Tim Hoffland

Blue Winged Olive, SJ Worm and a Caddis

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My plans:

Before finishing and applying stain/Polyurethane:

Finished product:

Rope lighting under the arms and center table:

Trout image I found on the net:

Most is pretty self explanatory, cutting and screwing the pieces together.

The trout image idea I got from doing decals when I build rods. I used a piece of clear waterslide decal paper (from Ebay) and printed it at the highest DPI on my color printer. Then sprayed that with Enamel to prevent the color from running or washing off when you soak it in water.

I put down a square of masking tape to keep the edges clean then I laid down a very thin coat of 2 part epoxy (4CC’s total) onto the center of the station, After about 3-4 hours I pulled the masking tape and let it dry overnight. Then I applied the decal, dried it and masked the area again, applied another thin layer of epoxy (6CC’s this time). I used a putty knife to spread it thin.

I tried Gorilla Glue on the first set of magnets, bad call. G-Glue foams up and expands in order to get a good bond on tight spots. The rest of the magnets are held in with Superglue.

The rope lighting is held on by 20lb test and staples. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it so I wanted to make it removable. Also if I take it anywhere it will come out easily. The rope lighting between the back of the arms and the table annoyed me, so I covered it with some pipe insulation that I had left over from the rod rack I built in my garage.

Here’s my materials list:

1 piece 1/2 In. x 2 Ft. x 4 Ft. Birch Pre-Cut Panel or similar
2 pieces 1 X 4” Oak or whatever you like
1 piece 1/4” diameter wooden dowel
2′ length of nice (premium grade) 2X4
Rope lighting 2′ each – 2 pieces.
PK of 1” circular magnets (6 per pack)
PK of 1×2 Rectangular Magnets (2 per pack)
Magnetic tape
Varnish and/or Stain… I used Minwax Polyshades stain and Polyurethane
Single use paint brushes 2 or 3 depending on how many coats
Clear decal paper (for trout image)
Spray on clear enamel
2 part epoxy (I used rod building epoxy – Threadmaster Lite since I had it)
Drill bits according to your needs
1 1/4” gold screws
Small gold J Hooks (forgot the size)
Small springs (the pack I got had 2 ea of 2 sizes)
Wood glue
Superglue

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