skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Flyfishing is the most traditional and basic form of fishing.It was the first form of fishing creating all the expensive rods, reels, fishing line, and technology that you see today. Based on the primal instinct needed to nourish and survive, the flyfisherman would set out early in the morning, wade down a local stream or river and cast his fly to the awaiting trout. Technique is key in order to be sure that you are able to hook that giant and fast swimming beast. Fly reels do not reel in the fish, you have to tame the beast like a bull rider before you reel it in by hand. You get to feel the incredible power that Mother Earth has placed in the fish that just got hooked. No matter the size or species of the fish they always give you an incredible fight. This is what hooked me about flyfishing. You have to have great finesse and patience before you cast that fly through the air. The slightest twitch could spook the fish and leave you hungry. One constantly wants to better ones skill level in order to catch that big fish. Flyfishing is mainly used for trout fishing but it can be used for many species of fish excluding carp and others. I prefer to flyfish for small blue gills and maybe the occasional bass. Your practicing and form determine on what species of fish will be the ideal for you to fish for. The better your skill level the more challenging the fish you will be able to catch.
WAIT A MINUTE! Flyfishing can be very expensive. There are several ways to save money until you are ready to go for the more expensive items. For instance, when I was starting to flyfish I was able to purchase a flyfishing kit from K-mart for around twenty bucks. The kit included a two-part, eight-foot, fly rod, fly line, backing, leader, and a cheap martin reel. By upgrading the reel for about $12.00 you can eliminate possible line slippage and still get beginners great deal. By starting out cheap you can practice on your casting and hand positioning. Flyfishing requires lots of patience. You basically want to flip the fly on the water and not slap it. The trout or other fish are easily spooked in still water and swift water. Flyfishing is an art form. A movie that demonstrates this is a movie that Brad Pitt starred in A River Runs Though It.
Flyfishing can be a real challenging sport. It is all up to you on how intense you want to go in this sport. If you follow the above suggestions you can start a new sport with little cost and have lots of fun. I would suggest to practicing on a nearby river or lake in order to work on your form. Once you feel like you are ready, look up the local listing for flyfishing clubs or sporting events. Pisgah National Forest and Great smoky Mountain National Park are both excellent places to get started. If you do the later, stop in the small town of Townsend, there is a flyfishing shop that will do guide fishing tours in the park.
Here is my flyfishing gear list:
>Cheap pair of nail clippers
>Rod and reel combo (same as above)
>Several different sizes of leaders
>Small floating fly box loaded with wet and dry flies
>Fishing license in ziploc bag
>Small forceps from flea market
>Chaco sandals (waders are for the pros)
>Insect repellent
>Sunscreen
>Hat and sunglasses
I found a great book that is a great reference called "Flyfishing; First Cast to First Fish" by Joseph F. Petralia. This book gives you a step-by-step guide to the things that you need to get started as well as addresses some advanced techniques. The book costs around $17.00 and is easy to read with lots of illustrations. The book covers gear, knots, and how to cast. Flyfishing also provides you with a checklist to mark the things that you need when going flyfishing along with a lot of other important information. Enjoy!
It’s not uncommon for a new backpacker or outdoors enthusiast to stumble upon the following principles. Consider these a cornerstone for outdoor ethics and principals. If you are passionate for outdoor activities then being passionate for the environment and those activities go hand-in-hand. Check out these methods and principals so you can learn how to protect and care for the land you love to hike, hunt, backpack, run, camp in or whatever you may do outside.
What is LNT? LNT stands for Leave No Trace. It is a framework of principles to protect our environment so that we can continue to enjoy the great outdoors.
These are the 7 Leave No Trace Principals to follow:
1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of others visitors
To learn more about Leave No Trace practices check out the LNT website at www.lnt.org.
What is Tread Lightly? Tread lightly is a national nonprofit organization. It has a mission to proactively protect recreation access and opportunities in the outdoors through education and stewardess initiatives. It is one of the nation’s signature ethics message for outdoor enthusiasts that use motorized and mechanized vehicles. They offer training and restoration programs to the vast outdoor enthusiasts and industries that serve them.
They also cover topics on responsible ATV operation, responsible hiking, responsible camping, responsible mountain biking, etc…You can join Tread Lightly for a low annual fee. This helps Tread Lightly construct, enhance, or restore recreational sites around the country. www.treadlightly.org
If you enjoy the outdoors take a look at these sites. There’s lots of great information about the little things that can cause so much damage to the great outdoor environment. They also mention ways we can improve ourselves as we venture through the areas that we love.
Bentley | VentureTree Team [+]
This summer, while venturing out in the wilderness we need to protect ourselves from the suns harsh rays. From my experience, most sunscreens I have tried do not perform in the way I would expect them to. Needless to say, I have become the victim of what I like to call “lobster baking”.
There are hundreds of types of sunscreen to choose from, but I have found one that provides both UVA and UVB protection. I have hiked, climbed, canoed, rafted, and mountain biked all over the southeast and have become dependent on Coppertone Sport. It has proven to be sweatproof, waterproof, and is reliable with outdoor activities. I happened upon it from a review from Backpacker magazine. They listed several different brands in their article but this is my pick and it has proven to be the best. Coppertone features SPF 15, 30, and 50 for your sunblocking pleasure. This summer before you go out and get hammered by the suns rays on an exposed ridge, make sure you lather up with some Coppertone.
Pros: UVA & UVB protectant, waterproof, sweatproof
Cons: 10-15 minutes to soak in, slimey texture
Price: about $9 - $10
Bentley | VentureTree Team
Originally I bought this mug because I needed something to drink my hot chocolate, eat trail mix, and chow down on some oatmeal from and it did the job every time. I took it on some trips to the backcountry and constantly was pleased on how multi-functional it was and, when stored, I hardly felt the weight. The Snow Peak 600 is super lightweight and handles any task a “normal” mug has. It has a good and wide enough mouth to eat out of and is a very convenient piece for overnighters if you just need to boil water for dehydrated meals (most meals require about 2 cups of water. This does a little over 3 cups.) A space saver for minimalists, when you don’t want to take your other cook sets, I learned to use this as a cook pot for overnighters.
The 600 is great to use on a stove. It’s very durable but has no cover. My Brunton Raptor fits perfectly inside the cup. There are claims that you can even fit a small fuel canister inside. It quickly became my favorite piece of cookware. Use with the Light My Fire Spork (read that review here) and make the ultimate set! It’s great to take on winter hikes when you want a nice hot cooked meal. Or rather, boiled water for a hot cooked meal.
If you're looking for that near perfect multi-use piece to add to you camp kitchen, I recommend the Snow Peak 600. Titanium has low heat transfer properties, is essentially a non stick type surface, Cleans easy, and does not melt or freeze. Well it does melt ....but its gotta be super hot. (about 3034°F)
Cost: $24.95 @ Campmor.com
Weight: 2.8 ounces
Capacity: 21.2 fluid ounces
Comes with a mesh stuff sack that helps keep your stove and other cookware items all together.
Pikka | VentureTree Team [+]
The outdoor gear world has a tool or gadget for just about everything. No matter how small or technical the activity, there is something to provide a helping hand to the outdoor enthusiast. Depending on the activity, I prefer to simplify my gear. I wouldn't bring my whole tool chest with me on a backcountry backpacking trip, just my trusty Leatherman Supertool. Plain and simple.
Simplifying your gear is one of the ways to cut down on space, weight, and maximizing what you have with you. Now, I know that your thinking, we all bring stuff we don't need out there. And I admit I do, but I’ve learned from many experiences on what I want to carry to be comfortable, and what I need to carry to just get by. Every situation is different. All I'm saying is, take a closer look at how useful something is and make your decision from there. I prefer to use gear that has a multi-purpose use on most occasions.
One simplified item that I cannot live without, and goes on just about every trip with me, is my mighty blue cup. Yep THAT enamel blue cup. It has been beaten, battered, and still keeps taking a lickin'. I've used it for a hard case to protect my digital camera, a boat bailer, a mug for hot chocolate, soup bowl, an easy clean plate, a handwarmer, a tarp pitch point, a gear bag protector, and a mini-stove. How about that for a multi-use item? It's gear pieces like these that make handling those camp chores more efficient.
What’s your multi-use item?
Got your own cup already?
Try this: smores mini-cooker
1. Place charcoal from fire on a stable rock
2. Place blue cup upside down and cover coals
3. Place graham cracker on bottom of cup
4. Place chocolate on top of graham cracker
5. Let chocolate melt as you toast your marshmallow
6. Warning: moving smore off cooker takes skill ;)
7. Top chocolate with marshmallow, graham cracker and enjoy
Bentley | VentureTree
