There is something special about being in a room filled with people who all share the same passion. That is exactly what made the 2026 Mud Hole Advanced Techniques Seminar such a success. Over two days, experienced rod builders from across the country gathered at the Curt Baker Memorial Education Center in Oviedo, Florida, to learn new techniques, share ideas, and continue refining the craft of custom rod building.
Unlike beginner classes that focus on the fundamentals, this seminar was built specifically for builders looking to push their skills to the next level. Every session focused on advanced techniques that require patience, practice, and attention to detail. From decorative thread work and custom grips to guide selection and long saltwater rods, each presentation gave attendees new ideas they could immediately apply to future builds.
Just as important as the instruction itself was the opportunity to spend time with other builders. Throughout the weekend, conversations continued between sessions, during meals, and inside the Mud Hole showroom. Builders shared photos of past projects, discussed challenges they had overcome, and exchanged ideas that simply cannot be learned by watching videos alone.
Friday Started with Creativity
The seminar opened Friday afternoon with a series of sessions that immediately showcased the artistic side of rod building.
Wes Christy demonstrated stacked and braided leather grips, proving that a handle can become much more than a functional component. Through careful material selection and construction techniques, leather grips can create a one-of-a-kind appearance while still delivering excellent comfort and durability.
Mike Osborne followed with one of rod building's most recognizable decorative techniques, the tiger wrap. While many builders have attempted tiger wraps before, Mike broke down the process into manageable steps that helped attendees better understand how thread tension, burnishing, and finish application work together to create the signature layered effect.
Mary Christy continued the creative theme with a detailed presentation on metal inlays in grips. Adding aluminum, brass, or other metallic accents into cork and EVA handles creates striking visual contrast while maintaining clean transitions between materials. Her session demonstrated that with careful planning and precision, grips can become true works of craftsmanship.
Performance Always Matters
While decorative techniques certainly attracted plenty of attention, performance remained a major focus throughout the seminar.
Mike Kosiba presented one of the most practical sessions of the weekend by discussing the various types of guides and their proper usage in guide spacing. Rather than focusing on a single guide style, the presentation explored why different guide designs exist and how they influence rod performance depending on the intended application.
Guide selection is often one of the most misunderstood aspects of rod building. Understanding frame height, ring size, weight, and placement allows builders to optimize casting performance, improve line control, and reduce unnecessary weight. The discussion reinforced that proper guide layout is far more than simply following a spacing chart.
The final instructional session on Friday featured Wes Christy once again, this time covering power wrapping and power finishing techniques. Efficiency becomes increasingly important as builders gain experience, and Wes demonstrated methods that improve consistency while reducing fatigue. From maintaining proper thread tension to producing smooth epoxy finishes, attendees picked up numerous small adjustments that collectively lead to better finished rods.
Education Continued Saturday Morning
Saturday opened with Mike Garone's presentation on thread fades and shading effects. Color transitions are one of the most visually impressive decorative elements in rod building, but they require careful planning and thread control. Mike demonstrated techniques for creating smooth transitions that add depth and dimension without overwhelming the overall design.
Chris Cassell then shifted attention toward creative handle construction. Modern rod builders have access to an incredible variety of materials, and Chris showed how combining cork, EVA, carbon fiber, burl cork, acrylic, aluminum, and composite materials can produce handles that are both functional and visually unique. His presentation encouraged builders to think beyond traditional layouts and experiment with new combinations.
Mary Christy spent two extensive sessions covering decorative thread layout and advanced thread wraps. By dedicating both a morning and afternoon session to the topic, attendees had the opportunity to see complex decorative patterns broken into manageable steps. Layout, symmetry, thread management, and planning all played critical roles in producing clean, professional decorative wraps.
Specialty Rod Building Took Center Stage
One of Saturday afternoon's highlights was Chris Cassell's presentation on building long saltwater rods.
Long offshore rods present unique design challenges that differ significantly from freshwater builds. Blank selection, guide placement, leverage, balance, and overall durability all become increasingly important as rod length increases. Chris shared years of practical experience while explaining how proper component selection and construction techniques allow these rods to perform under demanding offshore conditions.
Later in the afternoon, Mike Garone returned to demonstrate feather inlays. Feather work remains one of rod building's most impressive decorative techniques, blending natural materials with epoxy finishing to create truly unique custom rods. While the process requires patience and practice, attendees left with a much better understanding of preparation, placement, and finishing techniques needed for successful feather inlays.
Questions That Sparked Great Conversations
The seminar concluded with a live question and answer panel featuring Hunter McKamey, Bob McKamey and myself.
Rather than following a prepared script, the Q&A panel gave attendees the opportunity to steer the conversation with their own questions. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, from rod building techniques, component selection, decorative work, and repair tips to fun fishing stories and personal experiences from the panel. Attendees were also curious about the future, asking where we see Mud Hole, custom rod building, and the fishing industry heading in the years to come.
The variety of questions made for an engaging and entertaining conversation that reflected the passion of everyone in the room. It was a chance to share not only technical knowledge, but also perspectives gained through years of building rods, time spent on the water, and working within the industry. Those candid conversations often become some of the most memorable moments of the weekend, giving attendees insights that extend well beyond the scheduled presentations.
More Than Just Classroom Instruction
Although the educational sessions were the main attraction, much of the seminar's value came from everything happening between presentations.
Friday evening's reception and dinner, catered by Mission BBQ, gave attendees an opportunity to relax, meet instructors, and build relationships with fellow rod builders. Throughout the weekend, the Mud Hole showroom remained open for builders to explore new products, compare components, and take advantage of event-exclusive discounts.
Each attendee also received a curated swag bag filled with Mud Hole merchandise and products from participating vendors. Combined with refreshments throughout the weekend and Saturday's catered lunch, the event created an atmosphere where builders could focus entirely on learning and enjoying the experience.
The Biggest Takeaway
Perhaps the biggest lesson from the weekend had nothing to do with thread wraps, guide spacing, or decorative handles.
Great rod builders never stop learning.
Every presenter, despite decades of experience, emphasized that they continue experimenting, refining techniques, and searching for better ways to build rods. That mindset is what separates experienced builders from true craftsmen.
Whether it was discovering a new decorative wrap, improving finishing techniques, learning a different guide philosophy, or simply having a conversation with another builder, everyone left with new ideas to try on their next project.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Advanced Techniques Seminar once again demonstrated why education remains one of Mud Hole's core commitments. Bringing together respected instructors, experienced builders, and passionate rod building enthusiasts creates an environment where knowledge is shared freely and the entire craft continues to grow.
For those who attended, the weekend provided far more than twelve instructional sessions. It delivered new friendships, fresh inspiration, practical techniques, and renewed excitement for custom rod building.
We would like to thank every instructor, attendee, vendor, and member of the Mud Hole team who helped make this year's seminar such a memorable event. We are already looking forward to seeing what new techniques, ideas, and innovations will be shared at the next Mud Hole Rod Building Seminar.
