Pole, Pack and Paddle  26th  Edition

          Fly Fishing, Backpacking, Canoes & Kayaks

 

Carolina Mountain Sports…since 1998     Oct 15,  2006 Newsletter

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

Tues-Fri  11-7,  Thurs until 9pm , Sat 9-4

 

New Products and Winter inventory…The Cliffs Bugger Beast  (big fly box) and Beast Jr. are in.  These are excellent for big flies like streamers and wooly buggers, and saltwater flies like Clousers, Deceivers etc.   We also have in stock the Cliffs Float Patch and the fly patch that mounts on a jacket, vest, shirt etc.  If you haven’t seen these new products check out cliffoutdoors.com

                Two new books on lightweight backpacking should be here this week…. along with a new book on winter hiking and camping.

                        We’re restocked on the very popular North Face Cat’s Meow sleeping bag and the less expensive $79 Aleutian by North Face….also a kid’s mummy bag.    

                The Western Mountaineering Alpinlite Super is an excellent premium goose down bag…maximum warmth and minimum weight and bulk….great for winter….

                        North Face and Columbia fleece and waterproof breathable jackets are in.   All are excellent products for winter without being ridiculously expensive.   We also have brought in some insulated jackets for casual wear and some ski jackets. 

                Terramar long underwear in several weights is in.  Terramar is one of the industry’s leading manufacturers of warm underwear that excels in moisture transport and wicking.  No hype…just good, dependable performance at a good price…silk, polyester, and polyester & wool blend…

                        Specialty gloves are in…a great neoprene glove by Chota , fingerless fleece and wool gloves when you need dexterity, and fleece mitts and ski gloves.  

                        We also have received our fall order of waders by Dan Bailey.  These are excellent with reduced seams and increased breathability.  If you are shopping fishing waders, you can’t do better than Dan Bailey.

                        Camo packs by Kelty…we’ve got several of the smaller packs in camouflage and just in is the heavy duty external frame Cache Hauler (“freighter”)…for packing in supplies or packing out big game              

                       

Fishing Classes…. Please make advance reservations for all classes…classes are cancelled 2 days before the date, if signups are insufficient. 

           

            Intro to Salt Water & False Albacore… Wed. Oct. 18 at 7pm…2 hrs.  Free !  

                                                (Remember…advance reservations required on all classes)

            Intro to Fly Tying Classes…scheduled for Oct. 26th…email if interested…

                         classes run 6-7 weeks…loaner equipment provided…cost about $65.

 

Splitting firewood…safely:  Occasionally there’s a time and place for splitting wood.  Cut it first using a folding saw.   Then stand a section on end.   Place the blade of a hand ax on the end of the wood to be split.  Then use another piece of wood to hammer the blade into the wood.  This eliminates the hazards of swinging an ax.  No hand ax?  Use a sheath knife (for years I did this with a small Buck Woodsman)  or heavy folding knife, and hammer it through the piece to be split.  Position the knife so the point of the blade stays exposed to hammer on.  The knife works great when backpacking…a hand ax is heavy.   Either method works great; is much safer; and exposes the dry inner core of firewood.

 

Cooking Tips:  In really cold weather, make insulated “cozies” for your cook pots out of old wool blankets or cotton…or a welding blanket.  Use the cozy when you remove the pots from the stove to keep the contents hot and/or while ingredients soak.  With freeze dried meals add a healthy dash of All Spice for more flavor or make your own using oregano, onion powders, Marjoram, Thyme and salt & pepper

 

SALES…With all the winter gear that just arrived, our 50% off rack is chock full of good deals.   Here’s some NEW  deals on NEW gear:  MSR Hubba (solo)tent…20% off; brand new Columbia fleece pull-over zip neck…was $45…now only  $28;  Columbia waterproof/breathable Thunderscout jacket …was $85 now  only $49;   North Face  Evolution Triclimate waterproof/breathable jacket with removable fleece liner…$229 now only $189…and MORE   Sale ends 9pm Oct. 19th

 

Cabin Rentals…   fishing, hiking or biking around Mt. Rogers; Ashe County, specifically the Helton Creek area; or the New River along Ashe/Allegheny; or streams in VA like Big Wilson,,,On Helton… highmountaincabins.com and zydecomoon.com (being built…ready in mid Oct.);  on the New… riversidecanoeing.com (camping and furnished cabins) ;  on Big Wilson highlandhideaways.com. 

 

Steelhead Trip to Penn…Fish for steelhead with local guide Marty Shaffner…  The Oct. trip is full but there are plans for an early Nov. or a late Nov. trip…don’t wait to book a spot.    Check Marty and Jeff Payne’s web site…tristateangler.com

 

Cold weather clothing…consider this:  Each season there are new products and synthetic materials with great claims for insulating ability, moisture transport and lightweight.  Despite all these advances, and some are quite good, it’s still hard to beat good old wool clothing whether its pants, shirts, sweaters,  socks, gloves etc.  In many instances, it performs better….and it may already be in your closet, thrift shop or surplus store.  Check our web site for detailed cold weather camping guidance.

 

Special Orders…If we don’t have it, we may be able to order it:  ammunition, gun cases, spinning and bait casting tackle, saltwater tackle, marine supplies, rectangular sleeping bags, tree stands, archery and much more.  Just ask.   No extra fees other than freight…and sometimes not even that. 

 

Thanks for shopping locally.…we sincerely appreciate your business!

Richard