A Handy Prism Device

by Mike Fall
Brenton Forest Surveys

Have you ever been frustrated with the string or fishing line that ties your prism to your shirt pocket or your cruisers’ vest? I used to have the same trouble with the tiny clippers I use to trim and cut fishing line with when I’m fly fishing. The string would get tangled with other “stuff” and generally be a nuisance.

Many years ago I took the tips off two fingers on my right hand with a table saw, so I tend to be a bit clumsy with small items. If you drop something when up to your waist in a river, it’s gone for good so I tie everything down.

I met another fisherman some time ago who had the neatest little contraption pinned to his fishing vest that held his line clippers in a convenient spot and still allowed him to use them without unpinning them and without the fuss and mess of a length of string. It is a small disk with fishing line spooled in it that automatically retracts, and is called a “Keeper.”

I immediately thought of my tangled prism strings. (I’m not sure why, because one should never think about work when one is fishing.)

The next time I was in a sporting goods store I looked for one of those little contraptions and was able to purchase one for under $5.00. I believe they are even available in different sizes. If you want to try one, attach it to your cruisers’ vest just above the top pocket on the same side as the hand you use to hold your prism. It is shown in the photo. Check that the string length allows holding the prism at arms length.

I have attached the clip end (i.e.: swivel removed) of a large “QWICK SNAP” to each of my prisms. This requires some care to avoid cracking the prism but a bit of patience and a pair of needle nosed pliers works fine. Crimp the brass down tight on the stainless wire when you’re done because there is no intention to un “SNAP” the device, it is just there to attach the little “quick snap” on the end of the contraption.

When I first tried my contraption I found the prism tended to ‘flap’ around a lot. I wasn’t happy with that because if it were to hit something hard, it would chip or break. Another $50.00 down the drain. To solve this problem I removed the badge from a ball cap that John Bell gave me. I seldom wear ball caps but I love to collect ‘em and I appreciate getting ‘em.

I sewed it to my cruisers’ vest exactly over where the prism hangs from the contraption, leaving the top part unsown to form a pocket. The badge now serves two purposes, it tells everyone I meet while I’m wearing my cruisers’ vest that John gave me a ball cap and it stops my prisms from flapping around!

I was so pleased with the results I now give a contraption to my cruiser friends (not the more enlightened ones, who use Relascopes of course). Try it. You’ll like it. I sure do!