The word Vandalia is often related to the culture and history of Appalachia and specifically West Virginia, the only state lying entirely within Appalachia. The reason for that is explained on the wvculture.org web site...

"Vandalia was a proposed colony, originating in the land speculations of politically influential Englishmen and prominent Colonial Americans. In 1768 Benjamin Franklin was one of the organizers of the Great Ohio Company, which proposed the creation of Vandalia as the 14th colony. It would have included almost all of present West Virginia, except for the Eastern Panhandle, and much of Kentucky. The name was a gesture to Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, who proudly claimed descent from the Vandals through her birth to German nobility. The plan almost came to fruition in 1772-74, until the deteriorating American political situation made the British government back off.

The word Vandalia is rich in West Virginia heritage, synonymous with the desire for a free government in the mountains. And today, Vandalia is a place every Memorial Day weekend, at the Capitol Complex in Charleston, West Virginia, where the Vandalia Gathering presents traditional music, dance, crafts and food to keep the old ways alive in young minds."

Philip Smith is the sole-proprietor of Vandalia Rodworks and works cooperatively with Lee Orr (Apex Co.) in all rodmaking matters not only because they are friends and fish together, but because rodmakers worldwide are typically gracious to one another. It is the goal of the rodmaking cottage industry to grow the sport and enthusiasm surrounding bamboo fly rods so it comes natural for makers to help each other produce the very best rod possible. The goal of Vandalia Rodworks is to produce a high quality rod at a price that real fishermen can afford and not be afraid to fish with.

We are also very passionate about the state of West Virginia and it's abundant wildlife. Very few people are aware of the amazing opportunities that exist right here in WV and spend great amounts of money to travel out of it or through it to get to inferior fishing because of the successful marketing of neighboring places as well as the great populations of those places that market their sport. West Virginia is a well kept secret not only due to the unwillingness of most West Virginia sportsmen to share their field or stream, but also because of the very small population and lack of influence that goes with that. Therefore, there aren't as many stewards looking over WV waters because of that phenomenon and couple that with the enormous habitat damaging industrial practices that take place here in WV it paints a pretty gloomy picture. That's why we dedicate as much time as possible, plus a little more, to advancing the mission of Trout Unlimited: To protect, conserve and restore our coldwater fisheries.