Regular readers know I get all tingly when I think of
Grand Lake Stream (it's one of the few destinations that will make me board a commercial aircraft).
Now imagine how the naughty bits feel when I contemplate being there while building my very own bamboo fly rod...
Bamboo Fly Rod Making Workshop
Monday, April 21, 2014 - 9:00 AM
Grand Lake Stream
The Downeast Lakes Land Trust is pleased to welcome back David P. Van Burgel and Kathy J. Scott from Ardea Bamboo Rods to teach this workshop. Dave is a nationally recognized rod maker who teaches others the art of split cane fly rods to preserve the traditional Maine craft. Kathy has written four books on the subject including, Changing Planes and Moose on the Water, Bamboo on the Bench.
The goal of the week-long class will be for each participant to craft a bamboo fly rod from raw cane to ferruled blank. David and Kathy will also provide instruction on the addition of guides/eyes and the varnish/finish beyond the class. The cost of the class will be $650 per student which will include all materials to make a 2 piece ferruled bamboo fly rod blank with grip and reel seat, guides and wrapping thread. To provide intensive one-on-one instruction, class size will be limited to five individuals.
Sign up now by contacting the Downeast Lakes Land Trust via email (info@downeastlakes.org) or phone (207)796-2100. Registration closes on February 1st.
It's important to note that at
every other bamboo rod building class I know of, the students are routinely beaten with their failed fly rod blanks. I'm highlighting this unique event because at this class,
the beatings are optional.
In other words, they'll smack you with sticks only if you like that sort of thing (not surprisingly, many fly fishermen do).
(Clearly, nobody in the industry provides news of more
beating-free classes than the Underground).
Read More When I Die Bury Me with My Phillipson Bamboo Fly Rods - Part OneSee you applying salve to the welts, Tom Chandler.