Later in the day, I stopped by the post office to pick up a money order. You see, I've decided to keep the rod. I'll mail the payment on Monday.

Clearly I'm a satisfied customer, but is my new bamboo rod--made on the George Gehrke Production Line--a perfect rod? No. Would I pay $3000 for it? No way. But I consider it to be a very nice rod--one that I hope to fish with many, many more times. And I now have a tangible piece of what has become the stuff of ROFF legend. 

Next week I'll take the rod with me to the Fall Ball to hear what others have to say about this rod (if they're so inclined). I know of a surety that they have more knowledge about these things than I do. There will be other Gehrke rods there, and I'll be interested to compare them side by side.

On the other hand, I must admit that I'm a bit embarrassed to show my fellow ROFFians the rod. I'm not embarrassed about the rod itself--I think it will prove to be one of the cleanest, nicest rods George Gehrke's Gink and Bamboo Rod Company has ever produced. No, I'm embarrassed instead by what has happened on the newsgroup as a result of these bamboo rods. I'm embarrassed that grown men have resorted to name calling. And so before I finish my story, please allow me to offer a couple of suggestions, even if they fall on deaf ears.

To those who might be considering buying a Gehrke rod... I know people who have received rods they were satisfied with and I know people who haven't.  I know of no one who has purchased a rod they did not like. But I also know that the current Gehrke return policy, while "satisfaction guaranteed," is not "no questions asked." Let the buyer beware, and please take pictures of your rod.

To George, who I consider a friend... You've been trustworthy in your dealings with me as I have been with you. I will keep my word on the promise I made to you. I believe that deep down you started this project to bring joy to other fly fishermen. Please don't lose sight of that. May I humbly suggest friend to friend that you take the necessary steps to modify your public persona  on ROFF. You cannot possibly succeed in your goal if people do not trust you. It is possible for you to say "I'm sorry you did not like the rod. What could we have done to make it better?" without admitting failure. It is possible to be friends with someone with whom you disagree. It is possible to respond to criticism with a simple "thank you, we'll look into it." When you think about it, the only difference between Santa Claus and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas is motive. Let your motive--to bring joy to fishermen--shine through in your posts and you will find that those who seem to be your enemies will champion your cause.

--Steve Zimmerman, October 10th, 1999.