I WAS IN BASS PRO SHOPS YESTERDAY(CONCORD,NC) AND WAS CHECKING OUT THE NEW GEAR…..RAN ACROSS THE AMERICAN RODSMITHS LINE THAT GIVE UNION MEMBERS A 35% DISCOUNT.THE RODS THEY HAD SAID MADE IN CHINA? DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY WE SUPPORT OR HAVE A SPONSOR WITH RODS MADE IN CHINA.JUST THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE A HEADS UP…ALSO CHECKED THEIR WEBSITE AND IT DOESN’T SAY THEY ARE MADE IN U.S.A.THESE WERE THE DAVID FRITTS CRANKIN RODS AND THE MID LEVEL ROD I BELIEVE…

ludsteinbasser,

Glad you asked the question.  I met with the representatives of American Rodsmiths back in July of 2007 and they were very honest with me in stating that approximately 80% of their line was made in the U.S. but they did have some manufacturing outside the U.S. and also had to purchase some components from abroad as well as they couldn’t be sourced state side.  I can understand your concern about the model you found at Bass Pro having “made in China” stamped on it but they do produce a majority of their products here and I don’t want to penalize a good supporter of the USA for the few items that are made abroad.

We are constantly trying to identify great partners that still believe in producing quality products here in the US.  That is our commitment to the program but we also realize that in some of these outdoor categories, it is becomming more and more difficult to find 100% made in the US.  For those brands that are fighting to keep their doors open here, we would like to continue to support them as they have chosen to support us.

Thanks,

Mike
KY Camo Hunter