I like the handy pak nets. I bring them on backpacking trips and fly with them for other outings
I've had one of those and liked the compactness when stowed. Right off I replaced the net bag with a mesh zip on-off Measure Net bag. But the hoop would begin to fold up in strong current while trying to net a fish and over a couple of seasons developed a permanent bend ruining the hoop.
Better be a damn good deal considering the price listed is $320.
Dragontail Tenkara has a nice burl net for $59.99 I thought about
This is an awesome small stream net with beautiful burl wood. The shape is so perfect for scooping up fish with ease. The netting hoop is large enough for a bigger trout in the 16 inch range. The rubber coated netting allows for you to protect the fish's skin and is very light weight so you can...
dragontailtenkara.com
Since you are aware of DT, I have been using the DT 12" knockoff of the Shimano damo
About a month ago I was fishing and lost my landing net. The water was high and moving fast and I was standing in a very precarious spot. I...
tetontenkara.blogspot.com
for 6 years with repairs / modifications over the first couple of seasons that make it more like this Daiwa Damo (that has a much nicer wood handle).
Daiwa Keiryu Damo is very nice rigid net that is well suited for tenkara or keiryu fishing.
www.tenkarabum.com
that can still be purchased at
The DT and Shimano plastic handle and hoop are lightweight (
and unfortunately as mentioned by TBUM fragile out of the box; see my mod below). The 13" round, countoured handle fits my hand nicely, and gives me a greater reach. Mods include...
- Replacing the featherweight net bag that quickly snagged and tore on streamside blackberry vines with the small size (24") zip-on/off rubber coated Measure Net bag. Overall the net is still pretty lightweight.
- Drilling a hole at the end of the handle and inserting a Dyneema soft shackle for use with a Gear Keeper Net Retractor.
- Drilling out the plastic handle rivet that broke after I jammed it into a streambed and using a stainless machine screw with a nylon lock nut has greatly improved its durability.
Overall, this topic might be better off in the Gear & Techniques Sub-Forum but I mentioned I replaced the netbag. I don't know the background - qualifications of this YTuber but I recently had these videos show up in my YT feed. I am interested to know others' thoughts.
I found this comparison of net bags interesting
Personally I don't have the "too much material" problems he mentions with the small Measure Net bag.
*Adding a couple of additional thoughts...
I wish the Bozeman Flyworks Net frames in the video had a smaller hoop that I think would make a better small stream net. In his "Ditch Carbon Fiber Net" video he mentions creating a "Franken Net" with the BFW net handle and a hoop from a Walmart net but it is actually bigger than the BFW hoop.
The Adams Built Nets he mentions also look very interesting,
especially the 15" Trout Net with a 12″ to 18.5″ extendable handle and are available through local big box stores.
I really like the Measure Net measurement feature for a quick measure, photo, and release. If my Damo ever breaks again, I already have the rubberized and mesh net bags

.