In this episode of the Mastering Rod Building Podcast, Bill Falconer talks with Roger Hinchcliff of Lamiglas and the Steelhead Manifesto about steelhead fishing, Lamiglas rods, and what rod builders need to know when building technique-specific steelhead rods.
Roger shares how he got started fishing as a kid in Michigan, spending countless hours on the Huron River catching bait, reading water, and learning to fish for everything from bluegill and smallmouth to walleye, pike, and eventually steelhead.
Bill and Roger discuss Roger’s background in the fishing industry, including founding Steelhead Manifesto, building a large online following, winning River Angler of the Year in 2013, and his long career with Lamiglas, where he now serves as vice president.
The conversation covers the differences between Great Lakes and West Coast steelhead fishing, including drift fishing, back bouncing, float fishing, centerpin rods, spoon rods, spinner rods, leader sizes, reel choices, and why steelhead rod length, power, action, and guide size should always match the technique and water.
Roger also explains cold-weather steelhead fishing, including why larger guides help with ice, how anglers manage braid and mono in freezing conditions, and why sensitivity and line control are so important when fishing light leaders for powerful fish.
The episode also goes into steelhead behavior, fish memory, color selection, fishing pressure, and why anglers should carry multiple presentations instead of relying on one bait or one technique.
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 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.jp
American Continent (North & South America): Anglers Resource — https://anglersresource.net/ • info@anglersresource.net
Oceania: Frogleys Offshore — https://fujitackle.com.au • enquiries@frogleysoffshore.com.au
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/ • fuji@calico.es
Europe: MAJORA Intelligent Fishing (FUJI Tackle Italy) — https://www.fujitackle.it • info@fujitackle.it
Asia: KOWA Company, Ltd. — fujitackle@kowa.co.jp
