#1 BANDS

Making things on your own is fun. Solving problems. Inventing new gear, and making gifts brings us pride and joy. This series will be about simple things that help us enjoy the outdoors. Some ideas are for fishing, camping, hunting, or just for fun. Enjoy!

Homemade Rubber Bands

Now that the flotillas of summer floaters are over, you can often find remnants of where these tubers have been. Tire inner tubes are also thrown along the side of the rivers or in the trash. Even though they may be full of holes, they still have other uses. Tire dealers often have an assortment of inner tubes that they are glad to give away. They come in RV sizes, small trailer size, huge truck tire sizes or… Each size has a purpose. 

Make up a bunch and share with your friends. I loop a dozen together and throw them into my buddy’s rides and boats. 

Here are 2 things that I make in my Workshop

Rubber Bands      Full sized inner tubes can be cut into rubber bands. These bands are great for holding tent poles, tarps, and gear together. You can connect inner tube loops to make a longer rope like binders. Bike inner tubes are just the right size for keeping fishing line on your reel spools or holding disconnected rods together. I have also used bands to act as springs on tent lines. 

Bait Sling Shots     Make a classic sling shot grip. Gut a few grooves at the top ends that will fit a inner tube band. Tie a knot in the end of a cut in half band and slide into the grip. When you cut a band, make a bait pod area that is wider than the band. 

Use this bait shooter when you are bottom or bobber fishing. Shoot corn kernels in the area where your bat is and hang on to your rod. Sling shot chumming can be super effective way to make fish feed. 

Keep some Bands on Hand for whatever you may need.

Montana Grant