I have never brought a landing net into the BWCA before, but this spring I am going to start targeting Lake Trout and I am thinking about bringing in a net. I am looking very closely at the Stowmaster nets. I finally saw one in person today and I was very impressed by the quality, but got sticker shock. If you have used one before, how did you like it?

Thanks!

BTW, I am not trying to start a net vs. no-net debate here. :)

Looks like overkill but very nice. I just use a cheap folding net from Fleet Farm with a relatively short handle so that is fits in packs or lashed along the side of the pack.

A net is nice for smallies. I prefer a Boga Grip or similar for handling pike.

For years, even in my fishing boat, I have been using the smallest frabill with the aluminum handle; the ten dollar net. It weighs next to nothing and can scoop up ten and twelve pounders with no problem. I stick it down the front of a Duluth pack or just have it out and carry it with the rods-not a big deal.

I have one. It is the bass/walleye one 20x24 inch hoop I think the 72n model. It is awesome. That being said I thought it was pricy when I got it for 50 bucks years ago, I think it is twice that now---whew---. I am totally a net guy. If you want to consistently catch big fish and release them I feel a net is necessary. I tired out too many nice fish hand landing them. Didn't lose any of them, but I didn't feel real confident about their release either.

In my Souris River 18.5 you have to have a net that extends out to reach your partners fish. A normal net just won't cut for me.

I love the way it packs up--we strap it on the top of our Nimbus pack.


Here it is in the case on top of the pack.











Here are a few action photos of the net. I guided my dad on a laker trip and after using the net he bought one for his boat. I think he got a discount at a sporting goods show.

T

You can easily find a way to carry any low cost, non folding net, in a canoe while portaging.
Folding nets are rather high priced, and in my opinion, not worth it.

Tim,
I appreciate the comments. To tell you the truth, I noticed the hinge on your net in your fourth picture a few months ago in your BWCA Journal article. That picture is what started my quest for a better net solution, and it took me this long to figure out what kind of net you were using. I may still check out the cheaper nets, but if the Stowmaster owners here are happy with the durability I will probably drop the c-note on one. All of my other nets are Beckman's, so yes, I like quality nets.

You might want to take a look at Cabelas too. I think they have a knock off that is similar. Maybe you can get a deal from them--they are always having sales.

folding net


Another folding net


Mills Fleet Farm has another brand that looks like Stowmaster but when I compared them side by side it looked cheaply built for only a small savings.

The second cabelas folding net looks intriguing as it folds up very small. I'd get the bigger one and replace the netting for a rubber coated one. Less likely to hurt fish and the netting that comes with it looks like you would be spending all day unsnagging hooks. It is cheap too--which worries me--so you would definitely want to hold it in your hands to check durability.

I went to the Stowmaster because I broke 2 landing nets over the years. Those cheap nets won't hold up to hauling in quality fish for very long. Nothing worse than hauling around a worthless net all week.


This cheap ($30) net broke after just 5 fish at or over 10#. The rivets that held the net to the handle sheared off.

Check out the hybernet from Frabil.....That thing is awesome!! i got one im goona try out this spring. It will be perfect for the bw.

Wow! You guys are wearing out nets? I'm definitely doing something wrong, man. If it were me, I'd call $100 on a net for a canoe a misappropriation of funds, but then again it's not me; I'm not wearing out nets. Go for it and I hope you get your money's worth.

quote lundojam: "Wow! You guys are wearing out nets? I'm definitely doing something wrong, man. If it were me, I'd call $100 on a net for a canoe a misappropriation of funds, but then again it's not me; I'm not wearing out nets. Go for it and I hope you get your money's worth."

Nets are kind of like fishing rods. After you use a GLoomis, St. Croix, etc. for awhile, you just can't go back to the Ugly Stick. My last lower priced net fell victim to a 24# King Salmon. Luckily I saved the fish, and I have only used higher quality nets since then. Some of my reasons for higher quality nets are:

1) The hooks don't penetrate the net, or get knotted up as easily because the material is dipped and stiffer.
2) Even spinning northerns don't get wound up, allowing for a healthier release. It is safer for you, too. Ever try to get a multi-trebled lure out of a northern's mouth when the lure is tied up in the net?
3) The net opens up in the water easier, making the net-job a whole lot easier.
4) The higher end frames are stouter. You don't feel like the net is going to collapse when you land a trophy.

The price tag, I admit, is pretty high, but it is a small fraction of the cost of the rest of your gear.

Tim,
I see that Cabelas has both sizes of the second net you listed in stock, finally. I tried to order these in February and both sizes were out of stock. Thanks for the heads up.

009
timatkn,
That cheap ($30) net in you picture looks like one of mine sitting in the garage. I got it from Cabelas several years ago. Fortunately :-(, I haven't been landing any big fish with it so it is still intact.
I have another net, one of those telescoping, measuring nets, that uses the same objectionable netting material as the folding net discussed above. Fortunately :-), I use it mostly with barbless flies. One trip however, casting lures with barbed treble hooks, I spent 20 minutes getting the lure free of the net, twice. And that was when the lure just happened to drop into the net after I had finished tying it on, twice!

quote Jeriatric: "009
timatkn,
One trip however, casting lures with barbed treble hooks, I spent 20 minutes getting the lure free of the net, twice. And that was when the lure just happened to drop into the net after I had finished tying it on, twice!"

LOL--only because been there done that.

T