Bamboo Fly Rod Building Class, June 16-21, 2026

Join our bamboo fly rod building class in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and handcraft your own heirloom rod in six unforgettable days. Under the guidance of master rodsmith PJ Dufour, you’ll build a custom two-piece, one-tip bamboo fly rod from premium Tonkin bamboo, customizing the grip, reel seat, and agate stripping guide. You’ll leave with a fully functional fly rod, custom rod tube, hemp sock, and shop apron.

Located in downtown Pagosa Springs, just steps from the San Juan River, this workshop blends tradition, craftsmanship, and fly-fishing heritage. Tuition is $2,795, with discounted lodging available nearby: The Springs Resort & Spa, Best Downtown Studio – Airbnb, The Central Loft – Airbnb, and Location, Location, Location! – Airbnb.

Looking for another date? View all upcoming bamboo rod building classes here.

Info: Laying the foundation

The week begins with an introduction to the shop, tools, and the history of bamboo fly rods. Students learn about classic tapers, rod design, and what to look for in quality Tonkin bamboo.

You’ll hand-split your bamboo culm into workable strips, straighten and press nodes, and begin heat-treating the bamboo to set strength and stability. One of the highlights of the week happens on Day One—torch-treating the bamboo, a student favorite that caramelizes sugars, enhances durability, and brings out bamboo’s rich, traditional color.

By the end of the day: your bamboo is prepared and ready for precision work.

Info: Where craftsmanship lives

Day Two focuses on shaping your rod’s taper by hand. Students learn to set and use planing forms, then carefully hand-plane bamboo strips to exact measurements—often down to thousandths of an inch.

You’ll measure, check, and refine your work throughout the day, learning how taper design affects casting feel and performance.

By the end of Day Two: your bamboo fly rod blanks are glued up and bound, marking a major milestone in the build.

Info: Students begin by unwrapping and scraping their blanks, cleaning glue lines and preparing the surface. The blanks are then sanded and prepped for hardware installation.

You’ll fit and permanently install nickel silver ferrules, learn proper alignment techniques, and locate the natural spine of each rod section to optimize casting performance. The day continues with shaping cork grips by hand, tailoring the rod to fit your grip and fishing style. Tip tops and winding checks are epoxied in place, completing the structural build.

By the end of the day: your rod looks and feels like a fly rod.

Info: Where the rod comes to life

Day Four is dedicated to guide wrapping and finishing preparation—one of the most visually distinctive and tradition-rich parts of bamboo fly rod building.

The day begins with a detailed wrapping demonstration covering thread tension, spacing, alignment, and classic techniques. All rods are wrapped with silk thread, staying true to traditional bamboo rod craftsmanship. Students learn why silk has been used for generations and how it contributes to both the look and longevity of a finished rod.

You’ll wrap guides on both the butt and tip sections, developing consistency and confidence as your rod’s character begins to emerge. Once wrapping is complete, rods are sealed to protect the silk and prepare them for final finishing.

By the end of the day: your rod is fully wrapped in silk, sealed, and unmistakably yours—traditional, functional, and beautiful.

Info: Short day. Big meaning.

Day Five is intentionally brief but critical. Students spend about an hour in the workshop in the morning and again in the afternoon, allowing necessary drying time between steps.

You’ll clean and inspect your rod, make final touch-ups, and sign your rod, officially marking it as one you built with your own hands. The rod is then lightly sanded and cleaned again to prepare it for final finishing.

The extended break allows time to enjoy Pagosa Springs—whether that’s skiing, soaking in the hot springs, or fishing nearby waters.

By the end of the day: your rod is signed, prepped, and ready for its final finish.

Info: The payoff

The final day begins with prepping your rod for its last varnish dip. Once dipped, the rod is left to cure properly—an essential step for achieving a durable, beautiful finish.

When students return in the afternoon, their rods are fully assembled and complete. Each rod comes with a rod sock and rod tube, making it ready for travel and time on the water.

The class concludes with a send-off gathering, complete with toasts, stories from the week, and a chance to celebrate what everyone has accomplished together.

You leave with:

A finished, fish-ready bamboo fly rod

Rod sock and rod tube

A deeper connection to the craft and tradition of bamboo rod building

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