Thread: Buy Fishing Reels 'Made in U.S.A.'

I know this is off-topic, but I thought fishing equipment might be of broad interest....

Buy American Mention of the Week 3-25-09

Make America’s economy greater while enjoying the great outdoors

By Roger Simmermaker

If you plan to spend more time enjoying the outdoors now that Spring is finally here and fishing is one of your hobbies, you might want to check out the American-made fishing reels by Ardent Outdoors at www.ardentoutdoors.com.

When you visit the company’s website, you’ll notice they don’t try to hide their pride that all of their products are made in USA from their casting reels to their spinning reels, accessories and even their sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hats.

Virtually every page on the Ardent Outdoors website has at least some mention of their commitment to Made in USA and supporting American jobs. In fact, the first thing mentioned on the page devoted to telling all about the company is that Ardent is 100% American owned and designs and manufactures their own fishing reels and accessories.

At Ardent, the products are built by fishermen for fishermen. And you’ll know that Ardent products aren’t short on performance when you discover Alton Jones won the biggest tournament in all of fishing using the Ardent XS1000 casting reel. Not bad for a company that began limited production in 2005. And every Ardent reel is assembled by hand at their Macon, Missouri factory and backed by a best-in-the-industry three year warranty. So why would you want to buy a foreign-made reel that only carries a one year warranty?

You can find Ardent products at all the popular dealers like Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops and Boater’s World Marine Centers. You can purchase other accessories (including the American-made apparel) directly from the Ardent Outdoors website at www.ardentoutdoors.com.

With Ardent, we Americans have a choice we haven’t had in years, and that is the ability to buy a high-quality American-made fishing reel. There simply is no other manufacturer that builds fishing reels in the United States. And because of Ardent, Americans have another choice, and that is the opportunity to be employed in an economy that is seeing manufacturing job after manufacturing job move overseas. It’s a good thing Ardent is committed to making things in the America. As they say on their website, “In order to produce high-quality reels that last, Ardent knows the U.S.A. is the best place to manufacture them.â€

I was astounded that I actually found a 7-day plastic pill box and a rolling pin at Walmart! Along with the reel, there apparently are a few factories still left here, but who knows if their workers are legal?

And perhaps GreginLA won't mind my copying his "list of favorite American made clothing co.":


Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:37 pm Post subject: Greg in LA's list of favorite american made clothing co.

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Like many of you I try to buy as much as I can on products made right here in the good old USA. If I can, I want it made by an American.

Over the last few years of searching this is what I can recommend.

Jeans: Go to the Texas jean co.
at www.texasjeans.com I purchased a pair of carpenter jeans and a pair of army style "hum-vee" pants. I highly recommend the hum-vee pants. on sale at present for $15.99.

Rugby shirts: Collumbia knit.
top quality, thick cotton, wears like Iron. Good looking. $24.00 - $38.00. I highly recommend this place. They also make excellent t-shirts for about $9.00. and great kids rugyby sirts for about $12.00 Go to www.usa-wear.com

Polo shirts. KIng Louie shirts,
made in K.C. Missouri I bought three and I like them all. About $24.00 each. all cotton and I was very satisfied.
Go to www.allamericanclothing.com. This company has many other american made brands to choose from as well.

Leather dress shoes. Allen Edmonds,
made in Wisconcin. I highly recommend them. Top quality and hand made. I bought a pair on line last year $170.00 Beautiful. I know they will last years. Just google the name Allen Edmonds shoes and see what is on sale and where.

Running shoes, New Ballance.
They are the best running shoes, they sell them in many places. Many of their shoes are made in china, but their best quality shoes are made in the USA. You can check under the tongue and see where they are made. I paid about $100.00 for a pair and they feel great. At work I stand on cement all day and I need comfortable shoes to get through the day.

Bills Khaki: Makes really nice mens khaki pants. thick cotton twill and worth the extra money. Just google Bills Khaki and see what is on sale and where. They have a real traditional look to them. Made in Pennsylvania

Cigars: Marsh Wheeling cigars.
founded in 1840 and were the favorite of Ulysses S. Grant. Made in Indiana from American grown tobacco. Every box is a piece of American history.

As you probably have noticed in general you have to pay a premium for American made. I think it is worth it, and there is no doubt that the quality is much better. Plus it keeps one out of wall mart.

Enjoy.