Was out trout fishing over the weekend and I have been trying to get use to a fanny/waist pack in place of a vest. The jury is still out, but what I missed was my net. After I got home last night I looked at the belt with the back and determined that the net handle would fit in one of the loops. Since I wear the back on my hip that would place the net behind me. My concern is that the net could fall out and if I didn’t know it well then bye bye net! So I am wondering those of you who wear waist packs and carry a net, what’s the solution?
Lanyard…
I don’t particularly care for lanyards. Can’t stand having all that stuff hanging down in front.
I know I shouldn’t, but it’s Monday and the power of the Dark Side is strong…
I’ve never seen a landing net with a waist/fanny pack…
Sorry.
Ed
I have a key-bak brand retractable reel a friend gave me several years ago I use to attach my net to my tube. Although not specifically designed for fishing it has worked very well.
http://www.keybak.com/super48-series-self-retracting-key-chain.html
One option I tried was to use a set of heavy duty suspenders. I drilled two holes through the leather section where they cross in the back and put a cable tie through those to give me a loop to carry my magnetic net hanger.
I could be wrong, but, I think what “chewydog” was recommending was not a lanyard around your neck, but one that has one end attached to the net and the other end attaches to the fanny pak. That way, if the net slips out of the loop, you will be able to retrieve it. The “lanyard” could be made from a material similiar to a bungie cord which would keep it short and out of your way, but, can stretch so that you could use the landing net to land fish. That is what I think he meant when he said, “lanyard”.
Just my thoughts and nothing more…
I don’t think the loop on the belt is big enough for the handle and a bungie cord to slip through. But I may give that a try. The other alternative is to get a net with a longer handle and just slip it through the belt, but I am not ready to go down that road yet.
Mike, I only wear this particular pack trout fishing and that is the only time I carry a net.
Dave
anglerdave,
Google - binocular harness. There may be one you can adapt to your situation! Hope this helps. Btw, I hang my net by the hoop and not by the handle - cuts down on all that net swaying, and I can just reach and pull down on the handle to release the net! YMMV!
Best regards, Dave S.
There’s a guy on ebay that sells a “DeVest” that has a place for a net. I got one and the jury’s still out, but will send it to you to try out if you like. The price is right, and you can wear it right over your fanny pack.
I love my hip pack, but have the same problem with the net. I’ve tried a number of solutions …
– D ring on the back of my rain jacket. Doesn’t work if I’m not wearing the jacket.
– DeVest mentioned above. See http://www.ebay.com/itm/DeVest-Fly-fishing-Vest-/300276929965?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45e9e655ad. Too many additional straps, buckles, etc.
– Using a cable tie to form a loop in the pack’s shoulder strap. Just wasn’t convenient or comfortable.
– Securing the net to the hip strap with a magnetic, shock cord leash. This is the best solution for me, but the net does tend to drag in brush.
I found the DeVest on ebay and it does look interesting and they are not that expensive. I would take you up on your offer but I don’t know when I’ll be going trout fishing again. The closest stream is a 3 hour drive from where I live.
John, I was going to give that a try but I also have concerns about the net dragging in the brush.
I would think that Gearkeepers makes a retracter that would work for your net/fanny pack. Cabelas and some fly fishing stores sell them and you can buy them direct. I have several that I use for fishing and non fishing use, and they pretty much bullet proof. The trick is finding one that has the right break strength and connectors for your net and pack. http://www.gearkeeper.com
I just tucked it into my belt on my Fishpond Waterdance pack. I would also clip a cord to it for added security but ya, just stuff it handle first into the belt.
I also just stuff my guide net in the belt as well, stays just fine.
Or try this:
That net holster looks very exciting, though a little pricey. Guess it wouldn’t pay to go to New Zealand to pick one up, but ???
They are offered in the states as well, if not now, soon.
A rep showed us one the other day. I thought it was an outstanding piece of gear. So simple yet so useful.
And of course “why didn’t I think of that…?”
Totally out of the box…
Wear your fanny pack and your vest. The vest would be empty of course, but hang the net on the D-loop.
I only use a fanny pack - the weight of a vest is just too much on back and shoulders. While I don’t carry a net, if I neet to carry extras like a rain jacket or something, I’ll put on my old, empty, Tac-L pak vest and put the jacket in the back pocket.
I have been using these for years - when I find myself going through the “wait a minute” bushes on small streams…
…works real good as a back up when 'yer kid leaves his Brodin in the cabin…
I see they have resumed production on these…never knew they were out of business…
PT/TB 
Hey Dave,
I was snooping around a sponsors website ( DePuy Spring Creek ) the other day and came across the photo on the web page listed below. How do you suppose the fellow on the far left, secures that Big Ole Hog Tamer sticking up from his back, to his person?
http://www.depuyspringcreek.com/photo/photo10.html
Best, another Dave