Landing the Right Net

Several years ago, there was a time when I was infatuated by a good quality net.  To be totally honest, I was infatuated by a good or new anything that had to do with fly fishing.  I went through a period when I bought a new net every time the local fly shop had a different model hanging on the rack.  However, during that period in my life, I was also a gear junkie and didn’t mind being weighted down by enormous amounts of gear, even on trips to small streams.  Since then, I’ve converted to the minimalist approach and do my best not to carry excessive gear and tackle.  Although I’m still a gear junkie, I’m more focused on buying as much new gear as I can afford, rather than carrying it with me every time I string up my rod.  Now I carefully pick and choose what I will carry with me, rather than try and comfortably wear a 30-pound vest.  

In the past year or so, I have also started using barbless hooks more often.  I have done this for a few reasons besides the obvious.  When using barbless hooks, I have never spent more than a few seconds attempting to take the hook out of my net.  I have had days using barbed hooks when achieving this task took just as long as untangling a vicious wind-knot.  Fishing barbless hooks also allows me to retrieve the fly from the back of my vest on windy days much easier, and without having to tear or cut a hole my vest or shirt.  More importantly, fish caught on a barbless hook are much easier to release.  Most smaller fish can be released without ever having to touch the fish by simply grabbing the curve of the hook and flicking your wrist.

Although many will argue that nets have the potential of causing more harm to these delicate creatures than good, I feel that nets (the right nets) are extremely useful in certain situations. 

• When landing large fish.
• When landing toothy fish.
• When landing certain types of species that are known to thrash an angler to death.
• When fishing from a float tube or pontoon boat.
• When fishing for dinner.

This past year, I’ve found myself not using a net at least 50% of the time.  Typically, I won’t use a net for any small trout that I plan on releasing.  This gives the fish the chance of a “long distance” or “quick release”.  Though most of my fishing is done from a pontoon boat, where I always have a net on board, I try not to net the fish if I don’t have to.  However, when playing large trout, it’s good practice to net it as quickly as possible so that you don’t exhaust the fish.  This way, it has a better chance of swimming off in the upright position after release.  Here are some of the different styles of nets and the pros and cons of each.

Catch & Release Nets
Besides using it to swat at the hatching insects around me, this is my net of choice. This type of net is designed to minimize harm and typically incorporates a shallow bag made of soft, mesh-like material which helps preserve the protective mucous coat of trout and other species. I prefer these to the deeper, traditional bags because thre is less material for the fish and fly to get snagged in.  The rectangular form of these catch and release nets are becoming more evident hanging on the vests of fly fishermen in recent years.  This shape makes it easier to remove the fish from the net, and allows you to release the fish by simply dipping your net in the water and letting it find it’s way out without snagging it’s gill plates or fins in the material.

El Cheapo Nets
If you’re planning on catching and keeping your fish, a net with a deep bag and large oval frame may be more useful  These nets are typically made of aluminum and resemble an oversized ping pong paddle with a deep monofilament net material that will surely injure any fish you touch with it. If you must use one of these types of nets, be sure that the holes aren't so big that your dinner falls out.

Boat Nets
Sometimes referred to as a “guide net” because it is the only piece of equipment they carry on the water, the most modern versions of these have a sturdy, lightweight telescoping handle (for compact storage), a large circular or oval shape and a shallow rubberized net.  It’s possible to net a fish with one of these and never even touch the fish because it serves much like a cage instead of a net.  For float tubing or fishing from a boat, a net like this has many advantages.  Attempting to land a hawg with a short handled net from a float tube is a bit of a challenge to say the least, sometimes even comical.  I've witnessed tubers nearly flip over and pontoon boaters nearly fall out of their seat while trying to lean over and reach for fish.  Although excellent for fishing from some sort of watercraft with someplace to store it, the larger size of these nets makes them a little inconvenient walk-wade fishing and circular style float tubes. 

Folding / Packable Nets
This is an ideal for anyone who thinks a short-handled net is too much to pack or the traveling angler who is pressed for space.  Most of these are lightweight and have the ability to fold into a neat little package.  There are other types that instantly expand once they are taken out of the case which makes them much more manageable. 

A well-crafted traditional hardwood net enriches the heralded tradition and imagery of fly fishing.  This is often one of the first pieces of equipment one thinks of when the words fly fishing are spoken.   These are the nets I am drawn to, because they are both aesthetically pleasing and serve my  purpose well.  Like all other fly fishing tackle, there is a broad spectrum of cost for nets.  There are nets suited for the angler on any budget and for the fortunate few that  are not concerned with budget.   When shopping for your next net, choose one that will fit your primary fishing situations and will not be too cumbersome to carry with you.

Terry Chia

AZOD Fly Fishing Editor