Cat-ch and Release: The Art of Fly Rod Crafting

MakerSpace

Learn how handmade bamboo fly fishing rods are made!

Before there were fiberglass and graphite fishing rods, all rods were made of bamboo, created by hand by skilled craftsmen in small workshops. That craft still exists today where fly rods are built with many of the same hand tools and practices used over 100 years ago. Join Dave Dozer for a conversation about how bamboo fly fishing rods are made and how that personal craftsmanship and old-time tradition appeal to many anglers today.

About the presenter:

Dave Dozer had a fishing rod in his hand as soon as he could walk, and caught his first fish, a carp on a night-crawler, at the age of four. His father had an old bamboo fly rod in Dave’s hands by the time he was eight, and he was tying his own flies at the age of 10. Over the past 60 years, Dave has fished extensively across northern California, Oregon, eastern Washington and central British Columbia. Several years ago, Dave focused his efforts towards learning the art and craftsmanship of building classic bamboo fly rods. He now lives in Sisters, Oregon with his wife, Mary Ann, where he designs and builds custom bamboo fly rods.

Questions? Contact moo@deschuteslibrary.org