Pole, Pack and Paddle  11th Edition

          Fly Fishing, Backpacking, Canoes & Kayaks

 

Carolina Mountain Sports…since 1998       Jan.  1,  2006 Newsletter

123 W. Broad St. Statesville, NC  28677      704 871-1444       www.carolinamountainsports.com

 

Fly Tying Classes…. Beginner’s class starts Jan 12 and runs for 6-7 weeks… tuition and materials  will be about $70…taught by veteran professional Mickey Reavis.  Classes are from 7-9pm on Thurs. evenings.  Pre-register…  Also an Intermediate/Advanced class on selected patterns…this is a new class and new flies… This one will  sell out… register now!…

 

Normal Hours Resume after Holidays…closed Sun & Mon, 11-7 Tues-Fri, (until 9pm on Thursdays), Sat 9-4ish.   There are some trade show in Jan and Feb that may alter hours…don’t hesitate to call first.

 

Charlotte Fly Fishing Show Feb 25 & 26…an excellent show for products, demonstrations and instructions at the Convention Center in downtown… a great opportunity…  We’ll order advance tickets  for $10.50…$3.50 less than admission price….but you must order in advance and pay at that time….no later than Feb 8.

            Not only are the demos great…we expect there will again be private classes for about $75.   I think the classes are excellent and worth the money.  There is no better way to get better than by taking classes from a skilled and experienced instructor. 

 

Other Fishing Shows:   Charleston, SC, the first weekend in April and Atlanta in late Jan.  These are fly fishing and shallow water saltwater shows on fishing with fly and light tackle.   Check out the info at castlow.com.  Excellent…Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Dave Whitlock (?)…

 

’06 Fishing Classes… Our class schedule for the next 3 months is on our web site (dates are correct).  Check it out.   We have modified some of the classes and reduced prices in some cases.   It’s important to make advance reservations.   Usually 1 to 2 weeks is sufficient so we have an idea regarding size and whether we’ll even have the class.

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Cool Deals for the New Year…We have a whole bunch of items on sale throughout the store…clearing out 2005 inventory and making room for ‘06 clothing and equipment arriving soon.  Fly Fishing, Backpacking and Paddlesports sections all have items marked down.  

             

New Books:   Trekking the S. Appalachians  and Winterwise by John Dunn are two new books on our shelves.   Trekking has great suggestions, write-ups, maps and photos to help plan adventures in new areas.  Backpackers and hikers will love this book.   Winter hikers and backpackers will find a wealth of info in Winterwise.  Based on years of experience by the Adirondack Mt. Club., it’s a superb resource for folks venturing into the backcountry during winter and early spring.  Remember, the climate is different above 3- 4 thousand feet in our mountains…and the heaviest snows occur in March and April, and even early May.  Don’t get caught unprepared.   

 

Used Boats…It’s rare to get them…but we have an Old Town Discovery 169 canoe in excellent condition.  This boat retails for $825 and  it’s now $500.   (and no sales tax!)

 

New Boats…The best canoes on the market for this part of the country (in my opinion having owned and paddled 6 or 7 different brands) are the Royalex models by Bell in Minnesota.  We’ll be getting more  Morningstars, Northwinds and Yellowstones in January.  These are excellent all-around boats for  cruising, camping and fishing in  lakes, rivers and saltwater, as well as moderate whitewater.  “You can’t beat a Bell!”

 

Saws for emergency use and backpacking… We have 4 different models of folding and compact saws for campers, hunters, and general use.    The tried and true Sven Saw, the relatively new Sawvivor and the Sierra Saw by Coughlin are all excellent for serious wood cutting and reasonable weight for backpacking.   The smaller Gerber is even better for backpacking…but, being shorter…is not as good for a lot of cutting.  The larger models are great to keep in a vehicle…just in case a road is blocked…

 

Fire when you need it…backpacking… wet snow… cold rain…need to build a fire? Firebuilding is a practiced skill.  Gather more than enough kindling and fuel and “lay” the fire properly before striking that first match.    Wet wood?  Saw  (or break) 2” diameter pieces into manageable lengths and split them to expose the dry interior.   You can split them with a  knife blade…using a piece of wood as a mallet …stand the wood on end and  “hammer” the blade thru.  It’s worked well on many winter outings and is safer and lighter than an axe.   

 

Overboots by Neos…These are an excellent for winter and spring backpackers. ..light and compact but unfold into a knee-high waterproof boot with traction sole.  Slip them on right over your hiking boots for unexpected deep snow in the backcountry and extra warmth, or for stream crossings... a great (long overdue) accessory for winter hikers.  There have been many trips in the Smokies and White Mts. in late winter and spring,  when I would have loved to have a pair of these.  They are also great to have in the car for emergencies…they’ll go right over dress or casual shoes and “shazam” you’ve got great boots…  $49-$65

 

Winter Traction:  Yaktrax and Ice Walkers…for winter hikers or just for getting around town in icy conditions (assuming you can’t find  old golf shoes).  Yaktrax are better for around town…Ice Walkers are better for the backcountry.  Both can be bone and life savers…literally.  $10-$30.    Cheap Tip:  drill a few shallow holes in the lugs of your boot soles.  In a pinch, screw in some short, hex-head screws…instant traction. 

            It only takes one backcountry trip to become a believer- when you wake up to snow  frozen solid -and you’re trying to walk on a sheet of ice…on the side of a mountain…

 

 

Thanks for shopping with us…and Happy New Year!

Richard