Hi Boys!
We're baaaaack!!
Well after a couple of tumultuous years, I'm trying to get back into the trees. First we dealt with Katrina down here around New Orleans, then trying to survive my business, then being forced to cut trees for a temporary living, then going through a divorce, and so now there is only one way to go and that is up! Thank God at least the storms are over, for now.
Soooo, anyway, I figured to start at the beginning, and ask yous guys:
1) What's your favorite throwline? (for either tree entry or hand throws w/in the tree)
2) Anybody know the difference between Zing-it and Fling-it? From the little I know, I think that both are Spectra and Fling-it is newer, has a slightly square shape, very slick and sold by Wespur.
3) What's your favorite knot or way to attach the throwline to the rope?
4) Do you bag or spool your line after the throw? --What's the neatest or quickest you've found?
Thanks so much and it's great to be back!
Charlie.

Charlie,

Welcome back to the forum. It's good to see that things are turning around enough that you can engage a wonderful activity.

With respect to throwline, I go low tech and cheap. One of these days, I'll invest in the better engineered stuff. As part of my low tech pursuits, I was able to fashion a connector that will attach a potato to a throwline. Et voila, you have a biodegradable throw weight - and cheap. I also have biodegradable line on my radar.

Because I'm not targeting the highest setpoints, I can get away with less efficient 1/8in nylon line.

I like slickline, although i'm gettting some Ziiiing-It in the next few weeks.

I flake the line into a stiff sided round cordura bucket, that way it pays out cleanly wiithout tangling.

JimK, thanks. --Why a potato? Are you serious? Aren't you afraid it might "splat" against a limb?--sorry, couldn't help to ask this. But really, it would seem too fragile and not enough weight for its size. Have you tried this yet and do you see any advantages?
Does your nylon line feed over the branch well enough to drop a normal weight? --Does it take a little more weight to bring it down?
How do you tie the weight to the t-line? --girth?,buntline? anchor?, pile?
SRT --Is your bucket small enough to carry on your saddle? --It seems to hold quite a bit of stuff. --Or is it better for ground work?
What knots do ya'll use to attach it to the rope?

I began using the pile hitch about 1-1/2 years ago (thanks, Harry) and have never looked back.

Thanks JimW.
Do you put only the pile or do you put several half-hitches above it to help feed the line over a crotch?
Does the pile stay tight?
Jim what's your throw method?--if you don't mind sharing.
Do youz guys re-stuff a throwbag in the tree after each throw or do you spool your line?-etc?
What do you do if you're in the tree and can't reach the next limb up with a hand toss? --Anybody?
Thanks,
Charlie Brown.