Hawks Nest Restaurant

Sierra Studio

Lotus California

Fly Fishing Classes Gourd Art Workshops

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Paul & Joyce, 1984

Sierra studio located in the scenic town of Lotus California has earned a reputation of being "The place to go if you want to be creatively motivated." Originally built to be a place to learn gourd art it has expanded its' offerings to include learning the art of fly fishing. Paul and Joyce Campbell have spent most of their lives pursuing the arts ... Joyce as a decorator of cakes in the family owned pastry shops and Paul as a fly fishing instructor, outfitter and guide. His passion for fly fishing prompted he and his new bride to buy a parcel of land on the White River in Arkansas and build a fly fishing lodge. Even though locals questioned how a fly fishing lodge could "make it" in a predominately "get 'em and gut 'em" part of the country in 1996 the lodge was chosen by Sports Afield magazine as one of the 12 greatest Trout Lodges in North America, Alaska and the Caribbean basin.

PJ's Lodge

When asked why the Lodge had received such accolade Paul simply states "My passion for fly fishing for trout, Joyce's culinary skills and a need to provide for our daughter nicknamed "The Princess." Paul began his affair with fly fishing in the Sierra's fishing the Merced, Carson, Truckee and Mokelumne Rivers. After selling PJ's they decided to retire in the small foothill community of Lotus California. It wasn't coincidence that the South Fork of the American River is a quarter mile from their home. Paul had always found teaching others the sport a rewarding experience. On the White and North Fork rivers of the Ozarks he had been dubbed "The Professor". Being bored with retirement he has resurrected his fly fishing classes and is offering them to interested sportsmen and women at Sierra Studio in Lotus.

Joyce Campbell Gourd Art

Joyce had decorated wedding and birthday cakes in her family owned bakery since the age of 15. At 36 she left California and put her art work on the back burner while they operated PJ's Lodge. At the insistence of lodge guests she remained in charge of all cooking and baking until they decided to sell and retire in 2006. In 1991 her sister sent Joyce a box of gourds and told her gourd art was becoming popular in California and challenged her to "See what you can do with these?" What she did was to win numerous awards not only in Arkansas but also in national competitions. Articles on her work were published in the Batesville Guard, Baxter Bulletin and the Arkansas Gazette, the state's major newspapers. On several occasions she was asked to judge major national competitions. After retiring she taught gourd art in four locations and exhibited her art in 14 Arkansas galleries. Having family in California the Campbell's returned to their roots in April of 2011. Settled in Lotus where Paul teaches fly fishing and Joyce continues to turn out unique pieces of gourd art and conducts regular workshops in their studio overlooking the Sierra foothills and a scenic vineyard.

Sierra Gourds

When Joyce and Paul decided to return to California Joyce's star student, Taj Johnson, upon being told of the move asked "Could I come along?" Why not? and thus the start of "Sierra Gourds". Joyce and Taj are now active participants in craft festivals, shows and demonstrations throughout the Gold Country. With down home southern hospitality they welcome the public to stop by the studio and see them at work.