If it's action you desire, get out the tools

My wife looked at me as if I was completely nuts. I asked her for a bunch of old spoons we no longer used.

I was going to make a new supply of fishing spoons to use for pike and lake trout angling. And while I was at it, I figured I needed to treat myself to a new tool, one I hadn't had nor used in many years.

A year ago I had a box of gaudy rabbit hair and decided to make some big pike streamers. I tied a dozen. So, I figured I could do a similar stunt by taking apart some old table spoons and rebuild them in the form of fishing lures.

Here's a list of tools I recommend using for this project: a Dremel 300 Series Rotary Tool, a small vise to hold the spoon when working on it, a center punch, small hammer, a couple of split rings, a medium-size treble hook, one swivel, some touch-up paint and maybe some bucktail feathers (if you want to get extra fancy).

I used the Dremel to cut off the spoon's handle. Attach the smallest drill bit in the kit and drill some holes for the split rings and hooks. You'll also need to polish the stainless steel spoon using any brand of polishing compound and a special wheel that fits in the Dremel. Be careful of any burrs that could have remained once you've cut off the handle. If that happens, use the grinding stone attachment to smooth the edges.

When it comes to painting your creation, you have plenty of options. The touch-up paint (of the auto variety) can be used, or you may even try enamel jig-head paint in regular or fluorescent colors.

Before painting, sometimes I'll take a small hammer to punch and tap the face of the spoon to come up with a crackle or scalloped finish. And sometimes I'll use a pair of heavy-duty, long-nose pliers to bend the spoon a certain way, hoping the experiment will cause the new lure to swim with a flutter motion.

Before you run to your e-mail to jump all over me about this project, allow me to explain the rationale behind this effort.

It was something to do during the winter when I'm not ice fishing. And it worked. I didn't undertake this project to save a few bucks (since I spent some money on the new tools). I did it for the personal satisfaction and to help brush away the cabin fever that has now reached monumental levels.