Any of you guys remember Herters? that was the first catalog I remember, black and white.Then there was netcraft. There were more catalogs, but mostly retailers got them. I knew a guy who built fishing rods, he was able to order from the manufactuer, and he let a few of us guys look at his catalog and order special blanks. That was in the goodole days, when fiber glass was king.The best rod I ever made was a 7.5 ft st croix blank. I got 2 of them. One I left whole, the other I ferruled, I had a3 ft butt section and a long front, That rod is still in existence, though i no longer own it. I also made 2 13 ft noodle rods that were for slamon and steel head fishing.