Start of a mulberry and cherry landing net

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Felt like sharing a new project I started. I wanted a larger landing net and figured I’d try my hand at making one. I still have more work to go before it’s ready for the net. But the hoop is 1/2” thick by 1” deep mulberry. It’s two halves that are 6 foot long and bent into shape shape with just a heat gun for dry heat. A couple pin knots decided to crack a little but doesn’t seem to effect much when flexed. But I’ll fill and wrap those when done. I also left these slats rough cut instead to smoothing them over so I can see what mulberry can handle strain wise. So if you’re hesitant about using dry heat to adjust a bow, it can do hire a bit if you take your time and heat up slowly. Next step is to cut a piece for the yoke area and glue it all up.

I’ll update as I go

Kyle

[jameswoodmot]

That’s gonna be great kyle. What you going to use for a net, knot one up or can you buy them?

[Mo_coon-catcher]

I decided to go the route of making my own net too. Just for the experience at this point. I already had the needles from a different project. After the pain in the buttery of getting the starting looks. It really hasn’t been too bad for a rainy day project

Kyle

[bjrogg]

That’s pretty cool Kyle. I’m thinking it’s a pretty cool Kyle. Looks great and a nice skill to have.

Bjrogg

[Pappy]

Man , nice work, that is a beauty.
 Pappy

[Robert Pougnier]

That looks awesome.

I know a bowl turner in Vermont. His name is Dave Brown (might have a website) and he's an avid fly fisherman. A while back he started making these landing nets like these and they are just gorgeous. He uses steam and a few thin layers of contrasting wood.
Looking forward to seeing this one, they have been on my mind. Pretty inspiring!

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Thanks guys. Hopefully tonight I can get it cleaned up a bit and shaped out proper. But all pieces are glued up and even had a major mess up of pulling the clamps too soon. I didn’t bend the hoop to perfect shape so there’s some solid tension pulling it into place to glue up. I used ea40. I thought it had set up solid enough to hold and removed the clamps to bring it inside to finish curing. But overnight if peeled apart. A quick cleanup and reglue and it’s holding now. I got the net done too and realized I picked the wrong string material. I used Mason line as it’s cheap, strong, and has a stretch. But I didn’t think about that it’s made to release knots easy. So all the square knots are loose. So I’ll have to snug them up before I dip it in some liquid rubber.

I started a second one for my dad. The hoop pieces are bent and ready to glue together. This one bent even better. Just a couple minor cracks starting that are barely even noticeable.

I’ll get some pictures tonight when I get some more noticeable progress

Kyle

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Got the handle all cleaned up and first coat of Spar urethane on. Should have it ready for the net by this evening. The net is woven but still needs dipped in rubber when it warms so a little.

Kyle

[Pat B]

Very nice work, Kyle.

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Thanks Pat. I’m waiting on that rubber coating to dry and want to add a couple binding to the handle to be finished. Hopefully I can put a serious test on it this summer. I’m pretty confident in
Getting some decent sized carp. But I’m hoping to have some luck with the catfish in the Missouri River this summer. Spoonbill is only a couple weeks away so may get a decent size one of them to try.

Kyle