Fly Fishing Shows & Classes

2025:   I am planning to be at the 2025 Mid-West Fly Fishing Show in Detroit Michigan, with my nets and net building supplies.  It is one of the largest fly fishing show in the mid-west. It always has a great line up of presentations.    I will be demonstrating landing net construction in a live demonstration during that weekend. 

In October of 2025, I will again be teaching at  Marc Adams School of Woodworking.  I am offering a 2 day class on building a custom landing net. (The class will covers the same material as my home workshop class.)

Home workshop class:

I also am planning a class during  the Spring of 2025 in my home  workshop.  The class will start with a quick over view of the various methods for constructing landing nets as well as design considerations. Day 1 students will be shown quick and easy methods for developing a custom design. Participants will make a gluing form and handle inset. There will be a demonstration  on preparing the wood strips and warm water bending. Each student will have a chance to bend sample lamination strips. After a discussion of clamping systems there will be a demonstration of my clamping and gluing method.  All students will then glue their own net frame. Day 2 starts with the students removing the net frame from the form. They now start the sanding and machining process to produce the base frame. Each student will shape their handle to a personally pleasing contour before starting the final sanding and detailing. Drilling the net frame and attachment of a net bag will be covered. Day 3 For student that are able to stay an extra day, the day starts with a discussion of epoxy its chemistry, its use as a wood finish, epoxies pitfalls and methods of work. The students will apply the finish to their nets.  The student will make their own Rotational finishing system during the time between application of finish. They have the option of exploring decorative details or building additional shop jigs and fixtures, as time permits.  The class last until late afternoon.  Because the epoxy finish is not hardened by the time the class is finished, I send the student their net the following week.  

I hope to see you in my shop and teach what I have learned after 30 years of making nets. 

Overview of landing net construction

Easy methods of design

Quick and easy wood bending (no steam box)

Preserving symmetry with center lines and registration marks

Successful clamping and gluing of complex parts

Don’t worry about mistakes, your instructor has already made them all.

Please contact me directly to reserve your spot in one of my classes.

I also conduct custom classes $600/day (Same as most of the fishing guide fees). Minimum of 2 days.    Contact me directly to arrange a date. 

 Recent student work from a home shop class.