has are some of the top people in the industry and the knowledge shared is immeasurable. Experts in so many areas of so many aspects in rod building add to the quality of the show. Bill’s friendly demeanor and own knowledge of subject matter only enhances the listener’s experience. Great podcast. Two thumbs up..way up. 👍🏻👍🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    beetle794
    United States2 years ago
  • Awesome podcast and great resource

    Each episode is jam packed with custom rod building tips, tricks tactics and things you need to know. The host and his guests share their expertise and experiences from decades in the rod building industry!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ShredtheNAR-Bama boy
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the practical, hands-on value and deep guest expertise.
Audiences highlight the show as a top resource for learning and networking in the rod-building community.
Many appreciate the host's ability to translate complex techniques into actionable tips.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#131
United States/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#167
Australia/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#249
Mexico/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rodfathers: Todd Vivian — The Legacy, Mentorship & Future of Rod Building
Q: What was the turning point that pushed Mud Hole to develop a domestic blank line after Loomis stopped selling blanks?
The sudden loss of access to Loomis blanks forced us to rethink supply chains and inventory. We pre-ordered through Loomis to stock up, then designed a new series to replace them, which ultimately led to a more resilient, domestic MHX line and greater independence for builders.
Rodfathers: Todd Vivian — The Legacy, Mentorship & Future of Rod Building
Q: You've described a two-way street in how you got into blank design. Can you explain how that happened and what drove you to start designing blanks beyond pattern making?
It started from a genuine love of the craft and a curiosity about how to dial in performance. I had access to engineers and tons of data, but I also learned from hands-on trial. I began translating that knowledge into new patterns, mandrels, and tooling, which allowed us to tailor blanks to specific applications and performance goals.
Rodfathers: Inside the Brain of Steve Rajeff - Rod Design at the Highest Level
Q: What sparked the move from Sage to Gary Loomis and the path through Loomis' product innovations?
After six years at Sage, Steve sought new growth and moved to Gary Loomis's Loomis brand; there he witnessed and contributed to major product lines like IM6 and IMX, and became focused on rod design, mandrel development, and advances in graphite and boron materials that reshaped the industry.
Lathe and Legacy: The Art of Rod Building with Mark Blabaum
Q: What keeps you excited about continuing to push segmented turning in rods?
He emphasizes the endless possibilities of creative wood combinations, the satisfaction of seeing the final form emerge from many small pieces, and the community and collaboration that encourage experimentation.
Lathe and Legacy: The Art of Rod Building with Mark Blabaum
Q: How did you get into rod building in the first place?
Mark describes starting with a Cabela's kit in 1995, transitioning from woodturning and pen-making to rods, and gradually exploring unique wood inserts and segmented techniques as his craft evolved.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mastering Rod Building

What is Mastering Rod Building about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on crafting custom fishing rods, with conversations that blend hands-on building techniques, material science, and the business side of rod making. Episodes frequently explore gear choices, performance-focused design (from bamboo to advanced composites), and practical tips for matching rods to reels and fishing conditions. A standout aspect is the host's willingness to bridge traditional craftsmanship with modern innovations, featuring guests who are renowned builders, material developers, instructors, and industry veterans. The format often includes deep-dive interviews, actionable builds, and educational takes on class experiences, finishes, and show logistics, making it valuable for ambitious builders, serious anglers, a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Mastering Rod Building?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Mastering Rod Building:

1. Wet Fly Swing Fly Fishing Podcast
2. Cut & Retie
3. Mill House Podcast
4. Bite Me - A Texas Saltwater Fishing Podcast
5. Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co.

How many episodes of Mastering Rod Building are there?

Mastering Rod Building launched 3 years ago and published 88 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Mastering Rod Building?

Recent guests on Mastering Rod Building include:

1. Roger Hinchcliffe
2. Mark Crouse
3. Steve Rajeff
4. Carlos El Rey de las Truchas Sanchez
5. Jim Schottenham
6. Bernie Schultz
7. Aleks Maslov
8. Mike McFarland

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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