Wild Women of the Water visit my shop

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.

Discussing Splitting and heat treating

Discussing Splitting and heat treating

Jan trying her hand at flaming cane.

Jan trying her hand at flaming cane.

Susan starting a split.

Susan starting a split.

Eileen getting the perfect split.

Renee getting the perfect split.

Kari trying her hand with the power beveller

Kari trying her hand with the power beveller

Lynn demonstrating her expertise at hand planing.

Lynn demonstrating her expertise at hand planing.

Examining finished rods.

Examining finished rods.

 

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.

My new rod building shop

My new rod building shop

Wall rack for raw bamboo

Wall rack for raw bamboo

 

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:

My new bamboo rod shop

My new bamboo rod shop

My new bamboo rod shop

My new bamboo rod shop

My new bamboo rod shop

My new bamboo rod shop

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:

My new rod shop.

My new rod shop.

This is the "Clean and Dry" side of my shop. I'll be doing all rod wrapping and finishing in here.

This is the “Clean and Dry” side of my shop. I’ll be doing all rod wrapping and finishing in here.

The Varnishing/Dipping Room with 12' ceilings.

The Varnishing/Dipping Room with 12′ ceilings.

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.

My New Rod Building Shop

My New Rod Building Shop

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.

My Rod Shop

My Rod Shop

My Rod Shop showing the "Clean and Dry" area.

My Rod Shop

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.

My Rod Shop

My Rod Shop

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.

The roof is now on.

The roof is now on.

9-15-2015 – The guys spent the day finishing up the back wall and getting most of the interior walls framed up.

The New Rod Shop

The New Rod Shop

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.

The new shop.

The new shop.

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.

Constructing the concrete retaining wall.

Constructing the concrete retaining wall.

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:

Starting the excavation work next to our current garage.

Starting the excavation work next to our current garage.

Trees are gone and dirt/rocks are being removed to make way for the foundation.

Trees are gone and dirt/rocks are being removed to make way for the foundation.

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.

Hand Planing Set-Up

Hand Planing Set-Up with my Bellingers Planing Form.

Finished Strips.  The Tips on this rod are 0.028".

Finished Strips. The Tips on this rod are 0.028″.

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.

A Great Rainbow on a New Bamboo Fly Rod.

A Great Rainbow on a New Bamboo Fly Rod.

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:

My 8'  0"  6 wt Signature Series Bamboo Fly Rod

My 8′ 0″ 5/6 wt Signature Series Bamboo Fly Rod

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.

A 10'  6"  5 wt Hollow-Built Switch Rod

A 10′ 6″ 5 wt Hollow-Built Switch Rod