Fly Fishing Net

A good quality fly fishing net is an essential part of your fly fishing tackle. There are various types available, depending on what sort of fly fishing you want to do, whether it be bank fishing, fishing from a boat or wading in rivers, there is a fly fishing net for any type of fly fishing.

A landing net is essential for anyone who wants to catch fish. True, the primary equipment is the rod, line and reel, but these are mainly for actually catching and "playing" the fish. It is possible to land a small fish by using the rod and line to get the fish into a position where it can be lifted, one handed, out of the water, but this is difficult with any fish weighing over about half a pound, and particularly with trout.

Trout have an outer mucus which protects the fish from infections, but this mucus makes the fish extremely slippery to hold. Some people will simply drag the fish onto the bank, and this is fine if the fish is to be despatched right away, but of no use if the bank is more than a few inches above the water. Dragging the fish out in such a way also risks losing the fish, and the fish may then return to the water damaged, which is a situation to be avoided at all costs.

Dragging the fish out of the water is not an option if you are fishing "catch and release". Not only can the fish return to the water damaged, but if the mucus has been removed this runs the risk of disease to the fish, and others in the water.

If you are fishing "catch and release" then rubber fly fishing nets are recommended. These types of net are designed to protect the fish, in that the rubber helps to prevent the fish from losing any of its protective mucus, and causing less stress to the fish itself.

Another advantage of rubber fly fishing nets is that you don't suffer with getting the line caught. It often happens that the fly comes out of the fish's mouth in the landing net. With a normal mesh type net the hook can then often get caught in the mesh, resulting in unnecessary delay and frustration. This does not happen with rubber nets.

If one is fishing from a bank, then an extendable fly fishing net is the best option. It is often just before landing the fish in the net that the fish "spooks" and makes one last desperate bid for freedom, and this is where most fish are lost. Being able to extend the length of the handle is a real advantage, particularly if you are fishing from a difficult mark, perhaps near overhanging trees or weed.

An extendable fly fishing net also gives you the best of both worlds – a long handle where necessary, and a short handle for float tube or boat fishing, and of course the ability to retract the handle means it is convenient to carry and transport.

The final type of fly fishing net is the short handle. This is the most common form of net, and is ideal for boat fishing where there is the possibility of tripping over a long handled net, and float tubing, where anything long handled is cumbersome and difficult to use. They are often the preferred choice of seasoned anglers who want to travel light.

On all types of fly fishing net, the depth of the net is important. The net needs to accommodate the size of fish you expect to catch, so choose carefully.

One tip – when landing a fish, keep the net under the water and then scoop the fish up as you draw it over the net. This way the fish does not suddenly see the net and take fright, which could easily lead to losing the fish.