About Me

• Custom Rod Builder - 40-7 Custom Rods - since 1995
• Founder/President- Autism Anglers Inc. - since 2018
• Senior Account Manager/Technical Support -Foundation Outdoor Group - since 2014

I was born and raised in mid-Michigan and started fishing when I was 2 years old. The small rural town I grew up in afforded me lots of opportunities to be in the outdoors hunting and fishing. Michigan has unique fishing opportunities and I made sure to take it all in- Great Lakes trolling, ice fishing, dam fishing for salmon and steelhead, wading small streams for brook trout, worm and bobber fishing for panfish, jigging walleye on huge rivers, smallmouth and musky fishing on Lake St. Clair…. You get the idea.      

When I was 16, (1994) I took a job at the local hardware selling hunting and fishing equipment. I have stayed in the outdoor sports industry from mom-and-pop shops to Bass Pro Shops management and now at American Tackle Co.     

In my teenage years I was mentored by some great men and learned many crafts from fly tying, lure making, wood working, outdoor skills and was taught to build fishing rods before big pike fishing trip to the Canadian wilderness.      

Fast forward a bunch of years…. As a member or the American Tackle Rod Builder pro-staff I was able to help the team in Winston Salem at the ICRBE and met with AT president. I guess I impressed him because I was asked if I want to move to Florida to help other rod builders and rod companies! This was an offer in sales but what really hooked me was the feeling of family among the AT team and the fact that I was able to “help” the brand partners.   One thing that is very important to me is to make everyone feel like a partner in business - not a customer or a number.      

In 2018, with some help and encouragement from some great people I founded a non-profit organization called Autism Anglers Inc. In 2016 my son (almost 5 at the time) was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. My family, friends and coworkers were very supportive and would listen to me tell them what I was learning about autism. This gave me the desire to tell more people about what autism really is. The initial plans of the organization were to spread awareness and acceptance through the sport of fishing, but it has grown to be so much more.       

When I am not in the office, I am running the organization (with help from my amazing wife), building rods, studying the bible, fishing (kayak bass fishing mostly) or enjoying quality family time.      

I have been in Florida since 2014 and have learned a lot about the rod business, saltwater fishing (which is amazing), more extensive array of rod types, the ins and outs of materials and manufacturing and making new friends across the world.       

I want to thank you for putting your faith in me to help you. It is not work if you love what you do!   Please do not hesitate to get a hold of me for anything.  I am here for you   - God Bless, Don Morse

Well... is so happens that 407 is the main area code in the Orlando FL area where I live BUT - it is actually 40-7. You will notice the dash in the logo that also creates a cross in the 0. 

I do not hide that I am a Christian. 40 and 7 are very important numbers in the Bible. 

 The number 40 is mentioned more than 150 times in Scripture. The number 40 symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation. It also signifies new life, new growth, transformation, a change from one great task to another great task.

The number 7 appears over 700 times in the Bible. The number 7 symbolizes creation, completion, perfection, exoneration, healing and the fulfillment of promises and oaths