A Pair of Walnut/Maple Custom Fly Fishing Guide Nets

[Greg Madrigal]

These two nets were commissioned by 2 great people who happen to also be excellent licensed guides with Sierra Pacific Fishing Adventures. Joe Libeu is a Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) Certified Master Fly Casting Instructor which is the equivalent of a sports Hall of Famer. He fishes a 10.5’ rod and has trouble reaching the fish with his standard net, so he specifically requested a 19” handle. OK, 19” it is!

Kathy Kim is a FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor and wanted a similar net but with a slighter and shorter handle than Joe’s.

Both are heavy into helping others learn the sport of fly fishing through club memberships, seminars, classes, fly fishing excursions, and private instructions. They fish all over the world.

Joe insisted that I mark the nets prominently with Sierra Nets; Otherwise, I would not have marked the handles as I did. I like to let the wood and figure do the talking.

Joe’s net in the “Glue up” stage…
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoeLibeu11.jpg

Joe’s net being hand planed to thickness…
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoeLibeu3.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoeLibeu2.jpg

The curls, or shavings, are fun. I love this part of the process, plus, I get to see the contrasting woods together for the first time not covered up by glue. http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoeLibeu4.jpg


It’s a bit messy but worth the effort. Here I am in the process of shaping the handle.
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoeLibeu10.jpg

Here is the finished product…

Joe’s initials carved in as requested…

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets20.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets9Large.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets13.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets28.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets31Large.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets35.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets69Large.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets100Large.jpg

An integrated magnetic catch to keep the net at the ready. This one is curly walnut with a cocobolo face. It allows the fly fishing to attach the net conveniently to the back D-ring of their fly fishing vest. This allows quick retrieval when subduing a fish, and easy replacement as the extra strong rare earth magnets snap back home when they get within close proximity to each other.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets18Large.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/JoenKathyKimNets7Large.jpg


Kathy’s net came out equally as well. Both nets handles were derived from the same amazing piece of walnut. The light wood is maple. The nets are black rubber.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets108.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets26Large.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets24.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets137.jpg

Kathy’s name of course:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets133.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets122.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets124.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets130.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets120.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets119Large.jpg
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l191/gregmadrigal/Joe%20n%20Kathy%20nets/Kathys%20net/JoenKathyKimNets112.jpg

Joe, and Kathy, thanks!

Tight lines all.

[farmacist]

how about a custom tennis racket...j/k those are beautiful Greg, good work!

[old pudd fisher]

You are a master wood worker, I love the look of the wood grain.

[Which Way Out]

Nice work Greg. I saw a few of your posted last year and these are just as nice.

[City Dad]

Very, very nice.

[bman90278]

Greg, I always enjoy checking out your latest nets! Thanks for the great pics!


-brian

[keepemlo]

Are you kidding me?that is work you don't see anymore I'll tell you so beautiful I would buy one to put in my living room as art if I could takevthe beating from my wife nice work a joy to look at

[Hometown]

Those look great as all of your nets all ways do.