Just read the feature article on how to make your own lanyard - very nice. Then I read an article by Dave Micus which he commented on several odd/absurd products - the fishing hat vest and quick release leather thumb for example. He commented on the lanyard and I am not sure which way he was going. I would like to make one and try it.
Does anyone use them? Does it require zingers for most of the tools?
Looking for some input.
Thanks,
paff
[This message has been edited by paflyfisher (edited 22 November 2005).]
I bought a lanyard back in 1990 and still use it on occassions. You do not need zingers, or at least I don’t use them. If you get or make one, be sure that it has a clip on the very bottom. This will allow you to clip it to your shirt or jacket. Doing so will prevent it from swinging back and forth as you walk.
As far as Dave Micus is concerned, many of us here haven’t a clue which way he is going most of the time. Neither does he. G
I made my own a few years ago and it’s the only thing I use to carry tools and tippet now. much easier to carry and much lighter than lugging around a pack or vest. I picked up the swivel clips at the local sporting goods store and placed these on elastic cord along with some designer craft beads from hobby lobby. I may have a pic of it on the comp, if interested, email me and I’ll send the pic to you. definitely something I’ll always use from here on out.
I use a lanyard as long as the weather is warm. Much cooler than a vest in summer. Clip at bottom to attach to shirt a good idea.
One zinger-like attachment is placed high on left side of cord, and is used to carry cross-lock tweezers for getting #18-26 midges out of C&F box. I take the fly out of the tweezers with a small Ty-Rite spinner on right side, thread and knot it, then remove tag end with clippers also carried on right side. All this can be done easily with rod tucked under arm.
There are leftover clips on lanyard for carrying shot dispenser, floatant, tippet material, small box for used flies, etc…tho I usually carry most of this stuff in a belt pouch that also accommodates two C&F fly boxes. I hang my license off the length-adjustment cord at the top of the lanyard, behind the neck.
This may read complicated, but in practice is very efficient. Lots of variations possible, based on your preferences.
I’ve used a lanyard for years. It is a perfect combination for fishing out of a drift boat. I don’t use any zingers on mine and I do have a little dowel that keeps my tippet material in a good position. I generally throw a fly box or two in my shirt and I’m good to go.
When wading, I carry too much stuff for a lanyard to be useful. When I’m out in my pontoon boat and have the saddle bags for fly boxes, spare reel spool, etc, I love it. As for zingers, I’ve never needed one on the lanyard.
I use a little differnt type of lanyard then the ones you see in the orvice shops. I saw some pretty inexpensive ones at Ikea (you never know where you will find useful fly fishing gear) and I brought home a dozen of them. Here is how I use them:
The lanyards have detachable ends. Each detachable end has both a dacron loop and mini key-type ring, and a hook with a spring loaded keeper (like a miniature dog leash end). The ends are fastened to variuos accessories like fly boxes, nippers etc… I place one lanyard around my neck and snap on whichever tool or accessory I need at one time. The other lanyards are left at home or in my gear bag in the car. So I end up with one lanyard around my neck that can accept different attachments. The ends which are fastened to the acessories that are not being used can be hooked on to “D” rings on your vest (I use a Fishpond ChestPack)so they don’t fall in the water and drift away when they are not being used or stowed in pockets. I have had to chase a flybox downstream on occasion and I like the idea of clipping them to something while I am selecting flies incase I fumble and drop one.
Another important feature is the safety device (weak link) that breaks away if it gets snagged so you don’t strangle yourself or get pulled in the water by a passing drift boat
I love my lanyard, and use it mostly close to home with a tiny fly box attached, as my only piece of gear. I don’t use the shirt clip to hold it to my shirt, instead I use it to clip on one extra leader in its little ziplock bag, and add a pack of lead ribbon, a pack of foam indicators, and my fishing license.
I also use the lanyard when wearing my vest pack, I just remove the fly box. On the lanyard I use a zinger only on my hemostats, I’m terrible about dropping them when unhooking a fish. For attaching the zinger to the lanyard, I just take a 1/8" drill and bore a hole on the zinger’s shirt clip to clip it to the lanyard with the snap swivels.
I made a lanyard from the directions. Had a little trouble getting the lace into the rubber tube far enough to not pop out. I ended up buying a double pinch clasp at JoAnn Fabrics for 60 cents and it worked fine.
Elliott W.
I tie flies to give the fish something to laugh about.
I use a lanyard all the time when I’m fishing from a lake shore or wading for brim or bass. I don’t bother with clips or zingers. I use old, sturdy, green nylon cord that I used to weave lobster pot nets many years ago. I simply thread on three spools of tippet material, a pair of hemostats, nail clips, a small hook file and a spare car key. A square knot closes the loop and over my head it goes. I have almost no trouble with tangling despite the lack of clips. Easy, light and very cheap. 8T
You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.
Thanks PA I didn’t know what this was heard of it many times, but never bothered to look it up, .
So now that I know I have 2 questions, Zingers are those swivels around it I assume, and where does one wear this, around the neck?
thanks
Mike
I learned to make a lanyard back when I was in YMCA camp, or the boyscouts, one or the other. I was only about 11 years old. You aren’t suggesting that Micus can’t do something an 11 year old can do are you? He’s a pirate fer cryin out loud. Can he tie knots?
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
[This message has been edited by Royal Wulff (edited 24 November 2005).]
I use one all summer long when the weather gets hot. Much better than a vest on a hot day.
They are not hard to make. I have been making them for the last few years to sell to my sports when I take them fishing.
