My arms are not long enough

[Mike Wisniewski]

Just bought the 10 ft 4 wt B2x.   Great rod.  However the extra foot is giving me fits in releasing the fish.   With my 9 ft rod, I am able to reach down and just flip out the fly.   With the 10 feet, I cannot get the fish close enough unless I hold the rod my the middle section.    I am really manhandling the fish.   Do I need to buy a net?

Any suggestions?

Mike

[Daniel Vuono]

IMHO for the casual recreational fisherman a net is necessary equipment.  You can land, and release a fish without ever taking it out of the water, and in many cases not even touch the fish if you use forceps.  I was reluctant to buy a net at first but immediately saw its value the first time out.  Plus most nets are light so you wont even notice it.  Just my two cents but I feel I have much less of an impact on the fish now.

[Dejon Hamann]

I echo Danny's sentiment here.  Whether your a weekend warrior or comp guy carrying a net is a great idea.  When utilized correctly it's much more C&R minded then trying to land & release fish by hand.  Not only small fish but larger fish. You can usually intercept a larger fish minutes earlier then you'd be able to beach it let alone somehow grab it by hand.  Many times I'll net smaller fish and the babless hook will pop out... I just turn the net over and the impact is almost nill.  Never touched by the hand of a human.. only a moment in a wet c&r net.

Get a net and some net magnets.

[Aaron Laing]

Get a net and some net magnets.

Yes to the net--a good quality one with an appropriate length. Also practice with it. I was given this advice by a friend and it makes a world of difference. Good netting techniques, as Dejon implies, will do far less damage to the fish.

The magnets are also important. Get good ones appropriate to the weight of your net. This will cut down wear and tear on the net itself and always keep it handy. I keep mine head up so the handle is always easily reachable.

Aaron

[Mike Wisniewski]

I guess I am buying a net.

In my perfect world, I could press a button and the hook would self release.

Thanks