Lure anglers have a difficult relationship with their landing nets, you've got to have one for most of your fishing, but they are a constant source of annoyance - awkward to carry, prone to get caught up in every bit of bankside foliage, slow to assemble... the list goes on. We all opt for the net that annoys us least in the end. About 14 years ago I visited Chorley Anglers, where the friendly and helpful (although rather hirsute) shop assistant (Dave Lumb, no less!) convinced me to choose a Fastnet 42" landing net.
This net is carried with the arms slid down parallel with the pole, which takes up very little space and is easy to store and carry; it takes about 4 seconds to push the slide up the pole and open the net ready for use. In use it has proved ideal, and I cannot imagine ever using another net. Remarkably it has lasted intact through those 14 years, I wonder how many fish it has landed? It works for me anyway, and a couple of friends have also been impressed enough to buy them.
Sadly in December 2003 I managed to fall down a slippery bank and break the collar that the arms slide upon, it was still usable, but a bit wobbly. I knew I wouldn't be able to use it for much longer. In May 2004 I finally made the effort to look up the manufacturer and emailed them to ask if I could obtain a new collar, and two days later the new piece, complete with bolts and lock nuts, arrived in the post, free of charge. Now that is what I call service! It certainly brought a smile to my face and now my net is repaired and ready for action again.
So many thanks to Redport Nets Limited for service of the highest order, and for a fine bit of kit.
In May 2004 these are currently in stock at Friendly Fisherman