Thinking back a few years to when I first saw the Reel Pure website I remember being impressed that a couple of guys could start a company and sell gear that they had designed. Where did the idea come from to develop Reel Pure and how long has it been around?
I’d spent years as a software marketing guy and came to a point where it made sense to marry it to my passion – fly fishing. Reel Pure was never about gear really – it was about a state of mind. With so many overly technical product brands, and overly serious attitudes in the industry, I was focused on launching a lifestyle brand with a message. So, we rolled out an affordably priced lifestyle product line in 2003. We’ve gone in a few different product and non-product directions since, but we’ve always stayed true to our message.
Reel Pure will continue to take a multi-dimensional approach to business – while we continue to develop products, media, and services.
(Photograph courtesy of Aaron Otto/Sleeping in the Dirt)How have you seen the small company scene change in the past five years in regards to those that make fly fishing related gear? It seems like there are a lot of small companies out there with inspired designs and products. How is this changing what anglers are buying?
“Small company” in this industry is, in my opinion, a relative term. Even the highest revenue generating brands are fairly small potatoes in the grand scheme. I do, however, notice quite a few more ma and pa brands out there lately. As a result, we’re probably seeing fewer buying decisions based solely on technical performance criteria and more based on brands and messaging that we identify with.
What spawned the idea for Moldy Chum and as a daily reader of the blog I am often left wondering who comes up with all the content for the blog? Seems like a full time job dropping posts at the pace that you fellows do.
Moldy Chum’s floundering father (Brian Bennett) and I met a few years ago at a local watering hole. We soon found out that we had a shared goal – to deliver serious stuff with a not so serious attitude. It wasn’t a year later that we decided to join forces and partner on Moldy Chum – which then became the Voice of Reel Pure.
We take a thunder and lightning approach - Brian is a long time industry guy and has his finger on the pulse of just about everything. He is a content mining guru. I tend to focus a bit more on strategy stuff (SEO, viral campaigns, travel, ads, etc.) . Together I think we’re a pretty good balance and compliment the hell out of each other.
Posting at the rate we do can be pretty time consuming. We are currently considering a model that allows more user generated content that would in-turn lighten out load a bit.
I see that the second Moldy Chum "Field Trip" is coming up and going to Alaska. Is Moldy Chum moving into the travel business as well?
Moldy Chum decided to add services into its mix and started promoting “Field Trips” six months ago. We will likely host one special trip a quarter. With a readership base that continues to grow, we sat down and decided to provide additional value to the Chum Nation. We believe that when our readers spend hard earned coin on a special trip, they should not only get world-class fishing – they should get to do it in a tweedbag free environment.
Finally, do you ever pick up glass rods and take them with you on the water? If so...what's your favorite fiberglass sticks?
I used to throw my dad’s old Fenwick when I was a kid (8 or so years old). Haven’t had a chance to pick one up since, but do think it’s about time to cast one again.
Eric, thanks for the interview and folks, don't forget to check out Reel Pure's Offer of the Month.
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