Walt Powell
In Memoriam
We are sadden to have learned of the passing of Walt Powell.
Walt was the last of several generations of the Powell family that was actively building bamboo rods. Walt was the grandson of EC Powell.
This page was last updated
October 17, 2001
Great Western 2001
Great Western 2001
Rod makers Gathering
Bishop, California
Scheduled for October 19th & 20th, 2001
Some History of the Great Western Rod makers GatheringBack in 1999 the first Great Western Gathering was organized and rod maker Chuck Irvine of Bishop agreed to host the event in his rod making workshop just several miles north of the town of Bishop.
About a dozen rod makers and WA-NA-be rod makers attended.
There was a few rod casting time-outs in front of Chuck's workshop plus a half day of fishing the Owens River. Most came back for a chili cookout. Being the first gathering there was a lot of introductions between e-mail friends that had never met in person.
Mark Metcalf, editor of The Bamboo Fly Rod magazine, was also there with a massive chart that he produced chronicling all the classic rod maker timeline events since the middle of the 19th century.
All in attendance had a great time.
Some of the people at GW2000
An attempt was made to expand the G.W. 2000 gathering by bringing in a longtime famous California rod maker as guest speaker. However when that failed at the last minute, a local fly fishing guide filled in with a great slide show of local fishing opportunities. I for one learned a lot about the fishing opportunities in the area. Darrell Lee had a large selection of discounted reelseats sent out by Robert Venneri just for attending rod makers. (Robert promises to repeat this offer this year too.)
The 2001 Great Western
This year's gathering rod makers from California and the surrounding states will once again be held in Bishop, California. Looks like we'll have the largest group of attendees yet. A few people rod makers from "back-east" appear to be attending also! "Zimmy" will be a guest speaker and present us with some of his rod making techniques and ideas.
The dates have been set for the weekend of October 20 & 21, but most people will arrive earlier and so do plan on some things also happening on the 19th. Chuck Irvine has once again agreed to host the formal meetings at his workshop. Because of the size of this year's event, please try to bring your own lawn chairs.
So If you have any interest in building bamboo fly rods or just learning a little bit about bamboo fly rod making, then plan on attending. I'm sure that a least one rod maker will be willing to discuss building a custom rod for anyone interested.
A small $10.00 cover charge will be collected at arrival to be used to cover the cost of soft drinks and food and funding of future events.
The cost can be recovered just in saving on one of Bob Venneri's great reelseats!
Chuck Irvine at work in his shop
Plan on camping in any of the public campgrounds nearby or finding a room at any one of the many low-cost motels in downtown Bishop. See the C of C web site for a good sampling of motels.
Please fill out and e-mail the following form so that we can have a complete list
of everyone planning on attending.