Competition among America’s best rod builders to benefit a good cause. “Artisans of the short rod” compete for a second year in the 2014 Northeast Ice Fishing Custom Rod Builder Challenge. Last year’s challenge proved that the cottage industry of skilled builders is growing – and providing hardwater anglers unique products that anglers are proud to own. The auction following the competition raises valuable funds to help advance the Stewardship Ethic through the non-profit organization Recycled Fish.
The nature of the challenge is to raise awareness for custom ice rod building by challenging builders to create their best interpretation of the ultimate light action perch rod.
“Panfish reign supreme as quarry among ice anglers,” said Nathan Krusko of North East Ice Fishing. “Last year’s challenge for the ultimate panfish rod was a hit, but we think even more builders will get involved this year, as we point our attention to perch – the weight leaders of the panfish pack.”
A call for entries is open now – visit NortheastIceFishing.com to learn how to submit a custom built rod to the competition. Judging begins at the St. Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Expo December 6-8 at the St. Paul Rivercenter in St. Paul, MN. Anglers can vote for their favorites online beginning in January on the Northeast Ice Fishing website.
The proceeds from this challenge will go to Recycled Fish, a national non-profit organization of “anglers living a Lifestyle of Stewardship both on and off the water, because our lifestyle runs downstream.” The organization promotes practices that improve our waters and the fish populations that live within them. Link for more information….