Compact landing nets for Test & Itchen trout
On the River Test a 12-inch hoop is the sweet spot for brown trout
Seasoned anglers on the Test and Itchen favour a compact 12-inch hoop to land fish that typically measure between a foot and twenty inches. That diameter secures a 20-inch trout without the bulk that snags hedgerow and gravel.
Rubber mesh matters. A shallow rubber mesh cradle protects the trout’s slime coat, reduces hook tangles and speeds release. Avoid deep bags; the shallower profile keeps trout near the surface so handling time stays minimal.
Handle and reach
An extendable 4–5 ft handle is ideal for chalk-stream beats where bank fishing rules and fragile gravel demand minimal wading. Telescopic aluminium or carbon handles collapse for packability but extend to clear overhanging alders and gravel riffles.
Complement the net with a 9ft 5wt for main Test beats or a shorter 7ft for tighter Itchen carriers, a 12ft 4–5x leader and small dries in size 18–20. Debarb hooks, keep fish upstream whenever possible and cradle trout briefly in the shallow rubber before a smooth release into the chalk-clear flow beneath the willows.
Recommended: Rubber mesh net bag