Every so often I have a chance to meet someone truly engaging - someone so passionate and knowledgeable in their trade that they talk and I listen like a bass drawn to the sound of a rattling jig. These people teach me something. I leave the conversation - only after forcing myself to disengage - a smarter person. They are today's real-world teachers.

Today, I had the chance to meet not one, but two of these people. Sitting across a pine plywood workbench from me were Bill Pulk and Al McColl, local rod builders and tournament fishermen making a career out of their passion. We met in their simple, but well-stocked shop. A makeshift counter made from the same plywood as the workbench was in place at the front of the store. Both were at the ready to greet customers as they strolled through the office suite door. Overhead was a neatly organized rack of rod blanks ready for a sale to other rod builders, and available for Midwest's own stock and custom made models. Rod building components, all neatly in their wall-hung cubbies, filled one wall, while displays of their rods filled the other.

I was fascinated by the rod displays. When I walk through a Cabela's or Gander Mountain, I'm strolling through a rainforest of graphite, but each rod looks like the next. Not so at Midwest Rod and Reel. Their rods almost jump off the wall. A black blank so deep in color that it shines, coupled with red highlights in their logo and guide wraps make for a stunning display. The guide wraps themselves are nothing short of beautiful. Thread wound tightly around each guide with years of handcrafted precision coupled with an epoxy so smooth that there is not an air bubble to be found screams of the quality and care put into each rod. I was impressed before we even sat down to talk.

Bill and Al are the owners of Midwest Rod and Reel. They're also the key contacts, rod builders, quality control, and customer service department. They are their own employees. No rod leaves the store without first touching their hands. They won't even start a rod unless the blank meets their stringent inspections in blank flex, weight, straightness, and precision measurement of butt and tip diameters. The blanks start with intermediate modulus graphite united with a fiberglass scrim. Fiberglass scrim processing gives a rod increased durability and a stronger backbone than its carbon scrim counterparts. A better backbone and fast action translates into super hook-ups with a lower drop rate for fishermen.

Digging beneath the components, you won't find tape and glue supporting the reel seats of a Midwest rod. Instead, an almost weightless shim is custom fitted to each blank, securing the seat in place. This creates the perfect union between seat and blank, providing increased sensitivity. As Al stated, "If your lure is coming through the water and something doesn't quite feel right, set the hook. That's probably a fish." That level of sensitivity is almost impossible to find with other comparably priced rods.

At the end of each rod is a flanged rod tip, a fairly new innovation in rod design. The flange secures the tip insert to both sides of the guide, giving a snug fit and preventing the guide insert from coming loose. From butt to tip, no component is overlooked when building these quality instruments.

Midwest Rod and Reel offers a selection that meeting the demands of serious and tournament anglers alike. Tell them how you're fishing, and they will custom build a rod to meet your needs. Jigging for me may not mean the same as jigging for you. That is why the owners of Midwest Rod and Reel talk to each customer before building their rod - listen first; build second. Midwest Rod and Reel wants to build the best possible rod for your personal style and application whether that is freshwater, saltwater, fly, or ice fishing. Beyond basic length, weight, and component configurations, Midwest Rod and Reel also offers a multitude of finishing options. One particular rod I held at the store had fish designs laser engraved into its wood handle along with the lucky rod owner's name. Jealous? Yes I am. Promotional customization is also available, including the addition of company logos just ahead of the handle or personalized messages. Midwest Rod and Reel builds custom rods to your specifications, with your personality in mind.

Unlike the weekend hobbiest rod builder, Midwest backs their rods with a generous warranty. In the rare instance a Midwest rod should break during normal fishing use, know that you're covered. Simply return the rod to Midwest Rod and Reel with a $50 exchange fee, and your rod will be replaced. If a rod should break because you're clumsy like I, Midwest Rod and Reel offers full service repairs at their store.

Whether you're in the market for a new rod, looking to upgrade, or need that perfect gift for a fisherman in your life, Midwest Rod and Reel can build what you're looking for. They start with quality components, and finish with exceptional service. You'll find no one as caring, knowledgeable, and passionate about fishing and fishing rods as Bill Pulk and Al McColl. Treat yourself to the finest thing in fishing - a Midwest Rod and Reel custom rod.

For more details on Midwest Rod and Reel, contact information, and pricing visit Midwest's website at http://www.midwestrodandreel.com.

Bob Wood