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Earlier this year, a friend showed me a recently downed maple tree (which was heavily spalted) a few miles from where I grew up that looked perfect for net handles and other small projects. We contacted the property owner and she ended up showing us another piece of wood that had been laying in a wood pile for 15+ years. Apparently it was the remains of a black walnut tree that was struck down by lightning back in the day. While not exactly what you would expect for the color of walnut, this chunk of burl (see ugly lump of wood in photos below) produced some great pieces for shorter net handles. Unfortunately, we never actually got around to the maple we originally contacted her for, but it was a worthwhile visit!

The agate stone was also local, coming from a stream out my back door. The stone was added, along with brass, to stabilize a bark inclusion that went through the top of the handle.

The hoop is a new design/shape for me that I love! Hoop materials are Wenge, Curly Maple, and Sapele. I consider this my "small" sized net with a hoop size of approximately 10"x 15", and an overall length of 24.5". I also have black rubber netting that would probably look better on this particular landing net. This net is also posted on my website:
( https://www.ragingrivernets.com/018.html ).

I always appreciate seeing the process of other people's builds here on LumberJocks, so here are a few pictures of my process:
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Original burl (half rotten and waterlogged):

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A few of the pieces the burl yielded:

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Obligatory plane and shavings picture:

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For scale:

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Close-ups are always nice:

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First problem occurs here. Did not expect the voids:



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Filled with brass and agate stone. By the way, it's really hard to grind/flatten/polish agate without digging into the wood that surrounds:

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Finished agate and brass:



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Finished net:










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Hope you all enjoyed!

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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110 Posts
That is so beautiful it could make someone take up the sport just to own that net. Very, very nice!
 

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282 Posts
Outstanding!
 

· Premium Member
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1,433 Posts
the visual effect of the walnut takes the show.
btw - nice net
 

· Registered
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1,434 Posts
Wow! Beautiful net. Well done.
 

· Banned
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18,919 Posts
yeah wow,that is a gorgeous net.id be afraid to band it up on rocks in the stream.that would make any fisherman look good.
 

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3 Posts
Beautiful should never be allowed near water. Wall hanger only
 

· Registered
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4,714 Posts
If I were a fish I would definitely jump into that net!
Very beautiful wood and workmanship!
 

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2 Posts
Love it, what an excellent find and combined with superior workmanship.
 

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3,876 Posts
Very Nice & Well Done!
 

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0 Posts
Thank you all! I know these nets look too nice to use, but trust me - they have and will outperform/outlast any net I've used in the past. I am honored when I see others using these nets on the water.
 

· Registered
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6,567 Posts
Beautiful net. I would be proud to get it wet. That save on the neck with agate is just this side of miraculous, nice job. It would have been such a waste to not be able to use that piece of wood.

Thanks for posting.
 

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2 Posts
Beautiful craftsmanship and wonderful lines. You should be very proud.
 
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