Artisan Portfolios

Bamboo fly fishing rods gatherings are artisan portfolios on the go. Not only because you find talented rodsmiths and fishermen, but also - be it in the same person or not - more talented craftmen such as fishing reel makers, leather artisans, metal engravers, knife makers, woodworkers, woodturners, fly tying craftmen and even scrimshaw artists!

As far as I know, these gatherings have been carried out permanently in the USA (since at least 10 years, e.g. at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, NY) while in Europe International gatherings have begun in 2006 in Switzerland with Swiss German and Italian rodmakers.

I attended my first bamboo rodmakers gathering in Waischenfeld, Germany, on 26, 27, 28 October 2007.

The Waischenfeld gathering was organised very well by Rolf Baginski, and was attended by over 80 people from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Holland, Dänemark, Norway. Special guest were four important bamboo rodmakers from the USA: Jeff Wagner and his partner Casimira Orlowski, Bill Harms and Tom Smithwick.

It was interesting because probably this was the first time European and North American bamboo rodmakers met in this number.

The conclusions of the gathering were these:

The American guests were touched to see such an enthusiasm, in so many dedicated bamboo rodmakers who were so open and generous in sharing their experience and "secrets". Jeff Wagner was impressed by the vibrant experimental atmosphere here in Europe - e.g. the 11 rods case with the same taper by Philippe Sicher, the talented and young generation of bamboo rodmakers coming up...