As part of the bio-security measures to counter the 'killer shrimp' (don't hijack the thread folks!) Anglia Water have forbidden boat anglers to use their own nets, and drogues, which makes sense to me.
Unfortunately the nets they have supplied are absolutely useless, and are obviously the cheapest they could find. The handle, even when extended is about two feet to short to use with long buzzer leaders, and many are close to falling apart.The net heads are on the small side too, but worse still are deep and uncoated.When you have got used to rubber coated mesh, and a shallow 'pan' type head you forget what a hook magnet the old nets were.Fish spins in the net and every time a dropper gets caught, so most boats' nets now have large holes in them where frustrated fishermen have cut hooks out- myself included.
I understand there are decent nets available for competition anglers, which rankles somewhat. I fish catch and release so the cheapo nets aren't as kind as they could be to the fish, I have had a few catch gill covers on the mesh.With the amount of big fish coming out at the moment I wouldn't want to be on my own and having to chase the fish of a lifetime around with a tea strainer either!
Perhaps if you feel the same way you could complain to the management, as I have done. As tackle retailers they should be able to supply a decent pole and head for a fiver a boat.The nets they have bought will not see the season out, and are a false economy.Mine only cost me twelve quid, and I would gladly buy another to leave there, were I allowed.

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Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him

Hi
I've fished Grafham recently and also found the nets supplied basic with handles too short.

Sorry for being dumb but are you sure that pleasure anglers get different nets to comp anglers ?
Or are the alternative nets available upon request from the staff ?

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Well I wasn't offered one when I complained! I may pursue the catch and release angle, the mesh on their nets isn't as kind to fish as it could be.

__________________
Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him

Although not perfect, I find the nets provided in the boats at Grafham to be acceptable. I feel that the head is sufficiently large and they also have extendible handles.

As far as I'm aware, there is no differentiation between pleasure and competition anglers as far as provided nets are concerned, nor have any boat anglers been abducted by aliens so far this season.

The uncoated mesh is a bit of a pain but considering the number of nets and drogues they had to lash out on at fairly short notice, as a regular I have no complaints.

Graham

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hasthelargehadroncolliderdestroyedtheworldyet.com

Would I be correct in guessing you cut large holes in Anglian Water's issued nets? Claim you fish C&R yet fish fully barbed hooks.

If superior rubberized mesh nets were to be made available for future comps - as WF said they aren't yet - they would be under barbless hook rules and C&R. Maybe deposits would also be taken to ensure their return in good condition?


P.S. I think you are lucky to be allowed to fish Grafham with the very real threat of the 'killer shrimp' spreading exists. Don't rock the boat... Rremember there are those who would have the venue locked down further.

The handles are only five feet maximum, and whilst they are extendible this sometimes means they extend into two parts; I've had to tape mine up as the lock nut wouldn't work. I've heard from two different people that there are 'other' nets, kept away from us proles
As far as alien abductions go there was an empty boat drifting round the nature reserve on Thursday, and several boats reported a strange light in the sky....

__________________
Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him

Now we have someone to blame for the alien shrimp invasion !

Its going to make fishing so much more interesting waiting for an encounter , lol .

I think we should encourage anglers to C+R with barbless hooks and thus avoid damaging AWA property and the fish.

__________________
Better a 'has been' than a 'never was' !
http://te-ff.org/
http://englandyouthflyfishing.blogspot.com/search/label/About

I'm not that tall, and have had to shorten my leader when fishing buzzers at grafham due to these short handled nets. My own net has a 3m handle so that I can fish a 20ft leader and land fish on the point but the max I can mange now is about 15ft.

I think they could do better for a bit more investment. Like the thwart boards I'd pay an extra 50p/£1 for a better net.

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SpottyHors Fly Fishers

I have a catch and release ticket that allows me eight days fishing with the full eight fish limit, and when there are a lot of big fish around I fish barbed hooks and hopefully take some nice fish.Yes, I have had to cut a hook out, but don't dare assume I am responsible for the large holes present in the nets.Otherwise I pinch the barbs in, and these don't snag.I am not 'rocking the boat', just asking why we can't have decent nets when we're spending £500 a season on boats.A decent net would be cost effective, as I've said these nets won't see the season out.If rubberized mesh nets were issued they wouldn't have to be under barbless rules, as even barbed hooks don't snag them, which you would know if you used one.

__________________
Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him

I fished yesterday, didnt struggle too much netting fish even on the bung, did suffer with the net being a hook magnet, amazing how you take the rubber mesh benefits for granted. Did struggle when we kept having a double hook up , who gets the net first, could be an interesting year if only 1 net is provided in matches

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its not how you tie your flies , its how you tease your flies