Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: 4est Trekker on May 05, 2016, 02:59:31 pm

Title: DIY Landing Net
Post by: 4est Trekker on May 05, 2016, 02:59:31 pm
Howdy, all. I enjoy making ultralight landing nets in my spare time and wanted to share my latest. It's for a friend who lets my family use his cabin along the Big Thompson near Estes Park, CO. It can be hard to find the right thank-you gift for a guy who owns a cabin on the river...but this should be a good start.

It finished out at just a bit over 3 oz and has a hoop of laminated poplar and mahogany. The handle is laminated rosewood, maple, and fishtail oak. I prefer a mesh net for bulk/weight savings and use barbless hooks, which prevents them from getting stuck in the net. The brass inlay dots on the handle face are for measuring fish longer than 15" (the length of the hoop). I designed this particular model for mountain lake and stream fishing, especially when I take my tenkara rig along on backpacking trips. However, I fly-fish for a lot of bluegill, crappie, and bass where I live (Nebraska/Iowa) and this design handles the occasional 20" fish.

Anyway, thanks for looking!

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Landing%20Nets/Landing%20Net%20Tim%20Hauder%203_zpsrd47ujqe.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Landing%20Nets/Landing%20Net%20Tim%20Hauder%201_zpsvbqs9bzr.jpg)

(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Landing%20Nets/Landing%20Net%20Tim%20Hauder%202_zps6vy2zboe.jpg)
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: bubby on May 05, 2016, 03:36:32 pm
thats a beauty 4est, just like all your items
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: Aaron H on May 05, 2016, 03:39:14 pm
Wow, that is some kind of special right there.  Awesome work!
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: Zuma on May 05, 2016, 04:50:25 pm
Sweet :)
I hope he fills it regularly.
Zuma
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: chamookman on May 06, 2016, 03:45:01 am
Very nice work - Bob.
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: Stringman on May 06, 2016, 08:53:53 am
Beautiful work and finish. I'm curious, what gives it structural integrity? Is there a hidden element?
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: 4est Trekker on May 06, 2016, 09:14:03 am
Thanks, gents.  :)

Beautiful work and finish. I'm curious, what gives it structural integrity? Is there a hidden element?

Good questions.  The strength comes from the lamination of the hoop and solid glue lines/mating surfaces.  It won't land a beast of a salmon or catfish, and there is a touch of flex to the hoop under pressure.  But I'm usually angling for smaller species like upper elevation trout, crappie, and bluegill and love not knowing this 3.5 oz net is even hanging off my vest or stuffed in my pack until I need it.   
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: Stoker on May 06, 2016, 09:28:57 am
Very nice.. A light net is a pleasure to use..
Thanks Leroy
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: BowEd on May 13, 2016, 09:06:17 am
Very nice appreciation gift there.
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: JW_Halverson on May 13, 2016, 01:08:27 pm
Yeah, that is mighty pretty stuff there.  And the wide, square-ish lip is a positive design benefit for larger fish or shallower waters
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: ---GUTSHOT---> on May 13, 2016, 02:38:29 pm
That's very nice
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: ---GUTSHOT---> on May 13, 2016, 02:38:57 pm
That's very nice
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 16, 2016, 12:51:44 pm
That's a beauty. Id be proud to have that dangling off my sling pack. Although I rarely carry a net, my fishing buddies tell me its bad luck!
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: nclonghunter on May 16, 2016, 12:59:23 pm
That is some beautiful work, blending the different woods together. Do you get to elk hunt from that cabin also?? ;D
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: JW_Halverson on May 16, 2016, 02:37:10 pm
I did a do-it-yourself net once.  Despite my best efforts, it looked like a second hand store tennis racket with a bad job of cobbling a net onto the end opposite the handle!

But it worked!
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: 4est Trekker on May 16, 2016, 11:54:03 pm
Thanks, gents!  I have two more off of that form finished and ready for a five day wilderness fly-fishing trip in June with my cousin out in CO.  My whole fishing kit combined, including tenkara rod, net, chest pouch, etc. weighs in at 10 oz.  I'm hoping to whittle that down to around 8 oz, but tain't bad as it sits!   
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: bowtarist on May 27, 2016, 09:29:39 pm
Damn you do good work. I've learned a thing or two from you over the years. dpg
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: YosemiteBen on May 28, 2016, 11:03:58 am
4est? Do you ever do anything bad? ;D
Title: Re: DIY Landing Net
Post by: RBLusthaus on June 02, 2016, 12:25:54 pm
Very nice work!  Where do you get the net itself from, or do you tie them up yourself? 

Russ