I was drawn to fly fishing by the mid ‘60’s when I was in my early teens and ultimately began a fascination with fly rod construction that lasts to this day. I have been working with bamboo rods for well over 25 years.

I had met and known C. W. “Sam” Carlson for a number of years before first visiting his shop in Greenville, NH. At that time, I was building hand planed rods and he was a bit reluctant to share any information to help another rod builder, or consider letting me do anything in any capacity in his shop. I persisted, and that eventually paid off when he saw that I was serious about learning.  Beginning 8 - 9 years prior to his death, I had the unique opportunity and privilege to work beside and become apprentice to “Sam” Carlson, one of the true master builders in the art of bamboo fly rod making, and one of the last ties to the great builders of the past.

We built numerous rods together and he patiently taught me all the aspects of rod building, the way he built them.

Confident of my abilities, “Sam’s” intention was that I would eventually take over the business when he wanted to stop, or was unable to continue building. That came a lot sooner than he had planned with his untimely passing in May of 2002 from an aggressive leukemia at age 87. His mind, his eye and his hand were all very sharp and steady right up to the end.

I purchased the Carlson Rod Co. and the contents of “Sam’s” shop at the end of 2002 and eventually moved the shop to new quarters that were being built at my home.

My limited production of rods will continue to be hand built with the same attention to detail that Carlson rods have become known for, and all components other than guides will continue to be made in my shop.