by Beau Robinson
How to Choose a Fly Fishing Net: Creek, Boat & Guide Nets Explained
Landing nets aren't one-size-fits-all. The right net depends on where you fish, what you're targeting, and how you like to move on the water. Buy too small and you're wrestling a trophy brown into a basketball hoop. Buy too big and you're hauling dead weight through tight streamside brush all day. Here's how to match the net to the water. Backcountry & Small Stream Nets Small nets are built for small water — tight corridors, overgrown banks, and fish in the 8–14 inch range. A compact hoop (10–12 inches) and short handle keep things maneuverable when you're stepping over logs and ducking under branches. Look for lightweight rubber mesh that protects fish slime and fins without snagging hooks on the release. Best for: Appalachian brook trout, small limestone creeks, technical spring creeks, panfish Creek & Boat Nets Mid-size river nets are the workhorse of most fly anglers' kits. A 14–18 inch hoop handles most trout up to trophy size, and a medium-length handle gives you the reach to net fish without pulling them out of the current and stressing them. Rubber mesh is non-negotiable here — knotted mesh damages the protective slime coat and delays recovery on catch-and-release fish. Best for: Tailwaters, freestone rivers, trout in the 12–22 inch range, wading anglers Guide & Trophy Nets When you're chasing big fish — trophy browns, steelhead, salmon, or large smallmouth — you need a net that can actually contain them. Guide nets run 20–26 inch hoops with deep bags and longer handles, often designed for reach from a drift boat or to handle fish that simply won't fit in a standard net. The Catch Cam Predator Series lives here. Best for: Trophy trout, steelhead, salmon, guide boats, big river fishing What to Look for in Any Net Rubber mesh — protects fish, doesn't snag hooks, dries faster than nylon Weight — lighter is better for all-day wading; heavier is acceptable on a boat Frame material — wood is classic and durable; carbon and aluminum are lighter Handle length — longer reach for bigger fish and boat use; shorter for creek wading The Catch Cam Difference All Catch Cam nets at Natives Fly Fishing are built with fish-friendly rubber mesh, durable aluminum frames, and the integrated Catch Cam design that makes fish photography effortless — no propping the net against a rock, no fumbling for your phone. Net the fish, shoot the photo, release with confidence. Browse the full lineup in our Catch Cam Nets collection — classic, and predator series all in one place. The right net is the one that fits your water. When in doubt, size up.