Thanks for writing and all the support you guys are showing us! We’re humbled. Another fun story from the Lanphere family:

After another successful trip to Westport salmon fishing, the 1066 (Northwest Premier Guide Series) continues to amaze everyone on our boat. The latest example is the 34 lbs., 6 ounces dressed king caught last week. This salmon hit the pole hard releasing it from the down rigger. I grabbed the pole, set the hook, and the fight was on. When we finally got the fish in the boat, my two friends and I could not believe what we saw. This big king was hooked under the lower jaw through the skin — only a half inch was holding the fish on. If it were not for the action of the 1066, I am sure he would have gotten off. This is my second letter sent to Fetha Styx so I want to make it clear, I am not paid or compensated in any way by Fetha Stxy. Simply put, this rod is at the top of the food chain period. Best rod I have ever owned.

Thanks,
Rock
Rocky & Karen Lanphere

We have more photo submissions from pleased Fetha Styx customers putting their rods to the test. This latest batch comes from Alaska. Enjoy!

Have pictures of your Fetha Styx rod put to good use? We’d love to see them! Send them to fethastyxrods@gmail.com for the chance to be featured on our blog.

To see more Fetha Styx photos, check out:
Fetha Styx on Facebook
Fetha Styx on Flickr

When we get feedback this awesome, we just have to share it with the world. Seriously, we’re always very glad to hear when people are pleased with their Fetha Styx rods — we’re proud of what we do and so happy to share our work with other anglers.
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29-pounder cleaned!

My son and I just returned from three days fishing at Westport. I just wanted to let you know how great your FSNWP 1066 rod is (Northwest Premier Guide Series, part of the CCA/Fetha Styx line). We caught 12 salmon which were 20 plus pounds each, the largest being 29 pounds 11 ounces (see the picture) dressed. My son was fishing with a Lamiglas Kenai Special 8 foot-6 rod. Having caught over 25 kings this year alone, I was letting him land the fish on my 1066. While he was fighting a large king, we got another one on his pole. I grabbed his pole out of the down rigger and started to fight the fish. I thought his line had to be wrapped and caught on something, because it was so hard to retrieve the line. Then Rusty (my son) said that’s just the way the rod is. Because I had gotten used to how good my new Fetha Styx is, I can’t even tell you what a difference there is between the two rods. Every time I have gone fishing this year, I have out fished everyone on the boat because salmon have a hard time shaking the hook, with the flexibility of this rod. Your 1066 is without a doubt the best fishing rod I have ever used. I would highly recommend this rod to anyone angler who is fishing for salmon. The only battle I see is getting my rod back from my son! But we will be purchasing more of these excellent rods from you. I am telling everyone we know how great this rod is!

I also wanted to thank you for the excellent customer service we have received from your company. You all go way above and beyond and it feels like we are talking with old friends instead of a business.

Sincerely,

Rocky and Karen Lanphere

Rocky on right with earlier Fetha Styx catch.

We’re very excited to introduce our Homewater rods featuring Fetha Styx exclusive blank designs made by Gary Loomis and North Fork Composites. Currently the series is composed of a Salmon/Steelhead line, a Freshwater line and a Bass line. Manufactured in the USA and featuring counterbalanced Fuji Alconite guides and high-end Fuji or cork reel seats; portions of proceeds will go towards the Fetha Styx Foundation, which supports waterway conservation. Watch Derek show World Fishing Network the Homewater rods here.

Check out the new NASCAR rods up close!

Fetha Styx NASCAR series features five different drivers: Mark Martin #5, Danica Patrick #7, Jeff Gordon #24, Jimmie Johnson #48 and Dale Earnhardt Jr #88.

The World Fishing Network crew graciously stopped by the Fetha Styx booth to talk about our niche market rods for firefighters, police officers (True Hero series), conservation charities (CCA series) and NASCAR fans, as well as our new Homewater series. A big thanks to WFN for the time they spent with us!

And here’s Derek with our Homewater series. The series raises money for the Fetha Styx Foundation, which assists efforts to protect American water ways.

Videos courtesy of WFN.tv.

As the reports continue to come back, we’ll keep this post updated. So be sure to check back!

Our NASCAR rods are featured in a Field and Stream online gallery titled “The Most Unique, Innovative and Strange New Tackle from ICAST 2010.”

Gary Loomis and Gina proudly show Homewater rods to ICAST goers.

Two new videos from the World Fishing Network are up here.

Bill shows off the brand new Homewater rod series featuring blanks made by North Fork Composites.
Homewater Rod Series (video)

Gina talks to us for a minute about the NASCAR rod series.
Gina Shows the NASCAR Series (video)

And, lastly, a gallery of the day’s photos.

Here are some photos of our ICAST booth setup, including our new NASCAR rod series, our True Hero series and our CCA series. We’re having a great time and meeting lots of fine folks — stay tuned for more Fetha Styx updates from ICAST!

via Charlotte Business Journal

Go fish. And take NASCAR with you.

That’s the plan for Fetha Styx and the Charlotte-based licensing division of NASCAR. Late this year, Fetha Styx’s line of NASCAR fishing rods will debut, selling for $150 to $250 each for adult models and $99 for children. Forty-five retailers have agreed to sell the rods, with national stores such as Bass Pro Shops included, according to NASCAR.

A 2,400-square-foot distribution hub here will serve the primary Southeastern market, though the rods will be sold nationwide.

Fetha Styx, based in Seattle, tapped Chuck Morrison, former owner of a NASCAR souvenir company, as a consultant on the launch of the fishing rods. Morrison lives in Columbia, S.C., but spent many years in Charlotte working in sports marketing and promotion.

To start, five drivers will be featured in the fishing line: Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, Jimmie Johnson and Danica Patrick. The drivers’ car numbers and signatures are featured on the rods. All of the drivers except Patrick are part of Hendrick Motorsports, home of the most popular race teams in the sport. Patrick drives for Earnhardt Jr.’s Nationwide Series team, which includes Rick Hendrick as a co-owner.

Next month, the rods will debut in Las Vegas as part of the fishing industry’s annual trade show. Tie-in promotions at BASS tournaments throughout the Southeast begin this fall.

Next year, Morrison, who has extensive experience in NASCAR collectibles and merchandise, hopes to organize a fishing demonstration with some drivers and fans at the Daytona International Speedway’s 29-acre lake on the track’s infield as part of the season-opening Daytona 500 race weeks.

NASCAR touts a strong connection between racing and fishing.

“It’s a natural fit,” says Paul Sparrow, NASCAR director of business development. The price and quality of the fishing rods reflect NASCAR’s belief that authenticity is crucial. “We didn’t want to just slap a logo on something,” he says.

NASCAR fans are twice as likely to fish as non-NASCAR fans, according to a study by research firm Experian Simmons.

Fishing and NASCAR share more than the same audience. They both want more young fans, too.

“Our industry needs to get more kids involved, and NASCAR as a sport needs more kids — it’s a double-whammy,” says Paul Marcoux, managing director of Boyce Jones Investments, the parent of Fetha-Styx.

Taking advantage of NASCAR fans’ fondness for fishing, camping and the outdoors provides mutual benefits, industry experts say.

Last year, NASCAR and a resort company negotiated a deal to put the stock-car sanctioning body’s name on campgrounds across the country. At Bass Pro Shops, NASCAR-themed sections reinforce the strong bond between race fans and the outdoors.

Sparrow, the NASCAR executive, points to a charity campaign tied to the new line of fishing rods as another hook. For every adult fishing rod sold, $10 goes to the driver’s favorite charity. For the youth line, each one sold includes a $3 donation to the NASCAR Foundation.

If the fishing rods sell well, accessories won’t be far behind. Talks have already begun on companion tackle boxes, cases and other items bearing driver names and logos.

EYEinI was in Redmond, WA last week for some media work.  Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how he shoots product photography for Fetha Styx.

A peak at the final product shots: