Author Topic: Netting multiple fish (Read 149 times)

Jason Hearle · « **on:** April 09, 2010, 04:44:53 PM »

Just wanted to start a thread to see your mind set on netting doubles and triples. I know some of you go for the first/top fish, but then how do you try and net your second and or third? Or do you net the bottom fish first and drop the rest into the net? I personally haven't perfected a method to do this but I am curious to see how we differently assess and react to these situations. Personally, I try and net the bigger of the two fish first, or if they are small enough, lift the top fish out of the water and net the bottom fish and drop the top into the net.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #1 on:** April 09, 2010, 05:38:10 PM »

Are you talking about lakes w/ long spaces between droppers? Or rivers? Or both? Not that I have a decisive answer

This is a good subject we really haven't covered yet.

Jason Hearle · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2010, 05:40:09 PM »

I think rivers are probably a bit easier, but would like to hear techniques on both aspects of the subject.

Kevin Lowe · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2010, 07:12:35 PM »

Not that I have that problem often!! HAHA but here are my thoughts. I try to net the fish furtherest from the rod first. Then work my way up. Why? This might be totaly wrong but my thinking is... Once a fish is in the net you still have control ( some) on the fish between your rod and netted fish. Also if the fish in the net causes a brake or tangle you could still be conected with fish further up. My explanation sounded better in my head!

Mike Norton · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2010, 07:51:58 AM »

kevin I followed the explanation in your head....I agree go for the futherest but I too have not had that problem either

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2010, 09:09:50 AM »

I'm sure our European contingent can give us some insight as it's pretty common over there.

I don't have a ton of experience, but I've encountered this more then a few times in competition. Most times I end up losing one of the fish before they even reach the net. If they're small on the river I just go for "pop fly" two point shot! That's worked well. If one or both are big I just play to that fish. I hooked a monster in Utah and 10 seconds into battle another fish grabbed my top dropper - he was drug around like a big trout shaped indicator until I lost both of them :)l

Todd Oishi · « **Reply #6 on:** April 10, 2010, 05:53:27 PM »

Just remember the old saying: "a bird in the hand - is worth two in the bush!"

Netting two fish can be a challenge at times. In fact; I had a triple header during a lake session at our 2008 Canadian Nationals, but only managed to net one of them, as I was trying to conceal the fact that we had found a school of willing participants. But when faced with a double header, I tend to concentrate my efforts on the larger of the two fish, as it will score higher points in the event that I am only able to land one of them. But with that being said; it does makes the decision making process a heck of a lot easier is the bigger fish has taken the point fly. If both are of equal size, I will go for the one on the point and then chase the one that is on the dropper once the point fish is securely in the net.

Sorry to cut this reply short (I'm sure I'll remember some more details), but I have to get back to my gardening...

Lance Egan · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2010, 12:27:06 AM »

I'm yet to land a triple, but I'm eagerly awaiting the opportunity! Doubles are easiest on the river since flies are closer together. I'd say more than half the time one of the fish gets off during the battle, but sometimes both can be landed. If the fish are smallish, try getting both of them airborne and headed your way, then catch them in the net. If one or both are largish fish, you'll have to fight them, and hope to get both near the surface. Generally I get greedy and try my best to land both fish, rather than choose one. To do this, once they are tired out, get the upper fish in the air by lifting it with the rod, and net the bottom fish then let line slip to drop the top fish into the net.

On lakes, this becomes more difficult since flies are often fished much farther apart. In a comp in Oregon last year I hooked 6 doubles in one session, and landed both fish 3 of the times. As I recall, the other 3 times I only landed one of the three. I was fishing a 3 fly rig, and all the fish took either the top dropper or point fly. None took the middle dropper. This meant I had about 10 feet of leader between the fish. If both fish stayed hooked through the fight, I'd strip the top fish almost to my rod tip, then lift the fish into the air, bring the bottom fish to the surface, net it, then let the line slip to drop the top fish into the net. This only works if the fish are less than 14 inches, but if so, it has worked well for me.