CUSTOM ROD CARRIERS

Trxstle was founded by John Smigaj and Morgan Misek as an engineering firm in 2013, making locomotives and rail equipment.

Smigaj is a fifth-generation Montanan with family in Marysville, but left for college in Washington to study engineering.

"As soon as I could, I brought it back here, so we came back to Helena," Smigaj said.

The manufacturing, operations and designs all happen in-house at their 1224 Elm St. location.

He said the two primary focuses when they started the company were mountain biking and fly fishing.

"We're primarily in products that carry gear. So a great way to describe it is we're in fly fishing specifically, but this year, you're going to see us enter into the conventional fishing world," Smigaj said.

One of the company's bestselling products is the fly-rod carrier that comes in multiple variations. Starting at nearly $600, the international patented carriers are adjustable – with one model capable of extending to 10 feet, 4 inches and the second up to 11 feet, 6 inches.

The pricing, according to Smigaj, is fairly competitive, although they are the most expensive because they are made in Montana.

"We have a made in Montana stamp and we do the vast majority of our assembly and light manufacturing right here in Helena," he said.

The company puts a lot of personal work into their products like hand-sanding to make sure they avoid rubbing points on rods, especially important for customers who own rods worth around $2,000.

Taking customer input is valued by the company, especially with the more expensive fly-fishing rod customers, which was why they made rod boots to protect them when they go down rough roads.

Customers are frequently happy with their purchases, Smigaj added, and the company consistently gets five-star reviews.

"We handle everything in house, so when you call Trxstle, because you have a question,

"We have a made in Montana stamp and we do the vast majority of our assembly and light manufacturing right here in Helena."

John Smigaj, CEO and co-founder of Trxstle, you'll talk to our customer service representative who lives in Helena," he said. "Or you'll talk directly to the other owner, Morgan."

The company prides itself on its reputation by being personable. The four-person Helena operation handles the business on the manufacturing end while its corporate offices reside in Olympia, Washington. The original start-up garage is at Misek's residence.

Smigaj said the company is planning to expand and hire two or three more people this summer, since it will be coming out with a large new product line by June.

Trxstle ships and houses its products across the globe with stores in the United Kingdom, Vienna, Austria and Iceland.

More locally, their products can be found at various stores across the country and Montana, including in Great Falls, Missoula, Kalispell, Billings, Dillon and Big Sky, among others.

Smigaj said he felt it was important to consumers their products are made locally.

"I think it's hugely important from a quality perspective," he said. "We just have two in-shop employees right now, but they're both professional guides who've been guides for 20 years."

He said people who make the products know what they are doing and what to look for because they wanted to make them with quality in mind.

"From that perspective it's huge, but also, it's just when you know it came from Montana or even your hometown of Helena you know that that company is trying to boost the economy," Smigaj said.

Kelly Wilson, a shop manager at the Helena location, has worked with the company for four years and agreed with the co-owner that making products in-house adds value and trust in the products.

"As a lifelong Montanan, I go out of my way – and I think a lot of people would go out of their way in our culture – to spend money on something that you know is going back to the community," Wilson said.

As a shop manager, his day-to-day operations can change based on orders that come in, but business has picked up drastically since its start in 2017.

In the first year, the company earned $2,200, according to Smigaj. The following year that jumped to roughly $50,000 and in 2024 the company hit just under $1 million.

"This year we're looking to blow through that with the new product line," Smigaj said.

The new product line will help engage the company in conventional fishing, but Smigaj declined to speak about the launch in detail since the company is working on advertisements and publicity.

Sonny tapia is a criminal justice and education reporter for the Helena Independent record.