Rod Building Courses in Rural France
Introduction
The courses are tailored to meet the needs of the students. On each you will receive a mixture of personal tuition, practical work and materials.
The one week course is a good starting point for those who have limited time, wish to build up expertise gradually or through their own resources. A further week or tuition days can be added later if desired, The outcome is at minimum one blank for a bamboo trout rod.
The four week course is more intensive, but enables students to build and take home two complete bamboo trout rods.
Course contents
| Course content | 1 Week | 4 Week |
|---|---|---|
| Basic workshop safety | Yes | Yes |
| Choice of tools | Yes | Yes |
| Bamboo selection | Yes | Yes |
| Splitting bamboo | Yes | Yes |
| Node work (straightening and pressing) | Yes | Yes |
| Node spacing | Yes | Yes |
| Rough Planing | Yes | Yes |
| Heat Treatment | Yes | Yes |
| Finish planing | Yes | Yes |
| Gluing and Binding | Yes | Yes |
| Fitting ferrules | Yes | Yes |
| Finishing Blanks | No | Yes |
| Handle – Cork selection, fitting and shaping | No | Yes |
| Whipping rings | No | Yes |
| Finishing | No | Yes |
Accommodation
Students will stay in self-catering accommodation, complete with breakfast and a lunch Monday to Friday, with the opportunity of acquiring new skills and at the same time experiencing the tranquillity of rural France. Accommodation is available for a partner or companion at low cost.
As an added bonus, you will have time at the weekends to explore the Loire Valley, tour the local vineyards and sample the excellent cuisine of the area.
Paris is less than 2 hours by train. Tours airport 45 minutes by car. The ferry ports are a comfortable 3 to 4 hour drive.
Prices
Places are limited to 2 people per course.
- 1 week: price per person is 1520 euros
- 4 week: price per person is 5200 euros
- Extra tuition: 230 euros per day
Contact us to apply for your place or an initial chat.