"Tough three ice outings. One tip up bite off no fish ."
Do you love big bluegill?
First Balsa Floats
Read this group posts and it got me interested in making some personal floats and a few to give to a friend who I tie flies for.
Started out with 1/2x1/2" balsa
Glued in some bamboo skewers for the center post after drilling an appropriate size hole trough the blanks.
Took a length of 1x2 and drilled a hole the diameter of the center post of the float. Aligned the 1x2 in line with the drill press chuck.
Used assorted grades of sand paper to shape and finish the floats
Made eyes out of stainless wire, thread wrapped the top and bottom of the center posts, Coated the floats with super glue to seal, then applied three coats of clear enamel to complete, Sanded in between coats.
This is what my final product looks like. Haven't tried them out yet. Most are being sent to my friend with an assortment of flies for him to use this summer.
Views: 252
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tony Livingston on
-
Nice work John!
-
-
Permalink Reply by Keith Ritter on
-
Great floats John, I make mine in a similar fashion with a variety of materials. Where do you get you balsa? I give or trade most of my floats away to friends. Keep it up !
-
-
Permalink Reply by John C Watson on
-
So far, I have only gotten balsa from Hobby Lobby, but I am looking for a better supplier with a larger selection of sizes.
-
-
Permalink Reply by Kelly Peterson on
-
They make a sanding sealer for filling/sealing raw wood-much cheaper than using super glue.
-
Latest Activity
Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025
"I never would have guess that. When I think of south I think warm air and sunshine."
Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025
"yeah the ice in the bays have just melted as of this morning on KY lake. this is the third…"
Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025
"Whoa! Now, you are in my Pennsylvania world!"
"Agree John….we were reasonably mild until we reached January….we’ve had small craft advisories every day in 2025, no safe boating yet ,crazy"
Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025
"Very strange start to the Year, Jeff!"
Not often That East Coast of North Carolina Boat Ramps are Covered With Snow and Ice……1/22/2025
Water looks inviting but single digit wind chills screamed don’t do it Jeffrey….cant wait for…
"No Fish but got out on the Ice this past Thursday but no luck.5-6 " ice,19-21 turns of the…"
"Dick, I thought that used Christmas tree was for a Fish crib."
"No trees John. Trees around the whole pond on the outskirts."
"Hope to see some action for both of us, Bruce! "
"That tree going out on the Ice for a Fish attracter, Dick?"
"I hoping this cold weather will get me back on the ice. It's been very windy here, too."
© 2025 Created by Bluegill.
Powered by
