STONEFLY NETS - A Glimpse Inside the Workshop - Part 2

It's "Throwback Thursday" with Ethan Ingleheart of Stonefly Nets and if you missed Part 1 of this two-part series, circle back and then find your self here to slow scroll through this post to enjoy his top shelf work and a look inside of the workshop.  

I'm glad that we were able to unearth these images from my Lightroom account from six years ago (apologies again...) and collaborate on these posts to share Ethan's work on how he built these unique landing nets for Hadley and Finn.  Our children cherish them, and as a fly fishing dad, it's really neat to gift your children something they will have forever.  I guess that's what they call a heirloom...

Thanks Ethan for everything and I look forward to future projects together that we'll share here.

 

Ethan of Stonefly Nets wrote...  "It typically takes about 30 days to complete a net from start to finish. While the actual hands-on labor is between 15 and 20 hours, the extended timeline is necessary to ensure heirloom quality.

The process cannot be rushed because many of the unique woods I use require a 7-day stabilization period to make them durable and waterproof. Following construction, the finishing process requires another 7 days of careful application and curing. If a net includes custom engraving, that adds additional time to the bench.

I also intentionally build "pause days" into my schedule. These are days when I step back if I feel I’m not at my absolute best. It is easy to work fast to speed things up, but I’ve found that when speed increases, quality drops. These pauses allow me to stay fully focused on the build so that every net meeting the water is as close to perfect as possible.

My goal is to craft pieces that stand the test of time—functional works of art that can be passed down through generations. One of my greatest joys is receiving photos from clients sharing the moment they gift their net to a son or daughter. It's a powerful reminder of the legacy a well-crafted net can carry.

This dedication to lasting quality is rooted in my own history. I grew up with the knowledge that anything worth having is worth building right—with my parents hand-building our log cabin in rural Appalachia using only a chainsaw and hand tools. That reverence for hard work and durability, combined with the vivid memories of fishing the South Carolina coast as a kid, is poured into every net I make.

A handcrafted Stonefly net is more than just a tool for landing fish; it's a vessel for memories and a legacy to be shared. Each net is a functional work of art, built to withstand the test of time and the rigors of the river, ensuring it can be a part of countless stories and adventures.

The true value of a Stonefly net lies not in the wood or the craftsmanship alone, but in the experiences it holds. It's in the quiet mornings on the water, the thrill of a successful catch, and the shared laughter of a day spent with loved ones. It's a tangible link to those moments, capturing the essence of a day on the river in its grain and finish.

The greatest joy for a craftsman is seeing their work become a part of someone's personal story. When a Stonefly net is passed from a parent to a child, it carries with it more than just wood and resin; it carries a legacy of shared experiences, a love for the outdoors, and the promise of new memories to be made. It’s a powerful reminder that some things are meant to last—and be a part of your story for generations to come.

A handcrafted Stonefly net is more than just a tool for landing fish; it's a vessel for memories and a legacy to be shared. Each net is a functional work of art, built to withstand the test of time and the rigors of the river, ensuring it can be a part of countless stories and adventures.

The true value of a Stonefly net lies not in the wood or the craftsmanship alone, but in the experiences it holds. It's in the quiet mornings on the water, the thrill of a successful catch, and the shared laughter of a day spent with loved ones. It's a tangible link to those moments, capturing the essence of a day on the river in its grain and finish.

The greatest joy for a craftsman is seeing their work become a part of someone's personal story. When a Stonefly net is passed from a parent to a child, it carries with it more than just wood and resin; it carries a legacy of shared experiences, a love for the outdoors, and the promise of new memories to be made. It’s a powerful reminder that some things are meant to last—and be a part of your story for generations to come."

Visit the Stonefly Nets website to learn more and if interested in a handmade net of your own, use the contact page to begin the conversation.  Follow along with the latest on Facebook and Instagram.

FULLING MILL - Fly Fishing in London for Carp with Tim Pottage

Fulling Mill follows along with angler and fly tier Tim Pottage in downtown London for an urban carp session and tutorial.  Press PLAY and take notes...



This post reminded me that I still have a set of photographs to edit from a trip earlier this year to the South Platte River in Denver carp angling at night.  Standby for that post soon.  

Check out the latest from Fulling Mill and subscribe to their YouTube channel, too.

GEAR REVIEW - Travel Notes on the Fishpond Lodgepole Satchel

When the new arrivals from Fishpond were rolled out late last year, the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel was high on my list to get my hands on as I saw it as a serious choice for anglers who were looking for a simple yet quietly feature filled gear pack with crossover appeal for air travel, the office, and the field. 

I flew out to Denver in late January for the Fly Fishing Show and since I was traveling "light", I checked a medium sized duffel and walked on the plane with the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel.  As someone who has a bad habit in over packing, it was nice to keep it pared down to the essentials with the MacBook Air and the latest issue of The Drake in the padded laptop sleeve, and in the main compartment my Nikon DSLR with a 50mm lens, YETI Rambler water bottle, a stash of T.F.M. decals, and a few needed cords and accessories.  Everything fit with room to spare and the wide carry strap with sliding pad made it comfortable for both over the shoulder and with crossbody carry.

Flying back after the show, I placed the satchel in the bin at the security checkpoint, and the TSA Agent said, "That's it?  That's all you have?"  Yes.  It was all I really needed.

Here's a few notes I've jotted down from a few months of carrying the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel...

• This classic looking satchel has all in size, fit, and feel in a very clean modern design.
• The waxed canvas makes for a durable bag that will only get better with age.  
• Beat it up and get it dirty.  It's going to "patina" just like waxed canvas should. 
• A large main compartment with zippered pockets in just the right places.
• TPU coated loops and aluminum D-rings give lots of exterior accessory options.
• Self-guided magnetic tension hook keeps flap cover in place.
• Adjustable strap on tension hook can cinch down to size of load.
• YKK AquaGuard zipper on exterior pocket will help keep contents dry.  
• Internal pockets are cavernous but not in the way if you need to fill the main space. 
• Surprisingly priced at a very reasonable $149.95.
• Consider the Eagle's Nest Travel Pouch to keep track of cords, accessories, and more.
• The only design miss I've found is not having a grab handle on the backside which would have been nice but certainly not a deal breaker.

Take a few minutes to watch this video where you can see breakdown from Jack on all the features...

Visit the Fishpond website to check out the Lodgepole Fishing Satchel.  Find this gear bag and the rest of this year's new arrivals at your local Fishpond dealer. 

XTRATUF - The Snacklebox - Episode 2 | The Supremo

Sign me up for any fly fishing trip that also involves some tasty outdoor cooking and drinks.  The Snacklebox film series continues with Chef Spencer White and XTRATUF.  Click PLAY...

Everyone needs a pair (or several) of XTRATUF boots.  Our family kicks around in them to stay dry when it's wet outside.  Check out the latest styles on their website and follow their YouTube channel.

TROUTROUTES - Western States Fish Species Filter For Anglers

I continue to be impressed and lean in on the functionality of the TroutRoutes app and they recently announced a new species filter so that anglers in eight western states can identify streams where trout, salmon, steelhead, and other species are known to live.  

For PRO or Single State users, this is available now and look for an upcoming Masterclass to cover this new Species Filter feature with a full tutorial.  

 

 From the TroutRoutes presser...

TroutRoutes, the leading mapping and navigation app for trout anglers, has launched one of its
most requested features: Species Filter, a feature that helps anglers quickly find streams based
on their target species. Now available to all paying users on iOS platforms (PRO and
Single-State), anglers will be able to quickly filter streams based on their target species in
California, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho.

The new Species Filter can be found in the top-left corner of the app, directly below the search
bar. With just a few taps, anglers can filter waterways by:

● Trout species (including seven cutthroat species)
● Salmonids
● Steelhead (sortable by fall, winter, and summer runs)
● Arctic Grayling
● Whitefish

The filter instantly refines the map to display only waters containing the selected species,
making trip planning faster, more efficient, and more precise. The data powering the feature is
sourced from a variety of publicly available datasets, including state agency data and scientific
research project data. However, TroutRoutes has taken the initiative to remove data for certain
stressed trout species.

In addition, many StreamCards across Western states now feature detailed species lists, giving
anglers immediate insight into what inhabits each waterway. From well-known fisheries to the
Class II and Class III streams anglers have long been curious about exploring, this enhanced
species data provides deeper context before ever stepping foot on the bank.

TroutRoutes is part of onX, the leader in outdoor digital mapping and navigation. As an onX
company, TroutRoutes has gained access to expanded data sources and innovative features,
including Apple CarPlay integration, and a significant enhancement of its existing stream gage
feature.

Visit the TroutRoutes website to learn more and dive into their YouTube channel for Masterclass tutorials on how to get the most out of this app.

OLY'S DEAN | A Kid, a River and a Different Way of Growing Up

Take 20 minutes of your Sunday and enjoy this latest film from Patagonia.  Press PLAY...



Patagonia has a load of new gear and apparel to check out and subscribe to their YouTube channel 

C. BARCLAY FLY ROD CO. - The Fly Rod Lineup Going Forward

On a trip to North Carolina recently, I spent a few hours with Chris Barclay of C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. in his small shop in Winston-Salem.  Over lunch at a nearby poke spot, we talked about a lot that he put into his latest blog post with narrowing down his model offerings and making some pricing adjustments to reflect changes in costs on his end.  All of it makes sense as he continues to design and build some of the finest contemporary small stream glass fly rods that a growing number of devotees enjoy.

 

As with all his Smallwater blog posts, this one is worth a read through.

The image above is one of several hundred that I snapped in Chris's basement shop and I need to weed through them this weekend for a pictorial post on T.F.M. and on social media.  I might be a little weird (confirmed) but I like watching craftsmen work.  These images will be fun to share.

In the meantime, visit the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. website for the update.  Follow along with the latest shop news on Facebook, Instagram, and join the C. Barclay Fly Rod Co. Enthusiasts Group on Facebook.