Morning here John, I have many answers and concrete help for you via a friend of mine in Canada on other forums who stabilises, casts, ties his own flies has made for me pen blanks that include his tied flies a small trace, a hook with Pheasant feathers attached on a white background either side of pen blanks, of late he is making pen blanks with pictures of various fish enclosed in casts, is a master of cartridge pens up to 50mm sizes and makes working wooden locks, Scroll Saw pictures to die for amongst other things. He sells at hunting fishing, shooting gatherings extensively, really the most successful person I know associated with the sort of questions you raised.
In keeping with my friendship for some years with him located near me here in Canberra I have a friend who makes fishing rods from Bamboo in three metre lengths ending up with hand cut, made rods he sells all round the world using Aussie Burl in his handles as a sort of trademark along with hand engraved Silver mountings, he then encases the rods in Leather Carry Cases. He Fly fishes around the world and Australia with his wife.
Now in keeping with my friendships with both of these brilliant people if you send me a pm with your home E Mail I will endeavor to help you in your quest for incredible information. As they are professional guys and wife firstly I will approach them. They both have sites of their own, the penmaker has revealed publicly on other forums a mine of terrific knowledge how to cast simple techniques, sensible economic ways to go about our hobby.
Now this is a particularly busy time for me personally having felled a large tree yesterday and disposing of an enormous amount of trunk , branches as well as so many tasks it will take me less time than the mating of Elephants but will require discretion and activity.
This may help you.
Kind regards Peter.