Question on shooting a line
Thanks Roy. Good discussion on my qeustions.
Ed
I've been doing this on Field Day for a long time.
First off, I use about 6-8 pound test line. It's heavy enough to pull
a nylon cord back over the tree, but light enough so it comes off
smoothly and so I can get plenty of line on a reel.
Second, I use teardrop-shaped fishing weights (narrow at the line
end), never round or pyramid. The latter types snag too readily if you
have to pull the weight back up. Try dragging the weight across a
weedy back yard if you need an illustration.
As for the weight itself -- over the years I slowly increased the
weight to as much as 3 ounces, so it would drop freely through fairly
dense pine and fir trees. But I had an increasing amount of trouble
with the weight coming out of the pouch during the shot, leading to
very short shots and even occasionally a cut elastic unless everything
was just right. Dropping back with the weight cured the shooting
problem, along with using a slingshot with wide spaced arms. I've
settled on about 2 oz as the best compromise between trouble-free
shooting and the ability to drop through the tree.
I never use this method for a home installation unless it's for no
more than a few days -- the twine or even rope cuts into the tree,
making it impossible to get down. This might not be as much of a
problem with hardwood trees as it is for softer and pitchier conifers.
Also, I've had people tell me that very heavy nylon monofilament is
less prone to this -- I haven't tried it.
Roy Lewallen, W7EL
|