Ray Joe Hastings and his apprentice Anthony Martin work together in Ray Joe’s home blacksmith shop creating a traditional fishing gig by hand. Ray Joe is a master gig maker, as well as a remarkable storyteller who brings the old Ozark ways to life.

He learned to make gigs from Paul Martin, who was an exceptionally skilled Ozark gig-maker. Anthony Martin is Paul Martin’s grandson. The opportunity to learn how to make gigs from one of his grandfather’s apprentices connects Anthony to his heritage in a deeply meaningful way.