Pole,
Pack and Paddle 9th
Edition
Fly
Fishing, Backpacking, Canoes & Kayaks
Treatment for your
Gore-tex (or
similar waterproof/breathable clothing)…Perhaps the recent rain has you
thinking your waterproof/breathable jacket is “worn out” cause is seems to be
letting in dampness. Maybe not! All these products need to be retreated
periodically to restore the water repellent finish on the garment’s outer
fabric. The w/b membrane is on the
inside of the fabric and probably will never leak unless punctured or actually
worn away (takes years). BUT, if the
outer fabric’s repellent finish is gone the outer fabric will get wet and the
jacket will begin to feel damp and clammy.
Restore that finish with a product like Nikwax, Grangers or Revivex (following
the instructions). You may find your old
jacket performs like new.
Fly Tying
Classes…. A
Beginner’s class will begin Jan 12 and we already have a couple of
signups. Classes
run for 6-7 weeks and
tuition fee/classroom materials cost will be approximately
$70. Classes are from
Charlotte Fly Fishing Show
Feb 25 & 26. This is an excellent show for products,
demonstrations and instructions.
Typically, small group lessons are also available. It’s a great opportunity so plan to
attend. We expect to have advance
tickets again at less than admission price….but you must order them and pay at
that time….no later than Feb 8.
SEASON’s SALEs…until Dec. 15. (subject to change
based on inventory)
Birkenstocks…all shoes and sandals
(except Bostons) 30-50% off
Winston Fly Rod
incentive……save 20%
Gerber Legend Multi-plier…save 25%
Gerber
and Leatherman multi-tools….save 10%
Smartwool “Light Hiker” Socks… Buy
Two Pair get One Pair free.
Goose Down vests & jackets save 20%.
North
Face Apex Bionic Softshell fleece…save
20%
North
Face and
Life is Good t-shirts….30%.
Ross
Fly reels save 30%.
There are other great sales throughout the store …
Gift Ideas…Are you struggling to come
up with something? Here’s our hot
sellers: Headlamps (Princeton Tec EOS
and Black Diamond are especially popular)….Tec 40 Flashlight….Princeton-Tec
Pilot LED light…Smartwool Socks (you don’t believe till you try ‘em)…Nalgene
CXC hydration bladder…Gerber Legend Multi-tool (my personal favorite)
…unbreakable wine glasses… stainless steel or lexan pocket flask…Fisher Space
Pens…
Select the right 1st
layer… Think polyester for long
underwear..
That’s the fabric of all the top long underwear manufacturers. Polypro (polypropylene), although good in it’s day, is easily surpassed
in comfort and performance by the polyesters.
For the most warmth, with the
least bulk, it’s hard to beat the two-layer underwear…and looser is warmer. The “compression” long underwear may be a
plus for athletes in a game…but it’s expensive and may not provide the warmth
and performance that hikers, campers, fisherman etc. are seeking. For activities like running or skiing, or
when trying to achieve the maximum moisture management (i.e. sweat management),
single layer (thin) and snug fitting underwear
probably excels.
If backpacking on multi-day trips,
always have a dry set of long underwear to change into at the end of the day
and for sleeping. In the morning, if
you have to wear long underwear while hiking, change
back into the damp underwear worn the previous day…and save the dry set for
around camp and night time. Always
keep one set dry. Performance
fabrics dry quickly but in actual use they may not dry nearly as fast as advertising would
have you believe.
Wear That Hat!...It’s routinely estimated that 50-75% of your body’s heat is
lost thru the head and neck. Covering
this area with hats and scarfs (or that “balaclava”
that just leaves eyes and nose uncovered) may be equivalent to wearing an extra
coat! (and
hats are a lot cheaper) Adjusting and
removing head insulation is an easy way to adapt to different temps during the
day and different activity levels.
Long Casts Increase your
catch! Yes, it’s a fact. Not always on a small trout stream…but,
certainly in a long, calm, crystal clear pool.
And definitely on many spots on our delayed harvest
streams, smallmouth rivers, lakes and ponds, and definitely in saltwater. Not only do you cover more water, you reach
areas you can’t (or shouldn’t) wade to, and you greatly reduce the potential
for spooking fish. Developing a better
long cast by practicing proper technique will also improve your “close in”
technique.
New Books…We’ve added 3 excellent books
to our shelves. Backpacker “Trekking the Southern Appalachians”…really nice with photos and maps…great hikes
in the Carolinas, Tenn, and Georgia; NC Hiking Trails by Allen de Hart…not a new book but the latest revision to this very
complete directory and description of “all” the trails in NC; and Fly
Fishing Knots and Connections by Lefty Kreh…and excellent new publication
by the ” not Master.” Also Morrow’s Guide to Knots (for campers,
sailors and climbers) is superb.
Thanks for shopping
local! Until we see you…enjoy the
outdoors!
Richard