2025 Catskill Rodmakers Gathering
Many splinters, rods, laughs and conversations with great people!
Date and time
Location
Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum
1031 Old Route 17 Livingston Manor, NY 12758Refund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 2 days 1 hour
Description
The 2025 Catskills Gathering is coming up quick. It promises to be a great time. Mark your calendars, this year's gathering will be September 5, 6, and 7th.
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.
2025 Agenda
Friday September 5th:
11:00AM - Registration @ Wulff Gallery
12:00PM - 4:00PM - The Bellinger Rod Casting Competition
2:00PM - 3:00PM - Pouring Varnish with Brian Greer @ The Rod Shop
3:00pm - 4:00 - Beginner Round Table @ The Wulff Gallery
4:30PM - 5:30PM - Orvis History by Shawn Brillon @ The Wulff Gallery
530PM - Supper Pizza and Beverages
Saturday September 6th:
8:00AM - 9:00AM - Breakfast @ The Rod Shop
9:15AM - 10:30AM - Opening Announcements @ Wulff Gallery
10:30AM - Group Photo @ The Pavillion
11:00AM - 3:00PM - Beginners Group Breakout Session @ Pavilion Field
11:00AM - 12:00PM - Mortised Rods - Tom Smithwick & Bob Hallowell @ The Rod Shop
12:00PM - 1:00PM - Lunch @ Rod Shop
1:00pm - 2:00PM - Buying & Selling Classic Tackle with Paul Kearney @ The Wulff Gallery
2:00PM - 3:00PM - Convex Tapers with Tom Whittle @ The Wulff Gallery
3:00PM - 5:00PM - Hoagy: Discussing Classic Catskill Rods @ Wulff Gallery
5:00PM - Demarest Rod Challenge Winner Announcement @ Wulff Gallery
5:30PM - Supper Served by Joes Catering
Sunday September 7th:
8:00AM - 9:00AM - Coffee and Breakfast @ Rod shop
9:30AM - 12:00PM - Open Discussion Round Tables (Choose your own Adventure)
2025 Demerest Challenge Rules
We did want to announce the Demarest bamboo rod design competition at this time to allow everyone interested time to build their entries. After some thought and feedback it was decided that we would specify an 8 to 8 1/2 foot 5 weight rod with a mortised butt. All other design factors will be up to the builder. Number of pieces, ferrule materials, grip size, bamboo geometry, etc, are all at the builder’s discretion.
We are allowing a broad definition of what constitutes a mortised butt. In general, a mortised butt is one in which the grip area is swelled by adding extra strips alternating with the bamboo strips. At the builders discretion that can mean:
A swell in the grip area large enough for the caster to hold it directly, but a separate reel seat added. A similar swell in the grip that then reduces in size to act as a reel seat.
A somewhat smaller swell that is visible in the forward part, but then is covered with sheet cork or rattan in the gripping area, the reel seat area either added on or a continuation of the mortise.
We are specifying that the rods be designed to cast a double taper floating line. Tom Brodhead at 406 fly lines has once again generously agreed to make his excellent lines available to contestants at a discounted price. Further details will be coming on how to obtain the lines early next year. The procedure will be similar to last year.
Scoring will be based on both accuracy and distance, and we will try to arrange it such that they are weighted equally.
Fund Raising
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:
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 2025 Catskill Rodmakers t-shirts. Names will be added to the t-shirts this year! Tickets bought after Thursday August 7th will not guarantee t-shirts due to missing the deadline.
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
For questions contact: catskillrodmakersgathering@gmail.com
Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately no camping or lodging will be allowed on site as previously discussed due to changes with the museum policies. There are a number of great options locally and your may also use Air BnB or VRBO to schedule options as well. Make sure to plan ahead and schedule early.
Included with your registration will be food Friday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday and a brunch Sunday. Coffee and juice at each meal and there will be bottled water and ice tea available throughout the day. Please feel free to bring your own drinks of choice.
Yes, there will be names added to the t-shirt orders this year. However, in order to have your name added to the shirt you must register by August 7th, 2025. Registering after this date will not allow enough time for our vendors to do their jobs properly and limit supplies of t-shirts.