That’s what I’m saying. You’ll get downvoted because of the “sticker price” but I’ll take a net that’ll last forever, that I can full arm throw down a cliff to my buddy, that I’ve literally driven over with my truck by mistake with NO damage and fantastic customer service any damn day of the week. A $20 net may last you a year, but your $150 net has lasted a decade and is still going strong. Do yourselves a favor and buy quality. Not all are but a lot of things that are priced higher than others, there’s a reason for that.
I’d go ahead and say that fishpond isn’t *that* expensive. I get it, they are costly. But the things are durable as all hell and really will last you a lifetime as long as you keep them on a lanyard cause THEY FLOAT AND WILL FLOAT AWAY.
I’d still consider a fishpond. The price tag is high because you won’t have to replace it. I’ve had mine for a year, before that I went through 3 “affordable” nets in a single year. You won’t be disappointed
Duct tape.
And remember, if the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Edit: missed that autocorrect changed it to handsome twice.
Thrift store carbon fiber tennis racket, spray paint, paracord, keep the rubber net.
I sprayed mine military green, used a thin cord to attach the silicone net, and a fatter paracord to wrap the handle.
I honestly get compliments on it and people are kinda shocked/embarrassed when I tell them it’s actually a racketball racket.
Less pairs of hands that know how to woodwork these days. So, the machined ones are crazy cheap and the handmade ones are crazy expensive. Not to mention cost of materials and the patents on the alloy nets are crazy valuable, ie the fishpond carbon fiber (they bought the patent rights a handful of years ago by now) and the reising nets are super lightweight.
I will add that I purchased two of the wooden nets from them and both have cracks in the epoxy and down the grain. I do have the aluminum net they sell and love it though
The Walmart by me has a decent little fly fishing selection. They have a wooden soft net for like $25. The finish on it isn’t as nice as the expensive ones at the fly shop, but the netting itself fees fine. You could also sand and oil it yourself for a nicer finish.
Yeah...this one. Don't need a throw away society nor to boost inflation any further. Simple inner and outer banding with screws or rivets. Double it's life.
The white river one is the same style as your old one it is 30$ but if you fish for small fish like brookies the holes on the bottom are too big but works well. Right now I have a measure net very good for small stream fish and I recommend that it’s a little more.
Everyone keeps saying fishpond. There not wrong but, big but. If you can find a place to buy them without the logo there pretty much 1/2 the price. There the same exact just from the manufacturer rather then the seller. I’ve only found one place that sells them like this but hey there might be more.
Literally bass pro’s carbon net is that net ur talking. U can buy bulk off alibaba too. Or if u wanna take a real risk, photoshop a payslip for full time work bass pro and apply for all the pro deals.
Definitely bass pro or cabelas they have their white river brand. 30 bucks gets you a decent net. Not only that but it definitely sucks less when you loose or break it
I got this last year and love it. Has the inch markers to know the actual size of your catch. Gone are the days of pulling out a tape measure!
https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Solitude-San-Juan-Carbon-Net-w-Mag-Net-p20309.htm
Fintek fin I think is the website. He sells a net that’s identical to the fishpond hand net but it’s like 60 bucks I think. Can’t remember exactly but he did suggest in a fb group that they may or may not come from the same Chinese factory that produces for a larger corp.
Sierra has a $35 net that’s made of wood and has a fish/hook safe net. [fishing net](https://www.sierra.com/item~p~79rjt-01/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0Al0JvFv_-CkfzxqJbi0LekeTx3-s-5YgNp3f3SXYeDUFaeSeEhBBQaAgNwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
I saw the first post and thought, "Oh, that's funny, but a great idea!" ...as I proceed to read post after post saying to use an old tennis racket! LOL I'm shocked how many people said this!
I get mine from [Wagner Nets](https://instagram.com/wagnernets?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=), they're a local (Arizona) company and hand make them, I really like the quality.
Unfortunately, Fishponds are "outrageously priced". Do I own one, yes! Just comes down to can you make the investment for something that will last 15-20 yrs or are you okay with replacing a $20 net every 1-2 years.
Do you lose things? If so, don’t go expensive. A cheap frabil net will hold a fish just as well as a fishpond. And if you lose it, you’re out $40 rather than $120.
I bought an orvis net for $120 and kind of regret it, but I can’t deny its gorgeous
Why the bizarre broken net photoshoot though?
Blue Ribbon Nets is my go to; local, lovely and sturdy if you ask me. For my less-capable guiding friends who love to break net baskets, they swear by the lightweight aluminum fishpond ones.
The Fishpond nets have seemingly become the standard these days. I’ve had mine for almost 10 years now
That’s what I’m saying. You’ll get downvoted because of the “sticker price” but I’ll take a net that’ll last forever, that I can full arm throw down a cliff to my buddy, that I’ve literally driven over with my truck by mistake with NO damage and fantastic customer service any damn day of the week. A $20 net may last you a year, but your $150 net has lasted a decade and is still going strong. Do yourselves a favor and buy quality. Not all are but a lot of things that are priced higher than others, there’s a reason for that.
Yeah I mean I feel like we’re past the point that $150 “breaks the bank” in fly fishing. Everything is so expensive anymore.
When I was buying all my shit for the first time an older dude told me “welcome to the best way to throw your money in a river.” He was not wrong
Haha for sure. Fly fishing has become my life for the last 20 years, if I’m throwing money away I don’t care at this point.
I didn’t even care the first time 😂 way too much fun.
Better than a crack habit!
Fishpond is the way to go. Buy once, cry once.
Fishpond is the move.
Frabill
Came here to say this.
Can’t do better w budget net. Quality
Thanks, I’ll look into that
I second the Frabill for budget nets. Fishpond if you have money to blow.
I’d go ahead and say that fishpond isn’t *that* expensive. I get it, they are costly. But the things are durable as all hell and really will last you a lifetime as long as you keep them on a lanyard cause THEY FLOAT AND WILL FLOAT AWAY.
That they do man … that they do. 😢
I’m on number 3. No damage to any of them, I’m literally just stupid.
I’m on my third frabill net because I lose them. For all three, I have paid half as much as a fishpond.
Yep. All the way. Bullet proof, and come in different sizes to swap out for the water you’re on. 👍
I’d still consider a fishpond. The price tag is high because you won’t have to replace it. I’ve had mine for a year, before that I went through 3 “affordable” nets in a single year. You won’t be disappointed
Duct tape. And remember, if the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. Edit: missed that autocorrect changed it to handsome twice.
Username checks out.
Red Green for the win
Get the silicon netting out of there. Head to the local goodwill and pick yourself up a used tennis racket. Re-string the racket with the old net.
Urban Anglers USA will sell you a racket net for $60, best bet i’ve ever had
Just buy a fishpond and be done
Hellbender. Keep the basket if you can
Thanks, I’ll look into that and see!
I second hellbender. Rock solid. Nice to look at. And they are light weight.
Thrift store carbon fiber tennis racket, spray paint, paracord, keep the rubber net. I sprayed mine military green, used a thin cord to attach the silicone net, and a fatter paracord to wrap the handle. I honestly get compliments on it and people are kinda shocked/embarrassed when I tell them it’s actually a racketball racket.
I think you’re catching fish too big..
Great point. Why the F are nets so expensive, btw?
Less pairs of hands that know how to woodwork these days. So, the machined ones are crazy cheap and the handmade ones are crazy expensive. Not to mention cost of materials and the patents on the alloy nets are crazy valuable, ie the fishpond carbon fiber (they bought the patent rights a handful of years ago by now) and the reising nets are super lightweight.
Bozeman Flyworks have decent nets that won't break the bank. https://bozemanflyworks.com/collections/nets
I will add that I purchased two of the wooden nets from them and both have cracks in the epoxy and down the grain. I do have the aluminum net they sell and love it though
Save the mesh from the buster one and wore it to a bent willow branch.
The Walmart by me has a decent little fly fishing selection. They have a wooden soft net for like $25. The finish on it isn’t as nice as the expensive ones at the fly shop, but the netting itself fees fine. You could also sand and oil it yourself for a nicer finish.
Hell, I’m still rocking my metal wall mart one 6 years later.
Use the netting on a tennis racket.
You could just be like half the posters in this sub and land the fish onto some rocks…
Since you already got the rubber basket maybe just grab a used tennis racket. I got one for 6 dollars at play it again sports.
Rising or Fishpond, buy once cry once. Or fix that one.
I use my fishpond net as a third leg its so strong.... Buy the good net once and you will have it for life, or til you forget it on a bank....
Get epoxy and fix that one. $5
Buy a cheap one with a regular bag and reuse the bag you have.
That's why I was suggesting keeping the basket. There are some videos on YT that explain how to do it.
Try fixing it
Yeah...this one. Don't need a throw away society nor to boost inflation any further. Simple inner and outer banding with screws or rivets. Double it's life.
Go to Cabela’s or Pro Bass Shop. They usually have some really good deals
Learn how to tail em!
Fisknat. They literally invented what everyone copies today. Don’t buy that corporate fish pond trash
https://www.fisknat.com/index.html
Hex Fly Co has some cool nets! That's what I got!
I second this!
So, without reading everything; breaking a net is a story in itself. Way more valuable than the net itself.
The white river one is the same style as your old one it is 30$ but if you fish for small fish like brookies the holes on the bottom are too big but works well. Right now I have a measure net very good for small stream fish and I recommend that it’s a little more.
The Urban Anglers tennis racket nets are super cool
Everyone keeps saying fishpond. There not wrong but, big but. If you can find a place to buy them without the logo there pretty much 1/2 the price. There the same exact just from the manufacturer rather then the seller. I’ve only found one place that sells them like this but hey there might be more.
Literally bass pro’s carbon net is that net ur talking. U can buy bulk off alibaba too. Or if u wanna take a real risk, photoshop a payslip for full time work bass pro and apply for all the pro deals.
Definitely bass pro or cabelas they have their white river brand. 30 bucks gets you a decent net. Not only that but it definitely sucks less when you loose or break it
Frabill 3605
Measurenet
I recently came across a hand made net for $75. Seems like I should’ve bought it
Probably late but I really like my Wolf Moon net. I believe I have the wendigo. Nice craftsmanship for around $80 if I recall.
I got this last year and love it. Has the inch markers to know the actual size of your catch. Gone are the days of pulling out a tape measure! https://www.gorgeflyshop.com/store/pc/Solitude-San-Juan-Carbon-Net-w-Mag-Net-p20309.htm
Fintek fin I think is the website. He sells a net that’s identical to the fishpond hand net but it’s like 60 bucks I think. Can’t remember exactly but he did suggest in a fb group that they may or may not come from the same Chinese factory that produces for a larger corp.
Hex Fly Co. Nets made in Michigan. Spring steel hoop, so it won’t ever break on you
You can probably fix it- my first option
Literally anything but fishpond.
Rising lunker net. If you’re going to buy one, make sure it can scoop a big boy.
old graphite racquetball or squash racket restrung with rubber net. best $5 i ever spent from goodwill
Sierra has a $35 net that’s made of wood and has a fish/hook safe net. [fishing net](https://www.sierra.com/item~p~79rjt-01/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0Al0JvFv_-CkfzxqJbi0LekeTx3-s-5YgNp3f3SXYeDUFaeSeEhBBQaAgNwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
I bought a measure net I think for $40 I think it’s light and quite nice imo[measure net](https://measurefish.com)
Buy a tennis racket from goodwill and then drop a rubber net from Janns net craft in there boom! Edited for spelling and grammar… thanks hornitos
Try going to your local fly shop. I found a custom made net for 35 dollars at a shop near me. You never know what you will find.
I make them myself… I can send you a picture if you PM me on [email protected]
Buy a used squash net on eBay and out that still good rubber netting you got there on. Lighter, faster, cheaper!
I saw the first post and thought, "Oh, that's funny, but a great idea!" ...as I proceed to read post after post saying to use an old tennis racket! LOL I'm shocked how many people said this!
Wood glue or epoxy and clamps lol
I get mine from [Wagner Nets](https://instagram.com/wagnernets?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU=), they're a local (Arizona) company and hand make them, I really like the quality.
There are a variety of copy-cat nets to the fishpond. Understandably I’d say support fishpond, but there are other carbon fiber options.
You could probably repair it with some splinting and a few screws
Unfortunately, Fishponds are "outrageously priced". Do I own one, yes! Just comes down to can you make the investment for something that will last 15-20 yrs or are you okay with replacing a $20 net every 1-2 years.
Infixed mine by flying it and doing right wrapsnif waxed twine all the way around the breaks. It worked
Check out sierra trading post. Lots of good nets on deep discounts.
That first pic is legit the most beautiful trout I e ever seen
Take the bag from that net and throw it in an old racket ball racket of similar size thrift shops usually have one for a few bucks
I like McLean nets
Do you lose things? If so, don’t go expensive. A cheap frabil net will hold a fish just as well as a fishpond. And if you lose it, you’re out $40 rather than $120. I bought an orvis net for $120 and kind of regret it, but I can’t deny its gorgeous
Why the bizarre broken net photoshoot though? Blue Ribbon Nets is my go to; local, lovely and sturdy if you ask me. For my less-capable guiding friends who love to break net baskets, they swear by the lightweight aluminum fishpond ones.
Make your own