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Foothills Rod Works

Heritage in Every Hand-Wrap

I didn't learn to fix gear from a manual; I learned it over the hum of a workbench in Ohio, watching my Grandpa. He taught me the "why" behind the "how"—the physics of a smooth bearing, the grit it takes to properly align an eye, and the old-school tricks of the trade that you just can't find in a big-box store. From those cool Northern waters to the heart of East Tennessee, those lessons stayed with me: if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time.

God, Country, and the Great Outdoors

At Foothills Rod Works, we believe that fishing is more than just a hobby—it's a way of life and a gift from the Creator. We are a business rooted in God and Country, operating with the kind of honesty and integrity you'd expect from a neighbor. We aren't just here to sell you a service; we're here to honor the sport and the land we're blessed to fish. That's why conservation is at our core—we build gear that lasts a lifetime, not a season, ensuring our Tennessee waters stay productive for the next generation of anglers.

Why Choose the Foothills?

When you drop off a reel or commission a custom rod, it isn't just a transaction—you're trusting a fellow angler who knows exactly what's at stake when that trophy hits the line on Fort Loudon or a mountain creek.

  • Precision Craftsmanship: Every wrap is done by hand, and every reel is tuned with surgical detail.
  • Dedication to the Sport: I know where they're biting and how to catch just about anything that swims. I build gear that stands up to the fight.
  • Local Trust: Based right here in Maryville, we offer the kind of face-to-face service and accountability that the internet can't provide.

Whether you need a quick tip-top fix or a high-performance custom build, Foothills Rod Works is dedicated to keeping your gear tournament-ready and your drag screaming.

Tight lines and God bless.

Foothills Rod Works

Equipment Repair & Abandoned Property Policy

1. Work Completion & Notification

  • Upon completion of any custom rod build, rod restoration, or reel repair, the customer will be notified immediately via phone, text message, or email with an itemized final invoice.
  • Full payment for parts, labor, and services is due upon pickup or prior to return shipping.

2. Grace Period & Standard Pickup Window (Days 1–30)

  • Customers have thirty (30) calendar days from the date of initial completion notification to pay for and retrieve their equipment without incurring additional holding charges.

3. Storage Fees (Days 31–180)

  • Equipment remaining at the shop past 30 calendar days will accrue a mandatory storage fee of $5.00 per day.
  • Storage charges will accumulate daily for up to five (5) additional months (up to Day 180 / 6 Months total from the initial completion date). All accumulated storage fees must be paid in full prior to the release of any equipment.

4. Abandonment & Ownership Transfer (180 Days / 6 Months)

  • Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-14-101 et seq. (Tennessee Artisans’ Lien Act) and this signed Service Agreement, any equipment left unpaid or uncollected for six (6) months (180 calendar days) from the initial completion notification date shall be deemed permanently abandoned.
  • At the expiration of the 6-month period, full legal title and ownership of the property automatically transfers to Foothills Rod Works.
  • Foothills Rod Works reserves the absolute right to sell, liquidate, dismantle for parts, retain, or dispose of abandoned equipment as it sees fit to satisfy unpaid service invoices, parts costs, and accrued storage fees.

5. Limitation of Liability

  • Foothills Rod Works exercises standard professional care with all client equipment. However, Foothills Rod Works assumes no liability for loss, damage, or degradation of equipment held past the standard 30-day pickup window due to circumstances beyond reasonable shop control.