Best Fly Fishing Nets 2022: Wade-Fishing & Boat/Kayak Options

Giving guidance on the best fly fishing nets depends massively on your style of fishing. What makes a good on-stream wading net probably doesn't translate to what you want out of a boat net...

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What Characteristics Define the Best Fly Fishing Nets?

A few basic considerations I'd include are:

• Fish Friendly Mesh (no "fin-splitter 3000" models or knotted mesh please)
• Not having a strongly-tapered bag that a fish will get all wrapped up in (something closer to a "pan" or "deep dish" shaped mesh)
• Big enough for your target fish

Of course they need to be functional - and that function needs to be well-matched to the situations you intend to use your net. I think, also, because part of the attraction of this style of angling is in the aesthetics; the best fly fishing nets will probably also be good looking (or at least a good aesthetic match to the style of fishing). In the same way taste is very personal - so too is what you'd like (and are able to) pay for your net - so budget is a big factor on which net is best for you.

These criteria mean it makes sense to split up recommendations into several categories. To help with this, you can click headings in the Drop-Down table of contents below to jump straight to the category you want:

Wade-Fishing Stream Nets: Premium Price

In terms of high quality nets that are made in sufficient quantities to be stocked in retail outlets around the world, the Brodin Ecoclear range at Orvis are certainly worth considering. A classic wooden net in three sizes (22", 24.5" and 30" total lengths).

NOTE: The Orvis stores list the "Cutthroat" as the 22" model; though the combined hoop length and handle is closer to 24". See features below for net, hoop and handle dimensions:

Orvis Brodin Eco-Clear Nets

Features:

• Wood is Plantation-raised teak
• Fish-friendly (and low-odour) soft Ghost mesh (non PVC and resistant to yellowing in the sun)
• Made in Costa Rica

While these aren't cheap (in the region of $160), the craftsmanship is high quality and the nets are undeniably beautiful to look at. By having a range of three models, you stand a really good chance of finding the net with the correct reach and also hoop/mesh bag size to suit your venues and your target fish. Neat storage while fishing is provided by the paired magnets attached to the handle - and the 30" model is targeted at float tube anglers - though those in search of a longer handled stream net would also be well served.

Models:

Best Fly Fishing Nets for Wade-fishing: Affordable Option

For a beautiful wooden fly fishing net with ghost mesh and a high-quality coiled retractor lanyard and carabiner, the following net is an incredibly budget-friendly option which also looks great in photos of memorable captures:

SF Fly Fishing Landing Net

The hoop is formed from a laminate of bamboo and hardwood - and this is wrapped around a hardwood handle which ends in a swivelling brass attachment eye. The accompanying, stretchy lanyard is PVC-coated coiled wire and comes with aluminium carabiner for the paired retaining magnets:

Depending on where you are in the world, you might choose the Aliexpress option (global availability) or the Amazon USA site depending on your available shipping options, shipping time and item pricing for your location:

Best Fly Fishing Nets: Travel/Compact Folding Nets for Stream Fishing

While I have made many fond memories with my folding "tamo" bought in Japan (e.g. the photo taken in Italy at the top of this article) it has a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, the hoop doesn't stand up so well to very fast currents. This effect is amplified by the very narrow-gauge mesh which catches a lot of that current. Secondly, my particular model isn't sold anymore - though there are similar nets available in Japan (e.g. you can often still get the Daiwa 1-touch damo both inside and outside of Japan).

However, for a stiffer frame which still packs down to a really small size - and for the opportunity to use a wider gauge (but still fish-friendly) mesh - then the handypak insta-net with ghost mesh might be exactly what you're looking for:

Handypak Insta-net with Ghost Mesh

Though there are different mesh, handle and holster material options, the vital statistics are:

The net is available on Amazon in the USA and also via the Amazon UK platform (via a rapid import option):

Best Boat Fishing Nets for Fly Fishing (UK and US Scenarios)

Best Fly Fishing Nets For Boats: Kayak Fishing

The "Float Tube" model of the Orvis Brodin Eco-Clear nets may well make a good kayak fishing net when targeting trout. Given this style of fishing is much more likely to be encountered in the USA, another net worth considering would be the Coldwater Fishing Premium Hardwood net: 

Coldwater Fly Fishing Premium Long-Handle Net

A hardwood laminate net with a long reach, brass swivel attachment to the handle and a very generously sized hoop and mesh bag. This net would also make a good tool for drift boat fishing trips and float tubing too. Soft, tangle free (and quick-drying) ghost mesh is also fish friendly.

USA Boat Fishing Nets (including drift boat fishing): Budget Friendly Option

If the wooden net options seem a bit cumbersome or perhaps you worry about dinging up the finish on the style of trips you usually take in a boat, then perhaps a stowable, fold-up option with a protective carry case is what you need? The bold, high contrast styling of the KastKing Brutus might also be a good fit for that sort of rough and tumble fishing - plus it comes in a range of sizes:

KastKing Brutus

Constructed from "6063" aluminium alloy for additional durability while retaining a light, easily-carried weight - the Kastking Brutus is available in several sizes. For Boat Fishing I would recommend the model with an approximate overall reach of 53" and which has the hoop and mesh bag size as follows:

For these dimensions, choose option "Color C" on the Amazon USA link below:

UK Reservoir Trout Fishing Boat Net

The reservoir fly fishing competition scene in the UK has given rise to many extremely specialised tactics. Some of these involve very long (20ft plus) leaders and multiple flies. Because of this, there can be a very long distance between the top dropper fly and the point fly. In other words, since the limit of the line you can retrieve stops just shy of your top dropper - you might still have 15 to 18 feet of tippet between your rod tip and your point fly. Now, you can obviously tilt the rod back quite a long way behind you and stretch out both arms in opposite directions - but you'll still be really glad of a much longer-handled net than a 50" reach!

Even when not using such extreme rigs, having a long-handled net laying across both gunwhales of the boat between two anglers fishing from a broad-side drifting boat is a very convenient arrangement. The additional reach is an advantage whether netting your own fish further from the boat - or when reaching across to net your partner's fish without leaving your seat!

The most common solution here is to take telescopic UK coarse-fishing landing net handles and fit them with an appropriate-sized coarse fishing "pan" style landing net.

DNA NGT Deluxe Match Pan Landing Net with Separate DNA Telescopic Handle

Soft, fish friendly mesh and a generous hoop and bag size - paired with a 10ft telescopic (3-piece) fibreglass handle with threaded connector:

Best Fly Fishing Nets Round Up

As you can see, just from this selection, to recommend the best fly fishing nets available requires a lot of different fishing styles to be accommodated. Fly fishing is so diverse in the way it is adapted to different challenges around the world that I know there will be other applications I've missed out here. Hopefully, though, I'm able to save you some pain and legwork in finding something that is suitable and available to you.

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