Bliss Custom Rods

The story of Bliss Custom Rods

Bliss Custom Rods began like most other custom businesses, the want or need to create something that does not exist. Don Bliss, an avid fisherman and the founder of Bliss Custom Rods, was planning a trip to the Colorado Mountains with his oldest son’s (Dean) Boy Scout Troop in 1969. Don wanted a 5’6” combination fly rod, spinning rod so he could easily pack it in and swap reels as the conditions and technique warranted. Being budget conscious, and born with a knack for building and creativity, Don ordered the components needed to make the rod. Don did not immediately start building rods for others, mostly just his family, his building and creativity lead him to build 1:32 slot cars, this endeavor, and the fact that the slot cars were “built right here on the dining room table” is where the Bliss Custom Rods “Built Right Here” slogan was born. Don built many things on that dining room table, obviously having a very understanding wife, including tying flies and poppers for panfish, pouring and tying crappie jigs, spinnerbaits and much more. Don also worked on, restored and painted cars, many for his 6 children. Don dabbled with rod building for years, mostly for family and friends. It wasn’t until he and his wife Maxine (Cookie) who was a very good angler herself, purchased a lot on Lake Thunderhead in Missouri that Don started building rods for others and eventually started temporarily building for Woody’s Pro Lures on the lake due to Woody’s losing their rod manufacturer. This led to attending sports shows and opened up the quality built custom rods to the public. The little hobby business did not yet have a name. Don’s 2nd son, Dan, worked for a screen print facility and had artwork made and shirts printed with a Bliss Custom Rod’s bass logo and the “Made Right Here” slogan. The “temporary” run with Woody’s lasted several years, ending once Woody’s was able to secure another bulk manufacturer, this allowed Don to get back to a true custom rod business, building what the customer wants. Many of Don’s customers are fellow fishermen he met over the years, as well as friends of his son Dan. Dan is also an avid fisherman, a longtime member of a local bass club (Cedar Rapids Bassmasters), an Iowa State B.A.S.S Tournament Champion, two-time B.A.S.S Divisional Qualifier and B.A.S.S National Championship qualifier. Dan’s love for fishing was born by Don and Cookie taking him fishing from the time he was big enough to operate a fishing rod. Mid 2021 Dan joined Don in the rod building business, retiring at the end of the year from his full-time job to join his dad at Bliss Custom Rods full time. Unfortunately, Don passed away on December 8th, 2022, Dan is continuing the rod building tradition.

 A great relationship with Batson Enterprises, the supplier of the high-quality Rainshadow blanks and high-quality components allows Bliss Custom Rods to build rods that are “Built to be fished with”. All Bliss Custom Rods are built only after talking to the customer, understanding what the rod will be used for and discussing options, angler to angler. Once the build and price are agreed upon and the agreement to purchase is completed, we start the build. We do not build rods to stock, only to customer specifications. 

blisscustomrods@gmail.com

319-654-6041 - Dan Bliss