2024 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering

The 2024 Catskills Gathering is coming up quick. It promises to be a great time. Mark your calendars, this year's gathering will be September 6, 7, and 8th.

The gathering is filled with bamboo rodmakers, enthusiasts and friends and family. It’s a great group of people that get together to talk about bamboo rods, making and casting which there will be 60-70 rods available to handle and cast throughout the weekend. Lots of discussions on tapers and history of makers and of course a few opinions too.

All are welcomed and encouraged to bring a rod or three and share their building tips or favorite rod tapers as we cast and discuss.

Here are a few of the presentstions and demostrations to expect to see this year.

• 30 Year presentation
• Beginner Rodmaker round table discussion and hands demonstration
• How to turning reel seat hardware on the lathe - Bob Hallowell
• 406 Line Conpany presentstion - Tom Brodhead
• Ferulle design and history - Chris Bogart
• Lo Lo Cane presentation - Peer Doering-Arjes
• And more!

This year’s Demarest challenge will specify that entrants design a 3X3X3 rod. What we mean by that is a three piece rod designed to cast a three weight line, that weighs under 3.0 ounces. Rod length fittings, etc will be at the discretion of the builder. In the past, we have always specified that the rod shaft material be 100% composed to Tonkin bamboo, but this year, with an eye to some of the experimentation with other species of cane, we are only specifying that the rod shafts be composed of bamboo.

Scoring of the casting competition will be based on techniques described in the ACA trout fly event. That means an accuracy event, a roll casting accuracy event, and a distance casting event. The accuracy events will be scored as they have been in the past, with each entry starting out with 100 points, then deductions applied for targets missed. Distance casts will be scored by counting 1 point for each foot of the cast. We expect that this method will favor accuracy over distance, which seems as it should be with a three weight rod.

The line used this year will be a double taper 3 weight, because of the roll casting component this year. The line will be made available by the 406 line company to registered participants in the competition at a discounted price

As noted above, the DT3 lines for use in the Demarest competition are now available at a 50% discount from 406 lines. In order to purchase the line at the discount, you must be a registered entrant in the competition to qualify. Those wanting to purchase the line can either contact Tom Smithwick at Classicflyrodforum.com via PM, or by email to tsmithwick (at) mac.com

The event coordinators received participant feedback (last year) that the fund-raising raffle conflicted with the enjoyment of the Saturday Event Dinner. As event participants, we certainly agree. We also recognize, that as active rod builders, we have an obligation and responsibility to support the museum and the Rod Building Workshop. As most are aware, the event supports a dual function:

Sharing rod building history and knowledge and supporting the Rod Building Workshop that we have worked so hard to build

The event coordinators have replaced the annual fund-raising raffle/auction with a door prize raffle system. The new system will reduce the congestion in the upper level, allowing the facilitation of the happy hour and dinner function, thus building on the mission of information sharing and collaboration.

Each Registeration entry will receive1 door prize raffle ticket. Additional door prize tickets will be sold at the following rate: 5/$20, 20/$50 or 50/$100

Registration includes a 2024 Catskill Rodmakers t-shirt. Tickets bought after August 4th will choose from the t-shirt sizes at the event. Names will be added to the t-shirts this year!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Unfortunately during this years event the bunkhouses and museum grounds will not be open for overnight stays including tents and campers due to regulations. Click here for Local Lodging

Host or Publisher Catskill Rodmakers Gathering