I grew up woodworking with my dad on a farm in Iowa. There I learned to respect the land and to appreciate the beauty of wood. Fascinated by a bamboo fly rod my father had won as a door prize, flyfishing developed an almost mythological quality. Thirty years of fishing Michigan's waters has taught me to respect the magnificence of the fish and the joy of using beautiful functional equipment.

In 1995, I apprenticed with master net maker Ron Reinholdt. In the years since, I have continued to develop my skills and new techniques in my effort to create functional designs where the art of woodworking and the adventure of angling meet.

I try to create fly fishing nets in variety of shapes and designs to celebrate the individuality of both the fish and the angler. Whether it is a simple catch and release trout net or a presentation showpiece with carvings, scrimshaw, and a deer antler handle each net receives the same care and attention, becoming a unique fishing collectible. Each is a Net That Honors the Fish.

Whether you choose a landing net from those I have already crafted or prefer to select the design elements and commission a net that reflects your individuality, I would be honored to create a custom wooden landing net for you.

Sam