The GBF 2027 Custom Landing Net Workshops

By Art Hawkins

For the past 25 years, Michael Kaul and I have conducted laminated net building clinics in my Orangevale shop.  GBF members have built 579 nets since we started the program. We are planning to run six clinics again in 2027.  Each clinic has three sessions lasting two to three hours, with four participants.   Sessions, which start in February, will occur on weekday afternoons / evenings and occasionally on a Saturday.

If you want to build a net, a sign-up link will be on the GBF website calendar in October.  Click on “Net Clinic Signup” located on the first of each month.  This is a “signup link only”, not a clinic date.  Indicate in the “Comments Section” if you are a first-time net builder or a Golden Trout participant as signup preference is given to these members.  Also indicate if you want to be in the same session with someone else. There are only 24 slots each year so sign up quickly.

In January, Michael and I compare calendars and come up with the 18 dates and times (3 sessions x 6 clinics) when we are both available to run the sessions.  Michael will call each applicant in January and advise you of the clinic dates.  You MUST attend all three dates of the clinic you sign up to attend. There are no make-up sessions.

Note: You must renew your GBF membership by Jan. 1, 2027 to participate in the net clinics.

About the Clinics

At the first session, you select one of the three net styles you want to build, your choice of hardwood for the handle and the hardwood varieties for the laminated strips.  Next, you will bend the pre-soaked wood strips and clamp them to dry.  This session takes about 2 hours.

The second session is for gluing and clamping the strips together and the strips to the handle. This session takes about 2 hours.

The third session takes approximately 3 hours. You will scrape off the excess glue before the nets are machined to the proper thickness.  Next, I cut the grove to protect the net string from being damaged.  Then you drill the holes to sew the net bag to the net frame.  I operate all the big power equipment, so no woodworking experience is required.  Both guys and gals have built nets.

At the conclusion of the third session, you leave with a wooden net frame, a net bag, thread and the finishing oil.  The frame needs to be sanded to a smooth finish, sealed with Tru-oil or Spar Varnish and the net bag sewn to the frame.

The total cost of materials is between $25 and $50 depending on the options you select.  If purchased in a fly shop, similar nets would cost from $100 to over $200.  Have a question?  Call me at 916-300-2924.

To register, please visit the GBF member’s calendar on or after Oct 1, 2026 for details.  Restricted to GBF members only.

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