Black Oak Burl Custom Net w/Kingman Turquoise & Copper Inlay

[Greg Madrigal]

I have been on hiatus from here since the spring. Apologies. A lot has happened both good(lots of fishing) & not so good(My dear mother passed), but I am still heavily engaged in the sport. The custom net biz has been quite good, and my backlog remains out into 2014. I feel mighty blessed!

I created this net for a Hubby who commissioned it for his wife. Both are active fly fishers, and participate heavily in the Project Healing Waters. Her father was an avid woodworker and she has a love for it revealed as she recalls days as a girl in the shop of her father; The scents of different woods, the sounds of working the boards, the creativity and usefulness of it all.

The handle is oak burl that I salvaged from a wood lot in Temecula, Ca. over 3 years ago. I had it milled and it has been drying in my studio just waiting to become this! I vacuum stabilized the handle before glue up.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet01.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet01.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet0.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet0.jpg.html)

Here I cut out the handle's final shape on the band saw.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet03.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet03.jpg.html)

From there, it is glued up. The hoop woods used were Walnut, Curly Maple & Genuine Mahogany (Repurposed from scrap wood.)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet02.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet02.jpg.html)

Just out of glue up/clean up
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/DSC_9445.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/DSC_9445.jpg.html)

Once glued up, the handle is shaped using a series of rasps and files, then sanded till it feels nice.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet07.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet07.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet09.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet09.jpg.html)

Heating the copper ferrule blank before pressing it home.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet06.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet06.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet08.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet08.jpg.html)
Countersinking the copper ferrule.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet05.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet05.jpg.html)
Here I am inscribing the year into the hoop.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet04.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet04.jpg.html)

And after about 10 grueling hours of individually inlaying each end every piece of Kingman Turquoise, along with copper, and 10 hand-rubbed coats of a proprietary finish, this is what we got.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet19.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet19.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet20.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet20.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet16.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet16.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet15.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet15.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet11.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet11.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet17.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet17.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet13.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet13.jpg.html)

Here is the matching Magnetic Net Release. Also made of stabilized Black Oak burl with Kingman Turquoise & copper inlay.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet6.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet6.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet14.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet14.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet5.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet5.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet4.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet4.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet2.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet2.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet3.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet3.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab233/sierra-nets/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet8.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/sierra-nets/media/Sierra%20Nets%20Sold/Bauerfeld/Powell/OakBurlCustomFlyFishingNet8.jpg.html)

I hope you enjoyed.
www.sierra-nets.com

[rjonly]

Man, that thing is gorgeous! very nice work

[ProdigyFishing]

Another killer net Greg! Just awesome! I love the turquoise inlay and the grain of that wood is just beautiful! I sent you a PM.

[olfishergal]

absolutely gorgeous!!!! I love mine way too much too, fanastic work Greg you are a true PRO.
OFG

[DarkShadow]

Condolences on your mother's passing, Greg. Obviously she raised quite a talented son.

[Hometown]

Wow another beautiful net Greg I think I like the looks of this net than any other nets you have crafted.

[DEVOREFLYER]

Greg I got your PM and now can't wait for Thanksgiving to come. Not for the good eat's but for when my net will be ready. The waits been killin' me. The net you posted is just another "Work of Art" that comes from your shop.

[troutdog]

Another amazing piece of fishing art, you da man Capt Madgi! :Worship:

My condolences to you and your family for your Mother's passing, she raised a great guy....


TD

[Brent]

WOW!
I couldn't put a fish in that. I'd hang it on the wall.
That is the nicest net I've ever seen. You are a truly dedicated craftsman and should be EXTREMELY proud of your work.
I don't know what you charge for a net like that, but it's not enough.

Brent

[TUNAVIC]

You are quite a craftsman! Very nice indeed.

Cya TUNAVIC

[Wingnut]

My condolences on the passing of your Mom...

Another beautiful net... never get tired of seeing your work Greg. :Big Grin:
The one you made for me is hanging on the wall in my office, right next to the one you made for Dana. :Wink: