Bent Lamination Fishing Net

Wow, what a neat project. Great detail on the trout! How is the net attached?

-- Rich in Richmond

Thanks PetVet

I added a third picture which kind of shows how the net is attached. Basically I drilled small holes all around the frame and then pushed a loop of the net through each one. Then I took a piece of leather shoe string and put it through one hole in the frame and tied it off. Then wrapped the leather around the outside of the frame going through each loop of the net as I went around. At the other end I push the leather through the last hole and tied it off.

Kind of hard to explain.. Hope that makes sense.

-- Dennis, http://www.maplegrovewoodworks.com/

Where’d you get the net?

Nice Job.The inlaid fish is a nice touch. I made some years ago (25 or so) and yes the glue up was messy and frantic. The mounting method you used for the net is great. I tied mine on by untying the last row of loops and retying them around the frame. That took as much time as making the frames (-; I think if the net gets regular use the leather string may get dry and hard. Do you think a nylon or poly cord (of appropriate color) would last longer. I have seen nets with a groove cut around the outside perimeter so the string is below the surface where it won’t catch or wear so easily. I have also noticed the dedicated fly fishermen are showing a preference for soft netting like cotton or rubber coated netting which is supposed to be easier on the fish being released. I don’t know where you find those nets but if any one know please post the information.

-- Les B, Oregon

LOL! Too funny – I just bought a bunch of old woodworking magazines last week and found the plans for one of these and thought, “What a great gift one of these would make for my fisherman son.” I’ve got it on my springtime todo list and now after seeing your it just moved up the list! Great job!

The magazine I have is Canadian Workshop from June of 1992.

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

Mgradwohl, sorry, but I really don’t remember where I bought the net, but it is a very inexpensive nylon net. It was all I could find at the time.

LesB, thanks. This frame actually does have a small groove around the outside, but the leather string I used was thicker than the grooove was deep. A soft cotton net is what I really wanted to use but I couldn’t find one, so I second the plea if anyone knows where to find a cotton fishing net please let us know.

TedM, that is funny. Those old woodworking magazines sure do come in handy, huh? I have stacks of them that I like to just thumb through now and again. When you do make your net post some pics, I would love to see it.

-- Dennis, http://www.maplegrovewoodworks.com/

This is very beautiful. You’ve done a great job.

Do you remember how thick the strips are?

I’ve thought about making one for my brother in law who loves to fish. I was thinking of making two. On one I’d use a basketball net. ;)

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

DaveR, Thanks…

I just found the plans for this in the June 2001 issue of WOOD Magazine. It calls for 3/32” thick strips. I don’t think I was able to get mine quite that thin. I think mine were about 1/8” or just under.

-- Dennis, http://www.maplegrovewoodworks.com/

What a great project! This is a great way to showcase your skills and add to the tackle box collection. I know that Cabela’s, Charkbait and Jann’s Netcraft sell replacement nets but not sure about cotton nets. Any tips on how to do the trout inlay?