We’re back…after a few weeks off for the holiday season…Oyster welcomed their first class of 2026. Our January 12-17, 2026, bamboo fly rod making class that included 3 repeat students, 7 new rod makers and whiskey. 🥃Meet the makers…
4️⃣ Ken from Blairsville, GA #local was here for class #4. He says he “just loves the class” and crafted an 8' 7wt to fish with in Yellowstone! 🦬
3️⃣Charles was here from Ellijay, GA for class #3. Each time he attends, he brings a friend; this time his friend Ryan joined him. Charles made an 8' 10wt for Redfish in Louisiana.
🎣Ryan from Dallas, GA attended class with Charles. Ryan has been fly fishing for 12 years and chose to make an 8' 6wt for his pond and local waters. Fun fact: Ryan has known Jacob for a decade… small world. 🌎
2️⃣Ed joined us from Colorado for his 2nd class. He enjoys backpacking and fly fishing remote areas, so he decided to build a 7'9" 4wt. 🎒
🌊Ben came from New Smyrna Beach, FL. After walking by Oyster on Main Street, his wife encouraged him to do something for himself when he retired…so he signed up to handcraft a bamboo fly rod. Ben made an 8' 9wt.
⛵️Harvey joined us from afar; he bought a book on bamboo rod making, and we got tangled up in his “rabbit hole“. He spends most of his time sailing (a very common hobby of Oyster clientele 🤷🏽♀️). He built an 8' 6wt to fish the McCloud River. See you soon! 😉
🏝️Myron was here from Spring Island, SC. He enjoys saltwater fly fishing for tarpon, bonefish, redfish, and permit (what a coincidence… so do we!), he crafted an 8' 9wt.
📍George from Savannah → Blue Ridge was here for his first class and brought his sister, Judy. George made an 8' 6wt to fish North Georgia waters.
🌅Judy (an avid fly fisher) joined us from Savannah, GA. She enjoys saltwater fly fishing and decided to make an 8' 9wt to fish the Florida Keys and for Redfish.
🔵Alvin joined us from Oklahoma after seeing Oyster online. He intends to fish his new 8' 6wt locally and The Blue.
💫 Keeping the craft Alive💫
❄️A week of camaraderie, making, whiskey, fish talk and an impromptu movie night . Each rod these students make is a testament to the craft, and we’re grateful that you chose to spend the week at Oyster.❄️
#firstclassoftheyear