HELLBENDER NETS - The Making of a Bamboo Net

A couple of months ago JD Berry of Hellbender Nets and I started trading emails which then led to me asking if he would chronicle a bamboo net build from green bamboo to a flamed and finished net. 

He obliged and took step by step photographs as the build came together which will be shared in the post below along with his story on what got him started in his craft.

Fortunately for me, the bamboo net you see in this post is sitting beside my desk and it's already been on the water a few times with me too.  JD's work is just wonderful and his nets are special.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post for a T.F.M. discount code so you can get a net of your own for a limited time.

JD Berry wrote...  "Bamboo is an awesome material to work with. Strong but flexible. Dense but lightweight. It grows abundantly where we live, in fact it's hard to drive for five miles in any direction without seeing a stand. Multiple varieties. Not all are suited for net building, some are too weak, but are great for projects like trellising beans and cucumbers in the garden.

I had been making random things from bamboo and learning different skills along the way. Several years ago a buddy showed me his new carbon fiber net. It was the first time I had seen a rubber net bag and I loved how easy it was to get the fly back. In fact I had stopped using a net altogether because of the frustration of removing a hook from a nylon bag. Handling that new net caused a classic "aha" moment.

I wondered if someone was already making landing nets from bamboo, but after a pretty thorough search I came up empty wondered why. Was it possible? Was there something I was missing? So I made a prototype, used it, then came home and tweaked it a little. And that's pretty much the same net you see today. The design simply worked. I fished that net for a couple of years and along the way made maybe a half dozen more as gifts for friends and family. Fast forward a couple of years and we've now sold nets to anglers in 40 states and Canada, many of them repeat customers. I know it sounds cliche but we truly couldn't do this without the support of our fans.

Ultimately we want our customers to have the opportunity to fish with a net that is matched to their specific needs. We offer four different hoop sizes. Each can be ordered with with a standard hoop shape or a wide mouth. They can be flamed to either a traditional finish, which is a golden look that pairs well with a bamboo rod or a darker flameburst finish which is totally unique. In fact, every net is as unique as a fingerprint. They can be fitted with either a black or clear net bag. Handle length is up to the customer. I've made nets with handles as short as 5" and as long as 48". Shorter handles lend themselves well to hanging from a wading belt or pack/vest while longer handles are more easily stuffed into net holders or tucked behind a sling pack. The 48" handle was requested by a gentleman who was recovering from back surgery and had a hard time bending down to net the fish. The extra long handle helped him stay on the river where he wanted to be."

I start by splitting a large culm of bamboo into rough strips (blanks) then shave them down to the desired width.  I use hand tools to round the edges on the underside of the blank.

Some of these photos show two blanks at different stages to help highlight the process.

I begin the heat treating process by using a torch to flame the underside. This releases moisture and helps stiffen the fibers as well as adds some nice contrasting colors.

While the blank is still warm and flexible I wrap it around a hand made jig and torch the outside face. The natural sugars come to the surface and interact with the flame, which causes the "flameburst" pattern.

Then the blank is heated thoroughly and clamped to the jig. When it cools the blank will remain in the shape of the jig, and is now a frame.

I drill holes around the frame and use copper wire to attach a rubber net bag. I chose copper because of its durability. It will never fray, rot, break or come untied. Plus it just looks cool.

The handle comes from a smaller culm of bamboo. I use the same flaming process to match the pattern of the frame. The handle is then kiln dried to remove remaining moisture.

I also use copper to marry the frame and handle together, this time with a much heavier gauge. There are no glues, epoxies or adhesives that will deteriorate over time. Just good old fashioned mechanical connections.

Check out the Hellbender Nets websites to see all the different models available and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest shop news.

And finally, now through Friday, June 16th, use code "TFM25" for 25% off your purchase on the website.