How to Attach a Trout Net to a Fly Fishing Vest

How do I carry a fishing net? This question can be one of the more puzzling aspects of a fly fishing setup. Where do you put it? How do you attach the net to the fly fishing vest? What mechanism will keep the net in place, and how easily can I access the net? Generally, I recommend a magnetic net release, but there are alternative options as well. I go into detail on magnetic net releases and some alternative net holders below.

Using a fly fishing net greatly increases the amount of fish you land. Of course, it’s possible to land a fish by hand. Big trout, in particular, offer a challenge. These fish are quite likely to throw the hook while you attempt to land them by hand.

How to Attach a Fly Fishing Net?

One of the more popular ways of carrying a trout net is on your back. Specifically, hanging from the back of your fly fishing vest.

How do you connect a fishing net to a fishing vest though? A straight piece of rope won’t work, it will cause the net to drag on the ground. This presents a risk to both the angler(tripping), and risk of breaking the net by stepping on it, or dragging over rocks. If you shorten the rope, the net is unusable as you cannot bring it infront of you to land the fish.

The solution is to use a mechanism that has the net resting high up off the ground/water, but allows you enough freedom of movement to land the fish. As mentioned above, there’s a few different options.

Magnetic Net Release

I personally use a Magnetic Net Release (Amazon Link) to carry my net (the net release pictured both at the beginning of the article and further below).

The magnets in this setup are just the right strength to be functional.

Strong enough to keep the net firmly in place. I’m not worried about the net coming loose and tripping me or getting damaged. The magnets release easily enough that I don’t have to fight with them when landing a fish either. The whole system is elegant and easy to use.

Pictured below is the magnetic net release I’m currently using. Two pictures. One with the magnets attached, and another with the magnets detached to demonstrate functionality. when the magnets are detached, it means the net is free from the vest to land a fish. There’s a secondary bungee cord connection that has significant stretch, but also ensures you don’t lose the net if dropped.

Be sure to get a magnetic net release that has the accompanying bungee cord. Losing a net while landing a fish is a sure-fire way to sour an otherwise amazing memory!

Alternatives to net releases include both retractors and holsters, listed below.

Retractors

Retractors should be useful to hold nets in theory, but most I’ve found are too weak to properly support a net.

The majority of retractors on the market are intended to keep clippers, scissors, hook sharpeners and other miscellaneous fly fishing tools in place while you’re fishing. Retractors (Amazon Link) are fantasticfor this purpose though, and I use several to secure my lighter tools while our on the water. I’ve long since lost count of the number of scissors I lost to the riverbed before I started using a retractor to secure them.

That being said if you do find a retractor on the market strong enough to support a net, I’d be interested in investigating it! Please share in the comments below.

Holsters

Net holsters offer an alternative to anglers that don’t like to have nets and cords dangling free. I haven’t found it to be an issue, but I can see how some folks might find loose ropes and nets to hamper fly line management. It could potentially contribute to an increase in tangles.

Holsters are generally better suited for medium and long-handled nets. The longer handle is more easily put into place and seats better in a holster than short handle nets do.

On the flip side, Long-handled trout nets will hang lower on a magnetic or retractor setup, another reason to use a holster if you’re planning on using a bigger net.

Smith creek makes a very smart, minimalistic Smith Creek Net Holster (Amazon Link) that attaches to your wader belt on the back.

A note on Back and Shoulder Strain

Attaching a net to the back of the fly vest adds additional weight. This weight pulls on your back, potentially causing strain. If it’s to the point that it’s bothering you, there are two things you can do (of course if it’s serious contact a health official).

The most likely culprit is that the vest isn’t fitting quite right. Try adjusting the vest straps so it fits firmly (but comfortably) and doesn’t allow the weight of the net to pull the vest backward too far. It’s also possible you may have a vest that is too large. Be sure you’re using the appropriately sized fishing vest.  You can also buy more lightly built vests.

You can also look at lighter nets. While some areas and species require quite large nets, there’s no reason to use a huge net if you’re chasing mountain stream brookies. Use a net that’s appropriately sized for your fishing situation. Additionally, some nets have lighter-weight handles than others.

I linked the magnetic net release earlier. But, if you’re in the market for a net as well. Here’s a Fly Fishing Landing Net & Magnetic Net Release Combo Kit (Amazon Link)

Finally, you can travel lighter overall by not packing your vests with as much gear. Do you really need 4 fly boxes? How about 8 different sizes of tippet and 2 different sets of fishing pliers? Probably not. I keep most of my fly boxes in the car and bring 1 (at most 2) fly boxes on the river with me.