Fishing net

A fly fishing net is disclosed including an integrally formed handle and frame. The frame includes an interior flange in which holes are formed for receiving a mesh netting. As there are no holes drilled through the frame, the frame is not weakened by a loss of material, and no water enters into the frame. Thus, the life of the net is prolonged relative to conventional nets. The frame and handle are preferably formed of a carbon fiber material. In addition to facilitating the formation of the flange and holes therein, forming the frame of carbon fiber allows the net to be custom shaped as desired. Additionally, in comparison to convention wooden nets, a carbon fiber net is significantly lighter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 - 6 which in general relate to a fishing net including a carbon fiber frame which is formed for durability and to allow easy entry of fish into the net. Referring initially to FIGS. 2 - 4 , there is shown a fishing net 100 including an integrally formed handle 102 and frame 104 . The handle and frame are formed of a carbon fiber material by any of various known molding or casting processes. The frame and handle may alternatively be formed of Kevlar®, graphite, fiberglass or titanium. The frame 104 includes a first end 106 adjacent the handle 102 , a second end 108 distal from the handle 102 , and sides 110 between the first and second ends. It is understood that the shape of the frame 100 may vary from that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the provision that the ends and sides define an opening sufficiently large to allow a fish of the size contemplated to be easily captured therein. FIG. 5 is a cross section through line 5 - 5 in FIG. 3 . As indicated in FIG. 5 , as opposed to drilling through frame 104 in order to affix the mesh netting, a flange 112 is formed on the frame 104 and holes 114 are drilled or otherwise formed through the flange. The flange is easily formed during the molding or casting process. As there are no holes drilled through the frame, the frame is not weakened by a loss of material, and no water enters into the frame and the life of the net 100 is prolonged relative to conventional nets. After the frame is formed, a netting material or independent affixation line attached to the mesh netting 116 is threaded through the holes 114 in flange 112 to provide net 100 . It is understood that projections and other formations for affixing the netting material 116 to frame 104 may be easily fabricated on the inner-facing surface or outer facing surface of the frame instead of the flange 112 in alternative embodiments. Another advantage of forming net 100 out of a carbon fiber material in a casting process is that the frame may be formed in a customized shape adapted to optimize its use for capturing fish. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 which is a sectional view through line 6 - 6 in FIG. 3 , the end 108 of the frame 104 may be flatter and wider than the rest of the frame. Making end 108 flatter and wider makes it easier for a caught fish to slide over the end 108 and into the net 100 in comparison to a conventional net having a thicker cross 1 section frame. Moreover, by forming the handle 102 of carbon fiber which is cast or molded, thumb and/or finger grips may be easily formed on the handle to improve the grip of the net 100 , especially when the net or the user's hands are wet. A still further advantage of using carbon fiber is that the net 100 is significantly lighter than conventional wooden frames. Although the invention has been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments herein disclosed. Various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.