The first thing the author notices about his net, aside from its obvious beauty, is the deep rubber mesh netting that has since cradled many decent brook trout, bass and walleye

Published Dec 21, 2025 • Last updated 9 minutes ago • 5 minute read

Lorne Morrow in his small shop with an ultra-long handled Split Rock Guide Special. Gord Ellis

I now own a beautiful handmade wooden landing net. It is lovely to look and a joy to use. But that has not always been the case.

Advertisement 2

Story continues below

Article content

My checkered angling past includes a long succession of low-quality nets, compounded by a tendency to forget a net altogether. It’s all part of the well-documented trait of mine that sees me purposely underprepared in order to make something happen. When wading and fly fishing rivers I rarely have a net, instead relying on a soft cotton glove that makes it slightly easier to land slippery brook trout or steelhead. Grabbing these athletic fish where their bodies taper down towards their tails is about as easy as it sounds and always adds to the excitement.

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

When fishing by canoe or small boat, neglecting to bring a net, or grabbing one of inappropriate size and quality seems to be my way of tempting fate; a perverse way of willing big fish to hit. And when they do, and they often do, I shake my head and wonder about the wisdom of my ways. This is clearly illustrated during a fishing trip last spring. My friend and fellow writer, Gord Ellis, is in town and remarkably we both agree that the April morning, with near freezing temperatures and fierce winds, seems perfect for an early-season brook trout adventure.

Advertisement 3

Story continues below

Article content

**Turning Point **

We slide the canoe into a small trout lake and make for the lee shore. The water is still ice cold and the prospect of grabbing a fish from the water with my cotton landing glove is unattractive and, to my credit, I grab a wooden landing net. It has a fairly short handle, narrow hoop and surprisingly shallow and taught rubber netting; all qualities that would conspire to influence future landing net acquisitions and mark a turning point in my net wielding career.

The first few trout are only about a pound and are hooked, netted and released without incident. However, when a much heftier trout explodes on my small original floating Rapala, the circus begins. Gord watches with amusement as I scoop up the fat 20 inch brook trout. It rests in the shallow netting before a quick flip propels the fish from the net and back into the lake. In subsequent attempts I feel like I’m trying to scoop a fish with a tennis racket. Several times the trout uses my little net as a trampoline to bounce itself back into the water, to the accompaniment of Gord’s laughter. Although a comical display, I eventually gain control of my quarry, and release the noble trout back to the icy waters. It’s not long before Gord gets his chance to try landing a sizable brook trout with similar results, while I grimace uncomfortably at the inappropriateness of my gear.

Advertisement 4

Story continues below

Article content

It turns out to be a memorable day, not only for the numbers of large trout lurking the surface, but also for the difficulty we have in landing them, with many corpulent and aggressive specimens bouncing their way to freedom.

**Good for the Fish Good for the Fisherman **

Losing fish at the boat can be cause for concern but today it is our intention to release all of the fish we catch, so escapees are no big deal. However, fast and efficient netting is a good way to ensure that fish we release are under control, quickly unhooked and revived to swim away unharmed. It’s with this sentiment that Gord suggests I contact Lorne Morrow of Nipigon Nets.

It turns out Lorne Morrow is a builder of superbly crafted wooden fishing nets and within a few short weeks I’m in possession of a four foot long Jackpine, one of six models offered. The retired forestry worker spent most of his career in the Nipigon/Red Rock area and professes a love for the beautiful scenery and rugged landscapes that hold some of the best brook trout, steelhead and salmon fishing in the world. The different sized nets he offers are all named after streams and rivers in the area as well as spots along the mighty Nipigon River, ranging from the 26 inch long Little Cypress to the nearly six foot long Split Rock Guide Special.

Advertisement 5

Story continues below

Article content

Morrow tells me that he made the transition from paddle making to net making in 2023. He says it’s an outlet for his creativity, a way to keep his mind sharp, meet people and give back to the community. From a small shop at his home in Thunder Bay Morrow has built 90 nets in 2025, but hopes to scale production back to a more manageable 50 nets per year. “I’m not looking to make this a job,” saying that the price range from $225 up to $325 barely covers the cost of materials plus the 10 to 15 hours of labor per net. “It’s not a moneymaking venture,” says Morrow who gives many of his nets away to charities, fundraisers, silent auctions and individual anglers in support of events and organizations in the region.

Like all of his nets, mine is handmade from a variety of woods and meticulously finished with four coats of epoxy followed by four coats of urethane polished to a glistening finish. It came with a booklet telling me that it’s made of black walnut, black ash and an insert of Purple Heart. Morrow says he is always looking to increase his creativity by incorporating exotic woods into the handles so that virtually every net is unique.

Advertisement 6

Story continues below

Article content

The first thing I notice about my new net, aside from its obvious beauty, is the deep rubber mesh netting that has since cradled many decent brook trout, bass and walleye. It is definitely catch and release friendly and its ability to retain fish is a welcome departure from the net Gord and I wielded on that memorable day of bouncing fish.

Morrow says he’s had many offers from outdoor stores to carry his product which he has declined in the interest of keeping production low so his nets do not lose the handmade unique qualities that make them special. Anglers who want to own one of these functional works of art need to contact Lorne Morrow through his website. They are also available at the Silver Islet General Store on the Sibley Peninsula, Fresh Air Experience in Thunder Bay and will be sold at the “The Lodge” at Red Rock in 2026.

Advertisement 7

Story continues below

Article content

The only drawback to Nipigon Nets is their beautiful finish means I’m reluctant to subject them to the abuse of rattling around in an ATV or in the bottom of an aluminum boat. They do require some care but Morrow insists they are made to be used. Simply storing a net clean and dry goes a long toward making them last indefinitely and wear of the aesthetics can be can always be refinished, he says.

Perhaps Gord and I will reconvene on that inland lake for another crack at its rotund inhabitants next spring. This time I’ll have one of Lorne Morrow’s creations stowed in a place of prominence in the canoe and any brook trout attempting to bounce their way to freedom are in for a rude awakening.

Article content

Share this article in your social network