About last week… six days in Blue Ridge: It was a great class with a lot of fish talk and rod making.
Oyster’s June 8-13, 2026 bamboo fly rod making class brought back 2 repeat rod makers and welcomed 8 new students…
Marty from Charlotte, NC, was here for his 2nd bamboo rod making class. He says the class is more than building a fly rod; it’s the experience and the people you connect with that will always be part of the story. Marty crafted an 8’ 6wt in memory of his father. See you soon!
Tim joined us from Milwaukee, WI, for his first class. He has been following Oyster for years, so his wife gifted him the class as a retirement present. Tim made a 7’9” 4wt for smaller creeks. Tim grew up in the North Georgia Mountains and said being in Blue Ridge felt like coming back home.
Josh was here from Ohio for his 2nd class. He enjoys the process of handcrafting fly rods and made an 8’ 4wt. See you soon!
Curt was here from Beaverton, Oregon. This was Curt’s first bamboo fly rod, and he crafted an 8’ 9wt for saltwater. He will take his new rod to Brazil in November.
Jill was here for her first class from Bonaire, GA. encouraged by her husband who attended a class two years ago. After she fished his rod, she loved it so much…her husband signed her up. Jill made an 8’ 6wt for trout fishing.
Matt joined us from Maryland for his first class. This is his first handcrafted bamboo fly rod, and he decided on a 7’9” 4wt for Brook Trout and Smallmouth.
Dana was here from Jacksonville, FL and brought his son, Ryan. Dana primarily fly fishes for Redfish in St. Augustine, so he built an 8’ 9wt (an Oyster Classic) for his first bamboo fly rod.
Ryan from Metamora, MI attended his first bamboo fly rod making class with his father because he wanted to try something new. Ryan enjoys fishing in South Dakota, Colorado, and near the Great Lakes. He built an 8’ 9wt for Salmon and Steelhead.
Kevin attended his first class and joined us from Indianapolis, IN. He enjoys fly fishing in quiet places on small streams, so he crafted a 7’3” 5wt.
Stan joined us from Benzonia, MI for his first class. He said crafting a true family heirloom was wonderful. Stan made a 7’9” 6wt for trout fishing the “Holy 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.