There’s a new local business reeling in the sales and it focuses on something Madison County is known for–fishing.
Brothers Taylor Jenkins and Tim McCurdy have turned their love of fishing into a business creating and selling handmade lures. The two came up with the idea to create Rose River Lure Company after attending a fishing flea market. There they saw lots of homemade and hand-painting lures, but the two said everything looked the same, nothing really stood out.
“On the drive home, we talked about how we could use our artistic skills to create a unique brand with lures that no one had ever seen before,” the brothers said. “We chose fishing lures because we love to fish. Our dad taught us to enjoy being outdoors, to fish responsibly and of course, how to catch fish so we’re turning that passion into a business.”
Jenkins and McCurdy launched the business in March and so far, the response has been good. They’ve sold lures to customers in several states and though the business is a side hustle right now, the brothers, who both have full-time jobs and families, are working toward the dream of making lures full-time.
“It’s been really great when a customer tells us they caught a fish with something we made,” McCurdy and Jenkins said. “While we believed in our ideas, we didn’t expect things to take off so quickly.”
Lures offered include everything from beaded phrases to fake insects, corn spinners, bottle cap lures, hand-painted baits and more. The brothers test their lures by fishing in different rivers and lakes. These trips are recorded and posted to the company’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@roseriverlureco to show how well the lures work and how anglers can get the most out of them. They also offer tips and adjustments anglers can make when using the lures.
“We make sure you can catch fish with our lures,” they said.
Jenkins and McCurdy have big plans for Rose River Fishing Lures. They just announced their first sponsorship–Elizabeth City, NC fisherman Brandon Vaughn. The company will be sponsoring Vaughn as he competes in Bass fishing tournaments. There’s also a big announcement on the horizon, something the brothers said is a unique innovation they are aiming to release later this year.
“This is top secret but rest assured it’s something fishermen will really enjoy,” they said.
The pair also have a long-term goal of opening a bait and tackle shop with a pay pond where people can enjoy the outdoors and catch a fish.
For now, the brothers are dedicated to providing high-quality, innovative lures that make fishing better. Lures can be purchased via the website, roseriverlureco.com, or in-person at Shenandoah Survival. The business will also have booths at the Graves Mountain Music Festival May 29-31, the Virginia Black Bear Festival in Greene County June 7, the Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges Peach Festival July 26 and the Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges Apple Harvest Festival the first three weekends in October.
For more information, visit roseriverlureco.com or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572891719870 or email roseriverlure@gmail.com.
