Lucky Thrift Store find...McLean Angling net.

[Steve-O]

So after dropping off one of the kiddos to her piano instructor I had a moment to browse a local thrift store. I'm a flea market junkie, confessed dumpster diver and all around scrounger.
The upscale version of my scavenger hunting addiction is browsing the thrift stores for whatever I particularly need or want at the time.

Yesterday I was looking for fishing rods and right behind me on the next shelf lay a landing net. Hmmm...already have a custom one and another in Alaska at the lodge.

$5.99 in new, unfished as far as I could tell condition? Why not?

It had a little gold foil label on it reading Made in New Zealand.  What? not China?..okay. next was McLean Angling Company.....hmph....never heard of them. Checked it over and found the telescoping function did not work at all. I pull on the handle butt and out pops a scale to 14#. That might work on some of my fish and anything bigger I would just say it was over 14#'s or the fish pegged my scale. Yea! I'm liking everything about it now.  The source of the extension malfunction was clear. An acute, small dent like from a very heavy sharp object ( guessing a spare tire rim in the trunk or similar) had put the sliding internals in a bind right after pushing the button release.

I can fix that! So home with me treasure I go.

Turns out McLean nets are GLOBAL and not CHEAPO junk from that big country that makes everything. My net retails at $130 to $160. YEOW! Now I'm extra happy with my purchase. Here's the specs and a pic.  Now do I fish it or sell it? 

Oh- the repair was as simple as looking at the half inch long dented crease in the main tube and placing the handle, slightly rotated on a block of wood on the workbench and one well placed tap with a small hard rubber mallet. WHACK! voila! opens and closes again.

McLean WEIGH NET HINGED TELESCOPIC.
Fixed frame with hinged handle. Telescopic handle with rubber grip. Weighing scales to 14lb. Easily operated with one hand . Handle extends from 24" to 46". net opening 19.5". Net depth 27". Overall length 53.5" (135.5cm). Knotless mesh.

[steelfish]

dont you love when you find hidden jewels on the the fleamarket, thirft store, etc?

nice find, I say keep it a use it

[Rivverrat]

That is a most killer. super cool find at a great price!....Jeff

[johndtuttle]

I'll give ya' ten bucks! 

[Steve-O]

I'll give ya' ten bucks! 

A fair trade would suit me better than cash.

[Rivverrat]

How bout $ 11.50      

[Steve-O]

....uhhh...i just listed it in the Open  to members tackle sub forum for a Trade.