Where can I buy a round net? Are they available here in the US or do they have to be imported from Japan? If they have to be imported, what's the total cost, if anyone knows? I would really like to try and make a couple of nets for myself and Sherry.

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Rick

テンカラ。小さなストリームのシンプルさ。
My Tenkara Rods:
13' Ayu, 12' Yamame, 11' with a conversion handle, and an Ito.

My Wife's Tenkara Rods:
12' Ebisu and 13.5' Amago, 12' Iwana with a conversion handle, and an Ito.

Another thing to do over the winter besides tying flies!

Stephen - Is winter cutting recommended or absolutely critical?

Please do post what you have learned. Although I like a longer, narrower net (mostly because it is easier for me to pack on subway and train), I find the idea of making a more traditional net very appealing.

Buying a net is a bit complicated, especially a wooden one. I am looking into this, and hope to bring some over soon.

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Tenkara USA, founder
打仁得流, テンカラ大使
About me and Tenkara USA

Hi Chris
Most wood is cut in late fall or winter because the tree sap is down and the tree is setting itself up for the dormant period and is naturally more stable. Less moisture ( slightly) in the wood as well.
What I didn't mention, for fear of scaring folks off, is that its best to cut wood one winter for use the following winter.
According to wupperfischer's link it seems as if that fellow bent his hoops while the wood was green and before removing the bark. Clever. Dangerous. But at least the wood will reveal its flaws before you invested a lot of time, which is really important.
Daniel and I were discussing the two wooden tamos I had made and I told him that it would take less time for me to earn the money to purchase one from Japan through TenkaraUSA than it took to make one myself. I found that the two wooden tamos I made ate huge amounts of time. If I knew what I was doing I could well and quickly. Not there yet.
Let me ruminate a bit and I'll post about how to get going and the problems associated with caring for your completed tamo.