Yuku free message boards

By way of introduction, my name is Bill Oyster and I live in the far north of Georgia, or the far south of the Appalachians, depending on your point of reference. I was introduced to fly-fishing as a boy growing up in north west Wyoming and in adulthood I took to it totally. All of my studies in Engineering at GA Tech, English and Philosophy at the University of Florida, and Studio Art at the University of Georgia left me with only one career qualification - bamboo fly rod making! After an abrupt and painful end to my previous career as a professional bicycle racer, my hobby of bamboo rodmaking began to morph into a career. In the interim I worked as a fly-fishing guide, taught fly tying classes, casting classes, anything that would keep me involved in the sport. In the meantime I travelled the country on foot, car, and plane, chasing trout out West, stripers and albicore up North, and redfish and specs to the South. Now, for the last decade or so, I have been lucky enough to make my full time career as bamboo fly rod maker www.oysterbamboo.com . I have been featured in a number of television and magazine appearances and seem to have become a favorite of a number of "high profile" clients. However, it is always the typical "fisherman" that I enjoy crafting rods for the most since I suppose that's still what I am to this day. I am probably best known for my hand engraved "presentation" style rods. This is a craft that I learned specifically to enhance my fly rods and, so far as I know, I am the only rod maker who is personally carrying out this level of work on their own rods. In addition to making rods, I have the distinct pleasure of teaching a number of rod making classes every year http://www.oysterbamboo.com/bamboo-fly-rods-classes.html . In addition to helping to ensure that an understanding and appreciation of the craft survives, it also reminds me, through my student's enthusiasm, how fortunate I am to make my living as a rod maker. I only attend one or two trade shows a year, usually in my home area and, because of the intricacy of my rods, I'm only capable of producing about 20-30 rods a year. So, being a small numbers maker and somewhat landlocked from the more popular bamboo areas of the country, I have grown accustomed to being a bit of a fringe caracter in the bamboo scene - and that suits me fine, keeps me out of trouble, and still allows me to keep the roof over my head for myself, my wife, and three year old son. I suppose that my rod making philosophy would be this,- do EVERY step the best way you know how, try not to use a power tool if a hand tool will do, never use a power tool if a hand tool will do it better, never count the hours involved in making a rod, and if you do it the best that you can, someone out there will appreciate it. Thanks to everyone on this forum for a such a wonderful and positive resource.

Bill Oyster

www.oysterbamboo.com