Net length

[Mark Walker]

Well, here's my two cents:

I have two nets.  I used to have three.  One is short, small, and easy to
take apart and put back together again.  There are times when this net is
the preferred choice (like when I need to fit it in my backpack), and there
are times when this net facilitates a capture (like when a big, cumbersome
net is too slow or too long).  I usually choose my second net, which is
about 5 feet long and has a 15" diameter.  There are times when the bigger
net scares off more than it captures.  I don't use an oversized net
diameter, probably because the larger ones tend to be harder to swing.  I
could fool myself into thinking that I'm being more of sport by using the
smaller diameter, but the truth is that the larger diameter nets tend to
result in less potential for damage, and therefore make it easier to catch
and release with little impact.  The longer net has it's obvious advantages.
I've seen extension nets that are over 30 feet long.  Don't ask me how
anyone can ever use one of these.

My large net currently has dark green netting.  Sort of Army camy style, I
guess.  I don't care much for it - it makes it very difficult to id through
the net.

I used to own one of the collapsible, detachable nets - but it got stolen.
It was pricey, and had much promise in the pack-it-in-your-suitcase
category, but I never did like swinging it.  A big, flimsy, awkward thing it
was.  It serves the thief right!

I'm reminded of the nets I used to make out of a broom stick, coat wire, and
sewn netting.  We're talking about an 8 year old boy with limited domestic
skills (although I was a pretty good little boy scout).  I wouldn't have won
any awards, that's for sure.  Functional, though.

Hmmmm.  I think that was more like 3 cents worth.

Mark Walker.

-----Original Message-----
From: botany at centurion.flash.net [mailto:botany at centurion.flash.net]
Sent: Friday, May 28, 1999 11:36 AM
To: leps-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: Net length


Greetings.
As on off-shoot of part of the below posting - I would like to know from
those of you who DO use nets.... (except for "Monarch" nets) - if you have
any preference for:

LENGTH -Have you tried using a shorter ("kids") net - they ARE, I think,
much more flexible - more leverage - fit in a back pack- or, if you use a
"tradional" net - has anyone used an aluminum handle - does this "work
better" than a wooden handle ? Or might it just be  location,location,
location....


Sharyn f.


>-----Original Message-----
>From: Mark Walker
>Sent: Thursday, May 27, 1999 6:00 PM
>To: 'drdn at mail.utexas.edu'
>Subject: RE: Us and Them
>
>
>Chris Durden wrote:
>
><snip>
>
>I pull out a net to take a sample the diversity seems to decrease and
>approachability receeds to just beyond handle length.
>
><more snippage>
>
>Isn't that the truth.  Actually, though, there are those bolder species
>(certain Swallowtails come to mind) that seem to torment the net carrier in
>spite of the handle length or net radius.  I am convinced that certain
>butterflies will, once they spot you standing there like an idiot, fly
>directly at you, making at least two sweeps to within a few inches of your
>nose, and then fly away "laughing" (that ought to get John Grehan smiling).
>If it had only happened a few times, it would be anecdotal.  This happens
>ALL the time (especially the standing there like an idiot part) for me.
>
>Mark Walker.

Sharyn Fernandez
Concord CA
botany at flash.net