Which type of net?

[DBenner]

Hi there,

Well, my father-in-law is now hooked bad on fly fishing after having several good days of catching nice speckled trout (12-20" long) and a good fight with an Atlantic Salmon that broke him off.

He would like to get a net to help with the catch and release of the trout so I thought what a nice Christmas gift for him. I got to looking and there has to be as many nets as fisherman out there.

I have never used a net so a little unsure what to get him but looking at them I am not sure if I should get a square or teardrop shape and how about the bag size, shallow like 11inch or deep like 18inch?

What do you guys have for a preference?

Dwight

[Fly Goddess]

Tropical Lightning Creations, Greg Walker. He built mine and I love them.

[J Castwell]

On a lake , stream? from a boat or carry? What netting is legal/illegal where you are? Cotton knotted, rubber, ?

[gutbomb]

If he's an older fellow, I'd recommend one with a long handle.

[Clay]

Application is important, but one universal requrement for me is the size. I don't really need a net for 10" brook trout, but when I need a net I don't want one that isn't big enough to get the job done. I currently carry a steelhead style net nad it has always been large enough to do the job when I needed it.

This is what I use these days: http://www.ldhnets.com/steelhead.htm

[DBenner]

Sorry, should have included that he is fishing streams or lakes but always from shore, he does not like boats. There are no rules on nets here, but since he throws most back, I would say something safe that does not hurt the fish too much would be best.

Dwight

[MontanaMoose]

Hello DBenner, well I wish you were closer I'd sell you my Solvkroken. You can see them at:

http://www.streamsideflyfishing.com/foldingnets.html

All I can say is, they're the handiest net I've ever found. The one I have folds to about a foot and extends to almost 3' once telescoped and can be set for 2'. The effective opening is about a foot and the net has a depth of about 19". One thing I'd change is how it's attached to one's person. It uses a clip that I wouldn't trust so I'd fashion a simple lanyard/tether of some kind. Hope this helps !

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[Jayatwork]

http://www.fisknat.com/ with rubber bags that are easy on the fish. I'm not sure about the size/shape for his use but they are sure to have something.

[ducksterman]

If I were buying a new net from scratch this is the one I would get.....can be purchased from other places.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...equestid=14880

[Panfisha]

Duckster, my friend has one of those measure nets. They're nice for reviving fish because you can unzip it from around the frame and let it go without taking it out the net.

I use a metal rimmed net, that way I can scoop up against rocks if I have to and it wont damage the net on the frame. Good for catching crayfish too.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...11000_100-11-6