Line Tray's

[Roger Smith]

Above is my initial thoughts on the line pallet. after over 3 years of constant use and getting used to using it in many situations I am still very impressed with it. The first thing I do is to make sure that I adjust it to the best position for the situation I am fishing in, usually on my left side sitting on my hip. Once this is done I generally forget that I am wearing it. My usual fishing situation is in fairly fast flowing water in the Mandurah estuary. Normally I only have it attached by the belt loops and let it float on the surface beside me. It can then ride up and down and cope with boat washes etc. I have used for flats fishing in Exmouth and also fishing from rock ledges. At all times it has performed very well.
My criticisms after this time would be:
Those bloody cones keep falling out at the most inappropriate times. (Glue them in place).
The thigh straps can get tangled around your line when not in use. (Make sure you tuck them well away).
It still doesn't look like is worth the money for a piece of foam and some cones.(But it is)
Would I buy another if I lost it? Definitely ( Or try and make one myself)
If you can try one first go for it!
Rog

[Diarmuid O Laoghaire]

Thanks Guys and to Roger for finding that excerpt on the forum.

What size are you using for the line pallet Roger?

[Stephen Bradbury]

Hey Diarmuid
The search for the perfect stripping basket is ongoing and I'm afraid probably as obtainable as mastering alchemy
Everyone has his or her favourite type/brand that works for them wether it's a home made job or a pricey proprietary one. Rule number one is to try not to use one unless the situation requires it. If I was you I'd try out a few of the other club members ones before committing to one, maybe ask some of the guy's coming to the June casting day to bring theirs down for you to practice with, I'm sure we could get 4 or 5 different types for you to look at, if you can wait that long that is ?
Maybe I can do a quick segment at the coming meeting on the different types etc ?
Anyway I'd better sign off before I start writing novels like Roger !

[GDay]

good suggestion Steve - would be a good item at the next meeting (strippers and line management ) - I have settled on John Coles' Flexi-Stripper. Terry Clarke is also an advocate of this product. So light you don't know you are wearing it.

[Rohan]

In my opinion stripping baskets are a must for shore based, and useful for boat based in certain instances ( fishing from a boat that is not set up for fly or as the third angler without a set place ). Unfortunately, there has not yet been a commercially made basket that is perfect, the snowbee brand version is the best all round i've seen but a tad small. Things to consider if buying or making one are
1/ Large enough with high sides so the line stays in if windy.
2/ The top edges should be resistant to slip, plastic baskets are ok but if the line starts to slip over the side it will continue out , so some son slip material should be adhered to the top edges of the basket.
3/ upright spikes or cones should be installed to help minimise the line turning over and tangling in the basket, which can be one of the biggest pitfalls of stripping baskets.
4/ drainage in the bottom at least is required.
5/ The basket should sit relatively flat when strapped to the waist, not too much forward sag.
6/ Consider transport, folding is good but then not to the exclusion of other key features.
7/ It should be designed to wear on the front of the waist , not the side. I thought side stripping baskets were a good idea when i started but without going into detail they are very limiting.
8/ Line pallets are also a good option.
9/ Usage problems include the line getting dry quickly and thus tangling and line tangling first cast after walking a bit. Both problems can be managed by stretching the line properly before use and ensuring twisting is removed in the case of boat fishing ( usually the only time line dryness is an issue ) by towing the line without fly attached behind the boat on the way out. If walking between spots shore based be aware and get the first cast out carefully, there will often be some untangling to do or of wading tow the line behind as you walk and then re load it into the basket before casting.

[Rohan]

If there was a commercially available perfect basket the shop where i work would have it.... still waiting ! aI suppose it's a case of the market being so small that it's not commercially viable to do a perfect expensive saltwater version, and probably accounts for why the C & F foam pallet is so relatively pricey, but that also does have more of a worldwide freshwater market as well, which the perfect saltwater basket would not.

[Diarmuid O Laoghaire]

Hey Diarmuid
The search for the perfect stripping basket is ongoing and I'm afraid probably as obtainable as mastering alchemy
Everyone has his or her favourite type/brand that works for them wether it's a home made job or a pricey proprietary one. Rule number one is to try not to use one unless the situation requires it. If I was you I'd try out a few of the other club members ones before committing to one, maybe ask some of the guy's coming to the June casting day to bring theirs down for you to practice with, I'm sure we could get 4 or 5 different types for you to look at, if you can wait that long that is ?
Maybe I can do a quick segment at the coming meeting on the different types etc ?
Anyway I'd better sign off before I start writing novels like Roger !

That sounds like a great idea! Id love to have a go of the line pallet if anyone will be around with theirs? What date and time is this casting day at? Im still trying to navigate my way around the forum!

In my opinion stripping baskets are a must for shore based, and useful for boat based in certain instances ( fishing from a boat that is not set up for fly or as the third angler without a set place ). Unfortunately, there has not yet been a commercially made basket that is perfect, the snowbee brand version is the best all round i've seen but a tad small. Things to consider if buying or making one are
1/ Large enough with high sides so the line stays in if windy.
2/ The top edges should be resistant to slip, plastic baskets are ok but if the line starts to slip over the side it will continue out , so some son slip material should be adhered to the top edges of the basket.
3/ upright spikes or cones should be installed to help minimise the line turning over and tangling in the basket, which can be one of the biggest pitfalls of stripping baskets.
4/ drainage in the bottom at least is required.
5/ The basket should sit relatively flat when strapped to the waist, not too much forward sag.
6/ Consider transport, folding is good but then not to the exclusion of other key features.
7/ It should be designed to wear on the front of the waist , not the side. I thought side stripping baskets were a good idea when i started but without going into detail they are very limiting.
8/ Line pallets are also a good option.
9/ Usage problems include the line getting dry quickly and thus tangling and line tangling first cast after walking a bit. Both problems can be managed by stretching the line properly before use and ensuring twisting is removed in the case of boat fishing ( usually the only time line dryness is an issue ) by towing the line without fly attached behind the boat on the way out. If walking between spots shore based be aware and get the first cast out carefully, there will often be some untangling to do or of wading tow the line behind as you walk and then re load it into the basket before casting.

Ya, I mainly want it because by the time Ive pulled in all my fly line, it has sunk into the water and while I am casting to get it out I need to do and extra 2-3 false casts to get it out with the double haul. Invariable sometimes as well there is weed tumbling around the ground and the line ends up getting caught in this as well so I spend more time untangling this. Sometimes I have to wait to retrieve my line while I am getting the weed off in case I get a good fish and the weed gets stuck in the eyes of the rod on the way out. So they are the main reasons I want one. If it was able to fold up so I could wear it and not use it that would be great because sometimes I am out to my waist with it, or I just dont need it because I am on the move too quickly following / stalking fish and it could be too cumbersome for me. Made one before out of a large ice-cream tub and a belt, but found it a bit awkward to use. Be good to test one out at the fly casting day with something that was designed properly for it.

[Stephen Bradbury]

Hey Diarmuid
The casting day at this stage is scheduled for Sunday the 21st of June and usually starts at around 9.30am down on the Nedlands foreshore at the end of Broadway right on the river. If any of these details change we will notify everyone at the meeting and on the field day thread on the forum.

[Rohan]

Ya, I mainly want it because by the time Ive pulled in all my fly line, it has sunk into the water and while I am casting to get it out I need to do and extra 2-3 false casts to get it out with the double haul. Invariable sometimes as well there is weed tumbling around the ground and the line ends up getting caught in this as well so I spend more time untangling this. Sometimes I have to wait to retrieve my line while I am getting the weed off in case I get a good fish and the weed gets stuck in the eyes of the rod on the way out. So they are the main reasons I want one. If it was able to fold up so I could wear it and not use it that would be great because sometimes I am out to my waist with it, or I just dont need it because I am on the move too quickly following / stalking fish and it could be too cumbersome for me. Made one before out of a large ice-cream tub and a belt, but found it a bit awkward to use. Be good to test one out at the fly casting day with something that was designed properly for it.

[/quote]

Yes, exactly, and its worse with a side current trying to false cast 40 or so feet of line that has drifted off up the beach etc.

[Diarmuid O Laoghaire]

Hey Diarmuid
The casting day at this stage is scheduled for Sunday the 21st of June and usually starts at around 9.30am down on the Nedlands foreshore at the end of Broadway right on the river. If any of these details change we will notify everyone at the meeting and on the field day thread on the forum.

Thanks For that Stephen, Ill look forward to it.

Yes, exactly, and its worse with a side current trying to false cast 40 or so feet of line that has drifted off up the beach etc.

Ya I forgot to mention that! And then you end up stepping into one of the loops in a panic as you follow a fish and cant get that crucial extra bit of distance out because it gets hung up on your leg! Im just glad Im not the only it happens too!