Nature study on the cheap: Kick net
Apr 11th, 2007 by lapazfarm
The weather promises to be horrible the next few days, too cold and rainy to get into the creek for the next stage of our stream study, so I figured it would be a good time to get some materials made so we will be ready when warmer weather hits.
So, we gathered up some materials: total cost under 10 dollars.
From these we will make three different nets which we will use for our stream study. These nets, if bought from a supply house would run easily over $200.
Over the next three days I hope to share with you how to easily make all three different nets: a kick net, a sock or dip net, and a seine. If Superboy can do it, so can you! So, if ya wanna save some bucks and have some functional aquatic ecology equipment, please join us!
Today I will show you how Superboy made his kick net. A kick net is a great tool for catching the many and varied aquatic insect larvae that live buried in shallow layers of sediment at the bottoms of streams. It also tends to collect critters like caddisfly larvae, mayfly and stonefly larvae who cling to the undersides of streambed rocks.
Anyway, lets get started, shall we?
First you need some screen. It should be plastic rather than metal because it holds up better in water. I bought this roll for about 5 bucks, but for even cheaper you can use an old one your toddler has busted out of your screen door. Cut the screen to about a square yard, or a bit longer.
Now use some duct tape (Superboy used a nice aqua color, but regular old silver will do just fine) and tape around all the sides, folding it in half over the edges to strengthen them.
Next choose the side which will be the bottom of your net. This side needs to be reinforced with a full strip of duct tape on each side. (Don’t look so excited, Superboy!)
Now you need two good strong sticks about 4 feet long and as big around as a broom handle. If you have boys like mine you will have plenty of these in the yard. Or if not , you could cut down old broom handles. Lay the first stick along the side of the screen, thinner end even with the bottom edge (the edge with the thicker tape). You should have about a foot of handle extending past the top edge of your screen.
Roll the taped edge over the stick, and use a staple gun to staple the screen to the stick.
Then roll it one full turn and staple it again. It should look like this:
Next do the same with the other stick on the other side, taking care to roll the stick in the same direction. Unless of course you want to do like Superboy and I and have to undo it all and re-roll and staple it again. UmmHmm.
Now take a strip of duct tape about 6-8 inches long and tape around the top and bottom where the edges go around the stick, for reinforcement.
And there you have your very own fully functional kick net! Wasn’t that easy!?!
Tomorrow: The “sock” or “dip” net. Friday the seine. Then if the weather clears up next week, we will get a chance to use them! Be sure to come back for that!
Theresa! How did you know it’s almost beach time around here! This will be grand for Junior and me to make. Thanks for sharing it.
Theresa, when our curriculum is finished (about one more week) we’ll be taking some trips down to our neighborhood’s pond. This would be a great project for us and we can use the net while we’re there to see what we can see.
It is warm enough here to use these nets. I do believe we’ll be up to our needs in the local pond next week. Thanks for the ideas.
Theresa,
I am really interested in the projects you are doing for your stream study. We have recently inherited some acreage that has a branch (small stream) that does not look very healthy. We are wanting to do a study and hopefully bring our branch back to a healthy status. I have gathered a lot of good resources from Marjorie’s blog but I am curious, what reference materials are you and Superboy using to get these great ideas for your studies (ie. stream mapping, crawfish, different nets etc)?
Blessings,
Leslie
HI Leslie,
The ideas come mostly from my own head. Aquatic ecology was an area of interest of mine in college and I have kept up the interest ever since. Many of the activities are things I did with my students at the university or when I taught in public schools. I am thrilled to be able to do them now with my own children. Your stream restoration sounds like a great project! Let me know if you need any specific advice and I’ll be glad to help. I did have some classes in water quality restoration methods in grad school.
Ok, this might be a really dumb question, but how do you use this net?
Not a dumb question at all!
Typically the net is used by a pair of handlers. One holds the net by the handles with the bottom edge shoved tight against the bottom of the stream, and the top angled very slightly downstream. The other person stands slightly upstream of the net and kicks up the streambed really well with his feet, geting several inches down into the sediments, dislodging any critters that might be buried there. The flow of the stream sends them into the net, where they are scooped up by the handler.
Is that clear enough? It’s kind of hard to describe!Let me know if I need to clarify.
I hope the weather clears up enough for a demonstration next week!
Oh I love it! Your Kick Net is so nice! In college I had to use one for a stream study but I just took the screen out of the window of my rental – LOL! Hey, it worked great! I hosed it off and slid it back in and I’m sure that old landlord never even noticed.