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About Olivia in her own words:
By trade, I would call myself an artist. By profession, I would call myself a luthier. By passion, I would call myself a bamboo rod builder. I love the idea of being able to make everything you use.
It's like the idea of learning how to multiply before you're allowed to use a calculator. I think it's important to know exactly what the tool you're using is doing and why, instead of taking what it does for granted. I love film photography because you can manually control exactly what the camera is doing in order to take the desired image.
I love building instruments because I can manipulate every little detail and type of wood that goes into the instrument to make the desired sound I'd like . . . And now, I am learning to craft bamboo fly rods on an equally deep level.
I have been working towards becoming a master bamboo fly rod builder for 3 years now. I've completed two apprenticeships so far, where I’ve learned the fine art of bamboo fly rod building.
In November of 2020, I started my own Bamboo Rod Building company. Finely crafted bamboo fly rods evoke a feeling of artistry, quality craftsmanship, and tradition.
My goal in building bamboo rods is to create a rod that will move exactly as the caster desires. A rod that dances to it's maximum ability. I hand build all my bamboo fly rods one-at-a-time. I invest upwards of 80 hours building each rod, and I am intent on superior quality and precision in my building process.
My tapers are inspired and adopted from those of historic bamboo rod builder, Jim Payne, who was considered to be one of the finest rod designers in modern time.
My rods all have a crisp medium-fast action, perfect for delicate dry fly presentations to the most selective trout.
I use the finest quality components on all my rods, and I turn all wood reel seats on my rods from hand selected figured hardwoods.
Join me on September 24th for a short presentation on my journey to becoming a bamboo rod builder and what it takes to craft one of these rods!