length of handle

[adric]

I was out on the Ithon last Saturday and caught some nice grayling. One was about 12”.

The problem I had was landing them. I have a standard pan net with about a 12” handle. When I got the fish close in I lost control of them.

With my standard river set up it would be easy because you could wind down on the fish. This is not possible with the fixed line of a tenkara rod. If the net handle was longer it would be easier.
What do you guys think is the ideal length of the handle bearing in mind that you have to carry it along the river bank?

[myotis]

Adric,

I have just put together (some bits still on the way) a net with a Maver 30cm rubber mesh scoop net and two 60cm butterfly net poles. Don't scoff at the butterfly bit, they are designed to smash butterfly nets through vegetation.

A single pole gives a portable net, but screwing them together gives a wading stick and net with longer reach. I also have a 30cm handle to make a scoop net.

Given that Tenkara is one handed affair, I'm not sure why we can't always use a net/wading stick combination, with the advantage of much greater reach and safer wading.

I also have a Leki walking pole that I have used as a wading staff, which has a removeable top to the handle that reveals a camera attachment, which, with an adaptor will allow the maver net to be attached to the walking pole. At the moment, my net "system" is still evolving, but so far I am pleased with the concept.

This approach of combining a landing net and wading staff was common once upon a time. eBay currently has three vintage Hardy net/wading staffs up for sale and esoteric tackle sell a modern version.

As I say, given that Tenkara gives us a free hand, this sort of net seems a lot more versatile than a short handled scoop net or Tamo. Especially, if you need to fish from steep river banks, where a short handled net is useless, or if you want to use longer lines.

Graham

[adric]

Hi Graham

The waiding stick net combo idea is a real food for thought. I also feel that a waiding stick might be a good idea on rocky streams.

Richard

[myotis]

Richard,

I used to do otter surveys as part of my job, and even in shallow water, the extra security of using a stick made an enormous difference to the speed you could walk up a river, as well as saving many a soaking when a rock would slide away from under your foot. Also useful for getting up and down steep banks safely.

I see it as an essential river accessory.

Graham

[custheyder]

I have a wading stick/net combo in the shop if anyone is interested. They are expensive, but really well made.

[Deleted]

Some years ago i used a Snowbee landing net when wandering along waters searching for carp.
It had a clip so you can attach it to your wading belt.
It can be unfolded with one hand and the telescopic part can also be used with 1 hand.
Lenght of the net i used to have was about 2meter (full length).
Several net sizes are available.
Other lengths were available also.
Maybe it's a construction that could work for Tenkara fishing ?

[myotis]

Aug 14, 2012 22:24:54 GMT custheyder said:

I have a wading stick/net combo in the shop if anyone is interested. They are expensive, but really well made.

And very good it looks too, which is why I suggested it in my post.

I nearly went for one, but in the end I felt my DIY option gave me more flexibility. Note that my DIY option isn't that cheap as including postage its probably costing me around £50.

And if I can't manage to get a friend to make the Leki walking pole adaptor for me, I will have that cost as well.

I may yet regret not going for one your stick/net combos in the first place.

Graham

[custheyder]

No regrets. To fish with something you made yourself, no matter what the cost, is a great pleasure.

[adric]

All sorted for the moment for less than £10. Quick trip to the local fishing shop and found a net for £5 and a pole for a little bit less. Will have to do untill I can get a better one. All I need is a lanyard wich I will mmake from some cord.

Richard

[myotis]

Richard,

The pole you got will almost certainly be same as my butterfly net poles, and if it's match fishing net they tend to more fish friendly than the average tout mesh, so this could be all you need

Graham