Custom Nets and Rod Build / Repair

1. What do I do ?

Would you like an old rod refurbished? Would you like a bespoke custom rod? Is your rod sentimental, antique, has no replacement spares available, or you just need a spare rod. Perhaps you just want it as a “Wall Hanger” … or sometimes, you want a rod repaired in order fish it. Perhaps it was your Grandfather’s or your Great Grandfather’s and there is some sentimental value … or you just want your rod fixed so that it looks “nice” again …

From the re-wrapping and varnishing of an entire rod of almost any material - to a single guide re-wrap, we can certainly help you with the restoration and repairs. All types of rod materials can be worked on. Graphite, Bamboo, Split Cane, Fibreglass – even old steel rods!

My goal when repairing a rod is to make the repair as close to the original to preserve the rods character.

2. Custom Landing Nets

We specialize in the craft of making high quality custom landing nets. Whether for salt or fresh water, trout or tiger fish – our nets promise to make that special fish landing moment even more memorable. Each net is painstakingly handcrafted and done so with tons of love.

HOW ARE THE NETS MADE?
Each net is painstakingly handcrafted through a meticulous process involving the generation of vast amounts of sawdust, clouds of steam, many G-clamps and bucket loads of sweat. Lengths of timber are ripped and cut to the right length, width and thickness. Thereafter they are slowly bent and clamped around a preformed frame and thereafter layers are laminated to form a rigid outer net shape. This is where the real patience comes into play – bending wood too quickly = breakage – and waiting for glue to dry is very frustrating!!
The last step is cutting the shape and setting of the handle inner core itself and the final gluing it into place. Yet another long and painstaking process.
After the patient waiting for glue to dry, the nets are sanded and smoothed, net thread recesses cut, holes drilled, brass retaining hoop inserts set, name / monogram / crests / logo’s drawn and then finally the net is sealed with natural oils. The last step of course is the sewing in of the net bag and if so desired the sewing of a net bag!
The end result after between 25 and 50 hours per net is well the effort.
Handing over one of these “hand-reared children” is both very difficult but also extremely rewarding!

WHY? THE ZEN!
Why would you want one? Fly-fishing has got to be the closest form of fishing to fishing’s’ basic origins.
The “art of fly fishing is inherently a spiritual practice : Henry S. Butler“. It brings you down to the core and basics of fishing. The ZEN of it almost dictates that one needs as much handmade a natural equipment and flies as possible. Hence the desire for a bespoke natural wooden landing net.

GIFTING IDEAS
Although these nets are, made to be 100% functional, they also make magnificent decorations in any pub, study, and workshop or man cave!
The nets are an excellent choice as a gift for 21st birthdays, wedding and anniversary gifts, 40ths’ 50th’s etc., retirement and farewell gifts or just as a simple gift to oneself!

THE WOOD AND NET SHAPES
As an African, I try my utmost to use local and indigenous African woods. However it is not always the case as there are many wonderful non indigenous woods that are absolutely beautiful and once worked and decently oiled bring out the magnificent grain patterns and colors of the wood. Naturally – I will not use any protected or embargoed species. Although I have a range of “standard” shapes, I can of course shape them to any desired shape and size.

3. Rod Repair and Refurbishment

Whether its a rod snap, a fracture or a tip break; with years of experience Naiad has come to specialize in fixing damaged rods of all types and getting them back to perfect condition.

Replacing guides, handles, reel seats, guide rewrapping, conversion to 4 piece, and more. The trust and feedback from our clients speaks for itself.

Whether you have a break, a crushed section, a loose reel seat, or cork damage, please contact us for an estimate. Services Include:
• Finish Restoration / Rewrap / Varnish;
• Break repairs;
• Repair Ferrule Wraps;
• Guide rewrapping / replacement;
• Replace or Repair Cork Handles;
• Replace or Repair a damaged Reel Seat.

4. Reel service and refurbishment

We also service and refurbish fishing reels.

Today’s modern fly reels consist of five major design elements: an external frame for durability, a reel foot for easy attachment to the fly rod, an arbor for line storage, dispensing, and retrieval, an internal drag system that can help an angler maintain optimal fighting pressure against a running fish, and of course, a handle to make the whole system go round.

Proper care and maintenance is crucial for the longevity of any fishing reel. Often a good service is all that’s needed to get your favourite reel working good as new.

We also specialize in full refurbishment of fly fishing equipment. This includes restoring classic reels as well as more modern reel types used in all varieties of conditions.

In one case the client brought some old reels whose handles had broken off. And one top end reel with a missing part that is no longer available from the supplier.
Cue trusty old lathe where I managed to turn an inner shaft. Cut some internal thread. And attached an outer sleeve.

And for the other reel I turned a replacement part and through a process of trial and error managed to get it to fit and work (considering I had no specs or images of the missing part). Reels are now in working order.

5. Who is Andrew Strachan

Andrew has been fishing pretty much his whole life throwing a line with bait, a lure or a fly whenever and wherever he can.

He is however is a flyfisher at heart and the proud owner of Naiad fishing nets and rod repairs. A master in the craft of rod repairs with a reputation for repairing breaks, crushes and other defects to near good as new condition - as well as end to end restorations.
Born out of a lifelong passion for all kinds of fishing, particularly fly-fishing, combined with the love of working with my hands and restoring items to their former glory! Every job is different!
Compounded with the love of working with wood, the handcrafting of bespoke custom nets has evolved into a means of a self-funded hobby – theoretically covering the costs of the “bucket list” trips.

Professionally (some call it real work) Andrew is in the corporate IT industry selling, implementing and delivering Software Business Applications to a wide range of clients.

Whether you have a break, a crushed section, a loose reel seat, need a new guide, have cork damage, or anything else. Contact us for an estimate.