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Post by watermole on Feb 25, 2007 20:35:39 GMT -1
Here's a handy little gadget which may be of some assistance when netting a good fish.....  It's actually a "finger" light, attached by means of a 'Velcro' strap for map-reading, which was bought from a local Camping supplies shop. About five seasons ago, I realized that my nocturnal vision was not what it had been and quite often, trying to net fish nearly resulted in knocking it off the fly by sheer mis-judgement of where the net was in the water. This little item solved the problem instantly! It is easily attached to any kind of net and throws a soft flat beam of orange light and the lens angle can be aimed directly at the bow of the net and nowhere else. This is it set up on my own collapsible, triangular-type net...    By trial-and-error, I found that the orange light was just a little too bright but that was soon toned down by adding a small piece of red 'cellophane' over the lens. Field tests have proved conclusively that fish are not spooked by it and since using it, have not failed to net a fish first time AND you do not lose your night vision. The on/off switch is positive and easy to operate, even with cold, wet hands. One small minus: The battery cap at the back is too easily undone. I solved that by putting a tiny brass woodscrew through the cap, into the body. Best wishes to all, Watermole. |
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Post by buzzerman on Feb 26, 2007 13:32:07 GMT -1
nice to see we got a tech head onboard  |
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Post by Hoppy on Feb 26, 2007 16:32:05 GMT -1
Cracking idea, good for those small tree covered rivers in Cornwall, something i will be considering shortly.
Any ideas where the lights are available from
Hoppy
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Post by shocker on Feb 26, 2007 18:06:17 GMT -1
Not to steal WMs thunder,but pedants like myself will note the case of parallel evolution.WM has the company of another great west country fisherman,Charles Bingham,who advocates a similar landing net light in his sea trout book.Even so,WMs version looks much more practical and less cumbersome.Good work that man! |
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Post by leigh on Mar 5, 2007 10:29:40 GMT -1
Good idea, i may have one if there not to bright.
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Post by JT on Mar 5, 2007 15:10:32 GMT -1
I'd worry about drowning it! This'll suit come fisherfolk on here no doubt... ...but haven't most of us now got so many different torches and LED lights clipped, strapped, glued and welded to our persons that the last thing we need is more illumination!?! WM - I'm just mucking about here  |
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Post by watermole on Mar 6, 2007 22:47:59 GMT -1
I know Jon-I suppose I am too!
Seriously though, my little river is very wooded on both banks for the most part and some nights are REALLY dark to the point that, you literally cannot see the other bank 20 feet away so the danger of knocking a fish off whilst trying to guide it into the net is always there. I have fished on some nights when there have been short periods of almost total blackness;-that can be quite frightening because you temporarily lose all orientation.
I think that is why black and siver lures are often the best down here.
A couple of thicknesses of red 'cellophane' over the lens and the result is a very dull, short and tiny beam of red light, right on the net area- and it makes all the difference.
The only other light I carry 'on board' is one of those 'Versa-brite' red torches which I clip onto the belt of my England's auto life-jacket. This gives me totally hands-free operation if necessary.
I don't know if it's absolutely waterproof, but it's been submerged briefly a few times and seems to be alright.
I personally don't chop and change flies too often, unless the fly is obviously wrong for the prevalent conditions; I sort out the ones most likely to be used at dusk and put them in known order, then when it's dark, only use red light to change as it takes at least half an hour for my night vision to come back.
Anyway, this gizmo is nothing compared to the bracket and strap arrangement I dreamed up a few years ago for strapping a video camera to the chest and filming a fishers-eye view of sea-trout fishing. It worked but must have looked hilarious !
I abandoned the idea after a few trials although the results were actually not too bad!
Best wishes,
W.m.
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Post by JT on Mar 7, 2007 8:12:05 GMT -1
Hang on, hang on! You can't just leave a a perfectly presented fly like that and bugger off!...
I (and undoubtedly others) would be interested to see some footage... especially as the season is so close and we've almost made it through the cabin fever...
By the way, which are your local rivers?
I occasionally scooch down to the Axe, Otter and Teign from Bristol but its almost easier given our A- and B- road network to just get on the M4 westbound and get off somewhere in Wales.
I still haven't caught an English Sea Trout.
Jon
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Post by Teifi Terrorist on Mar 7, 2007 9:08:51 GMT -1
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Post by JT on Mar 7, 2007 11:14:23 GMT -1
Anyone else spot the slightly tarnished halo in this sentance?
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Post by shocker on Mar 7, 2007 17:52:46 GMT -1
Nice little idea that. I remember seeing these back in my dj'ing days! But they were for a very different use If you tell me your DJ name I'll tell you mine.............. |
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Post by Teifi Terrorist on Mar 7, 2007 19:13:19 GMT -1
Nice little idea that. I remember seeing these back in my dj'ing days! But they were for a very different use If you tell me your DJ name I'll tell you mine.............. Hey Shocker, never went for any fancy names unfortunately mate. How about you? what do you play and where did/do you play? TT. |
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Post by buzzerman on Mar 7, 2007 19:37:35 GMT -1
i am still d,j,ing lol ;D
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Post by watermole on Mar 7, 2007 21:22:50 GMT -1
Some "illuminating" true confessions coming out now !
J.T.-The Lynher in south-east Cornwall is the river I chiefly fish because it is only a fairly short drive away. However, I have recently joined the Liskeard A.A who have extensive waters on the Fowey so I hope to give that a try this year. The Association parts do represent a fair challenge to the night fisher but it has a justified reputation for tackle busters so we shall see.
Re. the "strap-on" video camera; One of the reasons I did it was to try and capture some footage of otters which always seem to put in an appearance after you have spent ages quietly sneaking into a good casting position. I experimented mostly either very early morning (when not too many members of the public were at large) or at dusk and actually did capture a natural eye view of two sea-trout and a salmon being caught. (The salmon footage does include classic pictures of BOTH wader-clad feet when fish was returned AND occasional sound commentary to boot (joke) which,I feel,should award me extra points).
Also recorded is the exciting actual sound of a 3/4" tube-fly hitting the back of the head, when insufficient allowance was made for cross-wind.
I am trying to down/up load these clips to my computer. If I achieve success, it may be possible to put them onto the forum via photobucket......watch this space...
Best wishes to all,
W.m.
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Post by Hoppy on Mar 7, 2007 21:38:14 GMT -1
WM,
If they own the bit below Kingfisher Pool (Bottom of Wainsford) THEY DO HAVE SOME BIG FISH - I still recall loosing a monster in that pool, two of us stood for minutes wondering what to do with a fish that would not budge after a good scrap. It just sat at the tail of the pool - until it decided to go back to sea!
Geoff at wainsford put it above 15lbs!
Hoppy
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Post by shocker on Mar 8, 2007 8:46:54 GMT -1
WM, If they own the bit below Kingfisher Pool (Bottom of Wainsford) THEY DO HAVE SOME BIG FISH - I still recall loosing a monster in that pool, two of us stood for minutes wondering what to do with a fish that would not budge after a good scrap. It just sat at the tail of the pool - until it decided to go back to sea! Geoff at wainsford put it above 15lbs! Hoppy Yup!Thats just where I,and hopefully WM too,will be waving at you from,on the LDAC water. |
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