Mary Ann and I were in Denver this past weekend for The Fly Fishing Show and we had the opportunity to spend some time with Jeff Hatton (also known as The Gnome) and his Traveling Bamboo Fly Rod Show. What a fantastic historical display of classic bamboo fly rods from the past. Here are a few photos:
We had a great time at The Fly Fishing Show in Pleasanton, California last weekend. Great attendance and lots of folks stopped by my booth to chat about bamboo fly rods. Mary Ann taught two fly casting classes and gave a casting demonstration on Adjusting your casting stroke for varying distances of casts.
The Fly Fishing Show, Pleasanton, CA
After the show was over, I got the chance to drive over to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco to the Casting Ponds and Anglers Lodge supported by The Golden Gate Casting Club. What a great and inspiring facility, with many, many years of fly fishing tradition. Here are a few photos:
The Fly Casting Ponds
Lots of old rods and flies on display.
An Old Classic Rod
I’m busy getting ready for The Fly Fishing Show http://flyfishingshow.com/pleasanton-ca/ in Pleasanton, California in 3 weeks. I’ll have a booth at the show and Mary Ann will be teaching a few Fly Casting Classes. I’ve been working at getting a couple of new rods done for the show. First, I’ve just completed the wraps on a 7′ 6″ 5 wt Signature Series Rod and it will go into my varnish dipping process in the next day or two. And, I’m also working on two new 7′ 9″ 4 wt Spring Creek Rods. One will be completed for the show, and the second will get completed once I get back. These are slow action rods, perfect for delicate presentations on spring creeks. Here is a look:
7′ 6″ 5 wt Signature Series rod just ready for varnish dipping.
Two new 7′ 9″ 4 wt. Spring Creek Rods. On the right, a 2 piece/2 tip rod that just came out of the string after gluing. Next up, file off the glue and start cork and ferrules. The strips on the left are a second rod that is ready for hand planing.
I met a great father/son team when I was at the IFFF Fly Fishing Fair last week in Livingston. Mark and Cooper were very excited to hear about bamboo fly rods so I gave Cooper the chance to cast one of my fly rods. He certainly had experience with graphite fly rods and had great casting skills. Once I got him to slow down his tempo a little, he discovered the magic of bamboo. His response was, “Wow, I can feel it bend all the way down into the cork grip.” Here are a couple of photos of him trying out my rods.
Cooper casting one of my 7′ 6″ 5 wt bamboo fly rods.
He had a great casting style.
Mary Ann and I are getting ready to head to Livingston, Montana for a week to attend the upcoming International Federation of Fly Fishers Fair. It should be a great time. I’ll have a booth with my bamboo fly rods at the fair, and Mary Ann will be presenting several classes. And…if everything works out, we’ll also get a little fishing time on the local springs creeks also. Hope to see you at the fair.
2016 International Federation of Fly Fishers Fair