Shooting in Pajamas, Bamboo Fly Rods & letting go of the Martyr

When I woke up this morning, I had no intention of shooting. With Bill on the other end of the planet on his annual trip to Argentina for a few weeks, my schedule goes from hectic to quasi insane…not to mention lonely (days are good…nights stink…see reference to my co-dependent nature). Self admittedly, I could probably go a […]

10 reasons why I love my shotgun more than a diamond.

While diamonds are presumably a girl’s best friend… my shotgun has become my BFF. This blog needs no introduction. 10. Even if I gain 10 pounds, my shotgun still still fits! 9. A diamond does nothing but just sit there and I swear my shotgun loves me back…it does. 8. Having my shotgun “sized and […]

About last night…

…and this bamboo fly rod making class. Okay, I skipped a day because the second day of class started out with straightening strips and the night ended with math! So, I decided not to tell the tale. However, I got through it and finally tamed my bamboo strips. This is how the day started. […]

Confessions of A Bamboo Fly Rod Maker’s Widow

So…after 14 years, I am taking my first bamboo fly rod making class tomorrow. Why 14 years? Well, like many of you reading this, it’s something I have always wanted to do but life has been in the way. Let’s see between work, 2 small children, building a new bamboo fly rod making shop, new office, […]

Proverbs, Flocks and Bamboo Fly Rods

You’ve heard the proverbs… “You are what you eat” … well then, I am a stick of pepperoni. “Necessity is the mother of invention” … our favorite around the shop. “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” … no comment. “Behind every great man is a great woman” … (inset smirk on my behalf here). […]

American Dreams and Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods

Tick, tick, tick…time. …vintage Bill…circa 1993 …vintage Shannen…circa 1993 Time is a gift and a bully…a constant “in your face” reminder of your inner most weaknesses but when confronted head on, the time bully can also be a reminder of your greatest strengths. ♥ Oyster headquarters from our basement to our cottage to Main Street […]

Cast and Blast at Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods…and this time…it’s me!

Roni taking a stroll down Main Street attracting a crowd My children have grown to be quite the conspirators in the progress department wherever we may go in our small mountain community. I spend the majority of my day “preparing” to be efficient while Cutter and Veronica have a completely different agenda. While there are […]

Clichés, Relativity and Bamboo Fly Rods

Is it March?!?! Really!?!? (insert snarky teenager inflection here) Really!?!? The older we get, the more applicable “time flies” is to our lives. We started the year strong…personally and professionally. Well, when you make bamboo fly rods for a living the lines are divinely blurred between all of your “selves” especially professional and personal. Wait! […]

2010 Lists from the perspective of a Bamboo Fly Rod Maker’s Widow

As 2010 slipped away, the Oyster Bamboo family has the desire to reminisce (at least I do). We are grateful for all of the palpable events that life beautifully produces…family, friends, fish (the norm). However, because we are bamboo rod makers (or married to one), our life is completely swallowed by the craft. So, my […]

Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods, Halloween and just about everything else you can imagine!

Wow! Where to begin…the last 2 months have been eventful to say the least. We kicked of the fall by spending a few days in a Yurt in Western North Carolina. It’s the closest Bill will get me to camping these days. It’s so rare that we get away without work in tow so it […]