Space, Time and the Bamboo Fly Rod

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In usual form, Oyster lunged into the New Year with dust kicking up

all around us oblivious to the inevitable reflection and pause

experienced by most as a “New Beginning” was celebrated.

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It’s just space and time, right?

So, we exited 2016 completely shocked that it was already over…

dripping with gratitude that once again Oyster was able to flourish in every possible direction. 

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We dug in harder as a tribe, made several technical and creative innovations

with our bamboo fly rods and explored new fly fishing destinations.

This inevitably led to a deeper understanding

of ourselves, our business, our treasured clients and our beloved trade.

Oyster growth in the form of 3.6 OZ one piece and new Tibor reel collection

All of this growth exhausts me while trying to keep two children alive leads to my inevitable reflection of another year gone. 

Sigh.

If it’s just space and time and some form of inexplicable continuum of whatnot… then I really should feel privileged to remember any of it. 

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Beholden to our American Dream.  It is such a privilege to have successfully taken advantage of the opportunities provided to us not only through our own grit but that of our ancestors…

Beholden to each and every moment spent with our bamboo fly rod making students.  You know who you are…your presence, stories and adulation for the craft of bamboo fly rod making and fly fishing rests forever within our walls…

Beholden to the curious who unwittingly stumble into our shop on Main Street in Blue Ridge, Georgia and have a visceral reaction to our small family business...

Beholden to every dinner invite, photo sent, thank you note, bottle of wine, thoughtful gifts and trips to the general store for Cutter and Veronica…

Beholden to our Oyster bamboo fly rod clients who trust us to preserve their legacy through Bill’s hand engraving…

Beholden that we are able to raise a family and run our family business side by side…

Beholden to our clients who repeatedly choose Oyster. 

YOU have no idea how much we will never take your faith in us and loyalty for granted…

Ummmm…it feels like 1997 2016 was yesterday.

But  it’s just space and time, right?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Oyster's original blog was on the oldie but goodie platform, Blogger, in 2009, before moving to WordPress. You may find a copy of this post on “The Bamboo Fly Rod Maker’s Widow” blog HERE. I have tried to preserve the integrity—or lack thereof—of each “Widow” post, especially to reflect the resources—or lack thereof—available at the time, as time and technology continue to freak me out evolve.