Landing Net

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

I’m not crazy about hanging my net on my back. I can never seem to reach it. Is there a more accessible place to hang your net or an alternative hanging system? Thanks for any input

[url=http://dryfly.argodesignstudio.com:e9cd8]http://dryfly.argodesignstudio.com[/url:e9cd8]

2

I’ll see if I can get a few pictures up since I’m sure that it’s much simpler to figure out from a picture than a description, but anyhow here goes.

I have a non magnetic D-ring on the business end up my net. The D-ring is attached by something that resembles a velcro tie-wrap, but I have also seen black tie wraps used as well.

Attached to the D-ring I have one half of a $10 magnetic net release. The other half is, of course attached to the back of my vest. The net hangs handle down and I have little trouble getting to it compared to it hanging handle up.

On the handle end of the net I have a clasp (the kind that looks kind of like a lobster claw) thats attached to a giant loop of bungee cord about 2-3 inches longer than my net. The loop is fixed with a copper crimp about an 1 inch about the clasp. The other end is attached to the top part of my magnetic net release. The net is very easy to get to, but takes a (very) little practice for your muscles to remember that the bungee loop should be on the front side of your wrist (side that shows when you
r palm is facing you) when you reach for the handle, otherwise the bungee with wrap around your forearm when you grab it. Of course, you can omit the bungee cord as well. I find the whole system much easier than reaching over my shoulder to get the handle, especially if your net has a “French clip” instead of a magnet release.

They sell things similar to what I described for about $30 but I made mine for considerably cheaper since I already had a $10 magnetic release and I didn’t want to spend all that for a new one. The whole thing cost me just a few bucks for the materials, but I had to buy a crimping tool which was more expensive. Fortunately I’ve made up for it by making them for several nets. If you’re interested in having me make you one since then shoot me an email. I still have all the stuff to make them so it wouldn’t cost a whole lot more than shipping.

[This message has been edited by Bill Blake (edited 03 May 2005).]

3

BTW, for those in the fish on ground thread before anyone starting throwing stones in my direction… I do use a net, but it is treated with something that gets really slimy when it’s wet. I’ve heard it’s neoprene or some kind of urethane to be honest I don’t really know, but it’s pretty cool stuff. The net is also designed so that most fish can swim in the net without it touching them at all so that you can unhook them with minimal impact.

4

rose creek net releases RULE

5

put one of these on the release.

[url=http://www.ldhnets.com/:05e97]http://www.ldhnets.com/[/url:05e97]

6

I don’t like carrying a net on my back either, this is what I do. I hang my net from a D-ring on the front of my vest and then throw it over my right shoulder (I cast lefty). The landyard is stretchy so When I do use the net, it doesn’t get unclipped, just stretch it out, net the fish and then release it.

7

I used to do what CTCaneman does because my chest pack has no place/means of securing a landing net on the back. I hooked the lanyard to a D-ring on the left shoulder (cuz I’m right handed) and tossed it over my left shoulder. But it would occassionally get in the way, especially if I was wading deep in swift water. Well…

Recently, WilliamJoseph came out with a new landing net called the Net Hook. It has a hook built into the handle that slips over your wading belt. I picked up this net awhile back and now I simply hook the net over my wading belt on my left hip. Works great…easy access, but out of the way and secure.

Fishing the Ozarks

8

Here is description and pictures of what Bill was describing.
[url=http://www.brodin.com/How%20to%20Carry%20a%20Net.htm:003ba]http://www.brodin.com/How%20to%20Carry%20a%20Net.htm[/url:003ba]

The advantage of this method is…

  1. The handle is w/in easy reach.
  2. The net does not swing as much while you walk.

I too already own a magnet for holding the net by the handle. I purchased some shock cord from REI and plan to convert it to this method.

BTW, I have a Brodin C&R style (Firehole) net and love it.

[This message has been edited by classicflytyer (edited 04 May 2005).]

9

If aesthetics aren?t an issue with you; bag the conventional net and get yourself a S?lvhroken folding net from Norway. The mini size is available from:
[url=http://www.yagersflies.com/folding-nets.htm:678d2]http://www.yagersflies.com/folding-nets.htm[/url:678d2]

This size can be tucked away in a pocket or if you?re handy you could make a sheath to wear on a wading belt. I have one of the larger sizes of this net and it works great and is light as feather. I also have one of the old Orvis North Fork folding nets, (best folding net ever IMHO), that I made a belt sheath for. On those occasions when I think I may need a net; I slip it on my belt and it?s out of the way and unobtrusive.

They may not be as pretty or as nice as a hand made wooden net but they sure are practical. The good thing about folding nets are they?re there if you need them but not in the way if you don?t.

10

7star,

I also have my net setup similar to Bill Blake - reference the website that classicflytier posted. The exception is that I wanted my net lower so instead of the cord being tied to the d-ring on my back it is tied to the side of my vest at the hip. I have a magnetic net release which is at the top of my back. Does that make sense? I can send photos if you need clarity on my description.

Reference this set up with the net release: Also, there is no swinging at all and the net release was half the price of Orvis. [url=http://www.tight-line-enterprises.com/magnetrelease.html:c6eea]http://www.tight-line-enterprises.com/magnetrelease.html[/url:c6eea]

[This message has been edited by paflyfisher (edited 04 May 2005).]

11

I usually don’t take a net.
When you have it, you never need it.

It’s like the camera thing. You catch the big ones when you don’t have a camera
to take the picture.

Give it a try!

MW

12

Here is a picture of paflyfisher’s method that I found on the web site that he mentioned.
[url=http://www.tight-line-enterprises.com/teth%20low%20far-broch.html:8c8e2]http://www.tight-line-enterprises.com/teth%20low%20far-broch.html[/url:8c8e2]

I like this method b/c there is less cord hanging off my back to get tangled in.

Thanks for the tip!

13

Classic - that’s it exactly! It is a great way to get set up plus the net has more stretch since it is at your side. Very handy!

14

Actually on my set up the cord is long enough that it never has to stretch at all. It’s long enough to reach my hand and when I bend down to net a fish my back moves with me so it still doesn’t stretch. Only time it ever stretches really is if I let the net hang freely for a moment or two while I re-situate my gear after releasing a fish.

15

Ever heard of Native Intelligence nets? Cool mechanism for release, puts the handle where it needs to be. [url=http://flyshop.hipwader.com/product_info.php?cPath=66&products_id=99:b23a1]http://flyshop.hipwader.com/product_info.php?cPath=66&products_id=99[/url:b23a1]

16

Here are a couple of pictures of my net set up:
[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/Thoramir/Net1.jpg:f0729]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/Thoramir/Net1.jpg[/url:f0729]
[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/Thoramir/Net2.jpg:f0729]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v124/Thoramir/Net2.jpg[/url:f0729]

I think everyone’s pretty much got it figured out, but since I like my net I’ll show it off a little. It’s 26 inches long, excluding the brass hardware. Like I said before the net bag actually gets soft and kind of slimy feeling when wet to protect the fish. The net is made by Alan Stevens of Patten, Maine. It’s one of the nicest landing nets I’ve seen and only $45, but there are other models. Since Mr. Stevens does business primarily by word of mouth not many people have heard of them. I’m not affiliated with them at all, I just love my net.

If you are interested in getting one if Steven’s nets:

STEVENS NETS
559 South Patten Rd
Patten, Maine, 04765

Alan Stevens
Phone: 528-2091
stevensav@ainop.com

[This message has been edited by Bill Blake (edited 05 May 2005).]