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Landing net handle

Now here's my experiences ....

1. I have two Powerstretch handles, bulky and heavy but trust them and like them. With a separate spreader block I use it with either of four nets I have.

A long while ago one broke and I did a modification see click here for BFW article

Now, I did this to both the broken one, and as a preventative measure to the other one too. I also did it for several for pals.

So I've heard it said "it's never happened to mine" but it didn't happen to mine either - until it did. I also heard "it happened to mine, wish I'd done the modification before it happened"


2. I have a Chris Brown one too, this is one where the spreader block is part of the handle.


3. Now this is a tale of regret. I had a fish of around 11lbs one night, at around 11pm. The river was high and the flow was strong. Resting in the net, and handle tethered to a bankstick, it was all fine


.... until the impossible happened. One arm of the net came adrift from the spreader block followed by the other. I lost the net, and the fish. I was devastated, was the fish ok? I cast around for 30 minutes hoping to snag the net but alas ....

So I've heard it said "it's never happened to me" but it didn't happen to me either - until it did. Forty years + of fishing for barbel, then it did !!

It's not important which of my nets it happened to, I modified all of them (yes, I do like a modification :)) I sew a loop of cord to the spreader-block-end of the nets and attach a cable-tie through this loop to the spreader block - I cut off this cable-tie at end of session. I use a bright yellow cable-tie so as not to lose it on the ground when I pack up.

This show the setup on the Chris Brown net, I just happend to photograph this one at the time

net_tie_s.jpg
 
Just want to through the Wychwood specialist into the mix - never had any problems with mine.
Also Lone Angler announced today that they are sadly closing, special offers on most things I think - I will miss their bait.
 
Garry Howell said:
Just want to through the Wychwood specialist into the mix - never had any problems with mine.
Also Lone Angler announced today that they are sadly closing, special offers on most things I think - I will miss their bait.
Click to expand...

Garry you will probably still get their bait as John Baker made it for them just get in contact with him direct through his bait company.
 
Re. Net loss.. if fishing from a position high above river level I secure a strong piece of braid, with a snap link on free end to handle just above spreader. I then clip snaplink thru net mesh. Does the job.
 
I have both the Gardner and Drennan (longer version). The latter ticks all the boxes for me, whereas the Gardner is heavy and thick, making it unwieldy.
 
I use a Preston take apart I like the fact you can take apart the last 10 inches of handle with net attached great for tight swims
 
Still use a middy rock ard.

Had this for yonks ,two piece has a bit of tape inside the first section that has worn a bit otherwise still a okay .
 
Richard Parsons said:
I have both the Gardner and Drennan (longer version). The latter ticks all the boxes for me, whereas the Gardner is heavy and thick, making it unwieldy.
Click to expand...
Me too and I agree with your assessment.I did have the common problem with the Drennan locking collar but one phone call to them and they sent a replacement FOC even though the handle was a couple of years old,excellent customer service.The Drennan is my first choice handle as I find the Gardner a bit heavy and cumbersome.
 
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