About the NFC Crew
While North Fork is a group effort, we think it makes sense to introduce some of the core people involved:
First and foremost, there is Gary. Do we really need to say more about Gary Loomis, the man who was a key player in bringing graphite to the fishing world over 35 years ago? Well, perhaps we should say that Gary and the *North Fork* of the Lewis go waaay back.
Second is Gary’s son, Brad. You won’t hear much from Brad directly—he is happy to let his work with composites speak on his behalf. We can tell you, though, that many people think Brad is the finest machinist in the Loomis family. That’s high praise indeed.
And third is Jon Bial, who serves as the General Manager (and general counsel). If you call North Fork, you are likely to get Jon. An angler, outdoors guy, and lover of fine, handmade rods, Jon finds his “down-time” is best served by hiking into the backcountry in search of untouched trout, or perhaps launching a whitewater raft off a 10-foot drop.
There is also a behind-the-scenes team here, making sure that North Fork blanks are the best they can be. Whether it is in graphic design, production, shipping, or good old moral support, there is a quiet crew that puts in the hours, too. We hope that their efforts make your North Fork blank just that little bit better—and know that when you set up on that first big fish, they’ll be cheering for you…
Looks like this new company is very similar to the original G. Loomis company when it was on the river in the original plant. You made the best blanks ever in that plant because people really cared and it was a team effort. Hope it stays that way because if it does, the best blanks ever will be available to the custom rod builder. GLAD TO SEE IT COMING TOGETHER LIKE THIS. THE BEST OF LUCK
I’ve been a custom rod builder for over 30 years and built 100’s of rods – from flyrods to spinning, casting, flippin’- you name it. Most have been G Loomis. Why? Because I’m a fisherman, and for the better part of 60 years I’ve logged plenty of water time.
My last full year of rodbuilding, 2005, I built and sold more than 800 custom built rods, of which 600 or more were G Loomis. In 2005 I moved up north (from Florida to Ohio) and semi-retired from rodbuilder. Health issues prevented me from doing much the last year or so, but I continue to try to stay up with my returning customers.
Recently I decided to get back into rodbuilding and was very dissapointed to see my supplier (Mudhole) was no longer selling the G Loomis brand at wholesale prices and that the G Loomis blank program was coming to an end.
I’ve read through your website and I’m very interested in learning more about the North Fork Connection rods. I assume they are available through Mudholes website. I’ll check it.
If these rods are anything like Gary’s original blanks my customers will be chomping at the bit to get there hands on them.
Don
I am a retired football coach who loves building rods. I recently built two G Loomis spinning rods, and they make fishing fun. Mike Cordell was my equipment manager in Hot Springs Arkansas, and I have known Cotton for 45 years, and they are the first people who spoke Loomis to me. I look forward to building a North Fork rod soon. I’m not very good, but I really enjoy doing it. I will build some for Christmas presents, but I would never charge money to build anyone a rod. Good luck with the new venture.