In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with legendary custom rod builder James "Doc Ski" Labanowski about his lifetime in rod building and the evolution of decorative thread work.

Doc shares how he began wrapping guides at eight years old, served 23 years as a U.S. Navy corpsman, and eventually learned every part of custom rod building from the Harrington Rod Company.

The conversation covers Doc’s role in developing color-change weaving and his approach to the Throop Tiger Wrap, including how thread direction, spacing, burnishing, color selection, and finish coats create its distinctive patterns.

Bill and Doc also discuss the importance of teaching others, recognizing the innovators behind different techniques, and using rod building to support veterans through organizations such as Salmon for Soldiers and Project Healing Waters.

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. For more information, email Jack Barron at [email protected] 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/ • [email protected]

American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • [email protected]

Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • [email protected]

Spain/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/ • [email protected]

Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • [email protected]

Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — [email protected]