For Bill, net making

[GunnyMack]

Ok Bill here you for you.

I watched a couple videos about steam bending wood for fish nets. Figured it was easy enough and made a steam box. I needed a heat source to make the steam so I cobbled together a spout extension for a teapot heated on the woodstove. It worked- poorly but enough steam allowed me to bend wood! I finally bought a wallpaper steamer, made a better box and all was well.

A form was needed next. I borrowed a net frame and proceeded to make the form.

Rule of thumb for steam bending is 1" per hour or 1" thick needs 1 hour of steam.

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I make the hoop section from black walnut, usually 3 layers( thinner = less time in the box)
The handle core is usually oak( my net is quarter sawn white oak)
I've done nets with purple heart strip between the walnut, maple strips. I did one with American Chestnut milled by a friend's brother who since lost his brother and the net!

Glue up! The form gets a coat of wax, heavy coat!! After steaming put the strips in the form overnight to set. Next day rewax the form, apply gorilla glue and set into form with the handle end clamped in. Allow to dry 24 hrs. IF done right it will pop out of the form thanks to the wax. Fire up your favorite thickness planer to remove excess glue and flatten. Then round over all edge with a router & round over bit.
Finish, I like spar urethane as it's durable.
The basket, I use spring clamps to hold it so I can drill holes and stitch to the frame. This took some trial and error , I finally settled on braid type fishing line, smaller holes through the frame.
Go fishing!

[Twodot]

I'm not Bill, but that looks like nice work!
..

[Bill in Oregon]

Will, outstanding workmanship and thanks for the tutorial! I sure miss fly fishing for trout, even though I much prefer crappie and yellow perch for the table. Kokanee are in a class all their own!

[Pat C]

Nice ,reminds me of bow making.

[GunnyMack]

You can still flyfish for panfish Bill! I only fished once for Kokanee, didn't catch any.

I started a 'guide net' form but never got back to it, larger hoop and longer handle. I suppose it could also serve as a boat net.

[Bill in Oregon]

Will, I have had a ball catching panfish on flies.
For a while, I followed the path of tenkara, Japanese fly fishing. It is an interesting variation and the way they make nets is charmingly traditional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9OZsv4C3Sc

[GunnyMack]

Hmm, interesting!
I'll have to start looking at tree limbs.