Thrift Store Fishing Rod Holder Repurposed As Lake Sign

January 19, 2020

Wow! Did Minnesota ever get a pile of snow this month. My husband hasn't snow-blowed a path to my shed, so I was limited on junk to upcycle or repurpose.

This week I found this fish shaped wooden, fishing rod holder at the thrift shop for $3.

Of course, it received a makeover.

(When you click on the bold Amazon, Old Sign Stencils or Dixie Belle Paint Company affiliate links you will be taken to the products I use for this project. If you order it does not change the price or service at all. As an Amazon Affiliate, Old Sign Stencils Affiliate or Dixie Belle Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

First, I removed the slotted wood fishing rod holder. It was screwed on from the back side.

I then filled two of the holes with Elmer's Carpenter Color Change Wood Filler. I sanded the filler smooth when dry.

I then painted the fish shape with two coats of Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Barn Red.
I used a foam brush.

I pulled out two of my existing stencils, Lake Rentals, (from the *Old Sign Stencils Getaway Collection)

AND, the Old Sign Stencils Arrow Kit stencil.

I have used both of these stencils on other projects, and they are great to have on hand.

The arrow was just a bit longer than I wanted, but it would still work.

First I centered the word "Lake" from the "Lake Rentals" stencil on center of the fish. I swirled on the letters using Dixie Belle Chalk Finish Paint in Drop Cloth.

Next, I stenciled the arrow portion of the stencil to the right of the word "Lake". I used a piece of tape to stencil up to a straight line.

I slid the whole arrow stencil to the right and aligned the feather portion of the arrow behind "Lake" and on the fish tail.

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I waxed the fish sign with Dixie Belle Big Mama's Butta.

I pushed a jute string through the two larger holes. (Two screws went through these holes to attach the fishing rod holder to the wall)

On the side with the fish's head, I knotted the jute string on front, like an eye. For the other end, I knotted the jute on the back.

I now have a fun, red, LAKE sign. Perfect for the LAND of 10,000 LAKES, Minnesota.

All prices on the Old Sign Stencils's website are listed in Canadian currency. A handy currency conversion link is provided for your convenience.

*Old Sign Stencils provided me with complimentary samples. All opinions about these fabulous stencils are my own.