On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 16:52:59 GMT, "Larry L"
wrote:


"Dave Mohnsen" wrote

Problem I have with the insect nets, including the pantyhose option, is
that in fast current, ya better grip your net with both hands. I've had
better luck with an aquarium net, but it is not as convenient. Have to
stuff it in the back portion of the vest, and seem to always need to take
of the vest to get it out.


I took a medium sized aquarium net and cut and bent the wire frame to a
shape and size that fits in my largest front vest pocket. I took the
handle off completely so I ended up with just a rectangle of wire and the
net itself ... works pretty darn well for the top foot or so of the water
column.

Here's a way to build a cheapy sampling system with some PVC, cord,
wire, and some suitable netting (such as the pantyhose) that will work
under a lot of conditions. The general idea is a flexible net that can
be retracted into a tube, with the tube being the delivery and retrieval
device/storage system.

Take a length of PVC pipe - any diameter above 1" - 1 1/2" and any
length more than about 18" long, but using diameter wide enough and
length long enough for a rod tube/wading staff makes it a multi-purpose
item and allows greater reach/depth. Glue threaded male adaptors on
each end if you wish to be able to cap both ends, or a male on one end
and a standard hub-type coupler on the other if you don't care about
capping the net end. You can also just sand a smooth bevel on the net
end. However you do it, I'd recommend not simply leaving a square-cut
end, and the coupler is cheap, easy, and sure, and I'd also recommend
not using a glued-on cap on cord end - as always, YMMV.

Take a wire shirt hanger or similar wire and form a diamond shape (this
is important - other shapes won't work as well, if at all) with a
"tail"/two tag ends - picture the wire hanger when pulled from the
center of the crossmember and the hook. Use wire stiff enough to hold a
shape, but flexible enough to "fold" into the tube without a lot of
force. This will be the net frame. Attach a length of sturdy braided
nylon or similar cord at least 2-3x the length of the tube to the "tail"
of the wire net frame, making sure there are no wire "barbs" to snag on
things. Cover the wire frame with appropriate material - the
aforementioned pantyhose is probably the best overall choice in this
case.

Take a threaded male cap and drill a hole slightly larger in diameter
than the cord and thread the cord through the tube and through the cap.
Thread the cap on tube and retract the net into the tube until the net
is in the tube and the end is just at the end opposite the now-capped
end. Mark the cord at the capped end, pull the cord out of the
non-capped end, and make a large stopper knot slightly below the mark.
Pull the net frame out so it is almost, but not completely, out of the
tube and put a witness mark on the cord. This will take some individual
"tuning" as different materials and water/current conditions will vary
how much of the frame can/should be exposed, hence the witness mark
rather than a knot. The general idea is to get the tube, with the net
just far out of the tube enough to collect, but not so far as to have it
adrift in the current. If one wanted to get fancier, things like
weights, diving foils/wings, etc. can be added for particular
situations.

HTH,
R