Pole,
Pack and Paddle 62nd
Edition
Fly
Fishing, Backpacking, Canoes & Kayaks
Tues-Fri
Intro to Fly Fishing Class…Our next class is July 30th …
Our
next “One Night Stand” fly tying class (one night only) will
be on Tuesday evening July 22 and will feature some excellent patterns for smallmouth bass, that have
not been taught here before. Call or
email to get on the list. This class
will run longer…probably until
Aethers have landed…The Aether is one of the
best selling packs Osprey has produced.
If you’re looking for a great internal, this is one to check out. The 70 liter (about 4400 cu. in) is the most
popular and the pack weighs only 4 lb. 12 oz.
Other features like dual entry
side pockets; stretch woven front pocket; ventilated, nubbed foam back panel
and more make this a great pack…that should
comfortably carry up to 50-60 pounds (but why
would you carry that much weight?)…at a moderate cost of
$249. Internal Pack Tips: Internals perform best with all gear
inside…so instead of rolling pads and tents…fold them; Internal pack fit varies among brands and
models…trying on with weight in the pack is the only way to tell which suits
you best; torso length is only one
aspect of proper pack fit…don’t buy just by torso measurement.
Cliff Boxes….Two more excellent fly
boxes by the folks at Cliff: The Crab Shack is a great box for flats
fishing or smallmouth fishing when you need bigger flies…but only a few. The
Super Days Worth is more oriented toward trout fishing and has dry fly compartments;
slits for streamers and foam bars for nymphs.
It’s a great way to carry a variety of flies without
taking multiple boxes with you…”going light but right.”
Magnetic Rod Guard…These are handy widgets
designed to hold your rod securely when you lean it against your car or
truck. Rod guards make rigging easier
and protect your fly rod from potential damage.
And if like me and driving a small car (Wrangler) when fishing, these
magnetic widgets allow the rod to be carried outside the vehicle… when moving
from spot to spot along a stream.
Furled Leaders…So, you’ve been hearing
about these “furled leaders” and how great they cast etc. …but you don’t want
to tackle furling your own. No
problem. We are again stocking the Blue Sky Furled Leaders. Handmade in
Current Designs Kayak in
stock…The
Current Designs Kestrel is a nice
all-purpose kayak…roto-molded for toughness…and tricked out with water tight
rear compartment, padded seat and thigh area; deck mounted bungee cord storage;
grab lines and more. At 12 feet in
length it has the capacity for extended
paddling and maybe overnight use…It’s a Recreational/Touring kayak….much nicer and better performance than the
cheaper and shorter plastic kayaks in chain stores. This one is a light granite color,
attractive and cooler than darker
boats. Weight is about 50 pounds and the price is
$749. These are impressive … excellent quality and finish. If you are seeking a boat to last and
perform in a variety of environments…the
Kestrel is certainly one to consider.
New Summer/water sandals…In addition to the Teva Hurricane for $40, we have two new
models great for outdoor wear, in
and near the water. The Simms felt-soled wading sandal by Keen, is
specially designed for fishermen… only $80.
This is an excellent option to wading boots. The other great sandal is the Teva Toachi. It offers toe protection, rigid polymer arch
and footbed support; drainage ports in the soles; and non-marking Spider rubber for traction; and quick-release buckle for
easy on and off…$90
Pack Duffel…it’s a duffel back to put
your backpack in when traveling. Now a
lot of folks just toss their bag aboard commercial carriers when checking them
as luggage. But, there’s a better
way. If placed inside a $30-35 duffel, your
expensive backpack then becomes “contents” of your cheap luggage and is a
reimbursable item in the event of loss or damage. But, a pack duffel also protects your
contents should they “spill” out of the pack…and it keeps pack straps from
getting snagged or caught in conveyor belts.
Feedback from travelers is positive…
Think about a pack duffel if you are traveling this summer.
Summer “Friends.”…If you’ve been working in
your yard or spending time hiking or fishing you’ve probably already
encountered “our friends”…Ticks and
Poison Ivy. One of the best
safeguards against ticks and the diseases they carry is a clothing spray called Permanone
by Repel. This is an insecticide that is
safe when applied to clothing and it works.
One treatment last up to two weeks and repels mosquitos. Two products help with Poison Ivy: a lotion
called Ivy Block…applied to the skin
before you go outside. The other is Ivy Cleanse…moist
towlettes you carry in your pocket and use to remove the Poison Ivy oil that causes the rash. Remember, also to wash clothes, tools and pets that have encountered Poison Ivy. The oil from the plant will remain on items
indefinitely and can recontaminate your skin.
“Weeping” blisters on the skin don’t spread poison ivy but oil on boots,
gloves, dogs etc. which you contact repeatedly make it appear to be spreading.
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Thanks for
shopping (and ordering) local…Your business is important to everybody.