Although my internship has only been underway for two days, it has been a great start. My journey started by traveling to Houston, Texas. There I started my immersion in the southern lifestyle, and visited Rice University. From there I drove to Austin, Texas, where I visited some of the “must-see” spots in town. These included UT Austin, Franklin Barbecue (Widely regarded as the best brisket in the world), and Allen’s Boots, which stocks over 4,000 types of cowboy boots. From Austin I drove to Dallas, where my actual internship will take place.Since I arrived over the weekend, we haven’t gone to the office yet, however that doesn’t mean work hasn’t started. The last two days have been filled with preparations for the other main part of my internship, a trip to ICAST, the largest tradeshow in the fishing industry. Tomorrow, myself as well as around 20 other employees of Temple Fork Outfitters, TFO, will head to Orlando for six days. There we will showcase our new products, and catch up on the latest happenings throughout the industry. My job throughout the show will be to interview TFO reps, and other prominent figures in the fishing industry.
When I get back from ICAST, the real work will begin, designing the rods. I have already had a quick 1 hour lesson covering the building of a fly rod from start to finish. Topics included material choice, material modulus, flag patterns, the wrapping, baking, and curing process, componentry choice, rod testing, and rod strength and failure.
My homestay family has been excellent so far. Collins Illich, the Bass Category director at TFO, invited 
me to stay with their family, which also includes his wife Katie, and three children, Dobie (10), Susie (5), and Walter (2). As a single child, it has been a very interesting experience living in a house with two very energetic young children! I have also had the chance to meet Collins’s brother and his wife and daughter, as well as Collins’s father. Although I’m very far from home, I have been able to continue to participate in many of my favorite things. Just this morning, I caught my largest bass ever on the fly, and this afternoon I got to stop by a local climbing gym. So far the Texas lifestyle has been treating me well, and I can’t imagine my internship going any better! Make sure to stay tuned next week for updates on ICAST!
me to stay with their family, which also includes his wife Katie, and three children, Dobie (10), Susie (5), and Walter (2). As a single child, it has been a very interesting experience living in a house with two very energetic young children! I have also had the chance to meet Collins’s brother and his wife and daughter, as well as Collins’s father. Although I’m very far from home, I have been able to continue to participate in many of my favorite things. Just this morning, I caught my largest bass ever on the fly, and this afternoon I got to stop by a local climbing gym. So far the Texas lifestyle has been treating me well, and I can’t imagine my internship going any better! Make sure to stay tuned next week for updates on ICAST!
Nice MoTown! I want to see pics of the carbon winders they use for wrapping the rods … if it is not secret tech.
Great climbing facility too! Get STOKED!