Mr. Yeats even advised towards my son's engineering schooling. I have had trouble getting him to make choices that I agree with. I am now told he will go to Texas A&M for a Graduate Degree. This makes me feel so much better.

I want to first thank you for your extra care and sincere concern for my satisfaction with the repair of my favorite 20-year old Shakespeare Boron Sigma II fishing rod. I broke the rod about 10-years ago and recently found the missing pieces stored at my father’s utility shed in Naples , Florida . I found your website and could see that if I chose Kelley’s Rod Wrapping to repair my old Shakespeare friend, I would be dealing with a straight forward and honest craftsman. Your repair was absolutely remarkable. Not only does the rod have that old familiar balance and feel, but the rod’s appearance is just beautiful and has been restored to a like new condition. I cannot thank you enough, I am so happy with your work. Finally, I will add that it was a total pleasure going through the repair options, step by step. If I am ever near Lindale , Texas , I will give you a call.

This e-mail is from Lynn. This is the first reply for 2006. He received the rod from the Holy Family Church October Fest Raffle Drawing. This is what he had to say about his new custom fishing rod:

KELLY,

THE WRAPPING OF THE ROD LOOKS GREAT. ITS COLORS ARE UNIQUE AND WILL BE AN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO MY GEAR. I CAN’T WAIT TO MATCH A NEW REEL TO THE ROD. IT WILL BE GREAT TO GET A GOOD COMBINATION GOING. FEELING THE WEIGHT AND MASS OF THE ROD WILL HELP WITH PICKING OUT THE REEL.

THE ROD REALLY LOOKS GREAT MAYBE EVEN BETTER THAN FATHER DOYLE’S. I AM PROUD THAT YOU DONATED THE ROD TO THE CHURCH AND THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE BID.

THANKS AGAIN FOR SUCH A GREAT LOOKING ROD,

LYNN

2005

It has been a while since I have posted a Customer comment, but I go this from Arnell on the KTG-125 - AF762-2-St. Croix fly rod turned spinning rod that I shipped around the first of August 2005. Here is what Arnell wrote back to me after he took his new custom fly rod-spin 7' 6" light 2wt fly rod:

Kelley, hello from sunny and hot Memphis, TN. Couldn't wait so I cast it
some in the yard last night. Can easily cast an plain 1/64 oz. jig 35 to
40 feet. With the super-light rod action I'll need to keep the drag just
right with my 2-lb. test P-Line Flouro-clear line. Expect I'll be able to
feel it if a gnat lands on my line. Just what I wanted. And your
workmanship is superb! I sure won't mind if I have to wait a spell for my
next rod either.

I went ahead a put a check in the mail as I left the house this morning.

Take good care and Best Regards,

Arnell

The last two customers that I have had made appreciate the hard and timeless work it takes to produce a custom rod.

Hey Kelley,
Just wanted to say thanks again for your services and the personality you
have given my grandpa's old rod. Its cool to see it up on your website. I
feel proud like a parent when people see and appreciate the craftsmanship
that went into it. Thanks for giving me a rod I can love for years and pass
on. You will be my first contact when I need a new rod. Tight lines!

Barry

These are some from 2003:

This is a perfect example of my work. It is approximately like the 2003 comment from Eric, who by the way has purchased approximately somewhere around 12 of my custom fishing rods. We first came in contact when I put my simple web page on the internet in late 1997. He is a constant return customer. In 2004-5 I made five rods for him that were exactly alike except for the colors. He just wanted each of his family members to have their own, so they would quit borrowing his. That makes perfect sense.

I am preparing to start another rod September-October 2005 for his son's birthday that is close to Christmas. He knows he has to get to me early for Christmas/birthday presents.

I had one GL2 made in Minnesota , about 6 years ago he charged $125. All the eyes were silicone Carbide.

His name was John Gilbertson. He died a couple years ago. I had 2 made in New England area by Bob Nelson.

These were G-Loomis IMX with custom made cork Grips silicon guides all the bells and whistles.

I paid $200.00 a piece. John also made me a Musky rod St. Croix Blank and carbide guides for $100.00.

Kelley: Your Work is as good as or better than theirs I just like your work best. I use the rods you made

me more than any others I have. Yes I think your prices are fair ... if anything maybe too low so if you want more

P.S. I like you better than the other rod builders I have met or talked to ... you really care, you are very friendly

HIS NEW POLE ! HE EVEN WON THE JACKPOT WITH HIS NEW POLE. HE WON IT WITH A HUGE BARRACUDA !

ERIK LOVED HIS NEW POLE AND IT WORKED AWESOME ! (I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH IT ALSO !)

Came home from work today to a long tube, I knew it would be today, I’ve been tracking every move. Then I pulled it out of the tube and was like a kid at Christmas! AWESOME Pictures were great, but to see the detail up close, and wow great the colors look, and it feels great too, and not as whippy at the tip as I thought it would be which is a good thing I heard Loomis was a bit whippy at the tip. Anyway totally happy with the way everything came out, and dealing with you was a pleasure, and you will get my business again sometime later probably for a flats pole for the Gulf. Anyway can't wait to cast it, like the addition of a 9th guide too. I'll send a picture once I get to NY of me and the pole, just a bit crazy right now packing up, and of course the washer broke and I got to go to a laundry. Beautiful work I really appreciate you getting this done so fast and with such great craftsmanship, I'll also get a check out before I go so this way everybody's settled up. Thank You for a great fishing rod!

The rod arrived last night. It is beautiful and Marty was totally surprised. He really loves it. Thanks so much for your attention to detail. I will mail a check out to you first thing tomorrow. Wishing you and Margaret a happy and blessed holiday!!

Bethany A. Rappaport RN, MSN, GNP

Kelley,
It great to hear that your doing fine after surgery, I hope that everything goes well with the recovery just take it easy and do what the doctor tells you. Also wanted to let you know the rod worked better then I expected and it felt great in my hands, you could feel anything that was going on in the water with my bait. I never expected that from any rod.
THANKS AGAIN AND PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

GARTH

I recently tried your suggestions with the phone books to aid me in wrapping eyes on to my rod. Your idea worked great and I appreciate your help very much.

We have 13 or more inches of snow on the ground right now, so I may have plenty of time to wrap eyes on rods. Not too much moving around outside this Christmas day.

I got it in the morning, and went to class. But I could not
concentrate in class. Whatever my professor said I was thinking
the rod... and came back home.
It is so nice and beautiful... I am sure that my fiancé must be
happy.
Thanks again, really good job.

Ps, I will send the check tomorrow.

Mitch really liked his rod. It was hard for me to give it up after I saw it...what a beauty.

Kelley,

I'm so sorry. I've been meaning to email you and let you know that it did arrive. It looks really nice and I'm sure Troy will be very happy. I'll get a check in the mail for the shipping next week.

Thanks again,

Suzanne

These are some from before 2003:

Hi Kelley:
We are putting the check in the mail 1st thing tomorrow morning...Charlie
loves the rods, they came on Friday.
Thanks very much for all your hard work!

Carrie & Charlie Bier

Hi : Kelley, yes I check your site often, your new rods are really nice. I have used my new rods and they are GREAT a lot of fun to use, if you want an ultra ultra-lite build yourself one like my lightest one what a blast on pan fish. I used it for trout this spring had a lot of fun. Probably order some more once I get my kids out of college. Thanks

Kelley,
I just got home and found my new rod propped up by the
door. I've been trying to call but your line has been
busy.
The rod is INCREDIBLE!!! It's everything I'd imagined
and way more. I'm glad I trusted your judgment with
it all. It's very well balanced with my reel, and
meets all of my requirements. The wrapping is
exquisite and like the location of the "hook clip"
just above the first guide. I can't wait to show it
off. I'll be passing your business cards around.
I know I owe your $100.66 but I'm sending $110. You
deserve even more.
Thanks for everything....

Kelley,
Just a quick note to say how utterly happy I am with
the fishing rod you made for me earlier this year. I
have probably caught many hundreds of trout since I've
had it. (No kidding) Last weekend I almost landing
the biggest brown trout ever estimated to be 20-24
inches. I love the ability to carry it in my pack
safely. My friends love it, in fact one of them might
order one from you.

John Karpnski

Kel, Tried the new rod this past week end. In a word, Love it!! I used
it with both crank-baits and plastics. It performed great with both. You
could feel the crank-baits wiggle through it, and with a mini Carolina
rig it was great. If you need a reference for your rods, feel free to
use me.

and accuracy, this rod has that nailed. Can't wait to see how it does for sensitivity.

Customer Comments:

2006

This e-mail is from Lynn. This is the first reply for 2006. He received the rod from the Holy Family Church October Fest Raffle Drawing. This is what he had to say about his new custom fishing rod:

2005

The last two customers that I have had made appreciate the hard and timeless work it takes to produce a custom rod.

Barry

These are some from 2003:

These are some from before 2003: