We love our fathers even more than we love Missouri wines. And Father’s Day is the perfect day to tell dear old Dad to put a cork in it — his tacklebox, that is. Corks — natural and synthetic — float great, which makes them the perfect pieces to upcycle on the water. Follow these simple DI-Wines to learn quick and easy ways to use corks, whether you’re catching fish or just catching some rays. 

Hook Holder
Don’t stick your hands into a tangle of hooks in your tackle box anymore. Use a cork as a hook holder to keep your hooks organized and their barbs away from your fingers. 

Trouble-Free Treble Hook Holder
This tip can apply to tricky treble hooks too. Cut small pieces of cork to cover the points on your treble hooks. Not only do they store more safely and tangle-free, but it also makes tying on your chosen lure of jig a breeze when you’re not worried about getting hooked in the process.

Survival Fishing Set
Here is a pocket-size survival fishing kit if you ever find yourself in a real pickle. Wrap several yards of fishing line around a cork and place several different size hooks on the top. If you’re ever trapped in the great outdoors and need to fish for food, this pint-sized tackle set has everything you need — line, hooks and, of course, the cork, which can serve as a bobber. This mini survival set is light and super portable. Throw it in your backpack or even your pants pocket before hiking or camping. 

Cork Bobber
But you don’t have to be a survivalist to use a simple cork bobber. You can simply cut indentions in the middle of the bobber to tie your fishing line around, or you can fasten hooks out of eyelets or wire to thread your line through. If you’re a woodworker, a simple wine cork, some dowel rod and a lathe make beautiful cork bobbers. Check out this YouTube tutorial by Makify.

Sunglasses Saver
While hope may float, your favorite pair of sunnies don’t. A couple pieces of cork can save your sunglasses. Cut a piece of cork halfway through longways, and then thread your sunglasses strap through the slit so the cork encases the strap. You can also place the cork in a vice, drill a hole straight through the center, and thread the strap through. We recommend one cork for each side of your sunglasses strap to keep your sunglasses afloat. 

Floating Cork Key Chain
Bobbers aren’t the only time that cork’s innate ability to bob along in the water comes in handy. Water-safe keychains are the perfect use of used Missouri wine corks. Whether you’re fishing, boating or floating down one of the Show-Me State’s many waterways, a cork keychain keeps your keys on the surface if they take a tumble overboard. To make a cork keychain, simply screw a small eyelet into the middle of the cork and attach a keyring to it. Secure the eyelet with a dab of super glue to be extra safe. 

Next time you enjoy a Missouri lake, river or stream, keep your corks handy and enjoy a sip of your favorite Missouri wine.