My aesthetic goal remains steadfast: to embody the “naturalist aesthetic” in the process of fabricating my bamboo fly rod designs. In a nutshell, I would love to be able to design a rod that that embraces the same aesthetics as the natural world that it intended to be used in. Several examples I have speculated on are: organic materials (bamboo, cork, wood, silk thread) natural colors (browns, tans, flat/shine-free colors) and  disguising machined or synthetic components where I cannot replace them.

Arts and Crafts Movement

In many ways I would like the design to pay tribute to the early, fly rod craftsmen whom fabricated bamboo rods out of necessity or passion for the sport when no better alternative existed. These craftsmen were the early entrepreneurs of a culture that has grown into the current identity for many enthusiasts. Thus the primary aesthetic I relate my current design to is the Arts and Crafts movement. The majority of bamboo fly rod producers today still make them by hand, even though they utilize some modern technique and materials to increase the quality and performance. Making something by hand and making it very high quality through patience and experience is the design goal I would like to emulate.

Shown below: Bamboo fly rod builder James Beasley in his Crossville, TN workshop. The article on his work states that even after 43 years of experience each rod still takes James 40-50 hours to make to achieve the quality standards.

Organic Design Movement

The second design movement I identify my “naturalist aesthetic” with is the organic design movement. This is not so much in relation to the modern examples of organic design (smooth architecture, holistic messages and delicacy of design) but rather the inspiration for the movement. The organic design movement was spurred by the desire to draw inspiration from the natural environment, especially the environment surrounding the design such that it “fit in” to the local scenery. Several examples of organic design are shown below and once can see how the natural elements (physical shapes and materials) of the designs shine through in a very aesthetically appealing manner.

Sources:

-http://yobiadventures.com/The-Southeastern-Perfectionist-Part-I-Bamboo-Fly-Rod-Builder-James-Beasley

-https://www.slideshare.net/markrotondella/key-movements-in-design

-https://s3-production.bobvila.com/slides/7922/original/de283a7baaed3354ec8b97d0e4c889bf.jpg?1475711860

-https://www.google.com/search?q=organic+design+movement&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi5zY62k_zSAhVV92MKHa1cDd0Q_AUICCgB&biw=1440&bih=693#imgrc=1EKTD8LofJb4MM: