Mud Hole Custom Tackle and Elite Series angler Bradley Roy are collaborating on an effort to introduce high school anglers and their coaches to custom rod-building through a series of classes he plans to offer this summer in central Kentucky.
Roy, who began using MHX rods a couple years ago when he borrowed some to use in night tournaments, participated in a class himself in January along with fellow Elite Series pro Brandon Lester.
“I was intrigued as we fitted the first reel seat and then hooked after we sat down and put the first guides on,” said Roy. “Brandon made it look so easy and I picked it up quickly in that very first rod-building session. I’ve been building them back at the house ever since and am up over 20 rods built now.”
His new tools have helped him get off to a good start this season as he sits 5th in the Elite Series Angler of the Year race after two events.
For years, Roy has been personally involved with high school teams in Kentucky, spending time teaching them techniques and fishing strategy. He has spoken at the B.A.S.S. High School National Championship multiple times and in 2016 will host the 4th annual Bradley Roy High School Open in Kentucky (Oct. 1).
“The response to the classes has been solid,” said Roy. “Teams see this as a way to get a new fishing rod, learn a new skill, and then down the road as a way to raise money selling custom rods.“
Mud Hole holds up to 48 rod-building classes annually across the country and this collaboration with Roy is not its first foray into high schools. Hundreds of classes are taught as part of 4H programs annually as numerous school districts have rod-building as part of the school’s curriculum, thanks to Mud Hole’s resources and efforts.
“We love how Bradley is doing his part to give back to high school anglers," said Mud Hole president Tom McNamara. "We want to help provide the tools those anglers and schools need for education and fund-raising. Learning this new skill will teach them about entrepreneurship, persistence, camaraderie, teamwork, and on and on.”
Mud Hole has created the Bradley Roy Student Rod Building Kits and made them available exclusively by contacting Roy. For more information on the kits or to learn more about scheduling classes, high school coaches can reach out to Roy through his website at www.BradleyRoy.com.
