The Fiberglass Manifesto: STONEFLY NETS – A Glimpse Inside the Workshop

Ethan chronicled these builds with a series of photographs that will be shared today and then the rest of the build images next week for another “Throwback Thursday” post since I’ve been sitting on these photographs in Lightroom for over five years.  Sorry, Ethan…

Over the weekend at the Fly Fishing Show in Denver, Colorado this past winter, Ethan and I reconnected and have some future plans for more collaboration that you’ll see here.  You hopefully have also noted the Stonefly Nets banner ad on the page and I greatly appreciate his support.

Take a few minutes to slow scroll through this glimpse inside Ethan’s workshop and see how these bespoke landing nets came together from start with the finish next week.

My journey in professional woodcraft began in 1994, working in a custom woodworking shop where I spent thirteen years (until 2007) mastering the art of fine joinery and finishing. In 2010, I took a creative detour into the fashion world by starting Carolina Cotton Ties, a handmade necktie and bow tie company.

After eight years of running that business, I decided to close it in 2018 to return to my woodworking roots and combine my love for the craft with my passion for fly fishing. That’s when Stonefly Nets was born, and I’ve been handcrafting heirloom-quality nets ever since.

The idea for the colored pencil handles actually came from an acquaintance who had turned a bowl out of the material. In the early days of Stonefly Nets, when I had more time to experiment with different concepts, I decided to see how that vibrant aesthetic would translate to a net handle.

However, as the business grew, I intentionally moved away from them. I started to feel like the pencils were becoming a bit of a gimmick—something to just get people in the door—and they were beginning to distract from the core mission of what I wanted to create. If someone wants one, I still have several blanks that are ready to go.

I’ve worked with a wide range of materials that tell a story, ranging from rare exotic species like Hawaiian Koa and Asian Dua Burl to highly figured domestic woods like Tiger Maple and Birdseye Maple. I particularly enjoy internet hunting for burls—specifically Buckeye and Maple—because their chaotic grain patterns create a one-of-a-kind look you just can’t find in standard lumber. Some of my most meaningful builds come from client-harvested wood, where I take a piece of a fallen tree from a customer’s own property and turn it into a functional heirloom.

To further elevate these pieces, I’ve experimented with Mineral Inlays using crushed Turquoise, Malachite, or Azuriteto accent natural voids in the wood. For those looking for something truly high-end, I have even incorporated Gilson Opal and Gold into the handles to add a level of brilliance and value that sets the net apart. I’ve even worked with ancient Bristlecone Pine to give a net a weathered, high-country character that feels as old as the rivers themselves.”