Bamboo Rodmakers Gathering
Bamboo Rodmakers Gathering
The West Fork Sports Club is excited to host the 10th Annual Northern Rodmakers Gathering, September 17–19, 2026, in Avalanche, Wisconsin.
This three-day gathering brings together bamboo rod makers, anglers, craftspeople, and enthusiasts for demonstrations, presentations, rod casting, discussions, and plenty of opportunities to share knowledge about the tradition and craft of bamboo fly rods.
Whether you’re an experienced rod maker, interested in learning the craft, or simply love fly fishing and bamboo rods, you’re welcome to join us.
Event Details
Dates: Thursday, September 17 – Saturday, September 19, 2026
Location: West Fork Sports Club — Avalanche, Wisconsin
Full Gathering Registration: $80 per attendee
Registration Deadline: September 8, 2026
Saturday Sell & Swap: FREE and open to the public
Schedule
Thursday, September 17
3:00–4:30 PM — Registration, Social & Rod Casting
4:30–4:45 PM — Welcome & Announcements
4:45–5:45 PM — Driftless Report with Erik Helm
5:45–7:00 PM — Dinner
Friday, September 18
9:00–9:15 AM — Welcome & Announcements
9:15–9:45 AM — 406 Lines — Tom Brodhead
9:45–10:00 AM — Wooden Roughing Forms — Gordon Koppin
10:00–10:30 AM — Baginski Beveler — Don Schroeder
10:30–10:45 AM — Break
10:45–11:15 AM — Multi-Track Beveler — Dennis Bertram
11:15 AM–12:15 PM — Bellinger Update & L’il Giant Beveler — M. McFarland
12:15–1:00 PM — Lunch / Rods in the Rack Info Sharing
1:00–1:30 PM — Rods in the Rack — Erik Helm
1:30–2:30 PM — Intro to Making Rod Bags — Carol Elliott
2:30–3:30 PM — The Quinchat Digital Cane Mill — Dennis Bertram
3:30–3:45 PM — Break
3:45–4:45 PM — Ferrule Station Cutters — Kickapoo Bamboo
4:45–5:30 PM — Rods in the Rack — Erik Helm
5:30–6:30 PM — Dinner
Saturday, September 19
9:00–9:15 AM — Welcome & Announcements
9:15–9:45 AM — Ferrule Types — Dave Norling Jr.
9:45–10:45 AM — Making Duronze Ferrules — Grayson Davis
10:45–11:45 AM — Making Aluminum Delrin Ferrules — Frank Stetzer
11:45 AM–12:15 PM — Rods in the Rack — Erik Helm
12:15–1:00 PM — Lunch
1:00–2:30 PM — Public Sell & Swap — FREE
Free Public Sell & Swap
Can’t attend the entire gathering? Come out Saturday afternoon!
The Sell & Swap is free and open to the public from 1:00–2:30 PM on Saturday, September 19.
Meet bamboo rod makers, cast bamboo rods, learn how they’re made, and browse rods, rod-building equipment, components, fly-fishing gear and other items available for sale or trade.
Registration & More Information
Registration is $80 per attendee and must be completed by September 8.
Register for the 2026 Gathering
Questions
For questions about the gathering, contact:
Scott Grady
swgradycane@gmail.com
Come spend three days in the Driftless celebrating bamboo rod making, craftsmanship and fly fishing at the West Fork Sports Club!