Custom-made fishing rods for the late fisherman | Sports
When does a fishing rod become more than a device used to cast and catch fish? It’s a question that resonates with many Chetek residents who make unforgettable memories, while still remembering the old one, with a pair of signature fishing rods that were custom-designed to celebrate a fellow fisherman and pure angler and hard who lost his life far too soon.
The Owen Knutson Signature Series Fishing Rods are handcrafted and custom made by Steve Salisbury of Great North Custom Rod & Tackle in Hayward. These fishing rods were developed in memory of the late Owen Knutson, who died in a tragic plane crash in May 2017. In the photo above, Hunter Gillett, a resident of Cameron, shows a lovely walleye he had caught during his trip to Canada in mid-June. “Just a few of the many fish Owen helped me catch in Canada last week. I know he was smiling as big as I was catching these fish, â€said Gillett. Gillett was with Knutson during the plane crash in 2017 and survived.
The Owen Knutson Signature Series fishing rods — developed in memory of the late Owen Knutson, a 17-year-old Chetek High School student-athlete who died in a tragic plane crash in May 2017 — are in the works. to become a well-known piece of equipment in the fishing world, especially among the inhabitants of the Chetek region.
These custom fishing rods are made by Steve Salisbury of Great North Custom Rod & Tackle in Hayward. The Owen Knutson Signature Series fishing rods come in two types: an Ultralite series which is a fast acting 7ft 2 inch rod as well as a walleye rod which is 6ft 8 inch long and is an extra-fast rod of medium power. Both are one-piece rods made from the highest quality materials on the market and the rod blanks are top of the line.
The Owen Knutson Walleye Fishing series retails for $ 250, while the Ultralite series retails for $ 200. Anyone who orders an Owen Knutson Signature Series fishing rod also gets a custom number engraved on the rod signifying a special number they are requesting or the number of rods that have been made in that particular rod series. Approximately $ 50 per cane will be donated to local charities through the Owen Knutson Memorial Fund.
A more in-depth and detailed description of the fishing rods is provided with the purchase of a fishing rod. It reads:
“This bespoke fishing rod has Owen JH Knutson’s printed name in his own printed script (from a sportswear order form). It is of the highest quality and was made with all the heart and care with which Owen Knutson hunted and fished and also with the way he treated his friends and family. This fishing rod represents everything Owen was … quality, care, love and the ability to get the job done. He couldn’t have done this himself, his life made these rods. When you fish with this rod, Owen will be with you, smiling, laughing when you miss one and smiling when he says, “It was a small one anyway” or “There’s a bigger one” or “When there aren’t any bites, they’ll probably bite soon ‘; so don’t give up. Owen has done his job in 17 years here on earth and this cane is a continuation of the job he has done so well. . To enjoy the great outdoors and his God-given creatures that he loved and appreciated so much. Thank you for supporting the cause this cane supports and for taking Owen’s attitude a little in a great way to spend your life on earth.
This RX7 blank has been improved to be 30% lighter thanks to a dynamic module positioning process. The guides are hard aluminum oxide with zirconium inserts which are wrapped in the frame to prevent loss.
The grips consist of orange and purple polymer grips, made by Winn Corporation, to represent the colors of the Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Bulldogs. These grips provide control and comfort, as well as a secure grip, even in cold and wet conditions.
The ALPS Rapid Spin Graphite reel seat contains three cutouts for maximum contact with the white. It will offer ultimate sensitivity thanks to its transmission by microvibration. Double locking nuts with Delrin washers will always hold the spool securely in place.
We hope you enjoy your new Owen Knutson rod and catch all the big ones!
May God bless you and be with you!
But where did the idea to develop a fishing rod for the late Knutson come from?
Her father, Tim, clarified.
In the photo above, Chetek resident Barb Buse holds a best 29 ” walleye she caught with the Owen Knutson Walleye Series rod on June 28 while fishing on Lake of the Woods in Morson, Ontario, Canada.
“It started off as a bit of a tongue-in-cheek joke,†Tim said with a laugh. “Having a signature series fishing rod for you or me would be something Owen would find laughable (as Tim pointed at me and made a joke about how people might react if I developed my own line. rods and gear). But then it started to make sense to me. I pitched the idea to my friend, Ben Knepper, who contacted his friend, Mr. Salisbury from Great North Rod Tim explained. “Once Mr. Salisbury heard about Owen’s story, he wanted to meet and start the process.”
Tim admitted that he also believed that initially the rods could be designed only for certain family or friends who want a keepsake to remember Owen or to hang in their cubicles as a decorative piece. Shortly after speaking on the phone, Salisbury met Tim, Knepper and a few others and brought samples of Great North Rod custom-made fishing rods and the group began to think about the Owen Knutson Signature Series fishing rods.
“Sir. Salisbury was quite excited about Owen’s legacy and was very keen on this project,†noted Tim.
Initially, the idea was to develop a few fishing rods that would be raffled off at local events, such as the CW football team’s annual Bluegill fishing competition and the Walleyes for Chetek raffle over the weekend of Labor Day.
Owen, who was an outstanding and well-known soccer player in the Chetek community, had his very first Owen Knutson Signature Series fishing rod drawn at the CW soccer team’s Bluegill contest last May. And rightly, CW head football coach Bill Knickerbocker Jr. won the bar in a random toss – it seemed entirely appropriate.
News of the high quality fishing rods quickly spread throughout Chetek and soon after, requests for rods started pouring in. Since then, many anglers have purchased walleye or Ultralite rods, and some have purchased both. Those familiar with high-end fishing gear and those who have handled and used fishing rods can instantly recognize the quality and craftsmanship applied to these fine fish catchers.
“We have definitely found the right person for this role. It was the perfect match, â€said Tim of Salisbury and the people at Great North Rod.
“All I can say is this is the best rod I have ever used! He handled my 10 pound walleye perfectly, â€said Barb Buse, a resident of Chetek, who took a trip to Lake of the Woods in Morson, Ontario, Canada where her whole family caught dozens of walleye. June with the Owen Knutson Walleye Series rods. . “It was my best walleye at 29 inches. What an amazing fish and what a memory I will always cherish!
However, it is not only the high quality fishing rods that make these rods special. It is also the perception that Owen accompanies each fisherman on each outing when he ventures onto a lake, river or stream. This gives the fishing rod special meaning and makes every throw and every fish memorable. This is how Owen would have wanted it.
“At first we thought these rods would just be something that could be of interest to immediate family, close friends and coaches. But there are so many more who want to be a part of this and show their support, â€Tim said. “Rods are something special that we can use on the water. When you see a cane with an orange and purple handle, you know it’s a damn good cane and it’s an Owen Knutson Signature cane. It is also an item that we can use as charitable donations in our community for years to come.
Improving fishing experiences and opportunities for those in the future is now something I know Owen is smiling at.