I too am considering a leaf net only for the "leafy" parts of the year- fall leaves and spring tree bits. I am watching the leaves just get started out the window- not near my pool yet, but will be soon. I do not have trees directly over my pool, but we get high winds, so the trees near by will send their leaves my way.
I am currently not planning on covering for the winter, or even removing the pump and filter, but letting it run during the coldest part of the night to prevent freezing and leaving the pool "open" for the winter. Of course, this could change if we have more winter than usual.
With a big round pool like I an ddpool have, would the leaf cover drape into the water some, at least in the middle? Obviously, it would still catch leaves, but how hard will it be to get them out? Do you have to drag the whole cover out, do you scoop them off the leaf cover, or how do you clean them up while the fall is in progress?