Libby native turns his hobby into small business

In Lincoln County fishing can be a way of life. That’s the case for Libby resident, Kenny Rayome, who has been fishing for as long as he can remember.

“I’ve enjoyed fishing since I could walk,” he said. “I started fishing with my grandfather on the river.”

People enjoy fishing for a number of reasons. They enjoy being out on the boat with family and friends while having a few beers. It’s a time for family bonding. It’s peaceful and gives people time to reflect.  Rayome said he’s not sure what it is about fishing that he enjoys the most.

“I’m not sure what I like the most about fishing,” he said. “Can I say everything?”

For Rayome fishing is time for family bonding. He has three children that all enjoy the sport of fishing.

“Libby Creek is probably one of my favorite spots to fish,” he said. “It’s an easy place to go and I can take the kids. You don’t have to go far and it’s right there. The kids enjoy fishing and they’ve all been fishing since the day they could walk.”

Rayome said there is no bigger thrill than catching a fish.

“I guess I could say the best part of fishing is getting a bent rod,” he said. “If you have a bent rod that means you caught a big fish. It inspired the name of my business, Bent Rod Custom Tackle.”

Rayome joined the Navy after graduating from Libby High School in 1998. He served in the Navy and lived in Florida for 11 years before moving back to Libby with his family in 2009.

Before he moved back to Libby he started making his own fishing poles in 2007.

 “One of the first fishing poles I made was for my wife and that sold her on the idea of me making my own fishing poles and I’ve been doing it ever since,” he said. “We have custom made fly rods, spinning rods, casting rods, trolling rods and we also offer rod and reel repair.”

He just recently started selling his fishing poles at Mac’s Market in Libby.

“The new owners wanted to carry higher end fishing poles,” he said. I have a hard time keeping up with their sales, which is a good thing.”

Making fishing poles is a hobby for Rayome, not a job.

“I work at the water treatment plant in town,” he said. “This is something that I like to do on my spare time that I enjoy.”