Building a Custom Fly Fishing Net - Koa Wood

In this video I'll walk you through how I built a custom fly fishing net from figured koa wood. This is a great project if you want to learn basic steam bending (and learn from my little oops along the way), and have a gorgeous end result that's ready to fish. These also make great gifts, by the way. Thanks for watching and please consider subscribing for more videos like this!
#flyfishing #customnet #grizzlytools
Earlex Steam Generator Kit: amzn.to/3hOaUGi
Catch & Release Net (100cm size): amzn.to/2V7zdoK
String Channel Router Bit: bit.ly/3hNbG6k
Roundover Bit: bit.ly/3120rRt

[@JohnDavis-xc4in]

I just wanted to let you know that I just saw the video about making your net amazing workmanship, just wanted to let you know that ! Thanks .

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikehulsey4813]

Man I absolutely love this build. I think Koa is one of the most beautiful woods on the planet, and it just goes so beautifully with any figured maple or walnut. Love that net!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

I 100% agree-koa is drop-dead gorgeous and I feel very fortunate to have had enough figured material to put this beautiful together.

[@Ultimateflyfisherman]

Thank you for your tutorials. They are great to watch.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thanks and you’re very welcome!

[@maximoslowpez]

Nice, awesome video, and nice fish at the end!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thanks! It’s so rewarding being able to go from idea to finished product to fish in the net for sure!

[@dalejones4186]

Looks beautiful. Great heirloom. Thanks for sharing.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thanks Dale, it's a blast to make (and fish with) these nets! And having a bit of koa wood to work with sure helps :-) Thanks for watching!

[@sfleisher1]

Nice build. I have been making nets as well and trying to figure out the process. Thanks for sharing this! It's helped.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Glad it was helpful! I should have added that letting your wood strips soak in the steam for 20 minutes probably isn't a bad thing. I've talk to others who have said similar.

[@kieranfoster902]

Beautiful build.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@russelllayton3980]

Fantastic net and you’re true artist

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@assyntflyfishing]

Superb video! I hope to start making wooden Nets using all Scottish wood! 😁

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Now that sounds AMAZING!

[@dcm6073]

What types of wood would be specifically "Scottish" woods? I would be interested in trying something like that.

[@homesteadonomics]

Loved the video! Working on building one for my wife and this has been helpful! Thank you!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

So glad to hear! I'd love to see what you come up with if you'd like to share on my Instagram page, @riverbend_woodworks . I also try to highlight folks who make their own nets on there as well. Thanks for watching!

[@realcdnbacon1392]

Dang maybe I’ll try my hand at one of these in the future. Nice work

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thanks for watching, and I totally recommend it! This kind of project is great for any size shop. I'm fortunate to have some tools for making life a bit easier, but you can really build this with minimal machinery if you want. Good luck!

[@picvan]

From wood working I remember using a steel/plastic band on the outside of bending projects to stop wood peeling away. I think it would work here, been a while but I think this is a good application of it.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

That is a great technique for sure and can totally work with net building if you plan for it in your form making process. Awesome idea!

[@Charsept]

Great work. I wish I had the tools and work space available to try my hand at this. At least I better understand the process now. :)

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Gillesgip]

Beautiful!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thank you!

[@AdamCraigOutdoors]

great video and thanks for sharing. This is on my woodworking bucket list. I actually just drew up a new in Fusion to cut out the mold with my Shaper Origin. Cheers and thanks again!!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

I highly recommend giving net building a shot. It's relaxing and rewarding to build them, and with tools like a Shaper Origin you can turn out just about any form you can dream up! Those things are ton of fun to use. Thanks for watching!

[@kolefabian6264]

I dont mean to be off topic but does someone know a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I was dumb forgot the password. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@brodyemmitt6806]

@Kole Fabian instablaster =)

[@kolefabian6264]

@Brody Emmitt thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and I'm in the hacking process now. I see it takes quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

[@kolefabian6264]

@Brody Emmitt It did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my ass :D

[@jeffstauffer2628]

Nicely done Jameson. I might give that a try. Absolutely love your work bench.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Hey Jeff! It's the perfect project, and I promise once you knock one out you'll already have 5 more on your mind :-)

[@jeffstauffer2628]

@@RiverbendWoodworks as luck would have it, someone in the Park threw away the perfect sized aluminum net for a template!

[@JS-rp7qb]

Epifanes marine varnish - excellent marine finish

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Awesome! Thanks for recommendation Jon, I'm always game to try something that might work out better for sure.

[@johngriswold2213]

The active ingredient in wood bending is the heat...a steam box is just one way to heat the wood strips. When you are bending wood thicker than say 3/16" a steam box is the only way to go, to heat the wood all the way through its cross section. With proper time in the steam box you can bend full thickness chair or boat parts. Wood is essentially cellulose fibers glued together with natural resins called lignans. Heat melts these resins and lets the fibers slide past each other as the piece bends. When it cools down they re-solidify and lock the fibers in their new positions. If you do this project again, heat, bend and clamp the strips, one by one, so that they don't cool off before they are fully bent...starting of course with the inside strip. Then after several hours when they have fully cooled, glue and clamp them back to the form. They should be less likely to break and should maintain their shape better;)

[@sed6]

Neat project! Here's a tip, drill one more hole and tie your knot on the inside. You could also countersink the last hole a little larger to accept the knot and make it all flush.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

That's a great idea!

[@johntheobald8381]

Please make a video on creating the templates or perhaps a downloadable file for you template creations. What an incredibly beautiful net.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

I love this idea, John, and I am certainly putting it on my video list for the near future. Thanks for watching and the kind words, and stay tuned!

[@jeffreyt7177]

I agree with this. I can’t draw worth a damn!!

[@dennismacwilliams196]

Awesome

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thanks! I have some more net builds in the works right now, and they're like nothing anyone has seen before. Going to be awesome. Thanks for watching!

[@andrewdg90]

Been meaning to do a few myself for a couple years now lol. Surprised you don't have a trim router for the 1/8 roundover. Great work!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Man, a nice little trim router would definitely take the pucker factor down a notch after all that hard work rather than sweating it out with the heavy one! I highly recommend giving this a shot. Do a bit of research on Amazon for the net basket size you'd like (probably even order that first to get the size just right), then build your form and get the simple steam kit and some cheap clamps from Harbor Freight. All said and done it's a pretty cheap build considering you can just keep reusing everything. Christmas and birthday gifts are super easy now :-)

[@filipefurtado8073]

I am thinking of making my own Lansing net. I dont have much experience working with wood what will probably be evident by my question. Can i not just cut a frame from a wood plank instead of building the arch with laminate?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

I can honestly say I have not seen it done that way before, but also think it is entirely possible to create a single-piece hoop/handle setup. If you’re targeting smaller fish (perhaps several pounds or less) I would think it could hold up just fine, and if that is your best option to have fun making a net, I say absolutely go for it!

[@horning12341]

The video was great, I have already started making a few nets. I am having trouble with the glue though. I have a 6" stainless steel pipe that is capped off on one end, I fill it with the strips and about 7 gallons of boiling water, (making a steam box is on my list) let it sit for 2-3 hours then pull out and bend in the form. No issues there with cracking or anything. I usually let them sit clamped in the form for 24 hours, then pull apart and glue with Gorilla glue however I am seeing that some of my hoops are de-laminating around the curves even after sitting clamped for 24 hours. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, its pretty frustrating going through all of that work and seeing it pull apart...

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Thanks for the kind words! I originally had a similar approach to bending material with the hot water soak and bend, but I never got as far as you did! My material would check badly in the form and I couldn't even glue my strips. My only thought would be that gorilla glue is waterproof, so perhaps the strips are still wet enough to hamper adhesion? Ever try a longer dry time in the form prior to glue up? Like 48 or even 72 hours? Or even letting them form, then airing them out for another day or two prior to gluing? I think the beauty of the steam box is that it loosens the lignin in the wood fiber temporarily and we take advantage of the cooling period by reforming it around out net hoop. That way it's dry and the lignin is re-hardened. Hope this helps!

[@scottkallek5191]

Any chance you can share where you source your silicone netting?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Sure thing! If you go onto Amazon you’ll find a few sizes by searching: Rubber fishing net basket catch and release. Those are some key word that’s turn up options. Here’s a link as well: www.amazon.com/SF-Replacement-Fishing-Landing-Circumference/dp/B0B4RZ2NW4/ref=mp_s_a_1_27?keywords=rubber+fishing+net&qid=1683470259&sr=8-27

[@ericathomas8342]

How did you know what size and shape do make your form so the net will fit?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Honestly, its a bit of trial and error in how I approach it. Start with a cardboard half-hoop cutout and mirror it for an even design. If the cardboard fits well, transfer it to 1/4" ply and double-check. If it looks good still, use that 1/4" plywood template to transfer the shape to 3/4" material. Now you have a good fitting template! Hope this helps!

[@masonkeffalos6050]

What are the dimensions for all the wood pieces you use in the video? I am trying to make some nets for relatives for this Christmas. Let me know your thoughts if you have a chance. Great video, looking forward to a chance to learn something new!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Hi Mason, for this short handle net you’ll need a 10” (approximately) piece of material 3/4”-1” thick and about 2-1/2” wide. You’ll cut the handle from that material. The strips are matching thickness (3/4”-1”) as the handle material, and measure 60” long. That is the length that fits in my steam box and works out great for a net with a 120cm net basket. Each strip of hoop material is approximately 1/8” thick to properly steam and bend. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching and good luck on your build!

[@masonkeffalos6050]

Thank you so much for your help. Curious if you could explain your method for making a mold. Or if you have a pdf file I could trace onto a piece of wood. I struggle to draw and think that may be easy/useful! Let me know your thoughts! Thanks again!

[@clay679]

What do you use for string to tie on the net? I’ve been searching everywhere for an answer.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

I use a few different things including heavy duty braided fishing line (a great choice and you'll have a ton on a spool), or heavy waxed line for leatherwork (available at craft stores in smaller 50' spools), or you can use woven decoy line for duck decoys. I also have been using a lot of Fish Pond brand net baskets lately which are awesome because they include a length of tie-in line and large threading needle.

[@iruatser]

That’s beautiful. How did you come up with the shape and size of the form to fit the net. Would love to make one of these

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

The net hoop is a (small) part trial and error and mostly using a soft tape (from a fabric store) to ensure the net diameter is the correct size. I will be working up a full video series for building your own net in the very near future, so stay tuned! Oh, and I highly, highly recommend giving a net build a shot. It's a lot of fun!

[@johntheobald8381]

How long are your thin strips? Is there a limit to the length of a steam box to get effective bending of thin strips?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

The strips you see in this video are 60" (5 feet) long, and the strips max out the length of the steam box. As far as I am aware there is not a steam-loss for the box design, within reason. I'm working on a series of videos that will walk through each step of the net building process, from a 6' steam box build to hoop design, to final net. Stay tuned!

[@jeffsuedbeck2074]

Great video! I appreciate the amount of detail you provided. Out of curiosity, where did you get that swiveling (?) eye hook on the end of the handle?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Hi Jeff, The eye hook for this is actually just a basic heavy gauge threaded screw eye you can pick up at Lowes or Home Depot in the hardware section. I am currently working toward something swiveling, but haven't been able to track something down here in the U.S. I will be working on a very unique net here in the near future, and will be sure to have something for that one that I can link you to. Thanks for watching!

[@BooleanOperator]

Great video. I really want to try this. Where did you get the template for your hoop jig ? I assume there are different hoop/template sizes for different net. Do you have several templates/jigs?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

I highly recommend giving net building a shot. It's pretty affordable to get into and a lot of fun. I actually made my own templates, and currently have three hoop sizes; two smaller hoops, and one larger. The key is to find a net basket size that you like diameter-wise, then make a form off that sizing. I basically us a think piece of scrap wood to bend a radius I like, which I trace onto cardboard or heavy craft paper, then cut out and trace/clean up on a piece of 1/4" thick plywood. When I trace it on the plywood, I trace one half, then flip the template and repeat for a mirror image. The 1/4" plywood lets me refine the shape with a sander, then, when it looks perfect, I trace that onto a 3/4" piece of plywood or MDF and cut it out to match. Final step is to actually screw the 1/4" plywood pattern onto the 3/4" pattern for a 1" thick form. Simply screw that to a bottom piece to work on and you're ready to rock. Sounds like a lot, and perhaps I should do a how-to video on it, but you'll totally see how it comes together when you get rolling. Have fun, and thanks for watching!

[@ncd24]

@@RiverbendWoodworks Thanks for this explanation. If you would do a video on how you make the templates, it would be greatly appreciated.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

@@ncd24 I can absolutely do that! Stay tuned!

[@guidodurfeld9785]

Wicked nets. Any chance you have a link for the braided cord you use to attach the net?

[@caseystekly2178]

So cool! What did you use for the brass eyelet?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

On this particular net I ended up using the screw in eyelet on the end and a tapered washer (available at any big home store in the nuts & bolts area) to dress the area up a bit. That said, my next net will feature a brass insert eyelet for the nets lanyard and I will show that process. Thanks for watching!

[@julhaopesca9569]

Show!!!!!!

[@johnshand6176]

You can be very proud of such a beautiful product. Do you sell them and if so what are your contact details? If so would you ship to NZ down-under? Great video!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Hello John, thank you for the kind words. I have sold a few nets before, though not half a world away. If you'd like, please feel free to touch base via email at: [e-mail] I would love to hear what you have in mind. Thanks for watching!

[@pleaseenteraname4398]

Hello, this is a bit of a basic question but how thick do you usually make the strips and how many do you make? Thanks!

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

It can depend on the size of your net, but a good, safe bet is to make your strips a finished thickness of 1/8” or even slightly thicker (up to 3/16” thick), and I do three strips total. Each strip for this size net (120cm diameter) is 60” long.

[@jeffreyt7177]

What is the general dimensions of the nets you make and how do you fit to the silicone netting?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

So far I've stuck to 120 and 100cm hoop nets (or so they're listed from the site I get them from). To fit to the form you basically design the hoop template the way you want (shape wise) and use a fabric tape measure, which is a soft tape, and measure the hoop diameter. My first few were literally trial and error, or just luck. Fun part is you can almost always find a net basket that will fit almost any hoop you create, though that can be risky. Thanks for watching!

[@shadowhunter782]

Cringing at the cracking of the wood and freehanding the roundover. Why not use your router table? Nice video and net.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Hey AJ, yeah it was certainly a pucker moment when the first crack happened, and the second basically made my soul break as well :-P The handheld roundover was sketchy in hindsight, but using a light pass and knowing my router pretty well, I opted to go for it. That said, I do intend to use my router table for future routing efforts for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@grantterlaak1589]

how long was each strip of veneer to start with?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Each strip is just a touch under 60" long to fit into the steam box shown (which is 5' inside).

[@leonidasleon3987]

La malla igual la creaste jaja

[@joshchilton7964]

music in the video?

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Hey Josh, I'm pretty sure that music came from the KZbin music library that they have available for free. You can Google "KZbin music library" and there's tons of music and sound FX on the to cruise through.

[@Artisanwoodworks73]

Great build. Beautiful net. But please, STOP with that crappy gorilla snot. Go with a waterproof glue that doesn't expand and dries better.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Oh man, that Gorilla Snot cracked me up! I have been playing with Titebond 3 much more lately and feel confident that’s my path forward…but the Snot will always be near and dear to my heart. Thanks for watching, Franklin!

[@leonidasleon3987]

Decias que empesaste con pocas herramientas y ahora tienes muchas, eso pasa que quieres aserlo pero no tienes todas las herramientas

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Lo divertido de la construcción de redes es que es una forma de carpintería que es muy antigua y hay muchas formas de hacerlo sin las herramientas modernas, o incluso una configuración de caja de vapor. También hay excelentes videos que muestran cómo remojar el material en agua para doblarlo.

[@leonidasleon3987]

@@RiverbendWoodworks eres un capo

[@bear540540]

ummmm...gorila glue

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

The glue that makes life interesting 😎 It actually works really well and is 100% waterproof. I still use that on occasion, though I tend to use Titebond3 a lot more nowadays.

[@mrnobody2689]

Go veggie and save the planet. How would you like to be hooked and then pulled under water.

[@RiverbendWoodworks]

Honestly, can you even imagine how nuts it would be? One second you're just kinda rolling through existence unblinking and unaware of the world around you, the, suddenly, you're lifted into another plain entirely! What a crazy trip! I'd take the minor inconvenience of a hook and struggle to experience a whole new dimension of reality!

[@patrickbyrd9464]

Imagine how many rabbits, cute Lil squirrels, and tiny innocent mice you've slaughtered just to eat your "greens". You all that food you eat doesn't cause death to innocent Lil cute animals? You should be ashamed of yourself

[@johngriswold2213]

He's almost certainly not using the net to kill the fish he catches, he almost certainly releases them;)