Carl and I just went to Detroit to see our friends at the Midwest Fly Show. It was great to see attendance up and the mood upbeat in Michigan, a state hard hit with the new economic reality. Spent some time with Sam Lucina, a net builder with great passion and the folks at Willow reels, very unique styling and bamboo friendly. Of course our bamboo buddy Ron was there and his energy is always infectious. We feel so at home in the land of the pick-up and camo clothing. We even found some 22 cal. short cartridges on the ground outside. The land of the free! We love Michigan and our long time friends. No trip to Detroit is complete without a few memories of Bill Waara Sr., a gnome, a rodbuilder and a one of a kind.

I just viewed a feature film on the making of Steinway Piano L1037. Made in the New York area using the same techniques they used 100 years ago. Made by hand by everyday people with hand tools primarily, the film showed how everyday people can make an incredible instrument. Each piano was a unique instrument with it's own character and feel. Steinway had no interest in having every piano sound and feel identical. They felt it was impossible to hand make the instrument without each one being unique. At no time did I see a computer or CAD design or CNC equipment. Hand tools in the hands of a craftsman was evident at every step, truly incredible.

I could not help but relate it to our craft where each maker has his or her unique style that delivers subtle variances in feel and performance which is terrific. Not everyone wants the rod to perform in a rigid "clone like" style. It was great to see hand made craftmanship still able to compete and perform in the marketplace and at 100,000 dollars for a concert piano it makes the bamboo rod appear sound value as a unique hand made instrument.