Every other day, I am questioned why Tucson, Arizona for a fly rod builder setting. "It's in the desert" is the often cited comment I encounter with fly rod building inquires. Well, the easy answer is it's a great place, sunsets are terrific, climate is generally okay...except for the middle of summer, and the desert is a unique space in these United States.

This is a historical significant area for native Americans to the more recent land of Zane Grey. Tucson is one of the oldest continuously settled areas in what we consider the United States. The travels of the Conquistadors, the western lore of cowboys, the gold miners, and the pioneers drew me from the abundant waters of Michigan to the magical desert of Arizona

Little did I know that my love for this land would be granted with an initial Air Force assignment, followed by a degree program at the University of Arizona, and then a return after my years of service.

But what does that have to do with fly rod building? The best answer for my choosing Tucson is being relatively close to those great, little known trout waters holding elusive trout. I travel to the wonders of Arizona and dip my flies in waters that often to do not have many fisher persons around me. 

Another reason is that there are many, and I mean many, fly fishers in and around Tucson. I’ve been blessed to have access to those men and women who love, like I do, the thrill and casting those, often self tied, flies into those same waters and “capture” that elusive fish, return it to the water, and internalize the glow of peace and contentment. The ZEN of fly fishing espoused by many of us.

This explanation is simplistic by many but I’m blessed that each day I touch a rod blank and turn it into a custom fly rod. Tight Lines everyone!