About last week… six days in Blue Ridge: It was a great class with a lot of fish talk, rod making, of course, and the kind of laughter I could hear downstairs in my office. ❤️
Oyster’s July 7–12, 2025, bamboo fly rod making class welcomed one repeat student and nine new makers from all across the country.
🌟 David — Traveled across the country and settled in Mineral Bluff, GA. He has never fly fished before—his wife gifted him this class for his birthday! He built a 7'9" 6wt.
🎣 Jamie from Cumming, GA — A South Georgia native and lifelong fly fisherman. He worked with Jimmy Carter, who loved his Oyster rods. He crafted a 7'9" 6wt for local trout.
🎁 Kyle from Denver, CO — Has been fly fishing since 2012, retired from the Army, and the class was a gift from his wife. Kyle built an 8' 5wt for his new adventures.
🌟 Mark from Sandy Springs, GA — Here with two friends he has known since elementary school. Mark waited two years to attend this rod-building class, inspired by Henry Williamson ❤️, and made an 8' 6wt.
2️⃣ Ken Sims from Alabama — This is his second class with us. Ken brought his friends Mark and Ronnie after seeing his first rod. He built a 7'6" 3wt.
🎣 Ronnie from Alabama — Has been fly fishing for 30 years, also inspired by Henry Williamson. He built an 8' 6wt.
🏔️ Barbara from Boulder, CO — Was introduced to fly fishing by her brother. She broke her dad’s rod years ago and found us online. She crafted an 8' 6wt.
🌊 Terry from Lakeland, FL — Has a house in North Georgia but primarily is a saltwater fisherman. Terry built a 7'6" 5wt for North Georgia trout streams.
🎖️🎁 Josh from Ohio — Is new to fly fishing, builds graphite rods, and was gifted this class by a veterans organization. He made an 8' 7wt.
🌄 Ken from Canton, NC — Enjoys fishing small creeks. He fly fished with his grandfather growing up and still owns one of his grandfather’s bamboo rods. Ken built a 7'6" 5wt.
✨ After 25 years of bamboo fly rod making classes… the Oyster crew still is inspired by teaching others to make their own bamboo fly rods. Thank you to everyone for making the trip, and thank you for making the week so special! ✨