Well, after numerous recommendations to do so I finally got the stripping basket I've been watching others use so successfully.
I've got say my first attempt to use it felt awkward. It was difficult to find a placement for it that allowed the line to drop in readily without impeding my stripping (of flies).
A newcomer to "my" beach who claimed to be Leland Miyawaki used me to point out to his student flyfisherman that it makes no sense to bring such a nice item along and then still end up with your line knotted around seaweed.
I also noticed HE didn't have a stripping basket, but he was evidently too polite to tell me I was over-equipped.
Seriously, saltchuckers, how do you position this thing so you can get the full benefit and use of it without impeding your line-stripping? I seemed to do better when I lowered it to around waist level, or at least had better range of movement. However, it seemed my line missed the basket more. Is a shift left or right (i'm a lefty) likely to be helpful?
Using it DID seem to help my casting distance.
And it really was Leland who showed up, and who also generously gave me one of his Poppers. Thanks, Leland - it was an honor to finally meet you, and my skunking didn't feel half as bad with you there. Hope you guys caught a bunch on the incoming tide.
I've got say my first attempt to use it felt awkward. It was difficult to find a placement for it that allowed the line to drop in readily without impeding my stripping (of flies).
A newcomer to "my" beach who claimed to be Leland Miyawaki used me to point out to his student flyfisherman that it makes no sense to bring such a nice item along and then still end up with your line knotted around seaweed.
I also noticed HE didn't have a stripping basket, but he was evidently too polite to tell me I was over-equipped.
Seriously, saltchuckers, how do you position this thing so you can get the full benefit and use of it without impeding your line-stripping? I seemed to do better when I lowered it to around waist level, or at least had better range of movement. However, it seemed my line missed the basket more. Is a shift left or right (i'm a lefty) likely to be helpful?
Using it DID seem to help my casting distance.
And it really was Leland who showed up, and who also generously gave me one of his Poppers. Thanks, Leland - it was an honor to finally meet you, and my skunking didn't feel half as bad with you there. Hope you guys caught a bunch on the incoming tide.