Net Making for Beginners - ALONE Season 8

To make it this far on ALONE Season 8 I had to learn a few new survival skills. Net making by hand is one of them. In this "Net making for Beginners" video I'll show you how to make a net needle and gauge card, then use those to weave a basic net that can be used for many things including gill nets(which allow for passive fishing), landing nets, foraging bags, etc. THIS is your beginner's guide to net making! In past seasons of ALONE, we've seen others use the overhand knot method for making survival gill nets. In my opinion, using a net needle and card is a far superior method. You end up with a much more uniform mesh size and you can make your net inside your shelter. For this video I'll be using paracord to you'll be able to see the net making knots clearly. Primitive cultures have made nets this way for thousands of years and it's a great bushcraft skill to have. I spent many hours in my survival shelter using this technique.
How to Bushcraft a Landing Net! • Bushcraft LANDING NET ...
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[@philliparudolph9595]

possibly THE BEST netting instruction video I've seen to date

[@brucecorbettn9bh398]

My Great Uncle taught me some of that 50 or 55 years ago. He made his own net needles two. He gave me one but it was lost after my parents moved. Funny, I am 71 now and only recently realized the influence of this man with only visiting him a few times in my life. Take time and give positive influence to the young.

[@aliakmaz8384]

God bless you grandpa

[@StoneDeceiver]

@@aliakmaz8384 it says great uncle not grandpa

[@aliakmaz8384]

@@StoneDeceiver I called him 'grandpa', not his uncle.

[@StoneDeceiver]

@@aliakmaz8384 but its his uncle.. not grandpa.. jeez learn to read

[@aliakmaz8384]

@@StoneDeceiver you need to learn reading. I am saying to comment's owner grandpa. He says he was 71 years old last year. So he is like my grandpa.

[@SeaReverie]

Liz, you’ve got yourself the Bob Ross of net making! “Throw that loop over and tie a happy little knot, there isn’t that beautiful?” Haha

[@clayhayeshunter]

🤣

[@DavidWCoulter]

Funny! That’s exactly what I was thinking. 👍

[@SeaReverie]

@@DavidWCoulter that was a sweet boat!

[@austensperry4163]

This is SO useful! A lot of the tutorials I have seen require the rope to be cut into multiple strands. I love that this method keeps the rope whole so that it can be undone and retain its full length! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@Celso8205]

I had to watch that false knot part several times until I got it. This really takes some skills! Congrats!

[@sunbladerr]

Awesome. Sage advice,” you have to make some ugly _________ to start with.” This is much like one of my all time favorites, “ The Master has failed more times than the novice has ever attempted.” Be Well and Good Journey Richie

[@allancrow134]

My brother is a commercial salmon fisherman who mends and makes his own gillnets. The mesh size is critical to your success. Too small and the fish won't gill, too big and they will swim through it. You must know the habits and the size of the fish you are targeting, guessing and hoping isn't going to cut it.

[@marclancaster8781]

That's quite an edge you ve got on that axe! Two hits...split!

[@cdogallen7143]

This is an excellent net making video. I have searched for a video like this for hrs and hrs. I can now use my netting needles I bought almost a yr ago. Thanks!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sb9e]

A sturdy trap. The locking latch can be fortified with tie wire for added security. kzbin.infoUgkxxvthjLYk8bJwhOkjNsLvPwnSKZmnHeT1 Try to place these traps wherever current is present. Incoming streams or runoffs that dump into main lakes or ponds are typically good spots, especially if there's a rocky bottom. For bait, use a panfish caught from the lake you're trapping crawfish in, cut the panfish into 3 pieces and soak the trap for 12 to 24hrs.

[@rayrobertson4559]

Great win & great post your doing on the skills in bushcraft

[@shannmartin9361]

I was taught this way of net making by old commercial fishermen, we'd sit for hours building and repairing new and old nets for the upcoming fishing seasons.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Great skill to have!

[@remowilliams8118]

I like the fact that you not only showed the technique but also explained about being sure to secure the knot properly. The one thing that seems to be missing in all of these videos is showing a proper reload of the needle and connection stich to continue the net.

[@calvinhoward2407]

I made a needle an card out of walnut back in the early 80's, haven't used it in awhile but i still got it. This bought back memories, thanks.

[@Goodellsam]

My family had several commercial river fishermen. I remember as a child watching them make and repair nets. I was always fascinated by how fast they were.

[@thehunter3386]

Aahhh, new meets old. Hand carved net needle made with a Leatherman!! How cool is that?!?! GREAT VID!!

[@stevenwbaker56]

Clay your a good teacher and I appreciate your sharing your skills. My hunting/fishing days are pretty much over but I'm living vicariously thru your videos. Thanks, and I hope you keep it up.

[@thornyturtleranch6152]

I taught myself how to make nets in college around 1992 or 1993. Its a really amazing skill. I obviously was needing them for some turtle studies, i make hoop nets and catch big 100 pound alligator snapping turtles....for study and conservation. I made on hoop net completely of net that i tied from twine, #36 size twine. Ive caught my smallest ever and ive caught 3 big 100 pound at one time in that net in a really beautiful spot.

[@mmiller73]

You sir are a master bushcrafter! I enjoy watching you and am rooting for you on Alone.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Martin

[@timburke3096]

@@clayhayeshunter Did you win? I'm guessing you are not allowed to talk about it. Were you allowed to hunt bears?

[@Lyrad8791]

@@timburke3096 currently watching the season myself. bear and squirrel were both on the list of not being huntable sadly. was a bit of a disappointment about that. takes a lot of methods of getting food off the table so to speak.

[@Swearengen1980]

@@Lyrad8791 Here's what I want to know: If you're truly alone and no camera crew is ever around (unlike Naked and Afraid)....how does anyone know if you kill one of the animals on the no-hunt list? If I'm surviving, the camera goes off and I kill whatever the hell is in front of me that I can eat. The cameras can't possibly be on 24/7 (and I've wondered how the batty situation works for such an extended time and use).

[@toddfraisure1747]

I liked the video a lot and you made it easy to follow for beginners. I remember making my first one over 40 ears ago and had difficulty starting the first row. Now I can do it blindfolded and have taught my son and grandson. The first one my grandson did he made a hammock for my daughter using Madrona branches for the ends. He was proud as punch. He hung it in their back yard between shade trees and presented it to her at a big birthday party. Everyone was impressed.

[@bobtaylor9959]

Great knife use tip to making the needle thankyou for sharing, blessings from Scotland

[@rugrt1]

Funny as I was born in NewOrleans and growing up we would watch my grandpa make cast nets and 8 ft round ring drop nets for shrimp. My brothers and I wanted to learn this and the first thing he taught us was you had to carve the needle. It had to be so long and be able to hold x amount Of cordage and for the gauge we would use a number 2 pencil - the older round type. Thanks for bring back some older memories.

[@OdenKing]

Good advice. I'm from nfld in the bush and that's how I learned to make a net. I'll be watching and learning more

[@WoyLad]

You have nailed this closer than I have ever seen anyone do it. I am a commercial fisherman. I start my run a bit differently, but your's is good also. Start with a long line of loops, dragged down mesh count to what you want. Then pull that off sideways

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Rory

[@kelleygrove766]

I do believe there is a pot of gold at the end of that double rainbow! I’m rooting for ya!

[@mthiessen134]

Clay, you’re brilliant! But this is a skill I won’t duplicate in my house. I told my wife, “hey watch this… you crotchet… you can do this… right?!?”

[@TheBowhunterinNB]

I am a multi generational water man . My great grandfather drown in a salmon net . Net making is a skill my grandmother taught me . Clay you have made an excellent tutorial. Great sound , camera angles , all on point as always . My kids and I are cheering for you on alone . Thanks for the video . Now a days nets are all purchased in commercial fishing and you motivated me to teach this to my children. Well done

[@benkeys3320]

🏅10:10Golden advice!

[@johnmccool1807]

Hey Clay, great job. I had you from the beginning. Congratulations. I'm sure your boys are proud of you.

[@humblewoodsman]

This is best tutorial I’ve seen yet for net making,thanks for sharing clay

[@clayhayeshunter]

No problem

[@billwithers1349]

choice of mesh SIZE can mean everything. If you weave 2" mesh netting from the start , you'll have to tie 49 knots per sq ft of netting. If you make 4" mesh netting, you'll only need to tie 16 knots per sq ft of netting. HUGE difference, yes? :-) The large mesh makes it very easy to pass your netting needle thru the meshes in order to tie each knot, too. Now, once you make , say, a couple of segments of netting, 6 ft long, 3 ft wide, you can offset and overlay the 2 segments, sew thru the meshes here and there, using your straightened-out and filed down fishhook as a needle. This will result in your having 18 sq ft of 2" mesh netting much more quickly than making 2' mesh netting from the start. Also, popping those stitches later lets you swiftly return to 4" mesh when you have to resort to gillnetting out in deep water, as the shoreline freezes up. It's far more efficient to make a pontoon outrigger raft, in a day, and use the netting as a seine and net traps set at the shoreline, as vs gillnetting. The traps and seine catch all fish that are larger than the net meshes, not just the size that get gilled, as is the case with netting set only as a gillnet. Empty your net traps by use of the 5-6 ft long handle on the shovel. The guts and blood left in the net traps are not the result of baiting. They are simply the expected by-product of how you empty your net traps, that's all. You can of course assemble or dis-assemble segments of netting into whatever size suits your current desires/needs, and or just keep any surplus wrapped around logs, out of your hair and harms's way.

[@austensperry4163]

Great insight!

[@markfair7648]

That is a great skill to learn the possibility are endless for uses.

[@clayhayeshunter]

It sure is!

[@testicularoxide5055]

Ahxéhee!! Díí Baa Ahééh Niilzin... Elders showed us the same when I was a young kiddo on the Rez... 👍👍👍 Thank you for teaching important info! 💜

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nice, which Rez?

[@testicularoxide5055]

@@clayhayeshunter Anishinaabe/Ojibwe, Grand Traverse Rez...👍 But spent lots of summers on several others from Hopi, Sioux, Diné, Yaqui, etc...

[@clayhayeshunter]

Awesome 😎

[@richardlilley6274]

Thank you for sharing

[@justabill5780]

I had an aunt who made nets for a living. Thank you for showing us how it's done. I've always wanted to know.

[@LycanthropiesSpell]

In the old days, men used/ ripped the nets, while women repaired/ made the nets. But every man new how to repair nets in a pinch. We were told to make nets at school at age 13, making them out of Manila twine. Usually were told to make a 5 meter by 1 meter, and then undo them by hand ... just to remake the net...over and over and over. I can still make them, but we were taught to start from the left, go to the right side, and go back left - no flipping the things around to keep going from left to right, left to right, because one can't flip a whole nets just to repair a rip. The stuff we used for our nets was a bit thicker then para cord, and we'd double it up. The rope was usually polypropylene or polyethyleen... heavy stuff compared to bank line :)

[@lukeb6394]

Great video thank you

[@ultrakulultrakul]

Nice technic you use there. Good channel by the way. :)

[@wade.ludwick1778]

Ive watched every season. Never cared who won, but this season is different! Your a beast and I’m rooting for you big time!!!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Wade

[@adrianbusinesstime2797]

HELL YES. Im gonna finally make a cargo net for the inside of my Truck. Thanks Clay!!

[@HoosierDaddy304]

Haha, a cargo net! ;)

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nice!!

[@Downeastwaves]

Excellent demo!! Thanks so much.

[@sharpwhits0167]

I absolutely love your videos, Clay. Keep them coming, sir!

[@MrEvanBacon]

I’m watching you on Season 8 right now. Love your determination!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks 🙏

[@CarolineDAmbrosioDesigns]

Thanks for this video! I am planning to use this technique for some historical costuming of tiny bags and gloves that used this method back in the day but with a very small netting needle so it makes the most delicate mesh detailing! :)

[@raysymonds7147]

Like real fish net stockings ?

[@franotoole2702]

Always a good skill to have. Loads of applications for it!

[@rossmcleod7983]

Clear as crystal, cheers Clay.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Ross

[@twoowls4469]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I have only recently found your channel and am very impressed with not only your depth of knowledge, but also your way of teaching. Very easy to follow, extremely descriptive, and clear as a bell. Again, thanks for sharing!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you’re enjoyed the content

[@ironleatherwood1357]

Thanks bud and congrats on the buck.

[@remowilliams8118]

Tere are a few videos on this topic, yours was informative and to the point, thank you. One thing I would like to see tho is fast forward to the end of the cordage on the needle and show how to end and begin wit a reloaded needle.

[@keithjohnson3357]

Love this sort of content. Thanks for teaching!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Absolutely!

[@fishmut]

This has rekindled my spirit for making more rabbiting nets for the burrows when I go ferreting, I made a few years ago , time to make some more. 👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

Cool 😎

[@SpiderCents]

Great video, I was just about to buy a landing net for trout fishing but now I’m going to make one instead! Wish me luck 🍀

[@me-vx9hr]

Good luck buddy 💪💪💪💪👍

[@blackthornknives]

LOVE THIS STUFF!!

[@denniscleveland669]

Awesome!

[@joegarcia1674]

Excellent video. My son and I will Practice this

[@clayhayeshunter]

Wonderful!

[@mralien4710]

New sub!!! Keep teaching!!!! Great work!!!!

[@Redlegarty]

Was rooting for you. The way they edited it , it seemed like you were about to tap out. Was stoked on your fake med check where you were told you won! Way to go.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks much

[@TheOffGridHunter]

Loved the video!

[@zephaniahmarion4890]

Thank you

[@Txpo50]

First the rod/ reel, then the net...man, you're a handy dude

[@clayhayeshunter]

I try

[@zman9843]

Awesome video man! Also congrats. Keep the lessons coming.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@ClpBushcraft]

Great video buddy !!! I’m hoping you win Alone , your definitely one of my most favorite contestants thats ever been on the show

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks much

[@jamesgreen4659]

👍 i’m going to have to try that

[@gat9497]

Not gonna be surprised if you win/won. The other people on the show had bows and arrows but it was obvious none of them were proficient with their weapon. I seen clumsy nocking and just a general sense of awkwardness with a bow. You obviously been hunting with a stick for years so its become a piece of you when you have it. That mixed with your native american like knack for bushcraft. Im willing to bet on you winning. Odds are heavy in your favour Sir. Been a sub for years. Congrats on the success!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Gat

[@reynaldomartinez7978]

This was excellent knowledge. I never knew the technique although I had seen the needle. Although I had no idea if it’s name. I’m going to give this a try as you’ve instructed. Nice video. Your patience in voice is very reassuring. THANKYOU.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Have fun

[@Hunter30394]

Another great video!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@Devast8r34]

Glad you won Clay you did an amazing job!

[@Daxxii1966]

Cheers Clay - rooting for you on season 8

[@HoosierDaddy304]

I think he won Haha, that is my prediction

[@Daxxii1966]

@@HoosierDaddy304 I hope he did/does!? 😂

[@HoosierDaddy304]

@@Daxxii1966 Just guessing, but I picked Roland 7th season too, you kinda can tell who's more comfortable in the woods. And you can tell Sir Clay has spent Alot of time in the sticks ;)

[@Daxxii1966]

@@HoosierDaddy304 I hope next week’s video is how to make a Venison sandwich then!😉

[@HoosierDaddy304]

@@Daxxii1966 Me too!

[@johnm840]

Clear demo, TY.

[@clayhayeshunter]

No problem 😉

[@terryqueen3233]

I had to come back to the video because it went off faster than I was ready because I was really getting into it. I would like to see you do one on the the string that goes straight across and then come down making the net. I've seen other people make those but they don't get close enough to see exactly what they're doing and I'm pretty sure that they're doing the same thing that you're doing on that one. If you would do that that would be great I'm sure you know what I'm talking about if you don't ask me and I'll try to explain it again. I suppose kind of like making a Gil net it would be what I was talking about. Anyway thanks so much for this video it's the first time I've seen anyone explain it and show it up close like you did. Thanks again and don't forget to keep your powder dry.

[@andrewholder4259]

Nice job

[@asmith7876]

I've been binge-watching Alone, almost done with season 7, so I hope your season is on soon! We only have Hulu and Netflix, not actual cable TV. Net making seems like an intriguing skill, could be used for birds too, hell all kinds of things. Well, more stuff to practice! Thanks!

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

Season 8 is on Hulu 👍

[@asmith7876]

@@VintageWoodWorkshop Thanks for the heads up!

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

@@asmith7876 no problem, I watched season 7 on Discovery +, then found season 8 on Hulu 👍 enjoy!

[@asmith7876]

@@VintageWoodWorkshop Crap, Hulu Live TV only, too cheap to pay for it. Thanks!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yeah, net making is a wonderful skill to have.

[@DreadX10]

Slight improvement to the card (for me personally at least) is to round off one corner. This rounded corner will sit against the palm of your hand and is more comfortable than having a square corner poking into the palm of your hand.

[@animefangirl123602]

A few questions! 1. How do you finnish the net? 2. How can you repair a broken line in a net? 3. What types of line can be used in a net? 4. Can you put this type of net on just about anything? This is the first time I'm seeing your video! So I'm very excited to keep learning! Thank you!

[@clayhayeshunter]

How you finish the net depends on what the intended use. Yes you can repair a hole in a net using the same knot but without the card.

[@williamswilliams8164]

Thanks

[@HickLif3]

I used to do this to pass my time while deployed. Made a bunch of paracord hammocks for people, took about 6 hrs per depending on the height of the person. The first one I did I used my hand as a spacer and rolled the cord in a way that I could slowly unravel it as I go, so you don’t HAVE to use the needle and card but it definitely helps

[@clayhayeshunter]

Cool 😎

[@amirfadzil]

nice one.. I made them using bamboo before..

[@clayhayeshunter]

Oh nice!

[@Jerkwilkesbooth]

If you taught classes up in Coeur Dalene i'd definitely buy a spot for my brother and I. Rock on brotha

[@davidmodeland429]

Very informative, great video. What model of Leatherman are you using?

[@jeffjackson5331]

Cool

[@aworldapartfilms4972]

I just finished the alone season.

[@damonjbrennan]

Skill

[@cassianocauepossasporto9373]

Net fix and chill...

[@mudpiemudpie785]

Were you able to go back to your cabin on Grizzly Mountain to film this? I thought you were awesome on season 8 and as soon as you got that deer, I knew you would win it.

[@seandepoppe6716]

Thanks for sharing. Been making netting for a year now... good instructions. 👍😎👍 I learned from the fisherman on the docks watching and listening. It's incredible how the hours disappear when making netting. The bank line was hard to work at first but I got that down now. Best nets on the market are the ones that you made yourself! My shuttle I made from bamboo, the card is a carpenters pencil. Tight casting nets

[@clayhayeshunter]

Nice

[@Tommyjoeperry]

I really enjoy your videos. I recently made my first net. It turned out pretty sloppy but I’m proud of it lol. I am wanting to start another one with your techniques. I have a question, after you use up the line from your wooden needle, how do you tie more line on? Where do you leave off and start again so it looks clean. One I made my net I made it with solid long line of rope and it took forever threading and pulling the rope.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Just tie in wherever you run out. Use an Albright not or something simple.

[@DavidWCoulter]

Clay, great stuff here. Congrats on your win! I didn’t see anyone take a whetstone. What was your sharpening technique? Thanks, dc

[@clayhayeshunter]

just a flat rock I found

[@Uncle_Antnee]

Such a great video. I've been trying to tech myself how to make a net, and this is the best video I've seen so far. Thanks for the video. I have a question tho. I've been looking for a new Leatherman, and was wondering how you like the one you are using and if you do like it what one is it? Thanks again for the video and knowledge.

[@HoosierDaddy304]

The one he uses in alone has a one handed opening mechanism, you can find it on amazon I don't know the name but you can open and close it one handed, wish I'd bought that one instead of the Swiss made one I have..

[@HoosierDaddy304]

Btw the one I bought swiss made was over $100.00 dollars, and the blade leaves much to be desired

[@Uncle_Antnee]

@@HoosierDaddy304 awesome thanks for the info on both comments

[@clayhayeshunter]

It’s a leatherman P4

[@Uncle_Antnee]

@@clayhayeshunter thank you.

[@hextacy1464]

Would you use a single strand of the inside of the paracord if making the netting as a gill net?

[@brandonolson1959]

Hope you win bud 👍

[@AffectiveApe]

I bought that same leatherman, because dammit if it was good enough for Clay hayes it sure as hell is good enough for me.

[@stevenlewis6781]

Can one of my items be a bundle of dynamite? Your skills are off the chart, rooting for you!

[@clayhayeshunter]

🤣I don’t think so

[@rossmcleod7983]

@steven lewis “noisy bait” is what some have called it.

[@rugrt1]

Oh yea we used the large paint stirring sticks to carve needles from - the ones for stirring 5 gal buckets and old metal shower curtain rings as starting rings

[@clayhayeshunter]

Great idea 💡

[@andreawoods]

So do you load the needle with all the line u will be using in the whole net? I see one end of the line is on the needle and the other end is what u started on the metal ring you have. If you run out of line do you just tie more on? Would that make the net not as strong if it is not all 1 piece?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Just tie it in when you run out.

[@TheMuchancho]

Hey Clay, awesome season, what kind of knife are you using for that?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Leatherman P4

[@robertyoung5748]

I'm gonna try lol

[@zionradio5325]

This net seems sturdy enough. Do you have any videos on net repairing. The one I have has a huge hole and I can't catch anything. Any advice would help. # NetProblems

[@chrislnflorida5192]

Great video 👍👍. 1 thing u didn't show which I believe is important. U didn't show HOW to reload your needle and continue when u run out of cord!

[@garyhardin3619]

I am curious how you remove the net from the metal ring once you are done making the net.

[@alex-craft]

I wonder if there is a technic to make net with really strong knots, that wont slip the tiniest bit under the load? To use it for hangibg gears, hammocks etc. The standard knots, as in this video are ok for fishing nets, but they would slip under the load.

[@joshuawarren5205]

I'm trying to find a cheap way to net in my little duck pond. So quite large, outdoors.... any recommendations?