Made by Rising Fishing: See the Brookie Net on risingfishing.com
The Rising Brookie Net is the smallest and lightest net in the Rising Fishing lineup: a 6000 series aluminum frame with a rubber bag, made in the USA. It is built for trout in rivers and bass in ponds, and it doubles as a wading staff. FFIP score: 8.3/10.
Overall: 8.3/10 · Badge: Highly Recommended
Verdict: A light, fish friendly net that is a little small for a big rainbow.
Best For: Trout and bass anglers who want a compact, light, rubber-bag net that rides on a pack or sling without getting in the way.
Not For: Anglers chasing big browns, redfish or other large fish, who should look at the larger Lunker hoop instead.
Price: Starting from $159 (per maker site; the 16 inch and 24 inch handle versions cost more).
Pros:
- Smallest, lightest Rising net: 1.10 lb with the 10 inch handle
- Hard-anodized aluminum handle and a rubber bag in clear or black
- Modular parts that are interchangeable, replaceable and upgradable
Cons:
- The 16.5 inch hoop is too small for very large fish
- A premium price for a trout net
- Handle length is chosen when you order, so decide where you will carry the net first
The FFIP Scorecard
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish care (bag/material) | 30 | 9 | Rubber bag is gentle on fish and slime, and hooks do not tangle in it. |
| Handling/reach | 20 | 8 | Easy to swing and doubles as a wading staff, but it runs out of room on a big fish. |
| Weight/portability | 15 | 9 | Lightest net Rising makes; I barely notice it on a pack or sling. |
| Durability | 20 | 8.5 | Hard anodized frame and replaceable parts; banged on rocks and still looks good. |
| Value | 15 | 6.5 | Starting from $159 is a lot for a trout net; I like it, but it is a premium price. |
| Overall (weighted) | 100 | 8.3 | |
How Is the Rising Brookie Net Built? The Engineering Behind It
6000 series aluminum
Rising says the Brookie uses 6000 series aluminum construction. The 6000 series is a family of aluminum alloys that combine magnesium and silicon, a mix that can be heat treated for strength and holds up well against corrosion. That matters on a net, because the frame spends its life getting dunked, banged against rocks and stuffed into a sling. Aluminum is also light, which is why the Brookie weighs 1.10 pounds (17.60 ounces) with the 10 inch handle and 1.32 pounds (21.12 ounces) with the 24 inch handle, per the spec sheet.
Hard-anodized Cobbletech handles
Rising says its Cobbletech handles are hard anodized to military specifications. Anodizing is an electrochemical process that thickens the natural oxide layer on aluminum. Unlike paint, the hardened layer is grown from the metal itself, so it does not chip off in sheets. A hard coat is much more scratch resistant than raw aluminum, which keeps the handle looking and feeling right after a season of abuse. Rising also lists a hydrophobic soft-touch texture, which means water beads off and you keep a grip when your hands are wet and cold, and a lanyard attachment point on every handle.
The rubber net bag
The bag is rubber, available in clear or black. Rubber mesh does not absorb water the way knotted nylon does, it is gentler on fish slime and scales, and hooks tend to hang up on it less. Rising also makes a point about basket depth on its own site: a deeper basket lets the fish settle, stay upright and stay submerged while its stress levels drop, which reduces thrashing and air exposure. The Brookie bag depth is 11 inches.
Modular design and wading staff duty
Every part of a Rising net is meant to be interchangeable, replaceable, upgradable and swappable, and the handle length is chosen when you order: 10 inch, 16 inch or 24 inch. Rising also says the net doubles as a wading staff when needed. A longer 24 inch handle gives you more reach for fish that stay out in the current. The sizes Rising publishes for the 10 inch version are a total length of 28.5 inches and a hoop length of 16.5 inches; the 24 inch version is 42 inches long overall.
Why the net matters for the fish
Rising's own Catch and Care notes make the case plainly: catch and release is only part of the story, and what matters most is how the fish returns to the river. Landing a fish quickly, keeping it in the water and handling it gently all help it swim away strong. A fish that is exhausted or kept out of the water is also easy prey after release, which Rising calls depredation. A net shortens the fight at the end, supports the fish while it recovers and keeps your dry hands off its protective slime. That is the engineering job of the Brookie: not to be a fancy accessory, but to be a quick, soft, wet place to park a fish for a few seconds.
Colors and bag choices
Rising lists seven frame colors for the Brookie (Cobalt, Stealth, Slate, Lupine, Ember, Moss and Baja) and a choice of clear or black rubber bag. Color is not just cosmetic. A bright frame is easier to spot when it is lying on a gravel bar or a boat floor. Mine is the purple frame with the black rubber bag and the 16 inch handle.
For more on putting a net to work, read our netting tips podcast article.
On the Water with the Rising Brookie Net
I have fished the Rising Brookie Net for four seasons now. The photo I keep coming back to was taken on a small, clear Utah creek in summer sun, with a mossy rock, grass on the bank and shallow water.
I slid the net under a fish that was bigger than I expected, a big rainbow full of color. It was tail out the back of the hoop, a stretch for the Brookie, but the net held. I got a quick photo before release and the fish went back fine. Being alone in that situation, I was stoked to have a reliable net.
How Does the Rising Brookie Net Score, Criterion by Criterion?
Fish care (bag/material) (Score: 9/10)
A net does its best fish-care work when the bag is soft, non-absorbent and deep enough to keep the fish in the water. The Brookie's rubber bag is 11 inches deep and comes in clear or black. Rubber is gentle on slime and does not soak up water. The tradeoff is the compact 16.5 inch hoop, which suits trout and bass but limits you on bigger fish. Our guide to wading safety and catch and release covers handling in more detail. The rubber bag is gentle on fish and slime, and hooks do not tangle in it. That fat rainbow in my photo came out of it just fine.
Handling/reach (Score: 8/10)
Handling comes down to the handle. Rising offers 10 inch, 16 inch and 24 inch handles, and the 10 inch is the short, quick option for a sling or pack. The net also serves as a wading staff, per the maker, and every handle has a lanyard attachment point so you can tether it. Mine has the 16 inch handle. The 16.5 inch hoop is easy to swing and also works as a wading staff, but it runs out of room on a big fish like the one pictured.
Weight/portability (Score: 9/10)
This is where the Brookie shines on paper: Rising calls it the lightest and most compact net it makes, at 1.10 pounds with the 10 inch handle and 1.32 pounds with the 24 inch handle. I barely notice it on a pack or sling.
Durability (Score: 8.5/10)
The frame is 6000 series aluminum and the handle is hard anodized to military specifications, per Rising. The modular design lets you replace a worn part instead of the whole net. Rising also backs the net with a satisfaction guarantee: return it for replacement or refund within four months of purchase, though ordinary wear and tear and damage from improper use are not covered. Mine has been banged on rocks for four seasons and still looks good.
Value (Score: 6.5/10)
At $159 for the starting configuration, the Brookie is a premium net. You are paying for U.S. manufacturing, modular parts and a bag designed for fish care. Starting from $159 is a lot for a trout net. I like it, but it is a premium price.
Who Should Buy the Rising Brookie Net (and Who Should Skip It)?
Buy it if
You mostly catch trout and bass, you want a net that stays out of the way, and you like the idea of replacing a part instead of buying a new net. It is a strong match for backcountry fishing and wading, where weight matters.
Skip it if
You regularly land large fish. The 16.5 inch hoop is Rising's smallest, and the Lunker with its 22 inch hoop is the better pick for bigger browns or redfish.
How Does the Brookie Compare to the Rising Lunker?
Rising makes two closely related nets. These figures come from the maker's spec sheets.
| Item | Brookie (10 inch handle) | Lunker (10 inch handle) |
|---|---|---|
| Hoop length | 16.5 inches | 22 inches |
| Net bag depth | 11 inches | 11 inches |
| Total length | 28.5 inches | 33.5 inches |
| Weight | 1.10 lb | 1.34 lb |
| Starting price | $159 | $179 |
Read my Rising Lunker Net listing if you fish bigger water.
Get the Rising Brookie Net in the FFIP Shop
The Rising Brookie Net is available in the FFIP Shop, starting from $159. Browse the rest of the lineup in Nets or the Rising collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is the Rising Brookie Net?
The Brookie has a 16.5 inch hoop length and an 11 inch bag depth. With the 10 inch handle the total length is 28.5 inches; with the 24 inch handle it is 42 inches, per Rising.
How much does the Rising Brookie Net weigh?
Rising lists 1.10 pounds (17.60 ounces) for the 10 inch handle version and 1.32 pounds (21.12 ounces) for the 24 inch handle version.
Is the Rising Brookie Net made in the USA?
Yes. Rising lists the net as made in the USA and ships from Hailey, Idaho.
What fish is the Rising Brookie Net for?
Rising says the Brookie is perfect for trout in rivers, bass in ponds and almost every other fish anglers wade for. For huge browns, grass carp or redfish, Rising recommends the larger Lunker.
Final Verdict
A great trout net if you want light and gentle on the fish. If you chase big browns, step up to the Lunker.
Christian's Pro Tip: Understand where you are going to carry your net before you buy. It is a big factor in choosing the net and the handle length.
Tight lines, everyone!
