Tip #22 Here's a DIP Tip!

It's Dipnetting Time on the Kenai and without a doubt there are hundreds, perhaps even a few thousand Alaskans who participate in this fishery either from the beach or from their boats. This tip is one that can make a day of dipping and handling that net just a bit nicer.

Every store-bought net used for dipping has a hollow hoop to support the net mesh. But the problem is the plastic end caps or tiny corks that are inserted in the ends of the hoop where it attaches to the handle usually fall out over time. What happens next is every time you dunk your net, the hoop fills with water.

For boaters, every time you haul in your net, a cup or more of water pours into the boat...or all over you as the hoop drains. For beach dippers, it means extra weight you have to drag to shore along with your fish.

Take the time to remove the corks or caps on your net hoop and fill the ends with a good plug of silicone sealant. Make sure the interior of the tube is dry first....use a hair dryer on it for a minute or two before applying the silicone. From that day on, your net will be lighter to handle, won't fill the boat full of water when you pull it in and it won't be so heavy to handle either.

After taking a "bath" hundreds of times over the years, I finally wised up to this little trick and its one worth passing along.

Good Dippin',
-KK-

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