Fall Special One-Week Bonus Mini Session
September 27 - October 4, 2009

Classes are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.

Wood

Doug Hall - Bamboo Fly Rod Construction

Handcrafting a split bamboo fly rod is a very gratifying experience. We will explore the how’s and why’s of hand planing a rod using traditional methods. Learn about tapers that were developed by master rod makers from the first golden age of bamboo and see how they are updated using modern approaches from the second golden age.  After a taper is selected and the rod blank made, we will go thru the process of converting the blank into a rod that is ready to take onto your favorite stream or river. During our time together we will cover and explore many options for completing a blank - different finishes, techniques for mounting the guides, finish application methods and other details. We will even learn how to make hexagonal shaped wooden rod tubes   At weeks end you will have a 2 piece, one tip fly rod and have the bulk of the rod making process completed. With the exception of the final varnish, your rod will be complete (the final finish should be done at home so you don’t have to travel with wet finish). You will have a rod that you will be very proud of.

Doug Hall has been handcrafting split bamboo rods for over fifteen years, and his rods are appreciated by collectors and traditionalists around the world. Teaching rod making is his way of ensuring that the craft he loves and its heritage will be handed down. Doug has been selected three times (of four occasions) to be one of 18 international makers to create the "Makers Rod."

bamboorodmaker.com