9 friends and Bob walk into a bamboo fly rod making shop…seriously.
Meet last week’s makers…
Oyster’s November 3-8, 2025 bamboo fly rod making class welcomed one repeat student (who brought along 8 friends) and nine new rod makers from all across the United States.
Everyone enjoyed Southern Appalachia’s beauty at its finest.
Butler was here for Class #2. Last year he attended with his dad and brother. This time he built a 7'9" 4 wt and said his second build was even better than his first.
Bob joined us from Blairsville; originally from the Tampa Bay Area. He’s a hobby builder who enjoyed working with cane and crafted an 8' 5 wt “with love.”
Scott from Long Island, NY grew up fly fishing with his grandfather in Maine. He described the class as an “incredible experience” and built a 7'9" 4 wt.
Nick came from Baltimore, MD crafted an 8' 4 wt. He enjoys fishing all around W. Virginia and Maryland and highly recommends the class.
Bojay traveled from Massachusetts and crafted an 8' 5 wt, noting, “time flies when you are having fun.”
Billy also joined us from Massachusetts. He has spent a lot of time in the Cayman Islands and western Massachusetts. His friend Jeff signed him up as a birthday gift. Billy said the class was a spiritual, incredibly rewarding experience and built a 7'9" 5 wt.
Jeff was here from Austin, TX. He brought a few of his friends after Butler inspired him to sign up. Jeff found the class fulfilling and exceeded his expectations, and he built a 7'9" 5 wt. See you in 2027!
Britt joined us from Brooklyn, NY. He came to experience Blue Ridge with friends and meet new people, and crafted an 8' 10 wt.
Shawn from Houston, TX made an 8' 9 wt. He primarily fishes saltwater and wanted a rod for Redfish. Shawn said the days were deliberate from start to finish and confidence-inspiring.
Andrew came from Austin, TX. His friend Jeff invited him. He’s primarily a freshwater fly fisherman and dabbles in redfishing. Andrew built an 8' 6 wt.
💫 Keeping the craft alive💫
Great week, great people and great weather. Everyone’s rod came out beautiful! We are so grateful that you chose to spend the week at Oyster.