Best Fly Fishing Landing Nets
A good fly fishing net protects the fish and your hook points, and the gap between a well-built rubber-basket net and a cheap knotted bag shows up the first time you try to release a tired trout. We looked at nets for wade fishing and boat use, weighing basket material, frame construction, handle length, and whether the net floats if you drop it. Rubber and TPU baskets dominate this category for fish-safe catch-and-release; avoid knotted mesh if you care about fin and scale damage.
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The short answer
The Fishpond Nomad Emerger Net 2.0 is the best all-around fly fishing net for wade anglers, pairing a carbon fiber and fiberglass frame that floats with a fish-safe TPU rubber basket. Brodin Phantom Cutthroat is the top wooden-net pick for anglers who want sustainably harvested hardwood and a clear thermoplastic bag for a gentler release.
Top Pick
Fishpond Nomad Emerger Net 2.0
The community standard for wade anglers, a carbon fiber and fiberglass frame that floats with a fish-safe TPU rubber basket and a 15.5 by 10.5 inch hoop that handles most trout cleanly.
Best for Wade anglers fishing trout streams who want the benchmark net the guide community reaches for.
2 Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length Net
A longer-handled Nomad built for wade anglers who fish faster or deeper water where extra reach on the net handle makes a difference during the final landing.
Best for Anglers wading larger freestone rivers or targeting bigger fish where extra net reach improves landing rate.
3 Brodin Phantom Cutthroat Net
A handcrafted hardwood net built in a small shop in Costa Rica from sustainably harvested wood with a clear thermoplastic bag that is gentle on fish and shows the catch clearly.
Best for Anglers who value sustainable materials and craft-shop aesthetics over ultra-light construction.
4 Fishpond Confluence Net Release 2.0
A magnetic net release that holds 11 pounds of pull force, attaches to any vest or pack, and releases instantly single-handed when a fish is on.
Best for Any wade angler pairing a net with a vest or sling pack who wants instant single-handed net access.
5 Rising Brookie Net
A lightweight rubber-basket net at a mid-range price point, sized for stream trout and well suited for anglers who want the fish-safe rubber without the Fishpond premium.
Best for Beginners or budget-conscious anglers who want a fish-safe rubber basket without the premium net price.
The method
How we chose
We evaluated each option on fit, build quality, daily usability, and value. Our top pick, Fishpond Nomad Emerger Net 2.0, earned the spot because the top pick: best combination of buoyancy, fish-safe basket, and durable construction. The comparison above highlights exactly who each pick is best for.
Related guides
FAQ
Best Fly Fishing Landing Nets: FAQ
Rubber basket or knotted mesh: which is better for catch-and-release?+
Rubber or TPU baskets are far better for catch-and-release. Knotted mesh abrades a fish's protective slime coat and can strip scales or damage fins during a long landing. A rubber or clear TPU basket is smooth, fish-safe, and easier to remove hooks from. If you practice catch-and-release, skip the knotted bag entirely.
Should my fly fishing net float?+
Yes, for wade fishing it is important that the net floats. Dropping a net in fast current means losing it if it sinks. Carbon fiber and fiberglass frames like those used by Fishpond Nomad nets are buoyant enough to float even with a rubber basket attached. Wooden nets from Brodin also float. If you are fishing from a boat, float is less critical but still useful.
What size net do I need for trout fishing?+
For most trout on streams and rivers, a net with a 10 to 16 inch basket opening is the right size. The Fishpond Nomad Emerger has a 15.5 by 10.5 inch hoop that handles trout up to 20 inches cleanly. Go bigger for steelhead, salmon, or stillwater fishing where fish average larger and a narrow hoop makes landing harder.
How do I attach a fly fishing net to my vest or pack?+
A magnetic net release like the Fishpond Confluence attaches to both your gear and the net handle, holding the net securely while you fish and releasing with a sharp pull when you need it. Magnetic releases replaced the old carabiner-and-tether setup for most guides and experienced anglers because they are instant and do not require two hands to operate.
Do wooden fly fishing nets float?+
Properly sealed and varnished wooden nets like Brodin Phantom and Ghost series do float, though less dramatically than carbon fiber frames. Most anglers using wooden nets pair them with a magnetic net release that keeps the net clipped until needed, providing a backup in case of a drop in slow water.