Ozark Rod Makers School

The Ozark hills of northern Arkansas are world-famous for lots of things…handcrafted quilts and American antiques, good home cooking and homemade whisky, not to mention breathtaking river valleys and fantastic fly-fishing. Now, we can add bamboo fly rod making classes to the list. Bob Nunley and I have been making fly rods in this area for a combined 35 years. Our experience, innovation, positive attitudes, and attention to detail have allowed us to be featured at many rod making workshops and symposiums. We have joined efforts and are now ready to pass this tradition of craftsmanship on to others.

April of 2009 marks the inaugural Ozark Rod Makers School in scenic Mountain Home, Arkansas. This week-long school will take 6 novice makers from a stalk of bamboo to a finished fly rod, ready to fish. On the last day of the school, you will actually be casting YOUR rod. Just imagine the pride of casting a bamboo fly rod that you have made.

The Ozark Rod Makers School will cover rod design and resources, techniques and tools, and all the skills necessary to turn bamboo into works of fly fishing art. Included in the $2495 tuition price are all materials and instruction, all meals and lodging, plus partial two days of guided fly-fishing on the beautiful White and Norfork Rivers. The school provides all tools and equipment. Show up with your toothbrush, leave with your finished fly rod in a cloth bag and aluminum tube.

Rods we've made as well as others, will be available for casting at any time during the school to help guide you in your search for that unique feel that makes the rod your own; a rod designed by you, for you. At all times, a safe, fun, working environment will be maintained and proper use of tools will be stressed.

This fast-paced course includes:

• Day One: selecting, splitting, coloring, and straightening the bamboo.
• Day Two: rough planning, heat-treating and tapering the strips.
• Day Three: final planning, gluing, straightening and sanding the sections.
• Day Four: mounting the grip, ferrules and reel seat. Apply the first varnish coats. (An afternoon fishing trip to the White or Norfork River is planned while the first varnish coat dries.)
• Day Five: space and wrap on guides, seal and varnish guides. (Hit the river again for more fishing. Then, reapply varnish to wraps. After dinner, apply one last coat of varnish to wraps.)
• Day Six: apply final varnish coat to rod in the morning. The rod is dry and ready to cast by that afternoon.

We will be there guiding you every step of the way. This full immersion, hands-on approach to teaching the craft of rod-making will insure that you walk away with a truly personal and functional piece of fly-fishing art. 2009 Classes will be held April 20-25 and September 14-19. We invite you to call or email for additional information or to reserve your space today.

(Bob:479-414-6470 or BobNunley@RLNunley.com)
(Harry: 318-282-1825 or maker@canerods.com)