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Check out the best fly fishing nets on the market in 2023 including landing nets such as trout, rubber fishing and folding landing nets.
When choosing a fishing net you should consider a number of factors. The most important one is where you are going to use it and what (size of) fish you are planning on catching. In most cases a trout net will do in terms of size when targeting freshwater fish. However, if you are after larger species such as pike or salmon you will need a bigger fishing net.
Disclaimer: All products in this guide are independently researched by our team. We only recommend products we believe in and never get paid for the reviews. Learn more about our review process here.
Table of Contents:
Best Nets for Fly Fishing of 2023 Quick Answer Guide
How Do I Carry my Fly Fishing Net?
What is Important in a Good Fly Fishing Net?
In this guide we tell you what to look for in the best fly fishing net, show you our favorites and tell you what you need to know about landing nets. We’ll cover how to attach/carry a fishing net, the differences in materials and styles and in which situations it makes sense to carry a landing net.
Best Fly Fishing Nets of 2023 Quick Answer Guide
3. Brodin Phantom Cutthroat Landing Net
5. O’Pros Driftless Dry Fly Net
6. Orvis Nomad Camo Net Series
Which are the best Fly Fishing Nets?
Other important factors to consider are: what is the landing net made of and how long a handle to you need? Here is our selection of the best landing nets for each category.
1. Fishpond Nomad Emerger
Specs: 32″ Length – 9.8″ W x 18.8″ L Head – Weight: .95lb. Comes with a bag.
Why we picked it:
The Fishpond Nomad Emerger has all the features of a great fly fishing net. Made from carbon fiber/fiberglass material it is built for utmost durability and a long lifespan. Another positive aspect of the material is its low weight – an important factor when carrying a landing net all day. The Fishpond Nomad Emerger is also waterproof and floats in case you drop it into the water. As you would expect in that price range the Nomad nets come with a rubber bag for better storage.
The Fishpond Nomad Emerger is made to be worn with fly fishing packs and fly fishing vests. Another great way to attach a landing net to your jacket or vest is a magnetic net release such as the Fishpond Confluence. The Fishpond Nomad Emerger comes in two colors: Brown Trout and Original.
Pros:
– Fantastic build quality
– Great design
– Replaceable rubber net
Cons:
– Can be obstructive for smaller people when tugged into the wading belt in the back of your waders
BONUS: Like the Fishpond design but not sure which of their nets to get? Read our “Guide to the Best Fishpond Net”
2. Carbon Fiber Landing Net
Specs: 18″ x 13″ x 12″
Why we picked it:
Here comes a landing net that is similarly built as the Fishpond Nomad Net Emerger: the Carbon Fiber. Made from carbon fibre, this trout net is an excellent choice if you are looking for the utmost in low weight.
Out of the box the Carbon Fiber comes with a magnetic release that you can attach to your vest, sling or pack. With the help of a lanyard you can attach it and always have it ready to land a fish. This fly fishing net also comes with a so called ghost net made of clear rubber that is great for spooky fish.
Pros:
– Compact dimensions
– Very lightweight
Cons:
– Handle is rather short
3. Brodin Eco Clear
Specs: 22″ x 13″ x 3″
Why we picked it:
If you are into wooden fly fishing nets and want the ultimate in style and quality, there is no way around the Brodin Eco Clear. This model is perfect for fish ranging up to 20″, hence making it a perfect trout net.
The eco-clear rubber is a good choice if you are fishing creeks with spooky fish since it is almost invisible for the fish in the moment of netting them. The Brodin Eco Clear comes in different sizes depending on the species your after and whether your fishing from a boat or from the bank of a river. The wooden handle is equipped with a clip that allows you to attach the net to the back of your wading jacket or vest.
Pros:
– Fantastic build quality
– Comes with a clip
– Net is replaceable
Cons:
– Not the right choice if you are hunting trophy trout because of the size of the rubber net
4. SF Fly Fishing Soft Rubber Trout
Specs: 16.1″ x 9.4″ x 8.3″ – comes with a Magnetic Release
Why we picked it:
The SF Fly Fishing Soft Rubber is another great choice for fly fishermen. It has a rubber net just like the Fishpond Nomad Emerger. However, the frame is made of wood. This gives this one a much more classic look. The handle is a bit shorter than the Nomad one and the rubber is not as deep. These factors make the SF Fly Fishing Soft Rubber a great choice for smaller streams and creeks.
A great feature of the SF Fly Fishing is the fact that it comes with a magnetic release. This makes it easy to attach it to the back of your wading jacket or fly fishing vest. The wooden handle feels good in your hands and since it’s made of wood, the SF Fly Fishing Soft Rubber floats as well.
Pros:
– Solid built quality
– Comes with magnetic release
– Wooden handle feels good in your hand
Cons:
– Rubber net is quite shallow
– Only advisable for smaller streams and creeks
5. O’Pros Driftless Dry Fly
Specs: aluminum hoop (19″ x 14″), depth: 12″ or 16″
Why we picked it:
The O’Pros Driftless Dry Fly Net is a sturdy landing net that convinced us with its fresh style and color options. You can basically create your custom fly fishing net by picking your favorite handle design, frame color and rubber bag color. You can also decide whether you want the depth of your net to be 12″ (which is certainly enough for most trout or bass fishing) or even 16″ (which is a good idea if you can expect big trout at your river for example).
Especially the sturdiness of the rubber convinced us on the O’Pros Driftless Dry Fly. It’s also incredibly lightweight plus it comes with a lifetime warranty which is great if you put your tackle to the test. If you want a modern, stylish looking one, go for the O’Pros Driftless Dry Fly.
Pros:
– Very sturdy
– Different net depths to choose from
– Lifetime warranty
Cons:
– Can be a little obstructive when casting due to its wider shape
6. Orvis Nomad Camo
Specs:
Hand: 25½”L, weight .63 lbs. dimensions: 8½”W x 17″L, depth: 11″
Mid-Length: 37″L, weight: .88 lbs., dimensions: 13″W x 18″L, depth: 12″
Guide: 55″L, weight: 1.6 lbs., dimensions: 16″W x 24¾”L, depth 14″
Why we picked it:
If you are a serious fly fisherman and fish a lot from a boat or steeper river banks, the Orvis Nomad Camo is a great choice for you. Yes, this landing net doesn’t come cheap but its build quality is outstanding and you can use it in many fishing situations.
The Guide version of the Orvis Nomad Camo is used by many professional anglers around the globe. If you want a little more manoeuvrability, go for the Mid-Length. If you want to be agile and tuck your trout net into your wading belt, the hand net version of the Orvis Nomad Camo is the way to go.
Just like the Fishpond Nomad Emerger, the Orvis Nomad Camo is made from carbon fibre and also floats if you accidentally drop it into the water. No matter which version of this great product you’re going for, they all come with a rubber bag for transport and storage.
Pros:
– Multiple options to choose from
– Great landing net for a boat
– Lightweight, yet very sturdy
Cons:
– Carbon fibre can be a little delicate, so be careful when throwing in on rocks, etc.
7. Frabill Power Catch
Specs: 26″ x 30″ wide – 38″ depth (48″ depth option)
Why we picked it:
The Frabill Power Catch is our #1 choice for a big fly fishing net. And when we say big we mean it. This one comes in a 26″ x 30″ standard version with a 48″ handle and 38″ net depth. If that is not big enough for the fish you are targeting there is a 48″ depth version as well. The Frabill Power Catch is the ideal tool if you are after big pike or musky or even saltwater species like salmon or small halibut.
If you still don’t think the Power Catch version is big enough then there is the Frabill 8450 Power Catch Big Kahuna (pictured above). It comes with hoop sizes of 32″ x 41″ and even 40″ x 44″. The Frabill don’t come cheap. But when you target these big fish whether in freshwater or in saltwater you shouldn’t compromise on quality. There is nothing worse than losing the fish of a lifetime because of a poorly made product.
Pros:
– Comes in a wide variety of sizes to hold even the biggest fish
– Sturdy build quality
Cons:
– Dark net can spook fish when the water is really clear
8. ODDSPRO Folding
Specs: 11.5″ x 15.5″ x 10″ hoop size. Handle length: 8.5″
Why we picked it:
The Oddspro Folding is a great choice if you want a landing net with compact dimensions. Made from carbon fiber and fiberglass, the Oddspro features a handle that can be folded and hence makes it easier to store it. Due to its dimensions the Oddspro Folding is an excellent choice if your main target species is trout and grayling. Its net is a bit deeper than the SF Fly for example and can hence hold bigger fish.
The OddsPro features a rubber coating nylon mesh that does not harm the fishes’ mucus.
Pros:
– Affordable
– Compact and easy to carry and store
Cons:
– Hooks get stuck more easily it the nylon net than in the bigger mesh sizes of the rubber ones
9. Kingfisher Long Handle
Specs: 19″ x 13″ hoop size. 13″ depth. Overall length with handle: 40.5″
Why we picked it:
If your focus is fly fishing from boats, rafts or canoes the Kingfisher Long Handle is a great tool for you. Its long handle makes it easy to land fish from a distance. Made from laminated wood, the Kingfisher Long Handle floats if dropped in the water, an important factor especially if you are fishing from a boat. In addition the soft rubber net is gentle on the fishes’ mucus and great for catch and release purposes.
The Kingfisher Long Handle features a brass swivel to connect it to a zinger or leash.
Pros:
– Beautiful, classic long handle net made from wood
– Great value for money
Cons:
– Primarily for trout sized fish. Not recommendable for big fish.
10. Frabill Wading Net
Specs: 17″ x 19″ hoop size. 30″ depth. Handle length: 8″.
Why we picked it:
The Frabill Wading Net rounds off or review of the best landing nets. This one is a straight forward landing net that ticks all the boxes of a quality product. It is a great choice if you are looking for a handy net that can cope with big fish. Its net depth of 30″ makes sure that even big trout stay where they are supposed to.
The Frabill Wading features an aluminum loop and a rubber coated handle to ensure a safe grip no matter the conditions. The short length of the handle ensures you can safely using with one hand (which is crucial if you are fishing on your own and don’t have a buddy to net your catch).
Pros:
– Simple aluminum landing net that does what it’s supposed to well.
– Good choice for sea trout as well.
Cons:
– Consider exchanging the leash to something a little more sturdy
How Do I Carry my Fly Fishing Net?
A fly fishing net comes in handy when you are trying to land a big fish standing in the river. The decisive question in order to have it ready when it counts is: how do I attach or carry it?
There are two way to comfortably carry your landing net. The first one is to carry it in your fly fishing hip pack, sling pack or fly fishing vest. Most modern day packs, slings or vests have sleeves to hold your fly fishing net.
The other comfortable way to carry it is to attach it to the back of your waders or wading jacket using a magnetic net release. That’s a small magnet with a lanyard. When you are ready to land your fish, you simply grab it and pull. The magnet releases the net and you can land the fish. It’s a very nice and comfortable way to carry your landing net as it is out of the way when you are casting but easily accessible when you need it. Here are a few releases that we recommend:
Table could not be displayed.What is important in a good fly fishing net?
A good fly fishing net should have a solid built quality no matter where you use it. There is nothing worse than losing a big fish because your landing net is too small or poorly built and breaks when it counts.
Frame Material
There is a wide range of materials used to make fly fishing nets. The most popular ones are wood, aluminum and fiberglass. Wood gives it a more classic look and makes sure it floats. Aluminum and fiberglass are strong and light and more modern materials to them.
Handle Grip
Aluminum and fiberglass almost always feature grips made from rubber. This ensures a solid grip and prevents the fly fishing net from slipping out of your hand when landing a fish. In wooden ones the handle is most often made from wood as well.
Size
As you can see in our recommendations above there is a wide variety of products available on the market. The most common size is a trout net. Depending on your fishing situation you should choose one that suits you best. As a rule of thumb you should remember to always use one that can hold the biggest fish you can expect to catch.
Price
Just like with the sizes the prices of fly fishing nets can vary significantly. Smaller wooden trout nets can be found in the $40-$50 range. Handmade more exclusive ones can easily reach three digit price tags.
Generally speaking fishing nets get more expensive the better the built quality and the better the components used such as the Fishpond Nomad for example. Also: the bigger and stronger the fish the more sturdy your landing net needs to be. A high quality landing net is a worthy investment.
Conclusion: Best Fly Fishing Net
As you can see there is wide range of products on the market. To find the right one you really have to ask yourself where you are going to put it to use mostly. Only then can you decide what fly fishing net you should get: a classic trout one, a folding landing net, a long handle one, etc.
A high quality fish landing net is a good investment no matter what kind of fly fishing you practice.
Last update on 2023-02-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Frequently Asked Questions
A landing net is an essential piece of gear for several reasons. First of all it makes it easier for the fly angler to safely land a fish. Secondly, it is safer for the fish as it won’t get harmed inside the net. Furthermore, you can keep the fish in the water and release it without doing any harm.
There are several options to safely carry a fly fishing net. You can use a magnetic net release attached to your waders or wading jacket. When you hook a fish you can simply grab the net by pulling the handle. Once you released the fish you can simply attach it again using the magnet. You can also carry your net by putting it into your wading belt on the backside of your waders. A third option would be to use a sling pack that nowadays often feature a dedicated net holding device.
As a rule of thumb you should use a net with a hoop size of at least 10″ x 18″ when fishing for trout. You can choose from a net made from wood, carbon fibre or plastic. A rubber net is a good idea when fishing for trout since it protects the fish’s skin.
Read more of our guides:
The Ultimate Guide to Fly Fishing Vests
Ultimate Guide to Streamer Boxes
Guide to the Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on one of them and end up purchasing a product we earn a small commission at no extra cost for you. We only recommend products we believe in ourselves.
