How to Use Tree Fishing to Retrieve Deadwood While Camping
Find a suitable tree., Pick a desirable branch or group of branches., Inspect your surroundings carefully., Split your tree fishing rope approximately in half in length into two sections: the falling, or weight section, and the throwing line...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find a suitable tree.
If you are trying to remove a dead branch that is a hazard to others this is not an issue, however, if you are seeking ground wood in an area where none is present then you must find a suitable tree.
Suitable trees are either dead or have branches that are completely dead.
This is easier to identify in leaf-bearing times of year, however, further steps will help you test a branch for suitability.
It is much preferred to start with a tree that appears to be completely dead than one that only has a number of dead branches. -
Step 2: Pick a desirable branch or group of branches.
If a group is selected each one must be harvested one at a time.
Live branches are not desirable.
First, they will not come down easily.
Second, pulling down a live branch opens up the tree to infection and your action risks killing the whole tree.
Third, they will not burn properly because live branches are very wet on the inside.
The best branches look brittle and dry on the outside, may have some signs of breakage already, and are no more than twice as high as your throwing line is long plus about 10–20 feet (3.0–6.1 m) of rope.
You must allow yourself some room for the branch to fall in front of you rather than on top of you.
Never attempt to pull a branch directly above you straight down. , Is there a bee hive in the tree or surrounding tree? Which way do you intend to pull the branch? Is your escape route from the falling branch free from obstacles, holes, divots, bears, campfires, spittoons and other objects that could hurt you? , The throwing line should be a little more than half the length of the rope, but not much more because the weight end is the end that will fall down to you so that you can pull the dead branch down. , If you have a long line and a low branch, you don't have to be too careful about the ratio of weight side's length to throwing line's length, but if you are going at a branch at the limit of your total possible range then you might want to determine the exact middle of your line, mark it, and use that as the dividing line between the weight and the throwing line, though in practice, always err a yard or two on the side of the throwing line. , Then, wind the rope in a continuous circle from your hand down around your elbow and back again until you have used about 1/2 of your weight line allotment of the total line. , If you have been keeping the rope tight to your elbow as you have been doing this, each of the loops you made should be about the same size.
If not and they are falling apart, repeat this step.
Eventually it will be second nature. , (This is why smaller diameter rope is preferred to larger diameter, the rope must be able to be turned and bent at this stage). , Carefully, without letting the weight coil fall apart, wind the remaining weight portion of the rope around the middle of the coil so that it squeezes the middle of the coil together as if it would be a figure 8 if you twisted it.
In fact, there would be nothing wrong with it twisting into a figure 8 during this step, the important thing is that the remaining weight rope go around the middle of the coil leaving space, a loop, at both ends for rope to flow through freely later. , Pull a good arm's length through the coil and hold it in your less favored (left) hand with the throwing weight now swinging down below it. , You should find the length at which the coil is at least a foot above the ground, but no more than 24 inches (61.0 cm), at the low point of your swing.
That is probably your most comfortable throwing height. , Bear in mind that you will be throwing 2/3rd's of this rope and letting the rest play out of your hand as the rope rises. , It is perhaps 10 feet (3.0 m) long and 3 inches (7.6 cm) around and branches at the end have broken off and are hanging down already.
One sign that it might be dead.
Do not aim as close to the trunk of the tree as possible.
That will be the same thing as trying to pull down the whole tree and in many cases, if successful, will be hazardous to your health.
Generally the mid-point of the branch is a good place to try for for beginners on a branch that is nearly parallel to the ground, if possible. , (You will soon have your own technique
- lifeguards ignore any throwing instructions, just add lift.) ,,,, Branch heights and rope heights sometimes intervene.
Get used to the idea that you will not get it in one toss. , Hold onto the end once it plays out.
If you don't it is entirely possible that the whole thing will sail right over the branch and hit the ground without unravelling the weight.
Funny...the first time. , If the rope does not immediately untangle, try shaking it, making it circle like a jump rope, find a place it might catch against a smaller branch, any place but the corner of the trunk.
If it catches there, you might lose your rope, unless you have brought other equipment! In most cases the worst that will happen is that you will miss, in which case you just need to repeat the process. , If you do, there will be no "springy" sensation as you pull back on the branch.
If you have picked well you will soon hear some cracking.
That is the sound you want to hear.
Cracking is an indication of dead wood. , You do not want it to whiplash out of control in another direction because you have pulled it fast and hard and it broke under too much tension.
Generally, pulling back towards the tree is very effective. , While describing how to make the coil is laborious, making and throwing it is fun. ,, See tips and warnings below. -
Step 3: Inspect your surroundings carefully.
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Step 4: Split your tree fishing rope approximately in half in length into two sections: the falling
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Step 5: or weight section
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Step 6: and the throwing line.
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Step 7: Estimate how much margin of error you have.
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Step 8: To assemble the weight line half
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Step 9: put one end of the rope in your least favored hand
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Step 10: for most this will be their left hand
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Step 11: and bend your elbow.
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Step 12: Grasping the top portion of the rope with your least favored (usually left) hand
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Step 13: use your other (right) hand to gather the bottom of the loops you have been making with that (right) hand and pull the rope taught.
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Step 14: Holding the two ends of this large coil apart turn one end a 1/2 turn creating a figure 8
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Step 15: then bring the two halves together so they make one smaller coil
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Step 16: about half the size of the first one.
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Step 17: At this point
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Step 18: you should have about half of your weight line left
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Step 19: or less.
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Step 20: Once you have used all but the last foot
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Step 21: draw that last foot through either end of the opening in the coil that was created by winding up the middle of the coil
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Step 22: it will resemble the loop created when you tie your shoe but be made of the many laces of the coil and should be large.
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Step 23: As the coil hangs there
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Step 24: notice that if you were to pull the free end of the rope tighter the weight would climb towards your hand
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Step 25: and if you slackened the rope it would drop towards the ground.
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Step 26: With the coil hanging at its best height coil the rest of the throwing rope in loops about the same size as the loop holding the throwing rope.
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Step 27: You have hopefully selected a dead
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Step 28: dry looking branch that is say
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Step 29: 12 feet (3.7 m) off the ground.
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Step 30: Face the tree at a 30 angle with your left foot forward.
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Step 31: Grab the coil and the throwing line you intend to toss with your throwing hand.
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Step 32: Hold the remaining rope with your other hand.
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Step 33: Swing the coil and weight back and forth to get the heft of it
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Step 34: try to bend your knees a little as you do.
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Step 35: To make it without the darn rope falling back on your head you probably need to be far enough back that the tree branch is at in the range of a 30-45 degree angle.
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Step 36: Swing back and forth until you are ready to let loose
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Step 37: and aim for a spot 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 4.6 m) above the branch you want.
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Step 38: If all goes well
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Step 39: the rope will go over the branch and stop
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Step 40: untangle and fall to the ground.
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Step 41: Gather both ends of the rope and walk backwards slowly away from the tree
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Step 42: pulling gently as you do
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Step 43: testing to see if you do have a dead branch.
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Step 44: Try not to put to much tension on the rope as you pull the branch down.
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Step 45: If you find you are working too hard
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Step 46: the branch may still be alive
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Step 47: so move on.
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Step 48: If you take down more than you need
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Step 49: move the pile away from the campsite or trail you used
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Step 50: leaning it against a fallen trunk if possible
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Step 51: it will make a fine home for a young forest dweller.
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Step 52: Practice fire safety and leave your campsite cleaner than when you got there.
Detailed Guide
If you are trying to remove a dead branch that is a hazard to others this is not an issue, however, if you are seeking ground wood in an area where none is present then you must find a suitable tree.
Suitable trees are either dead or have branches that are completely dead.
This is easier to identify in leaf-bearing times of year, however, further steps will help you test a branch for suitability.
It is much preferred to start with a tree that appears to be completely dead than one that only has a number of dead branches.
If a group is selected each one must be harvested one at a time.
Live branches are not desirable.
First, they will not come down easily.
Second, pulling down a live branch opens up the tree to infection and your action risks killing the whole tree.
Third, they will not burn properly because live branches are very wet on the inside.
The best branches look brittle and dry on the outside, may have some signs of breakage already, and are no more than twice as high as your throwing line is long plus about 10–20 feet (3.0–6.1 m) of rope.
You must allow yourself some room for the branch to fall in front of you rather than on top of you.
Never attempt to pull a branch directly above you straight down. , Is there a bee hive in the tree or surrounding tree? Which way do you intend to pull the branch? Is your escape route from the falling branch free from obstacles, holes, divots, bears, campfires, spittoons and other objects that could hurt you? , The throwing line should be a little more than half the length of the rope, but not much more because the weight end is the end that will fall down to you so that you can pull the dead branch down. , If you have a long line and a low branch, you don't have to be too careful about the ratio of weight side's length to throwing line's length, but if you are going at a branch at the limit of your total possible range then you might want to determine the exact middle of your line, mark it, and use that as the dividing line between the weight and the throwing line, though in practice, always err a yard or two on the side of the throwing line. , Then, wind the rope in a continuous circle from your hand down around your elbow and back again until you have used about 1/2 of your weight line allotment of the total line. , If you have been keeping the rope tight to your elbow as you have been doing this, each of the loops you made should be about the same size.
If not and they are falling apart, repeat this step.
Eventually it will be second nature. , (This is why smaller diameter rope is preferred to larger diameter, the rope must be able to be turned and bent at this stage). , Carefully, without letting the weight coil fall apart, wind the remaining weight portion of the rope around the middle of the coil so that it squeezes the middle of the coil together as if it would be a figure 8 if you twisted it.
In fact, there would be nothing wrong with it twisting into a figure 8 during this step, the important thing is that the remaining weight rope go around the middle of the coil leaving space, a loop, at both ends for rope to flow through freely later. , Pull a good arm's length through the coil and hold it in your less favored (left) hand with the throwing weight now swinging down below it. , You should find the length at which the coil is at least a foot above the ground, but no more than 24 inches (61.0 cm), at the low point of your swing.
That is probably your most comfortable throwing height. , Bear in mind that you will be throwing 2/3rd's of this rope and letting the rest play out of your hand as the rope rises. , It is perhaps 10 feet (3.0 m) long and 3 inches (7.6 cm) around and branches at the end have broken off and are hanging down already.
One sign that it might be dead.
Do not aim as close to the trunk of the tree as possible.
That will be the same thing as trying to pull down the whole tree and in many cases, if successful, will be hazardous to your health.
Generally the mid-point of the branch is a good place to try for for beginners on a branch that is nearly parallel to the ground, if possible. , (You will soon have your own technique
- lifeguards ignore any throwing instructions, just add lift.) ,,,, Branch heights and rope heights sometimes intervene.
Get used to the idea that you will not get it in one toss. , Hold onto the end once it plays out.
If you don't it is entirely possible that the whole thing will sail right over the branch and hit the ground without unravelling the weight.
Funny...the first time. , If the rope does not immediately untangle, try shaking it, making it circle like a jump rope, find a place it might catch against a smaller branch, any place but the corner of the trunk.
If it catches there, you might lose your rope, unless you have brought other equipment! In most cases the worst that will happen is that you will miss, in which case you just need to repeat the process. , If you do, there will be no "springy" sensation as you pull back on the branch.
If you have picked well you will soon hear some cracking.
That is the sound you want to hear.
Cracking is an indication of dead wood. , You do not want it to whiplash out of control in another direction because you have pulled it fast and hard and it broke under too much tension.
Generally, pulling back towards the tree is very effective. , While describing how to make the coil is laborious, making and throwing it is fun. ,, See tips and warnings below.
About the Author
Patricia Morgan
Creates helpful guides on lifestyle to inspire and educate readers.
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