I've covered this in quite a few emails lately but figured it was time to make the announcement with a blog post as well that the longstanding T.F.M. Fly Rod Loan Program has ended.
When the program started a half dozen years ago it was with just a couple choice fly rods. Over the years the available fly rods grew to over three dozen choices from small shop builders to fly rod companies. This program did a lot of good in exposing anglers to glass from a lot of different makers and helped many to determine the exact fiberglass fly rod they were looking for.
Over time though, the responsibility of maintaining this program is really too much for me to handle anymore. There are several realities that I've had to come to terms with in deciding to end the T.F.M. Fly Rod Loan Program.
First, I just don't have time to keep up with it like I should. On any given week I would receive a dozen to several dozen requests to loan a fly rod or in some cases, a long list of fly rods. This process involved a spread sheet, packaging fly rods to be sent, insuring and shipping fly rods, and then keeping track of where each fly rod would go next.
Second, with more fly rods in the program, accountibility was becoming an issue since it took quite a bit of concentration to maintain a record of what fly rod was where. Some who would demo would be very quick with sending a fly rod back while others would keep for weeks to several months before shipping back. This made it tough to keep up with what fly rod was where.
Third, dealing with fly rods that were damaged, slow to be sent back, lost during shipping, or in several cases stolen, all made it tough to keep this program going. Having fly rods fixed, replaced, and dealing with insurance became quite a bit of hassle.
Fourth, even with each person sending money for insurance and shipping, this program still cost me a lot of time and money. Two of which I don't have enough to give away anymore.
I appreciate the support from builders and fly rod companies in sending these fly rods for the demo program and all fly rods currently in the stable will be sent back or will continue to be used during presentations and casting demonstrations on fiberglass fly rods.
Questions? Please send an email to thefiberglassmanifesto@gmail.com.
When the program started a half dozen years ago it was with just a couple choice fly rods. Over the years the available fly rods grew to over three dozen choices from small shop builders to fly rod companies. This program did a lot of good in exposing anglers to glass from a lot of different makers and helped many to determine the exact fiberglass fly rod they were looking for.
Over time though, the responsibility of maintaining this program is really too much for me to handle anymore. There are several realities that I've had to come to terms with in deciding to end the T.F.M. Fly Rod Loan Program.
First, I just don't have time to keep up with it like I should. On any given week I would receive a dozen to several dozen requests to loan a fly rod or in some cases, a long list of fly rods. This process involved a spread sheet, packaging fly rods to be sent, insuring and shipping fly rods, and then keeping track of where each fly rod would go next.
Second, with more fly rods in the program, accountibility was becoming an issue since it took quite a bit of concentration to maintain a record of what fly rod was where. Some who would demo would be very quick with sending a fly rod back while others would keep for weeks to several months before shipping back. This made it tough to keep up with what fly rod was where.
Third, dealing with fly rods that were damaged, slow to be sent back, lost during shipping, or in several cases stolen, all made it tough to keep this program going. Having fly rods fixed, replaced, and dealing with insurance became quite a bit of hassle.
Fourth, even with each person sending money for insurance and shipping, this program still cost me a lot of time and money. Two of which I don't have enough to give away anymore.
I appreciate the support from builders and fly rod companies in sending these fly rods for the demo program and all fly rods currently in the stable will be sent back or will continue to be used during presentations and casting demonstrations on fiberglass fly rods.
Questions? Please send an email to thefiberglassmanifesto@gmail.com.
7 comments:
I can't say that I blame you. Even if things went smoothly, it sounds like it still wasn't worth it. Regardless, it's really unfortunate that a few folks had to take advantage of it.
Randall... I don't want it to come across like it wasn't worth it. It was. Just too much for me to handle and take care of anymore.
Cam, thanks for your efforts with the loan program. I got to try out several rods, which I otherwise wouldn't have been able to get my hands on. Steffen 8' 3/4 was tops. Many sincere thank yous.
Cameron, I'm impressed how long you did do it. I thought the number had to be getting up there and wondered how you kept track. Many where blessed to have the opportunity to rods they would not otherwise have. Love your blog. Your shirts are still my favorites, love seeing where you go, what you do and especially with your kids! Tight lines.
Brian... I am glad that you were able to take advantage of the program.
jj wassom... Thank you for the kind words. I keep thinking it might be time to do another run of TFM t-shirts. All mine are faded and have holes in them.
Yeah, I'm amazed you held out as long as you did!
Thanks for doing this Cam. I never took advantage of it, but it sounded like a fantastic program and like David said above, I'm amazed you kept it going for as long as you did. No good deed goes unpunished!
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