I’m fascinated by the many and varied crafts, skills, artistic disciplines, creative innovations — and the inspired artisans who wield them — in the world of recreational fishing.
One such true craftsman is Mark Fisher. I discovered Mark when his partner Trish Armstrong posted a photo on the WRFL NSW Facebook group… it was a stunning rod he’d made her for her birthday. Further investigation unearthed a trove of drool-worthy rods like none I’d ever seen!
Have you ever seen a rod crafted with this much attention to detail?
My shared connection with Trish and the Women’s Recreational Fishing League has fostered a friendship with Mark, and I recently asked him how he got into rod building.
Mark shared his journey: “I spent most of my youth growing up in Nowra and built a few basic rods in my late teens and early 20’s. I remember seeing a rod a close friend of mine built with a very basic crosswrap on it. I thought that was the coolest thing I’d seen”
After joining the NSW Police and transferring to Broken Hill, Mark found himself building more intricate rods for friends and workmates. The dusty conditions of Broken Hill frustrated him, leaving an inevitable fine layer of red dust through every finished rod. This unique anomaly led him to name his creations “Outback Rods.”
Mark’s passion for rod building led him to write the Rodbuilder column for Fishing World magazine, which many of you might have read.
Nowadays, he builds fewer rods, focusing on fishing and occasionally crafting rods for charity and friends — including one very beautiful WRFL-themed two-piece for our soon-to-be-drawn 2024 Fishing Artisans Raffle. “It’s never been about a real paying business. For me, it’s a creative hobby. It’s more about the satisfaction I get from seeing the look on the owner’s face when they get their new rod,” he explained.
This lovingly-built 2-piece has been donated as a prize in the annual 2024 Fishing Artisans Raffle supporting the running costs of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League.
Mark’s story is just one example of the incredible talent and creativity within the fishing community. Another fascinating figure is Dean Hamilton, founder of Forge Through. Dean is a blacksmith who helps first responders work through their trauma over an anvil, reshaping discarded tools into stunning knives. His work is both therapeutic and artistic, offering a unique blend of craftsmanship and emotional healing.
I first met Dean at a Golden Classic some ten years ago. He was presenting a bone-handled knife he’d crafted under his Skin‘n’Bone Knives cottage business. It was a gorgeous, well-balanced, and clearly loved creation. It wasn’t the knife that fascinated me though… it was the passion that had poured into its making. I’m incredibly proud to call Dean a mate of mine. He’s one of the most generous souls you’ll ever meet and that passion for crafting beauty out of the broken lies at the foundation of his Forge Through project. If you haven’t come across this worthy initiative yet, do some delving… I’ve no doubt you’ll find his work as compelling as I do!
Dean Hamilton (left, in Bolaro Forge) founded Forge Through as a not-for-profit initiative to help our first responders and veterans work through their trauma. The knives they craft through their process are second to none. The little trout knife pictured here is fashioned from a worn-out file, and is a prize in the current Fishing Artisans Raffle!
Then there’s Bill Lark — world-famous whisky distiller from Tasmania, who now spends his retirement days crafting bamboo and deer antler wading staffs, as well as masterful split-cane fly rods. Bill’s departure from distilling has enabled him to focus on his other favourite pastimes (including fishing, of course), all of which showcase the seamless connection between patience, precision, and passion.
Jo and Steve are each proud owners of a Bill Lark wading staff, but the one pictured here has been generously donated to the raffle.
The world of fly tying is another realm where artistry meets functionality… and whilst it’s true that flies like mine — you know, the messy kind — will catch, some flies are so extraordinarily beautiful that you can sit and marvel at their form for ages! Skilled fly tiers like Wayne Dixon and Pip Clements transform feather and fur into critters so convincing you’re tempted to swat at them. Pip has turned his skills to crafting sculptural kingfishers and other critters not intended for anything but gazing at… they’re miniature masterpieces collected by many and are absolutely spellbinding!
He’s not alone in turning his fly-tying skills to other outcomes… Chris Murray diversified into timber fishing floats! His brand, “The Search Flies and Floats”, offers us immaculately crafted, high-end options that you just can’t find in tackle stores.
Within the WRFL ranks, we have up-and-coming rod builders like Imogene Garlick of Concord Rods and Laurie Anderson of Custom Angler. Laurie’s talent extends to the airbrush, too. She creates bespoke colour combinations and patterns on hard-body blanks to order, tailored to her customers’ precise needs, making her work highly sought after.
There’s such a colourful tapestry of talents and crafts that enrich the recreational fishing community, demonstrating that — as we all so often assert — it’s more than just a sport… it’s a way of life.
The talent amongst the women in the WRFL is extraordinary too! Shown here, a customer’s special order vibe in Laurie Anderson’s spray booth, and a couple of gorgeous rods by Imogene Garlick.
As a creative myself, I’m driven to celebrate this aspect of our world. Artists are generous by nature. Sharing the product of your creative labour and talent takes courage. It opens a window to the very heart of the human who made it. Opening up one’s creation to potential criticism is the epitome of courageous vulnerability. It is a beautiful gift to the rest of us.
I believe that this core truth explains why each one of these fabulously talented people has created items specifically for the League’s annual Fishing Artisans Raffle without hesitation… some more than once (except for Pip… though that’s not a reflection on him. I’ve not yet reached out to him. Someone put him on notice!).
As the Women’s Recreational Fishing League is now the manifestation of my own creative talent, passion, and labour — along with the hundreds of women who pull with the dedicated core group of leaders alongside me — I dedicate this day to the artisans mentioned here. Just as I see them, they see me. Without the support and generosity of these incredible people, the League would struggle to raise the funds needed to function through these early days.
If you’ve realised whilst reading this that you haven’t thought much about the talent invested in your fishing tools, go through and click on the links I’ve provided. I guarantee you’ll be mind-blown.
And if you’d like a chance at owning a piece of fine Australian craftsmanship, please consider buying a raffle ticket or several in our 2024 Fishing Artisans Raffle… tomorrow!
Until next time… FISH ON!
For three decades Jo has worked with businesses and personalities, helping them to promote themselves in one form or another, whether through graphic design, advertising, promotions or marketing.
She has owned a fishing rod for just as long, but it’s only been in this new century that it hasn’t been allowed to gather dust.
Jo is a passionate advocate for the sport of fishing and its promotion as a healthy lifestyle for women.
To find out more about Jo visit her website HERE
Or you can visit her Fishtopia Web site HERE or on the banner below.
Jo is also the founder and National President of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League (WRFL) Inc. The work they do is very important in balancing the participation ratios of fishing in Australia, thus making the collective voices of Aussie anglers more harmonious and powerful, as well as shoring up the economy of the sector. For more information visit their Website at womensrecfishingleague.org
