Rod Building Exhibition

Venue: Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
Date: Wednesday August 6th 2025
 Time: 12:00pm lunch start

Accommodation: Mantra Twin Towns. Mention the Rod Builders Exhibition for a 10% discount

Event Overview:
The event aims to grow rod building in Australia & provide demonstrations and training for both professional and hobbyist. It will include presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and opportunities for networking and socializing.

Schedule
12:00pm – 1:00 – Event Kick off / Lunch
1:00pm – 2:00pm – Expo Introduction
2:00pm -2:30pm – Rod Building Challenge Awards
2:30pm – 5:30pm – Product Expo / Demonstration / Interactive sessions
6:00pm – Happy Hour Drinks

Demonstrations and Presentations:
Brad Job: Marbling techniques
Aaron McKell: Weaving techniques
Ben Kjorsvik: Basics – Binding and Where to start & Tech talk on components for ultra-light builds
David Boyle: Software Demonstrations
Mark Fisher: Feather inlays
Bryce Knight: Timber handle infusing / Anodizing titanium guides (tentative)

Brad Job – Job Custom Rods

I grew up fishing the Gold Coast waterways with my parents, receiving my first rod and reel for my 5th birthday. In the early 1980s, I began building rods for myself and mates in my garage. With limited resources, I taught myself through trial and error, eventually launching my custom rod business in 1988. Since then, I’ve built and repaired rods for local tackle shops, watching the craft evolve. Fuji components have played a major role in that journey. Today, 33 years later, I run a purpose-built, climate-controlled workshop focused on producing top-quality custom rods.

Ben Kjorsvik – BK Custom Rods

Ben Kjorsvik founded BK Custom Rods in Hobart, Tasmania, driven by a passion for lure and fly fishing. Frustrated by off-the-shelf options, he began building rods in 2008, turning a hobby into a business by 2013. BK Custom now serves anglers across Australia, crafting everything from ultra-light trout and bream rods to heavy game rods for tuna and swordfish. Ben is known for personalising each build with custom handles, colour work, and thread art. Whether it’s a name or a fully bespoke design, if you can dream it, Ben can build it.

Aaron McKell – ACM Custom Rods

In 2009, a passionate and experienced rod builder, Aaron McKell embarked on a journey to create fishing rods that would revolutionize the industry. With over 25 years of experience in the tackle industry, Aaron’s vision was to provide anglers with custom-built rods of unparalleled quality and performance. Thus, ACM Custom Rods was born, based in the vibrant region of North Queensland.

 

Bryce Knight – Bryce Knight Customs

I’m Bryce Knight, a predominantly self-taught rod builder with a passion for creating high-quality, functional, and artistic fishing rods. My journey began with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and a desire to push the boundaries of what a custom rod can be. I focus not only on performance but also on turning each build into a unique piece of art through custom thread work, inlays, and creative finishes. Beyond building, I enjoy sharing knowledge, teaching others, and promoting the artistic side of rod building. Inspiring others to explore their creativity is just as rewarding as putting a rod in their hands.

David Boyle

Dave Boyle has been making fishing rods since the early 90’s. Fascinated by thread art, he wrote the VisualWRAP and VisualWEAVE software, as well as a range of diverse products for rod builders. Passionate about rod building education, Dave launched the ThreadCentral website, The Learning Center at the 2023 International Custom Rod Building Exposition in North Carolina, and is the new owner of the ICRBE, the largest custom rod building event in the world.

 Mark Fisher – Fishrod

I started my rod building about 40 years ago with the very basics. Over the years I’ve developed as an “all rounder“. I can now do just about everything, except weaving which I had no interest in. I do everything from crosswraps, snakeskin inlays, Urushi, Dragon scales, Tigerwraps, marbling, EVA to cork inlays. My own specialty is feather inlays. They are my Signature decoration. 

There is a massive display of new and existing product from some of rod buildings leading brands including….

The world’s finest rod building components. Guides and tip for beginners to professional builders, reel seats, thread, titanium parts and the all NEW TCH reel seats. The lightest and most sensitive reel seats ever built.

A huge display of high-end quality blanks covering all your building needs from finesse to long beach fishing blanks.

Duralon rod grips, aluminium parts and rod building accessories for all types of fishing rods.