Camp Sherman fair a hit for fly fishers

For fly fishermen, Camp Sherman’s annual fly fishing show just keeps getting bigger and better.

The Fifth Annual Metolius River Fly Fishing and Bamboo Rod Fair proved to be the largest and arguably the best to date.

New features included a public address system and a 7,200-square-foot tent which allowed for hourly video presentations and made room for 55 vendors, which was up from 38 last year.

Camp Sherman Store owner Roger White, who heads the event, said they are working hard to improve each year, and are already networking to make next year an even better show.

Noted guests to this year’s show were Jerry Kustich of Sweetgrass Rods in Twin Bridges Montana and Lee Wulff, son of fly fishing innovator Barry Wulff. Kustich, who is an author and rod maker, appreciated the different nature of Camp Sherman’s Rod show.

“This is one of the few shows that is really made to reach out and explain the bamboo rod mystique to the general public,” said Kustich.

Five years ago the show started on the grounds of the Camp Sherman Community Hall. Two years later it moved to the grounds of the Black Butte School where it has remained for the last three years. The open space allows plenty of room for the tent, a portable casting pond and open space for spectators to cast a rod.

“This is the rare opportunity to cast a bamboo rod and compare it to other makers,” said White.

Free casting clinics and exhibitions were given by the likes of John Judy and others as the spirit of comraderie and tradition came together.

For the last three years Jim Darneille and his son Ron of Hillsboro have shared their passion for fly fishing by attending the show. This year they chose to turn in their spectator role for a booth in the tent. Jim, who has fished Oregon waters since the 1930s, has amassed a collection of what he calls working man’s memorabilia.

The display of bamboo rods, Plueger and Medalist Reels along with Oregon-made creels and various fly and rod treatments was more of an effort to share their collection than it was to sell anything.

Just down from the Darneille’s table were Dan and Kelly Brock of Lowell. Dan has become a bit of an attraction in his own right offering free appraisals in the fashion of the Antiques Road Show. According to White, it’s just as much fun for the appraisers as it is for the people who bring in items in gear that has been stowed away for years.

On this particular day, Bruce and Louann Gibbs of Sisters brought in a store display of unwrapped fishing tackle from the late 1950s. Bruce knew Dan from the early ’80s when they were both members of the McKenzie River Fly Fishers.

“I’ve been telling him for 20 years to let me see that board of lures,” said Brock.

Brock, who prides himself on giving a fair and honest quote in his appraisals, went a step further in offering Gibbs a bamboo rod for the display item.

“Now he has a rod he can fish and we have a piece to display at shows.”

Vendors and spectators alike seem to be enjoying this annual event.

“We’ve had a lot of fun and are looking forward to next year,” said Ron Darneille, who hopes to have a table again with his father next year.