Duranglers Rising Net Review

Duranglers Rising Net Review

Let me tell you a little story about at net.  Nets with stories are better nets anyway.

Rising Fly Fishing Tools

Before I get into the story, first let me quickly tell you about Rising Fly Fishing Tools.  Rising is a unique fly fishing company that builds and supplies a whole host of on-the-water tools and accessories.  It seems that Rising is continually striving to bring small shop U.S. manufacturing to the fly fishing market.  When I say “small shop manufacturing” I actually mean small shop.  Many of their products are built right out of their machine shop in Utah.

Here at Duranglers, we like to carry any products that hold the stamp “Made in U.S.A.” so of course, we dig Rising.  You can check out any of the Rising products we carry on our online shop.

My Story, As Told By a Net

So back to the net story.  Last year, we started seeing Instagram photos of a new net that Dylan at Rising was developing.  Out of the kindness of his heart, Dylan sent a prototype down here for us to put through the ringer.  As soon as it came in, we all realized this thing was more than the Instagram photos were letting on.  It is an absolute broadsword of a boat net with a massive basket.  Heck, this thing would be good for bass and smaller steelhead.  The Rising net is fully manufactured in the Rising shop.  American made, booyah.

Needing a net, I was very happy to receive this prototype and put it through some paces.  The unfortunate reality of my situation is I really don’t need a boat net…because I don’t have a boat.  However, I did manage a few days on the Animas and netted a few fish.  Does it ever net fish too!  With the longer handle, I didn’t even have to bend over to get the fish in the basket.  The Animas is tough wading and the sturdy aluminum machined handle of the Rising net with checkering grip also works great when doubled as a wading staff.  You could probably even use the handle as a self defense club if the need arose.  When not in use, I sheathed this venerable Excalibur in the strap of my waist pack.  I won’t lie, for wading, the handle is a little long.  I did feel like a badass though.

White Elephant

After I got in some licks with the Rising net, I realized that it would be much better suited for guide use here in SW Colorado.  It did come to us here at the shop out of Dylan’s kindness, why not pass on the love.  The yearly Duranglers Christmas party was coming up and we usually celebrate the tradition of gift giving with a white elephant exchange.  More often than not, the gifts given at this exchange are gag gifts with a fair share of “innuendos”.  My gift would be the envy of all in attendance.  To make a long story short, the night was lubricated with libations, we gave gifts (I think I ended up with a scented candle or something real useful), and the net was coveted by all.  Thankfully, it went to someone who spends a very large part of his summer behind the oars: Joe Delling.

Joe has been a longtime fixture here at Duranglers and is one of the best guides anyone could hope to have behind the sticks.  Interestingly enough, he needed a net.  Fortune shined on him that night.  So I sent him off with the stipulation that he needs to float me some day and he also needs to get me a review of the net.  Well the float has not come yet, but the review has.

Being a man of few words, Joe simply stated these quick highlights:

1. “It is the best net I have ever owned”
2. “It is bombproof, I am not afraid it will get damaged in my boat at all.  I have stepped on it a few times with no problems.  I am afraid it may get stolen though”
3. “The reach on it is great, I don’t have to bend over the side of the boat to net a client’s fish.”
4. “The grip on the handle is a great asset and it doesn’t slip even if it is wet.  Really great when you are rowing a boat and have other things to worry about.”

Safe to say, the Rising Net has become a necessary piece of equipment for this season when Joe floats the San Juan, Animas, or Rio Grande rivers.

So that is the story of our net.  We anticipate many more pages will be added to that story with the coming years.

Final Product

Since the net we received from Rising was an unfinished prototype; they have added a few additional features that have polished this net off into a very functional fishing tool.  The most noticeable are the awesome color anodizations.

Additional new features include:

• • Measurement indicators on hoop (makes measuring your fish quick and easy)
• • Custom acetal bolt to hold hoop to handle securely, while allowing easy dis-assemble and re-assembly for replacing bags or travel
• • Gasket sealed end-cap makes for water-proof storage in the handle. 24″ holds 6 oz of liquid, 38″ holds 10 oz. – stream side flask

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Again, the Rising Net comes in either 24″ or 36″ handle configurations and makes for a super solid boat net.  If you are interested in picking up one of these Rising nets, please call us at the shop or shoot us an e-mail [email protected].

• -Andy McKinley
•   Duranglers Flies and Supplies