When Bill was 16, he purchased a Mitchell 300 spinning reel with the first money he earned as a fishing guide. My parents bought me a Heddon Pal spinning rod. Over the years the rod was broken twice and the thread holding the eyes on unraveled. In June 2017, Ralph Dean offered to rebuild the rod for me. In August 2018, Ralph returned to camp with my new rod.  Yes, it is virtually a new rod. Thanks Ralph!