THE FLIP SIDE

Couple puts unique spin on hand-built fishing rods

Roberta Klindworth shows the line guides set in a curved pattern. The design makes longer casts possible.
Roberta Klindworth shows the line guides set in a curved pattern. The design makes longer casts possible.

Fishing rods built by hand near Beaver Lake give anglers an edge when a bite depends on long, accurate casts.

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Arkee Rods is truly a home-based business. Roberta and Bill Klindworth make the fishing rods in the living room of their home at Gateway.

A look at the custom rods that Bill and Roberta Klindworth build by hand at their home in Gateway quickly reveals detail the couple puts into each rod. Hand lettering at the butt of the rod tells its length and other specs. The couple can inscribe the owner's name on a rod. It's the layout of the line guides that make these rods different from others.

Guides are placed in a graceful curve that spirals toward the rod tip. Guides are not in a straight line like other rods. Fishing line goes through the guides more smoothly, the couple says, and may result in more accurate casts.

Talk about a home-based business. The Klindworths' living room is also their work space and office where they build Arkee Rods. Rod blanks and an assortment of rod parts share space with the couple's television, family photos and recliners where they relax when work is through. Making the rods at home lets them work whenever time allows.

The couple builds spin-cast rods and bait-cast rods. Fly rods can be special ordered. The Klindworths sell their fishing rods online and at the outdoor expos at Bassmaster and Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) tournaments.

Rods start around $130. They sell a basic line of rods and a more ornate "patriotic" line. The handles of these pricier models are emblazoned with an American Flag design, bald eagle or an eagle and flag together. Colorful thread holds the spiral-patterned line guides in place. Anglers can order whatever thread colors they want on the patriotic line of rods and have the rod personalized with their name.

Bill, 72, has been building custom fishing rods much of his life. He worked 20 years as a rod-building contractor for a large manufacturer. The couple started Arkee Rods this year, in January.

"Actually, this is his hobby that got out of hand," Roberta said. She learned the craft from her husband. Now their rod work is a team effort.

The Klindworths are happy with their first year in business. They have a staff of pro and amateur anglers who use their rods and help promote them. They want their business to grow, but not too much.

They're looking at moving into a building and hiring a few employees. Whatever the future brings, the couple says their fishing rods will always be built by hand.

"We don't want to get big enough to supply Bass Pro Shops or places like that," Bill said.

When the couple gets time to fish, they head to Beaver Lake for black bass or crappie. They like fishing for trout at the White River below Beaver Dam, doing a little field testing of the rods they build themselves.

Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAFlip

Sports on 08/23/2016

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