Jim Clarkson

After two years of discussions about materials, accessories, handle, reel seat, and length, Jim Clarkson, master rod builder for Hexagraph, and owner of Raptor Rod Works, a full service custom rod building/rod repair company in Chico, CA. shipped me the first Hexagraph to break the real 2 weight barrier -- the first Elk Meadow 1-2 weight.

He built an amazing rod (right) that combines all of the ingredients I had hoped for.This 7 1/2 foot 2 piece Hexagraph weighs in at only 2.25 ounces.I pulled out my trusty postal scale and began weighing rods.My T&T LPS 762 weighs 2.5 ounces.My Sage SPL 1-weight weighs 2 ounces.Jim Clarkson had done it!He had built a solid graphite rod with full sized handle to typical Hexagraph standards, and kept its physical weight to that of tubular graphite rods.I felt like a father all over again!

Jim Clarkson 1245 Marian Ave Chico, CA 95928 530-894-2062
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Jim Clarkson info@raptorrodworks.com

The special guest speaker at this month's Chico Bass Club meeting was Jim Clarkson, owner of Raptor Rod Works, a custom fishing rod shop in Chico.Clarkson has been making rods for Chico-area anglers for over 20 years, and spoke to the club members on what to look for when selecting a fishing rod.

"Don't just shop price point," advised Clarkson.
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Clarkson said that of all the characteristics of a rod, the one that cannot be determined in the store is sensitivity, which is not the same as action.
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Clarkson suggests giving a rod a thorough once-over, from butt to tip, for basic assembly issues before making a purchase.Check that the guides are aligned with the reel seat and each other.Check the blank for straightness.
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Clarkson said that he can repair almost any rod that has been broken with some proprietary splicing techniques, although if a rod has been crushed instead of cleanly broken it can be a problem.He sees about a dozen rods per year that are unrepairable.

"In most cases with tips that have less than six inches broken off, it is better to just put on a new tip-top and relocate a guide," he said."There is usually a subtle change in action and sensitivity.We also have a big selection of hard-to-find parts and hundreds of different blanks."

The shop makes dozens of custom rods per month, and many serious anglers simply won't fish with a factory-made rod.

"The options with custom rods are unlimited," Clarkson said.
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Clarkson started out as a rod-making apprentice at Powell's Fly Shop in 1984, and eventually moved up to production manager.Raptor Rod Works started out in Clarkson's garage in 1994, moving into an independent location in 1996.The facility moved to its present location on Highway 32, a mile north of East Avenue on the way to the river, in 2002.

The shop employs two people full-time in addition to Clarkson, and deals only in fishing rods.

"We don't have any reels, line or terminal tackle," said Clarkson.

Jim Clarkson or email sales@raptorrodworks.com Raptor Rod Works 2954 Hwy. 32 Ste. #700 Chico, CA 95973 Tel: 530-894-2062 Fax: 530-894-1230

Jim Clarkson or email sales@raptorrodworks.com