Rodfathers: Mark Crouse and the Rise of 3D Printing in Rodbuilding

In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with longtime custom rod builder Mark Crouse, also known as the Munich Rod Man, about 52 years of rod building, custom craftsmanship, 3D printing, carbon fiber grips, and building a recognizable personal style.Mark shares how he started fishing as a child and built his first rod at age 12 after his mother brought home a blank from a closing sporting goods store. With limited access to parts in Germany, he learned to improvise with parachute cord, electrical tape, goose quills, and whatever materials he could find.Bill and Mark discuss Mark’s wide range of rod building skills, including decorative wraps, cork, wood, birch, acrylic, carbon fiber, marbling, finish work, custom butt caps, reel seats, trim pieces, and ergonomic grip designs.The conversation also goes deep on how Mark is using 3D printing to create custom reel seats, winding checks, grip shells, trim parts, and carbon fiber-covered handles. He explains filament choices, printer setup, heat resistance, wall thickness, carbon fiber sleeves, and why 3D printing gives rod builders new ways to create truly one-of-a-kind components.Mark also shares thoughts on matte finishes, ultralight rods, fly rod handle fit, hydro dipping, custom inlays, and why serious rod builders should focus on developing their own style instead of copying someone else’s work.The episode also includes details on the 2026 Mastering Rod Building Seminar, happening August 14–16 at the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama. The weekend will feature hands-on rod building education, seminars, meals, a Saturday crawfish and shrimp boil, discounted lodging nearby, and fellowship with the rod building community. For more information, email Jack Barron at jbarron@anglersresource.net or call 251-943-4491.Mastering Rod Building is brought to you by Anglers Resource — your source for genuine Fuji Tackle components.Where to buy genuine FUJI®️ rod components (Area Distributors)Japan: FIRST Corporation — https://first-fuji.co.jp/ • mail@first-fuji.co.jpAmerican Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.netOceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.auSpain/Czech/Finland/Sweden/Estonia/Latvia/Poland/Denmark/Belgium/Germany/Netherlands/Ireland/Luxembourg/France/Portugal/UK/Norway/Belarus/Ukraine/Russia:: CALICO S.A. (Kalikunnan) — https://kalikunnan.com/ • fuji@calico.esEurope: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.itAsia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp