The Bernard Venables Landing Net & Handle in outstanding condition c2008.

The hand tied net bag has no seam at the bottom, which is something we pioneered. The net bag can stretch to accommodate long fish without harming them. The one inch mesh is knotless and complies with Environment Agency rules.

The Tonkin bamboo handle was tempered, mottled, straightened and most importantly, not sanded back to the power fibres, so as well as eight coats of yacht varnish, it has its natural skin intact for extra durability. It is waterproof and it floats, as does the net head. The brass butt cap has a red rubber button. The handle comes in its tailor made bag.

The one piece Y-shaped net block is made from machined brass. The net frame itself is impregnated and permanently waterproofed American white ash. The net mesh is laced onto the frame as the accompanying pictures illustrate.

From our 2011 catalogue is the following technical specification:

Designed and built at the request of the late Bernard Venables, these pear-shaped nets are vastly superior to all other types. There are no moving parts to fail, and no infuriating draw cord to fold up or snag at the critical moment. With a 6’ circumference, measuring 26” front-to-back and 21” side-to-side, all but the largest fish can be landed comfortably.

Due to the difficulty of obtaining some of the materials required to make these nets, we have mothballed our manufacturing of them for the foreseeable future. However, they remain the best of their kind both as efficient and practical tools and as the most beautiful and eye-catching items on the bank.