I had a little J shaped blade which
had a string attached. You put the bottom in your tip top,
extended it to the offending branch and hooked the blade over the
branch, removed your rod and pulled the string. They used to
have neat little gadgets which you can't find any more.
Ernie

E. Hille, aka Anglers Supply House, in Williamsport PA, has those
things. $5.95, if I recall correctly. They also had a ten buck
version at the PA Sports show recently.

http://www.anglersupplyhouse.com/

vince