It's like anything. It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. I think more times than not I've needed it for smaller fish that took a fly too deep to just reach down and unhook it. Even with pinched-down or barbless hooks, there's not a lot of room in a small mouth to maneuver fingers or hemostats sometimes, and you can't have the "patient" wriggling around. A well made net also has that "traditional" appeal! I'm biased though, because in the past, I've made wooden trout nets. Love em,whether they're hanging from a fisherperson or the wall of some rustic cabin!

Best regards, Dave S.