By my memory I've been knowing Shawn Combs since sometime in 2010. At that time he wasn't working at Orvis yet and we traded quite a few emails back and forth on fiberglass fly rods, the big browns he was catching on streamers, and work he was doing in his shop like building custom wood snow skis. The guy likes to tinker.
Fast forward a year and Shawn had begun working at Orvis in product design and I jokingly mentioned to him that he should work on bringing fiberglass back. It seemed like a pipe dream since I had been told before by others within Orvis that they weren't interested in glass and it would likely never happen.
Over time, one thing lead to another thing and slowly Shawn was able to plant seeds and put into motion the possibility of a modern fiberglass fly rod offering from Orvis. Prototypes were rolled, built, cast, and then rolled, built, and cast some more. Lengths and line weights were hashed out. More prototypes were made and sent out to a few "glass geeks" for evaluation. A few glass fly rods started showing up in the hands of reps, at industry shows and media events, and others came in the back door at fly shops or in guides hands for more casting.
All the notes were taken into account and final build plans and components were chosen. The Orvis Rod Shop in Vermont went into overdrive and began building the first batches of these fly rods. Fast forward to the now, like this week, and the Orvis Superfine Glass fly rods are arriving in fly shops all over the world. Kind of cool isn't it?
There are a lot of really neat things that I've been able to do while hacking away at this website each day and being on the inside track of the Superfine Glass from conception to final product is definitely one of the coolest projects that I've been involved in. I am really excited to see these fly rods come to actuality and I think they are going to go a long way to continue to revive modern fiberglass fly rods.
There are quite a few T.F.M. posts that chronicle the story of the Superfine Glass fly rods and give hints on what Orvis had in the works that are worth a read if you like...
GLASS IS (CERTAINLY) NOT DEAD
MORE ORVIS GLASS AND A CONVERT TOO
ORVIS BRINGING GLASS BACK?
ORVIS GLASS VS. CARP = GLASS WINS
ORVIS GLASS - WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE
ORVIS SUPERFINE GLASS WINS AWARD
ORVIS SUPERFINE GLASS
The Superfine Glass fly rods are not on the Orvis website yet but I know for a fact that fly shops have been receiving their orders all this week. Stop in at your local Orvis dealer to cast one of these sweet new offerings that are "Made In Vermont" and retail for $395.00.
Oh yeah, I am beyond stoked that the first 1,000 Superfine Glass fly rods are leaving the Vermont Rod Shop with a couple T.F.M. decals stuffed in the rod tube as well.
THE GIVEAWAY:
For today, Orvis is giving up a Superfine Glass fly rod of the winner's choice, a Battenkill fly reel, and Superfine fly line to complete the outfit.
There will be a total of ONE WINNER for today's giveaway.
THE RULES:
- Please send an email to tfmcontests@gmail.com saying you want in on today's giveaway.
- You will need to send an email daily to be included in the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways.
- You will receive an auto response email back to confirm your entry was received each day.
- Please send only one email per email account. Duplicate emails will be erased.
- All emails must be received by 5 a.m. tomorrow morning to qualify for this gear giveaway.
- Winners will be chosen by random number generator and will be announced tomorrow morning at the end of this post.
- Please note that if you win one of the days of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways then you are not eligible to win any other day. Please give someone else a chance.
THE WINNER:
By far this was the most popular day of the giveaways but the random number generator could only choose one. The winner of the Superfine Glass outfit is...
ERIC GREEN
Thanks to everyone that participated in the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways and for Orvis being such a gracious sponsor.
Fast forward a year and Shawn had begun working at Orvis in product design and I jokingly mentioned to him that he should work on bringing fiberglass back. It seemed like a pipe dream since I had been told before by others within Orvis that they weren't interested in glass and it would likely never happen.
Over time, one thing lead to another thing and slowly Shawn was able to plant seeds and put into motion the possibility of a modern fiberglass fly rod offering from Orvis. Prototypes were rolled, built, cast, and then rolled, built, and cast some more. Lengths and line weights were hashed out. More prototypes were made and sent out to a few "glass geeks" for evaluation. A few glass fly rods started showing up in the hands of reps, at industry shows and media events, and others came in the back door at fly shops or in guides hands for more casting.
All the notes were taken into account and final build plans and components were chosen. The Orvis Rod Shop in Vermont went into overdrive and began building the first batches of these fly rods. Fast forward to the now, like this week, and the Orvis Superfine Glass fly rods are arriving in fly shops all over the world. Kind of cool isn't it?
There are a lot of really neat things that I've been able to do while hacking away at this website each day and being on the inside track of the Superfine Glass from conception to final product is definitely one of the coolest projects that I've been involved in. I am really excited to see these fly rods come to actuality and I think they are going to go a long way to continue to revive modern fiberglass fly rods.
There are quite a few T.F.M. posts that chronicle the story of the Superfine Glass fly rods and give hints on what Orvis had in the works that are worth a read if you like...
MORE ORVIS GLASS AND A CONVERT TOO
ORVIS BRINGING GLASS BACK?
ORVIS GLASS VS. CARP = GLASS WINS
ORVIS GLASS - WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE
ORVIS SUPERFINE GLASS WINS AWARD
ORVIS SUPERFINE GLASS
The Superfine Glass fly rods are not on the Orvis website yet but I know for a fact that fly shops have been receiving their orders all this week. Stop in at your local Orvis dealer to cast one of these sweet new offerings that are "Made In Vermont" and retail for $395.00.
Oh yeah, I am beyond stoked that the first 1,000 Superfine Glass fly rods are leaving the Vermont Rod Shop with a couple T.F.M. decals stuffed in the rod tube as well.
THE GIVEAWAY:
For today, Orvis is giving up a Superfine Glass fly rod of the winner's choice, a Battenkill fly reel, and Superfine fly line to complete the outfit.
There will be a total of ONE WINNER for today's giveaway.
THE RULES:
- Please send an email to tfmcontests@gmail.com saying you want in on today's giveaway.
- You will need to send an email daily to be included in the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways.
- You will receive an auto response email back to confirm your entry was received each day.
- Please send only one email per email account. Duplicate emails will be erased.
- All emails must be received by 5 a.m. tomorrow morning to qualify for this gear giveaway.
- Winners will be chosen by random number generator and will be announced tomorrow morning at the end of this post.
- Please note that if you win one of the days of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways then you are not eligible to win any other day. Please give someone else a chance.
THE WINNER:
By far this was the most popular day of the giveaways but the random number generator could only choose one. The winner of the Superfine Glass outfit is...
ERIC GREEN
Thanks to everyone that participated in the 12 Days of Christmas giveaways and for Orvis being such a gracious sponsor.
11 comments:
Cam, please accept my gratitude and thanks for all you've done for our sport and me over the years. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and the family. See you in January.
Howard...you are too kind. I have so much fun with TFM and everything else that has happened from writing this silly website. I'm glad to be able to contribute to other people's enjoyment of these great pastime.
Cam, I would second Howard's praise. And also add you run a world-class blog - I don't own the first glass rod - yet, but I think the Superfine Glass may be the first. Thanks for the great write ups! Merry Christmas
Cam, fabulous contest with marvelous prizes. Thank you for efforts. I asked Santa for a fiberglass rod for Christmas! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family. I look forward to reading your blog.
Thanks so much for all you work and dedication, Cam. I can't imagine the effort required to get the sponsors, organize the contest, write the posts, ship the prizes and keep a normal job. You truly are the Santa Claus of the fly fishing community!
Wishing you and family a very Merry Christmas.
Thank you!
Cam,
What a great 12 days. Thanks so much for everything you do and all your help throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Lynn
Cam,
Awesome give away and thank you for the effort! Also, I agree about the TFM decals in the first 1000 rod tubes, too cool!!!
Merry Christmas!
Great work Cameron! This was a big year for the fiberglass comeback and you've been a huge catalyst for it. Thanks for the awesome giveaway and happy holidays. Can't wait to see what 2014 brings!
Thanks Cam for another great 12 Days of Christmas. First Class all they way, You and the sponsors.
Merry Christmas
RFMcD
Fellows...thanks all for the kind comments. The past dozen days were a lot of fun and it's always great to play Santa Claus.
Most awesome giveaway. Thanks so much and Happy Holidays!
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