Alot of places do not allow you to use a net when fishing c&r. Personally i find a netted fish is easier to handle. I have seen both good & bad handling when using & not using one.

PO here only, but if you're in a boat the use of a net to 'subdue' the fish as you pop out the hook seems like a good idea. Far less handling.

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"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a
living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living." -- Anonymous

Being a disabled fly fisher i need to use a net because i cant get down the water without going for a dunk i keep the net wet and i unhook it on my lap still in the net,however i allways ask there policy about this some are ok with it some arent ,so i spend my money where my methods are accepted.

Surely most places are understanding to people with a disability.

I must admit I always fish catch and release where I can, I honestly think that less damage is done to a fish if it is netted as long as the net is a fine meshed type such as micro mesh. I have seen some damage done by nets with large mesh. I use one of those rubber coated micro meshed nets used by coarse anglers (they also dry out fast and don't smell).

Along with the netting issue the fish should be out of the water for a minimum amount of time if at all and handled properly and when returned it should be supported while allowing it to get its breath back.

This is an interesting topic and people will always be for and against each method.

Cheers

Ian

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Better to borrow money from a pessimist as they don't expect it back

a few bend the rules for you ,but some dont its the way it is.

I no longer use a net! I simply remove the fly and away goes the fish. I only use barb-less hooks for flies. All my fishing is C&R

Same here fox, its very easy to unhook a fish in the water if you use barbless hooks. Often just letting the line slack results in them unhooking themselves at your feet. The least stress possible in my eyes.

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“Where the footprints end the fishing begins”

What surprises me is the continuation of the arguement!
Coarse fisherman land all their fish in landing nets, and then release them, sometimes after having kept them in a keep net all day, and sometimes releasing direct to water after copiuos photos.
whats the difference with salmonids?
personally I dont use a net when river fishing for all species, is just personal preference, and knowledge of rivers I fish, fish can be released in the water or gently beached and then released. Only time I use net, is if fishing from boat, but still tend to release fish in water by leaning over side, or odd occasion I am at rainbow fishery where c/r is allowed, if was kill only net is obviously usefull to get them in quickly to do the deed!
regards
bert

Hi Ian. I just placed an order for a fine rubberised landing net for comp fishing. Have you noticed how much cheaper match nets are compared to trout nets.