Bryon Anderson 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2020 A few years ago, at a Trout Unlimited fly fishing school where I volunteer as an instructor, I met a really wonderful gentleman named Jim Newland. Jim was in his mid-80s then, and was (among other things) renowned as a maker of really nice landing nets. He and I got to talking and discovered that we had a lot in common, and in the course of that conversation I mentioned that I'd recently taken up woodworking and was interested in learning to make nets. A few weeks after the school ended, I got an email from Jim, saying he was giving up his net-making hobby/side business for personal reasons, and inviting me up to his place in Traverse City, MI to take possession of any of his tools, net-bending forms, and stocks of hardwood net components that I wanted. "If you don't want them, I'm just throwing it all away," he said. So--needless to say, probably--I went up to see him and came home with my car absolutely loaded to capacity with hardwood strips, handle blanks, forms, tools - you name it. I set to work immediately -- I'd watched every net building video YouTube had, and I'd talked to Jim for hours about his process, and I was raring to go, as they say. I quickly realized, though, that my skills were just not quite where I needed them to be yet. (Also, I desperately needed a bandsaw.) Fast-forward two-years-and-change -- numerous failed attempts, two fishing seasons away from the shop, and two major shop re-organizations later, and it's finally starting to come together. This is the first one I've made that I feel is worthy to take outside and use. It needs several coats of finish, but I'm feeling good about it. The TU school gets going this May, and I plan on showing up with enough nets to convince my friend Jim that he didn't misplace his trust in me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steeldrifter 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2020 I see you bought the entire stock of Quick grip clamps from Lowes lol. That does look good Bryon nice work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryon Anderson 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2020 I see you bought the entire stock of Quick grip clamps from Lowes lol. That does look good Bryon nice work. Thanks Steve -- you know, the sad thing is, that's only about half of the quick-grip clamps that I actually have. Before I learned to make clamping cauls to spread out the pressure, I would have upwards of 20 clamps on a single net. :-D Menard's runs those Irwin clamps on sale periodically, and I usually get a set or two when they do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2020 Looks like a good start to a retirement hobby/business. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mad Duck 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2020 Good Looking net frame Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chugbug27 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2020 Nice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2020 Yep looks like a good hobby job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poopdeck 0 Report post Posted January 21, 2020 Nice story and net. Your off to a great start. A woodworker never has enough clamps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edward Snowden 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2020 Bryon, you do very nice woodwork. That is a beautiful net. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryon Anderson 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2020 Thanks for the kind words everyone -- I'll hopefully be posting pics of more and fancier nets soon. (I need to find a source for some nice burl wood for the handles ) I've got a larger boat net that I'll be bending the strips for tonight; we'll see how that turns out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickZieger 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2020 Nice nets. Need beta testors? : Rick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryon Anderson 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2020 Nice nets. Need beta testors? : Rick Thanks Rick -- once I get a few more made, I thought I might put a few up for sale here, at "fishing buddy" prices, just to get some out there in use and see what kind of feedback I get. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted February 15, 2020 Bryon these popped up on my Facebook, thought you might like the inspiration. https://bitterrootnets.com/t/stream-net-w/built-in-magnet Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryon Anderson 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2020 Bryon these popped up on my Facebook, thought you might like the inspiration. https://bitterrootnets.com/t/stream-net-w/built-in-magnet Thanks Vicente -- those are beautiful nets! I've seen a couple of their nets on YouTube videos but I hadn't really explored their website. I'm hoping to eventually do some colored epoxy resin inlays similar to what they do on my nets. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2020 I have a guy that does stabilized wood and resin hybrids for my knife handles he does great work stabilizing before casting is important on objects that will be seeing a lot of temperature and moisture changes, he has a Facebook group I can give you the link too if you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites