I have never used a net on a river only in the salt with fish I intend to keep. If you plan to release a fish why would you use a net? Secondly I was raised never to allow anyone to net my fish nor will I net anothers fish. It's all a part of the game to do it yourself. Means you may lose a few fish until you learn the ropes. I have also noted on fishing shows in rivers the guy doing the netting will go way down line of the fisherman to net the fish. I do not get it seems to be almost a tag team approach on the fish. I ruled out stressing the fish less beacuse they sit there and pet it for the camera forever.