When a fish is tired you will notice that its lunges and runs become weaker and shorter. This can be the most dangerous part of the fight, as the fish will be closer and nearer the surface and you have only a short amount of line between you and the fish.
Very often, a fish that has been brought to the surface will make a desperate lunge for freedom as soon as it sees you or the net, so be prepared to give more line and continue the fight when this happens.
Eventually the fish will be beaten and will turn sideways on the surface. Now is the time to slip the net under the fish and draw it back from the water.
Do not drag the fish for a long distance to the net, try to get the net as close to the fish and draw it over the lip of the net in a steady controlled movement. When fishing fast rivers you may need to position the net a little downstream of the fish, and allow the current to take the fish over the net. Never try to pull a beaten fish against the current as that is a sure way of pulling out the hook.
Once the fish is in the net, draw the net back in the water to ensure the fish is safely in the folds. You should then disengage the bale arm on the reel and place the rod in its rest so you have both hands free to lift the net.
Do not lift the net out of the water while you are still holding the end of the pole as it will bend, and could break. Instead, slide the pole backwards until you can safely lift it out of the water by gripping the pole with both hands near the net.