Latest Blog Posts
Lost, Found and Bamboo Fly Rods
March 26, 2015
Bill and I met over 21 years ago in Athens, Georgia. We were both in school at the University of...
Cutter is going to Patagonia
February 17, 2015
You know how a father wants to give his child all that he never had...
Summer of 2014, Oyster’s Sequence of Events and Bamboo Fly Rods
October 19, 2014
I will say that here at Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods, we have all worked HARD for our good. Daily cho...
Busy Saturday in Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia
August 16, 2014
Blowing bubbles in front of Oyster shop
"Do you remember the day you realized your father was not perfect?"
June 12, 2014
“Do you remember the day you realized your father was not perfect?” That was the question posed ...
10 things we can not live without at Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
March 28, 2014
Sometimes all of the time I feel like we live in a bubble here at Oyster Bamboo. Really…if you h...
Bamboo Fly Rods and the Five-Year Itch
January 25, 2014
Five years ago today, we moved to the mountains of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Within the confines of ...
Bamboo Fly Rods and my Baby Boy.
October 20, 2013
This past week, Bill took Cutter on his first camping trip on the Davidson River in North Carolin...
Facebook, oversharing and bamboo fly rods
August 08, 2013
Okay…these photos belong on Facebook…my children and Kory with their bamboo fly rods and huge tro...
Mother’s Day, Bamboo Fly Rods and the "Best" Lifestyle
May 12, 2013
There are infinite ways to parent well. There is not a “best” way to raise a child. Do what feel...
Shooting in Pajamas, Bamboo Fly Rods & letting go of the Martyr
February 07, 2013
When I woke up this morning, I had no intention of shooting clays. With Bill on his annual trip t...
10 reasons why I love my shotgun more than a diamond.
September 17, 2012
While diamonds are presumably a girl’s best friend… my shotgun has become my BFF.
Bamboo Fly Rods, Wrong Turns and the Accidental Retailers
June 08, 2012
Over three years ago, we had outgrown our “cottage” inspired home workshop after a decade plus a...
Confessions of A Bamboo Fly Rod Maker’s Widow
March 03, 2012
So…after 14 years, I am taking my first bamboo fly rod making class tomorrow. Why 14 years?
Proverbs, Flocks and Bamboo Fly Rods
January 19, 2012
Our first bamboo fly rod making class of 2012 starts Sunday. Meanwhile, our building is WELL on...
How did you become a bamboo fly rod maker?
December 01, 2011
“How did you become a bamboo fly rod maker?” That is the most common question asked at our shop.
American Dreams and Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
November 08, 2011
Oyster HQ moves from our basement to our cottage to downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia Main Street to ...
Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods says goodbye to summer
August 28, 2011
Here at Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods, we were very busy playing and working over the past several mont...
My Jeep Wrangler, an ode to a blue minivan and Oyster Bamboo Fly Rod Rods
August 17, 2011
You go where you look.
Cast and Blast at Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods…and this time…it’s me!
March 25, 2011
Bill bought me a shotgun and surprisingly...I now shoot shotguns.
2010 Lists from the perspective of a Bamboo Fly Rod Maker’s Widow
December 31, 2010
My 2010 reflections and corny lists from the warped perspective of a bamboo fly rod maker’s widow...
Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods, Halloween and just about everything else you can imagine!
November 04, 2010
We kicked of the fall by spending a few days in a Yurt in Western North Carolina. It’s the closes...
Colorado, co-dependents and bamboo classes
August 22, 2010
At the beginning of the month, Bill rode his motorcycle out to Colorado. Read that again…Bill rod...
Be present
July 19, 2010
Today I am 40-years-old. I have heard of people turning 40, but now it’s my turn. I suppose it sh...
Babies, Big Browns, Bamboo Fly Rods and Independence!
July 10, 2010
Besides raising babies, I work full-time for our bamboo fly rod making business (with the babies...
Bill wins a Winston!?!?!?
June 08, 2010
So, Bill won a Winston Boron rod this weekend. Yes, I know that we make bamboo fly rods and yes,...
Bamboo Fly Rod Making Classes and Meatballs!
May 16, 2010
We are in the heart of bamboo fly rod making class season. And, while our days are long during th...
Top 10 Ways You Know You’re Married to a Bamboo Fly Rod Maker
March 22, 2010
TOP 10 Ways You Know You’re Married to a Bamboo Fly Rod Maker
Bamboo Fly Rod Making…is it Art?
March 11, 2010
Do we call this bamboo fly rod space a workshop or studio?
Whew! 10th straight year at The Fly Fishing Show in Charlotte, NC
February 03, 2010
Whew…we left the Oyster Bamboo Fly rod workshop for the Charlotte fly fishing trade show at 9:30...
another long day at the bamboo fly rod workshop…
January 19, 2010
…with the family and Yogi the bear
Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods speaks at Pisgah TU
January 16, 2010
We just returned from a quick trip to the Asheville area after speaking at the Pisgah TU chapter
Greetings from Oyster Bamboo Fly Rod’s HQ…this is the tale of one woman’s journey into the bamboo fly rod building abyss.
January 14, 2010
So, again, how did I end up in the mountains of Blue Ridge, Georgia standing in a river?
Outside Magazine Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
July 01, 2016
When he wasn't racing, former pro cyclist Bill Oyster used to relax by fly-fishing, and he took...
RodMaker Magazine Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
March 15, 2016
He knows whereof he speaks - that's his highly engraved fly rod gracing the cover of this issue!
Robb Report Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
December 01, 2015
No wonder they are the rod of choice of outdoorsman and former president Jimmy Carter (and plenty...
USA Today Hunt & Fish Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
October 03, 2015
"It's not just Granddaddy's fly rod, but the rod Granddaddy made himself," says Bill Oyster, who...
American Museum of Fly Fishing Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
September 02, 2015
The first time that Bill Oyster witnessed fly fishing was while growing up in the northwestern...
Lake Allatoona Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
June 30, 2015
We all have stories with a beginning or two. There are current events and seemingly predictable ...
Yachting Magazine Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
March 02, 2015
Think fly-fishing is just for guys wearing waders in a stream? Wrong! "We have clients going for...
The Drake Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
February 01, 2015
In less than 20 years, Oyster has carved out a name among great rod builders like Leonard, Payne...
Garden and Gun Jubilee
December 09, 2014
As we bid adieu to the Garden and Gun Jubilee, it is simply impossible to articulate our gratitude
Life Refined Magazine Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
April 14, 2014
FLY FISHING IS KNOWN as “the quiet sport,” said to be good for the soul. It is also a last basti...
PBS - Blue Ridge GA: Fly Fishing Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
February 17, 2014
See how and where the big ones are caught as local expert Bill Oyster takes the cast of the PBS...
Georgia Connector Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
February 01, 2014
Bill Oyster became a part-time fishing guide and fly casting instructor but continued to dream o...
Bloomberg Businessweek Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
November 25, 2013
Oyster’s hand engraved bamboo fly-fishing rod is handsome enough to hang on the wall.
Vintage Luxe Lifestyle Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
May 01, 2013
Bill Oyster integrates engineering knowledge into exquisite art works, and introduced superb fis...
Points North Atlanta Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
March 25, 2013
… anglers should carve out plenty of time to explore Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods, where you can watch...
SuperYacht World Magazine Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
March 01, 2013
The bespoke fly fishing rod from Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods Company is crafted from Tonkin bamboo,...
Southwest Georgia Living Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
February 28, 2013
The craft is king for Oyster, who views the fly fishing rod as an integral part of American spor...
Worth Magazine: The Bespoke Issue Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
February 01, 2013
Every bespoke Oyster rod is crafted with an eye to matching flawless performance with museum-qua...
The Private Journey Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
December 01, 2012
Virginia Sportsman Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
June 01, 2012
Arriving on a Sunday morning. I entered the shop and looked around at the tools of real craftsmen...
The London Financial Times "How To Spend It" features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
February 28, 2012
Custom fly-fishing rods that will delight any angler. Bill Oyster works from a tiny shop in the m...
Forbes Life Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
December 01, 2011
The perfect feel of this bamboo fly rod with hand-engraved nickel silver hardware can take up t...
American Angler Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods 2011
September 01, 2011
This is the dream of Bill Oyster, a self-taught bamboo rod builder who has single-handedly crea...
Itinerant Angler Podcast Features Bill Oyster
July 05, 2011
Garden and Gun Made in the South Awards Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
December 15, 2010
What emerges is a form of functional American art. With their distinctive engravings and elegant ...
Georgia Trend ("40 Under 40") Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
October 01, 2010
From a stack of nominations submitted by readers, our editorial staff selected 40 individuals who...
The Anglers’ Club Bulletin Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
April 05, 2010
IN APRIL, 2010, six Club members went to Blue Ridge Georgia to build bamboo rods. Three members ...
Fortune Small Business Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
September 01, 2008
In their backyard studios and workshops, these entrepreneurs create beautiful gear for the wild ...
Garden and Gun: Casting a Spell Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
April 01, 2007
A young man rose to greet us, slight and black-haired, looking younger than his thirty-five years...
Small Business Journal Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
February 01, 2007
Bill Oyster has discovered the secret to a satisfying personal their whole lives looking. Bill i...
American Angler Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
November 01, 2006
Don't be intimidated by the vast array of cane rods available. Armed with a few basic concepts a...
ESPN2's Fly Fishing America Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
June 02, 2003
Bill Oyster and his bamboo fly rods on ESPN2's Fly Fishing America with Chad Foster in 2003.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Features Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods
March 15, 2001
Oyster's pearls of fly rods