Fishing – trapping – and vermin destroying – Fishing – Holder
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-19
2001-02-20
Ark, Darren W. (Department: 3643)
Fishing, trapping, and vermin destroying
Fishing
Holder
C043S004000, C206S315110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189258
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to containers for temporarily storing fishing rods and in particular to a transparent cylindrical container for managing fly line during and between casts.
2. Descripition of Prior Developments
When casting fishing line and particularly when casting a fly line, an angler strips line from a reel and typically allows the line to fall to the ground or into the water. Tangled line often results. Conditions are made worse by the presence of a blowing wind which promotes line tangling. Moreover, weeds, grass, rocks, stumps, branches, boat cleats and the like can cause line tangling. Line frequently gets caught under or on an angler's feet.
Line soiling from dirt, dust, or any fine particulate matter can decrease casting distance and accuracy due to the drag on the line caused by increased friction from the dirt. This friction also increases in proportion to the distance the fly line is from the rod when a cast is made. The closer the stripped line is to an angler, the less line drag results thereby allowing a farther cast.
Attempts to relieve such problems include the use of a basket worn around an angler's waist to receive stripped line. While such a basket attempts to improve fly line control, it exhibits certain drawbacks. Because it is designed to be worn on the body of an angler, it becomes an encumbrance. The need to vary line stripping motion is hampered by a relatively cramped tight space within the basket into which the stripped line is directed. This arrangement does not readily receive the stripped line.
Moreover, a varied line stripping motion is often desirable to entice a fish to strike a cast fly. Such variable stripping motion is not conducive to easy placement of the line into a waist-mounted basket. When a long line stripping motion is used, it becomes difficult if not mechanically impossible to properly place a long length of stripped line into the basket. Since a long strip action is often required to set the hook when a fish strikes, the basket may actually distract an angler at this critical point by failing to receive the stripped line.
Although waist mounted baskets work well if an angler is wading in wavy water, the basket does not provide much protection against blowing winds which tend to blow the line all about. Such baskets also cannot provide a resting place for a fly rod or provide storage for the rod and line when moving from place to place.
Fly rods are fragile and are prone to damage when landing a big fish. In this case, if an angler lifts the rod too high and places a high load on the rod tip, the tip can break. Prior line holding arrangements provide no solution to this problem.
Accordingly, a need exists for a method and apparatus which provides a virtually tangle free cast, which protects the line from excessive dirt and wind, which has the potential to clean the line during casting, and which provides a support for a fly rod as an angler lands a fish.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention has been developed to fulfill the needs noted above and therefore has as an object the provision of a method and apparatus for use with casting a fishing line and which reduces line tangles, even under windy conditions. A further object of the invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for storing fishing line between casts and for holding and transporting a fishing line and reel with line stripped from the reel.
Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for ensuring that line stripped from a fishing reel falls into a container and naturally coils itself for subsequent tangle-free casting.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for fly casting which eliminates unnecessary rewinding of stripped line while moving from one fishing location to another, thereby adding to useful fishing time. By storing the rod and stripped line in a container constructed according to the invention, an angler can gain extra minutes of fishing time at each new fishing spot since the line does not have to be rewound and then unstripped between each move. Stripping baskets do not provide this advantage.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a fly rod and fly line container which includes a detachable carrying handle for facilitating transport, placement and use of the container.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a storage container for supporting and storing a fly rod while an angler lands a fish. In this case an angler can use two hands on the line and thereby take the high load off of the rod tip.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a rod, reel and line container which has a rim formed of a low friction material such as nylon or PTFE and which can be coated with a line cleaner, such as the type sold under the name “Glide”, to clean the line during casts.
Still another object of the invention is the provision of a fly line container with a weighted bottom covered with a non skid material to securely support a rod, particularly on the deck of a rocking boat.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a container which enables an angler to walk with coils of fly line stripped into the container, thereby allowing the angler to cast upon a moment's notice. With each use, this arrangement can save about two and one half minutes which is the average time needed to properly prepare for a cast from a line initially fully wound on a fly reel.
Another object of the invention is to provide a clear, transparent walled line container which provides a clear view of the line and allows an angler to see whether the line is properly coiled in the container or whether the line is tangled.
These and other objects are met by the present invention which includes a clear, open top, cylindrical tube having a weighted base. The tube height is carefully dimensioned to ensure that line stripped from a reel falls naturally under its own weight into the tube.
The tube width is likewise carefully dimensioned to ensure that line falling into the bottom of the tube naturally coils itself into neat coils. This coiling discourages tangling and promotes long and accurate fly casts.
While conventional line holders are typically limited to use out of water, the present invention may be partially submerged with its base resting on bottom and a portion of its tube projecting above the water level. With the tube partially filled with water, it is anchored in place and still provides a convenient container into which stripped line may be stored. Since water seeks its own level, a secure anchorage is achieved by water entering the container through its drain holes.
An angler may strip short or long lengths of line directly into the tube which is preferably maintained in close proximity to the angler. In this manner dirt, sand, wind and other hindrances are largely avoided. In order to maximize casting distance, an angler may stand as close to the tube as desired.
The aforementioned objects, features and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity, and will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which form an integral part thereof.
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Ark Darren W.
Helfgott & Karas P.C.
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