If you missed that show, don't worry, we'll be demonstrating in Portland, Maine, on August 27th (9 AM-4PM) at the Portland Fine Craft Show. See Mainecrafts.org for more information. This show combines hundreds of artists and juried craftsmen each year. Several blocks on Congress are closed to traffic so we can set up our displays, and there are many fine eating establishments along the street too, so come see us and enjoy a fun day in this upscale seaport town. I'll have a selection of my split bamboo rods available for sale and orders will be taken for custom rods as well.
August is a busy month for us, and we just completed a weekend of rod-making demonstrations at the 83rd. annual League of N.H. Craftsmen's Fair at Mount Sunapee. The opening weekend attracted over 9000 attendees and many stopped by our display to discover how bamboo rods are crafted. The League is considered one of the finest juried craft organizations in the country, so it attracts visitors from across the country every year.
If you missed that show, don't worry, we'll be demonstrating in Portland, Maine, on August 27th (9 AM-4PM) at the Portland Fine Craft Show. See Mainecrafts.org for more information. This show combines hundreds of artists and juried craftsmen each year. Several blocks on Congress are closed to traffic so we can set up our displays, and there are many fine eating establishments along the street too, so come see us and enjoy a fun day in this upscale seaport town. I'll have a selection of my split bamboo rods available for sale and orders will be taken for custom rods as well.
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Our local fly shop attracts fly fishers from all over New England for this one day event. Company reps will be there as well as Maine fishing camps, etc. Your favorite bamboo rod maker will be there again this year. A plastic sheet is rolled out over the parking lot which serves as a casting pond to try out new rods. I will also appraise
This will be our second year at this wonderful event. Featured in the centuries-old Wayside Inn (Where George Washington lodged), this show has an intimate setting where you can talk with fly tyers, and others who share the passion for all things Fly Fishing related. I'll have my own new fly rods and vintage rods and reels too. Some of these old rods include
This one-day event always draws a large crowd. It is hosted by the Bethel Inn at their Conference Center across the street. There are many vendors and exhibits and as always, we'll be there with my own hand-crafted fly rods for sale, as well as vintage rods and reels. Hours are 10-4:00.
What better way to spend a Wintery Saturday than inside a warm gym casting bamboo fly rods? This event is sponsored by the school fishing club and the money they raise pays for weekend fishing trips. Always a fun-filled day, I'll be there with my own fly rods to cast, vintage rods, and vintage
Friends: I'll be at this weekend's show in Somerset, N.J. on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Unlike the past 5 yrs, I will not have a booth, but I'll be roaming around, visiting with friends, etc. If you need to reach me (because it's a large show), call my cell phone: 603-801-5745. I look forward to seeing you all there!
As we launch our new site, I would love to get feedback from client's, aficionados, and casual browsers. What is it you would like to see on the site? Thoughts on new rods you would like to see us develop? Do you have photos of great fly fishing moments? Memories you'd like to share? We'd love to hear them. Check out the feature on WCSH-6 in a program called “207”. Special thanks to Rob Nesbitt, Rob Caldwell, and Kathleen Shannon, and the whole crew at WCSH-6. My interest in the history of old rod makers and their cane rods has opened the door for me to become the sole rod appraiser for Lang’s auctions [starting in 2004]. This is the largest antique fishing tackle auction house in the United States. Each year, I am privileged to closely inspect hundreds of antique bamboo rods and describe them for the cataloged auctions held in April and November. I take advantage of this opportunity to study rods by the most respected masters of the past.
Look closely at my rods and you’ll see that I’ve incorporated much of what I’ve learned from the masters into my own rods. In 2004, I received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Governor of New Hampshire, Jeanne Shaheen, and the Executive Council. That day, I shared the stage with two of my dear friends, Stan Bogdan and “Sam” Carlson. In fact, it was my privilege to introduce them both to the Governor. Stan is the world’s most renown reel maker. “Sam” had worked for the Edwards rod company in Connecticut as a kid and later bought the F.E. Thomas Rod Co. and produced four-sided rods under his own name. Little did we know, that 6 weeks after receiving our awards from the State, Sam would pass away. I’ve always considered it a special privilege to have been Sam’s friend and to have spent many hours talking about bamboo rods with him.
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Fred Kretchman
An avid fly fisherman for over 50 years, and a craftsman of some of the finest split bamboo rods in the world for 30 years... Working daily on the coast of Maine. Archives
March 2024
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F. D. Kretchman Rod Co.
46 Crockett Neck Rd. Kittery Point, ME 03905 Open: By Appointment only. |
fred@kretchmanflyrods.com
603-801-5745 |
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