Vintage Brodin (NOS)

 During the summer, while fly fishing one day, I released a pretty little brown trout back into the stream, and when I stood up and stepped back, I tripped over my wading staff. I fell backward and landed flat on my back. Fortunately, my sling pack cushioned the fall and I was perfectly okay, except for getting a good soaking. The only bad thing about the fall was losing my trout net. Dang it. It was a vintage Brodin that I was particularly fond of. I've been using other nets since then, but I sure missed that Brodin.

I searched the vintage tackle stores often, but I gave up finding an old classic Brodin like the one I lost. So, I acquired a different Brodin model that is the same length, but with a bit wider hoop. Dimensions are 20" overall length with a 13.5" x 8" hoop. It's built with a different hardwood frame than my lost net, but it is a beauty in its own right. The wooden frame has a grain pattern like a couple of my Winston's with zebra reel seats, which was one of the factors for my purchase.

Sometime this winter, I'll replace the black cotton net with a rubber catch-and-release basket. I'm still trying to decide whether to use a clear or black replacement basket. Either way, it will look great on the frame. Nope, this Brodin has never been used, despite its age, and in reality is a new landing net (NOS).

I'm excited to be wading small freestone streams next year with the vintage landing net, and I'm confident it will perform just as nicely as the last one. Maybe better. After all, a fat Gila trout of 18" escaped my old Brodin this past spring. As result, I'll install the new C&R basket with a bit more depth.

Brodin...it's light, has a great aesthetic, and is the perfect size for landing the Leetle Fellers living and swimming in my mountain Rio's. Perhaps, it will land a Grand Slam of Trout once again for me....yup, I'm going for the 'slam' again in 2026.