I'm Hal Manas, a retired art teacher and part time hobbyist rod maker.  I joined the list in June of 2000 just after taking a class from Stan Smartt on how to make a bamboo fly rod.  At that point I had made one rod in the class with Stan's help.  I enjoy this list about as much as I enjoy making rods.  Most of the people on this list are extremely helpful if you ask a question that they know the answer to and some of us respond off list if it is not something that looks new or of interest to the whole list.  I met Harry at the 2003 Grayrock gathering.  I planned to attend more gatherings, but so far it has just not worked out that way.

I'm in Knoxville, Tennessee and I too love coffee.  I fish in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and in the Cherokee National Forrest for the most part.  We have some fine tailwater fishing around here, but I prefer to get out in the forest and fish small streams. 

If you have any questions or plan to be in the area you have my drop me a line.