About two weeks ago…
🍁Oyster’s November 17-22, 2025 bamboo fly rod making class welcomed 3 repeat students and 7 new rod makers and the Holiday Spirit!!! 🍻Meet the makers…
3️⃣ Clark was here from Asheville, NC 🌳for class #3. His three children will inherit his rods, and his first class happened by chance when he visited Oyster on Main Street and beautiful downtown Blue Ridge, GA and signed up on the spot! This time, Clark made an 8’6wt.
3️⃣ Steven joined us from Clayton, GA ⛰️for class #3. He originally planned to build himself a rod but decided to make 3 so he could pass them down his sons. He plans to fish this 7’9” 6wt on local North Georgia waters.
2️⃣🌊 Clay “Bear” from ATL → Tallahassee, FL took his #2nd class to craft an 8’ 7wt saltwater bamboo fly rod. His wife signed him up for his first class, and by day 2 he had booked a few more class dates. Clay says he is passionate about the things he does and retired to learn to fly fish. See you next year! 🤘🏽
🏞️Paul came from Springdale, Arkansas. He fly fished on and off for 35 years, recently picked it back up, and wanted to learn to build his own rod. He said he “appreciates the remarkable art form at Oyster” and will take his new 8’ 6wt rod to the White River.
🌆Chris, a Memphis native but settled in Chicago, is here for his first class. His family gifted him the class for his 70th birthday. He was excited to explore making his own rod by hand and will fish his new 7’6” 5 wt mostly in Northern Wisconsin. See you in 2027!
🌙🌴 Mike from Charleston, SC has wanted to build a fly rod since high school. His online searches led him to Oyster Bamboo fly rod making classes, so he immediately signed up. He will be fishing his new 8’ 5 wt in Montana and Wyoming
🐚Nick was here from Boca Raton, FL. He started fly fishing when he was 9 years old (his grandfather had bamboo rods) and always wanted to build his own rod. His wife purchased the class as a gift 🎁 for this 40th birthday. He will use his new 8’ 7wt in South Florida.
🦀Johnny from Mississippi, who also has a house in Murphy, NC, visits Blue Ridge because “it is cool.” 😂 He found us while visiting Main Street and signed up for a class. Johnny built a 7’9” 6 wt.
🛶Robert from Fort Lauderdale → Helen → Murphy, NC attended his first class. He enjoys woodworking and built his own drift boat. His fiancée signed him up as a surprise. 🎁 Robert made an 8’ 7wt rod that will be fished on local Georgia and North Carolina waters.
⛰️Heath came from Toccoa, GA. He met someone at an Airstream park, did his research, and his wife signed him up for his 50th birthday 🎁 gift. Heath crafted a 7’9” 5wt rod to fish North Georgia waters.
💫 Keeping the craft Alive💫
🍁A camaraderie filled the week. Each rod is a testament to the craft, and we’re grateful that you chose to spend the week at Oyster. 🍁