Seen a little bit on the list about High Serria Rod Company taking over...?
0 Kudo
Anyone Know what's going on with ABRA...
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 splitcane |
Anyone Know what's going on with ABRA... |
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Posts: 607 11/17/09 06:33:27 |
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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flyman.flyfishingarkan... |
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Posts: 58 11/17/09 10:36:20 |
The gobra site died. Larry talked to Jeff and with his blessing renewed the domain registration and moved the site's files to his server. He asked in
several venues what people wanted for the site. I gather from his questions that he is willing to host and maintain the site for the organization, but I
didn't get the impression that he wanted to be Mr. Gobra. Gobra doesn't appear to have a champion, and in my experience with other grass routes
organizations, the organization is going to die unless someone believes in it enough to step up and be its champion.
Larry Lohkamp |
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splitcane |
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Posts: 607 11/17/09 17:03:21 |
I agree Larry, ABRA needs a Champion...
I think Joe should step up...? 
I helped Jeff with the set-up of ABRA ( as did many others ) and seen the interset is there... Funny the IBRA is kicking butt and taking names...
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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flyman.flyfishingarkan... |
I agree, Joe should do it | #3 | ||
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Posts: 58 11/17/09 20:10:19 |
I agree, Joe should do it.
I think that the IBRA has a different mission. The ABRA is presented as an advertising co-op and seems to be targeted at promoting the commercial rod builders. So why would I pay $100 to join the organization when I'm just a hobbyist? And we are very rich in resources here in the states. We have 2 magazines just for bamboo, Planing Form and Power Fibers. We not only have a mail list of bamboo rod makers, we have at least 3 on-line forums. The Europeans don't have such luxury. But with such luxury comes problems. I will be doing a road trip next summer and would like to take in some gatherings along the way if possible, but there is no calendar to find them. Bamboorosmaking.com has a calendar, but its not maintained. The web sites for the various gatherings are seldom maintained. The SRG web sit didn't have the program available until the last minute. There is a role for a coordinating organization that could better unify the community, but the ABRA doesn't seem to have that as a mission. I can see how the ABRA could be an asset, but I've had more than my fair share of the politics of such organizations. Lets get Joe to do it. Larry |
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splitcane |
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Posts: 607 11/17/09 21:03:00 |
I agree, let's get Joe to do it...
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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greendrake ll |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 23 11/18/09 19:02:50 |
All joking aside, I can't think of anyone who would be a better ambassador for cane rodmaking than Joe.
Will |
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splitcane |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 607 11/18/09 19:21:14 |
OK...
I Elect Curley, Larry & Joe....
It takes a Village...
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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splitcane |
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Posts: 607 12/03/09 05:50:33 |
I guess this is a hot potato no one wants to touch...
I think it should have more teeth then it had, it was by builders for builders kind of like the BBB... With a peer board of review for membership it would be more consumer friendly... After all it's all about the consumer...?
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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flyman.flyfishingarkan... |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 58 12/04/09 22:14:18 |
More like the cattlemen's association or even more like sugar beet producers of Northern Colorado than the BBB. It was supposed to promote american rod
builders. The Chinese production builders and the upstart Europeans were not welcome. Sure the ABRA would take thier money if the wanted to join, but they were
banned from the directory, so there was no benefit to belonging.
I really don't see much use for the organization in that light. The makers are too diffuse with most of them being hobby or occasional builders. Most of them would not directly benefit from the promotion. We also have tremendous resources already. The mail list is very active. There are 3 forums that either cater to or include bamboo makers, We have the tips site and the archives site, and two trade publications and multiple conventions. If there were several H&I, or Montegue, or Payne companies to form the backbone, then maybe. I just don't see Clark's committing suicide so the ABRA can be THE forum. Larry. |
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Curley |
Well...that's a pretty deep subject... | #9 | ||
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Posts: 147 12/09/09 12:34:30 |
So, I know Dave, Joe, Mike P., Matt S., myself and a few others have been talking rather seriously about getting the ABRA boat back afloat. I agree it lacks in
getting hobby makers in the audience, b/c they don't "gain" much. I can't remember who I was talking about this with, maybe Mike P... but, we
were thinking it would be cool if ABRA members received discounts on materials and tools for making rods. That seems to be one of the biggest stepping stones
for many people interested in making rods. We were thinking some dues could go to buying tools like, planning forms, planes, bamboo, thread, binders, etc...
and members could check-out equipment by paying shipping costs for a set time--say a month or two. After that, the tool would go to the next name on the list.
Members could buy some materials at "wholesale" prices that commercial makers often get, so they don't have to spend $200 on just the hardware
for their first rod. That way, members who just want to know about bamboo rods and making them, can have a helping hand from members. We have the "Rocky
Mountain Revival" in Denver, as well as many gatherings all over the country. ABRA could subsidise booth prices for members, a news letter could be posted
on the site, annual meetings should be held for commercial makers, where a marketing, business or financial personality could present ideas on making a
business work--specific to American made crafts.
Just some thoughts. Joe would make the best president, by far, and Dave has a warehouse to store extra tools in, as well as property on great fishing... And I like to fish! We all are a bunch of opinionated curmudgeons, but that's what makes us all very cool (if only I knew what cool was....). But, I know we would like to see some sort of organized communication, teaching, helping hand for new and experienced makers alike. I have talked with a lot of makers/builders/enthusiasts in my travels, and it's been very interesting to share tips and techniques. But, it is also interesting to see how isolated we are in our "shops." I think ABRA has a great opportunity to help us keep the hobby/profession growing. I'd like to see it go, and can help. What do we need? In Wild Waters, Zac |
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splitcane |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 607 12/10/09 07:35:51 |
flyman wrote: Larry I think we has our Champion... 
Zac... That's an interesting twist to the ABRA thing and something I would get behind... I got 2000 SF available so fill her up...
Drop Larry an e-mail would be a place to start... http://www.highsierrarods.com/contact.html
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods
Last Edited By: splitcane 12/10/09 07:37:52.
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