If you've been checking in on The Fiberglass Manifesto (and elsewhere) lately, it should be becoming obvious that Japanese fiberglass fly rod blank makers, builders, along with fly reel and gear makers, are having a deserved moment right now and for good reason. These makers care in design, function, and performance bring classic and eye-catching aesthetics forward in their offerings.
Joey Moll understood this long ago and has been purposefully establishing relationships with Japanese makers and offering their blanks, finished fly rods, and fly reels at Fish On! Custom Rods.
Awhile back, I asked Joey if he'd answer a few questions, tell the Fish On! story, and explain how he's built these relationships with various Japanese makers. In this short interview, he also shares some glimpses of the fly rods, blanks, and fly reels that you can find in his online store.
First, tell us about Fish On! Custom Rods and what you have built with your family over the past several years?
Fish On! began with four little boys, a fly rod, and a river. I raised my sons on moving water—each cast carrying hopes, lessons, and moments that became family treasures. From a garage to a barn to a dining room workshop, thread by thread, I learned that rod building wasn’t just about craft—it was about connection.
Friends, nonprofits, and fellow anglers began to weave their own threads into our story by requesting our fly rods. We shared campfires, dockside laughs, and mornings on rivers like Dry Run Creek where children’s eyes lit up with wonder. Over the years, the shop has grown, but the heart remains the same: every rod is a vessel for memories waiting to be made.
That same devotion to detail and soul is what drew me to Japan’s rod and reel makers, whose philosophy of monozukuri—the pursuit of perfection through craftsmanship—mirrors the care I’ve always put into each build.
How did you connect with these makers, and what’s the response been from customers?
It began with conversation—not sales pitches. I shared my builds, listened to their philosophy, and built trust over time. The result is more than just access to beautiful gear—it’s friendship across cultures. Customers have been captivated. They see these rods and reels not just as tools, but as functional art with a story.
Do you have any favorites in your Japanese collection?
Some fiberglass blanks cast with a buttery, soulful feel that’s perfect for small streams. Certain graphite models have a crisp, responsive action for big water. On the reel side, I love understated designs that feel like they were engineered to disappear in your hand while delivering flawless performance.
Have you built on Ijuin or Kabuto blanks?
Yes. Ijuin Rods tapers have a smooth, progressive action—ideal for delicate work with dry flies. Kabuto Rods tapers are distinctive: rich in color, deep in flex, and with a smooth recovery that feels alive in your hand. Both are unmistakably Japanese in their balance of beauty and performance.
You’ve recently featured Minamoto Classic Fly Reels — what makes them special?
Minamoto Reels are born in Nikko, Japan—a place often called the birthplace of Japanese fly fishing. Surrounded by mountain streams and trout-rich waters, Nikko inspired maker Fuyu Minamoto to craft reels that honor tradition while performing beautifully on the water. The name “Minamoto” means “the beginning of things,” and the inaugural Nikko Classic line is a tribute to that origin.
Each reel is built from premium 6061 aluminum alloy, 300-series stainless steel, and brass, with hand-polished lathe lines on the classic black backing plate. Frames and spools are available in gold or silver tones, paired with a handcrafted black ebonite handle. A traditional click-and-pawl drag delivers a refined, tactile sound—both a nod to heritage and a delight for the senses. Every component is polished, assembled, and finished by hand.
Finishes range from All-Black to Cobblestone, Dawn, and Leaf, with sizes covering everything from small trout to steelhead. Each reel arrives in a handmade black leather pouch inside a black box sealed with a handwritten label—small, thoughtful touches that speak to the maker’s respect for craftsmanship.
At Fish On! Custom Rods in Little Rock, we’re proud to serve as Minamoto’s U.S. partner, offering these reels in limited numbers. They’re not just fishing tools—they’re bridges between artistry and function, crafted with humility and reverence for the waters that inspired them. As we like to say: Minamoto reels are inspired by Japanese philosophy, where humility and respect for nature are at the heart of every gesture.
Each one is meant to be fished with intention and treasured for its design, story, and sensory experience—much like the finest rods from Tomo or Kabuto.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Whether I’m building on a blank from America or from a Japanese master, the goal is the same—to create something that connects angler, water, and moment.
I am profoundly grateful for the inspiration and artistry rooted in Japanese craftsmanship. The philosophy of "monozukuri", with its dedication to perfection and reverence for detail, mirrors the heart of every rod I create. Collaborating with Japanese makers has been more than an exchange of materials—it has been a cultural connection, rich with respect, learning, and shared passion for the water. Thank you to the artisans whose wisdom and skill breathe life into every rod and reel, and to the anglers who embrace these tools, honoring the traditions and stories woven within them.
Over twenty years ago, in the crisp morning air, a little voice shouted, “Fish On! Daddy!”
That call still anchors every build today.
If the story behind a rod matters to you as much as the feel of its cast, I invite you to explore our curated collection of Japanese fly rods and reels. Each one carries the same care, friendship, and attention to detail that’s been at the heart of Fish On! from the very beginning.
Every rod is more than a tool—it’s an invitation to create your own story on the water.
Take a moment to visit the Fish On! Custom Rods website and stay up on the latest shop news on Facebook and Instagram.
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