Several members of the Central Oregon Fly Fishers Wild Women of the Water visited my rod building shop earlier this week as one of their monthly outings. I got the chance to show them the different aspects of building bamboo fly rods. We had a great interactive time, with everyone getting the chance to try out a few of the building steps. I was quite impressed with their interest and skills in the workshop. These women really know their stuff when it comes to fly fishing, and it was fun having them here. Here are a few fun photos of the event.
Category Archives: Bamboo Rod Building
My New Bamboo Rod Shop
1-4-2016 – I’ve been moving into my new rod building shop for the past 2 weeks. It’s still a mess but I’m able to get most things done. The first order of the day was to build a wall rack for my raw bamboo. I’m pretty happy with how it came out.
12-13-2015 – WooHoo, the new rod shop has been completed and I start moving in tomorrow. It looks a little empty right now but after I get things moved in this week, I’ll post more photos. Here is what it looks like today:
11-23-2015 – Last week, all the sheet rock got hung in my new rod shop. With the cold weather and snow we’re having, I’m not expecting any work to happen this week. Next week, hoping for the final finish work on the walls, and possibly get the heating system installed. Here are a few photos:
11-5-2015 – More work on the shop this past week. The exterior walls were finished, the roof/shingles were completed, and the interior wall insulation was put in place. This coming week, the sheet rock guys will start their work. My garage is packed with stuff right now….can’t wait for the shop to get completed so I can move most of it in.
10-23-2015 – More progress on my rod shop this past week. The roof has been covered (shingles to go on this week), the doors and windows were installed, and the exterior walls are getting finished. Inside, more of the electrical work was completed. The inside photo might not look like much yet but I’m petty excited with how it’s shaping up. I’ll have one “Clean and Dry” side to the shop that is 16′ x 20′ for finish work and rod wrapping, which will include a dipping room…gotta make sure I have space for a beer fridge also! The Dirtier side of the shop will house all the rest of my tools and operations, as well as Mary Ann’s Drift Boat. The entire shop is fully insulated and will be climate controlled.
10-9-2015 – This past week the electrical was run in the shop and the skylights were installed. And, the county finally approved the water and sewage lines so the trench could be filled in. So, my driveway is getting back to normal.
9-27-2015 – Some good work went into the shop this week. The roof trusses were delivered and I now have a roof on my shop.
9-15-2015 – The guys spent the day finishing up the back wall and getting most of the interior walls framed up.
9-14-2015 – Things are starting to take shape on the new shop. The concrete is all in, the sewer and water lines are in, and the framing has started.
Well, after an 8 week delay in getting inspections and permits approved, we’re finally back on track with the construction of my new rod shop. A concrete retaining wall was pored this past week. The remaining concrete floor will get pored this week and the framing will start.
Things are pretty exciting here. We broke ground this week on my new bamboo rod shop. I’ve been stuck into several corners of the house/garage since we moved in here to Sisters, Oregon 8 months ago. I’ve been able to build rods, but I always seem to be climbing over my tools and equipment to get things done. So, it’s time for a new workshop. We’re adding a 1200 square ft. expansion to the garage that will house my entire rod building operation, as well as our drift boat. Our contractor started the excavation work this week, taking out a few trees and digging down for the new foundation. Over the next several weeks, I’ll keep posting progress photos of my shop, so check back occasionally to see how things are going. Here is what things look like now:
New Bamboo Fly Rod is all Planed Up
I’ve been at the bench for a few days planing a new 8′ 0″ 3 piece, 4 wt rod. Lots of hours with a Stanley 9 1/2 in my hand, but finally finished. It always amazes me to see how small the tips get on these lighter rods. And, how much bamboo shavings get created from the planing operation. Next step, on to hollowing these sections prior to gluing.
A New Bamboo Fly Rod Gets Finished
Chris sent me this great photo of his first rainbow on his new bamboo rod I built him (below). This photo was from the Ruby Valley in Montana. He sure looks like a happy angler, although he might need a little work on his “posing for pictures”. Thanks for sharing Chris.
I just finished a great new rod for a good friend and fellow angler whom I’ve known for several years. Chris and I have been in conversation about his first bamboo fly rod for quite some time, and this rod is his retirement gift to himself. After casting several of my rods, he chose an 8′ 0″ 5/6 wt progressive action rod from my Signature Series of rods. It has a wonderfully smooth action to it, and it’s a good all-around rod for a variety of fishing conditions. He and I will hit one of our local trout streams tomorrow to test drive the rod. Here is a quick look at what he’ll get getting:
Another Bamboo Switch Rod Heads Out The Door
I just finished another bamboo switch rod this week that will be heading out to a client next week. This is a 10′ 6″ 5 wt Hollow Built rod that effortlessly throws a 300 to 350 grain Scandi Line. My light switch rods have been getting quite a bit of interest from trout anglers who enjoy two-handed casting and have been looking for a bamboo switch rod for casting streamer flies and soft hackles.