UGLY BOY FLUTES

These are flutes made with unusual or special woods and which may have additional artwork either in the blocks, inlays, construction, etc. They all have finish, come with a basic protective polarfleece bag, as well as a basic information sheet and fingering charts. (Click on “FLUTES” above)

News and Updates

OCTOBER 23, 2026

SHADOW HAWK FLUTES

This line of my flutes makes the quality and clarity benchmark “Ugly Boy Sound” affordable to even tight budgets. All flutes are made with Poplar, and have been sanded to 800 grit with one coat of Buther Block oil applied. They do not come with a bag or information sheet, but the sound mechanisms are made identical to higher-end Ugly Boy Flutes. (Click on “FLUTES” above)

A SUDDEN, GRINDING HALT… The bottom line, if you don’t want to read the whole thing: I will make no more flutes in 2026. The website is complete with that which is available for ‘adoption’, and you can certainly email me for unlimited info. At least that’s the plan as best I can see it. Here’s why…. I did a Tuesday evening street fair in Waynesville on October 6. Legs sore from standing on asphalt, putting up tent , etc. Went to bed with sore legs, didn’t think too much of it. Got up at 2:30am to realize I was immobile. I couldn’t walk. I could put ZERO weight on my right leg. Endless cold chills set it, from pain or fever or both I don’t know. Leaving out some details, I was taken to the ER at Haywood Regional Hospital, immediately admitted, and the next morning had emergency surgery on my right knee. 6/6/2016 I had both knees put in at the same time, and now 10+ years later, infection blew up in the right one. Infections in metal joints are a serious issue, so as an utmost precaution the whole knee assembly was removed and a new one put it. Antibiotics were added to the cement, so I was in an immobilizer for two weeks for curing. Surgeon was adament we take no chances, and who am I to disagree with that approach? Never imagined it would be 20 days in the hospital and rehab before going home, but here I am. After 9 days in the hospital, I was moved to a local rehab facility where I’m typing from. I’m supposed to be released 10/27 for my long-awaited trip home. I am actually doing well, the incision clean and clear, just the pain of getting an abused joint moving again! LOL! And watching blood markers to keep infection in check. Even with good tissue cultures from the knee, nothing could be grown in the lab so a big ‘unknown’ as to the culprit or where it came from. And now you have a bit of the back-story on why my flute making has come to a halt for the remainder of this year. It’s been a classic Bugs Bunny “Left turn at Albuquerque” event! ======================================= We are all feeling the price of just about everything going up, and my supplies as well as shipping keep going up. As a result, my prices are going up as little as possible, but I can’t continue to absorb the increased costs. Thanks in advance for your understanding. :-) That’s it for the moment. FINALLY solved the Yahoo Mail issue, kinda sorta, but feel free to use either address listed below. With midterms looming, the inundation of unsolicited emails is overwhelming, but I’m sifting through it the best I can. # # # Browse and enjoy! Email with any questions. Bob Child weatherflute@yahoo.com weatherflute@gmail.com