Welcome Makers! Oyster’s August 10-15, 2026 bamboo fly rod making class brought back 1 repeat student and welcomed 9 new students ready to work!
Bert from Fayetteville, GA was back for his 7th Oyster rod building class and brought his friend, Anthony. Bert crafted an 8' 7wt fly rod for Colorado this September. He says he enjoys coming back each time for the experience. See you soon!
Anthony joined us from Gulfport, MS for his first class. He and Bert have been friends for over 25 years. Anthony made an 8' 6wt bamboo rod for himself to eventually pass down to his grandsons.
Jay from Blue Ridge, GA attended his first class. He’s wanted to take an Oyster bamboo fly rod making class for 10 years and finally joined us! Jay built a 7'9" 5wt for himself to fly fish local North Georgia waters and eventually pass down to his son.
Chris traveled all the way from San Francisco, CA. He brought his son, Aki; his brother, Stephen; and his nephew, Quincy. Chris handcrafted an 8' 9wt rod to fly fish for steelhead in California and bonefish in Hawaii.
Aki was here for his first rod-making class with his dad. He said he planned to fish his new 8' 5wt bamboo fly rod as soon as he returned to Colorado.
Stephen from Denver, CO joined us for his first class and brought his son, Quincy. Stephen enjoys fly fishing with his son and crafted the workhorse…an 8' 5wt.
Quincy was here with his dad for his first rod-making class. He made a 7'6" 4wt for small streams and fly fishing in the mountains of Washington state.
Clayton joined us from Blairsville, GA. He discovered Oyster online and signed up for a bamboo fly rod making class. He chose an 8' 6wt to fly fish in North Georgia and Tennessee rivers.
Blair was here from Canton, GA for his first Oyster rod making class. He handcrafted an 8' 4wt to fly fish Western Carolina and local North GA waters. He built the rod for himself, and his daughter will inherit it.
Shawn joined us from Asheville, NC. While visiting Blue Ridge, GA last year, he walked by Oyster’s brick-and-mortar on Main Street—so he signed up. Shawn built a 7'9" 4wt bamboo fly rod to fish Western North Carolina.
Keeping the Craft Alive
Thank you to everyone who chose to spend the week with us in beautiful downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia making something as special as a bamboo fly rod by hand. We truly appreciate these moments and will never take these extraordinary weeks for granted.