Nets

Do you guys use nets when fishing for steelhead? If so who makes them, i cant find a good trout net that is big enough. Or do you just use normal nets? I know many people just reel them in and take the hook out onshore. Just curios to what the easier way is.

I'm goin' to a frabil gaff this year.

Have seen no reason to have a net in the last 30 years. Just beach the fish. If you want to release it , just play it into shallow water bend over with forecepts and take the hook out, easily done without taking the fish out of water or touching it. If you are in  up to your armpits and don't want to wade to shore, just play the fish up to yourself and use the forecepts, it's simple

Fishin the wall of nuts you do need a net!!!

If fishing in the tribs there is no need for a net.

I had the same problem finding the perfect net. Didn't want to spend $90 at Bass Pro whiteriver fly shop for their "steelhead" net that still looked a little small if you ask me....Decided to get creative and ever glad I did. I bought an aluminum long handle boat net...about $10...handle was originally four feet long, the hoop diameter is about 22" round, and the net is deep enough to hold a good steelie. I cut the length down to about 12" handle and reinserted into the foam grip for a soft feel. I bought a magnetic quick release that attaches to the back of my vest. Whenever I'm steelie fishing, it's out of the way hanging handle down right on my back. I can fight the fish all the way in without worrying about holding my net...then I grab it right when I need it. Matter of fact, some of y'all might have seen it or been recipients of it's grace. I 'm always glad to oblige another lucky angler, and that net has landed many dozens of fish that weren't my own. Got lots of compliments on it, too. I'll try to remember to snap a pic of it at some point this fall. Only complaint is that sometimes walking in brush it will snag and pop off, but I've always felt it when it gets caught, so I've never lost it.

Frabill, IMO, makes the best nets...look 'em up on the net.  This is the net I use...


http://www.frabill.com/store/index.php/catalog/category/view/s/trout-nets/id/25/

Forget the net! I use a Lippa Tool.

big nets are too bulky for me to carry around. i bought the "landing hand" or called "tfs helping hand." it's a net bag that fits over your hand when you're ready to land the fish. it doesn't work all that well on small trout but for steelhead and big fish it works great. never gets hooked and you can keep a secure grip on the neck of the fishes tail with not too much pressure.
 
i'm not sure if fisherie sells them but 'the fly shop' out of california sells them for about $10.00. i got mine from the rogue angler for about $18.00 at the time.

I have a large colapsable net that I have hanging off the back of my vest with one of those magnetic clips. The handle extends for those days on the wall when I need a longer one.