i am looking at buying a fly fishing net after finally (figuring out) so to speak fly fishing essantials. i am looking at buying an net for the spring creeks that are around WI here. most streams are on average 20 feet, give or take a foot or two, wide. you can buy a net that is rectangluar and teardrop and theres a few more. what would you guys suggest?
My preference is for nets that are longer oval openings. But that’s just it, it’s my preference. The attached photo showing the net I use. It’s got an 18" opening. It will hold a 26" fish with room to spare. The net you pick will eventually be driven by your own preferences. A lot of guys like the measure nets. They seem to be a good inexpensive option with a nice soft bag. Whatever you get, make sure it has a good C&R net bag or one of the soft rubber bags to minimize damage to the fish. Shop around and see what’s out and about and let us know what you finally decide.
I would avoid the shallow-bag, so-called “catch-and-release” nets. With such nets you sometime find yourself having to net the same fish several times when it flips out of the net bag.
It “the Angler” model net made by OSO Gear. Unfortunately, I think these folks are out of business and I don’t believe this net is being made any longer. I bought it off Ebay several years ago. I’d buy another one if I found it.
I like to use a net with a narrow profile. I think it’s called a beavertail shape. This helps to keep it from getting caught on brush or whatever when you’re walking through the woods. Even though it’s a small net, you can land a pretty large fish with it. It just takes a little more care.
I also recommend against the catch-and-release nets. In fact, the so-call “catch-and-release” net material found on virtually every net today is, in my opinion, just a way for manufacturers to lower their cost.
Do not get the travel model. While I think these are fine nets, when attached to a magnetic release on my back my travel model pulls apart when I try to pull the net off of the magnet that is attached to my back.
Two brands of nets that I can recomend are Brodin and Fisknat for small stream nets. Remember one thing, no one usually complains that their net is too big when landing a large fish, but many wish that they had a larger net instead of the cuttsie little one that they carry when they really need the thing.
These days I would be looking at one of the rubber bag nets like the Brodin ghost series. You fly won’t get caught in the bag as easily when you land a fish or you fly gets caught in the bag when the net is on your back - ha.
Check out the Ghost series here: http://www.brodin.com/index.html Note that Orvis sells these nets too with the Orvis name on them. If you don’t have a $25 off coupon for any purchases over $50 and you want one, pm me with your email and I will send you one that you can print out. The coupon that I have electronically is only good until May 9th. http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=60KR I like the 30’ one, for me - Bigger is better.