Archive for February, 2008
Great Float ‘08?
When I got news today that I would have the privilege of taking part in a new series of “Weird Gear Reviews” it was like Christmas came early! I have been suffering through Post-Canadium Depression Syndrome, and this is just the thing to get me back into spirits.
I don’t even know whats coming, it’s a suprise! What could my first piece of odd gear be? Solar powered socks? That is an awesome idea, did I just invent that? Those will be patented by the time you read this so don’t even try. You simply clip the solar pannel to your head, it sends the warming solar energy to your toesies.
What if I get a Bio-fuel turtleneck sweater? Don’t we have the technology to make real live hoverboards yet? Can I test one of those? You know how cool those old-timey bikes are? Well what if somebody makes one of those, but a mountain bike? Forget about 29ers, a 48er would dominate!
I have to go wait by the window for the UPS man now. I’ll be back after I test my new “Self Erecting Tent Mansion”!
February 29th, 2008
More cool climbing accomplishments to recognize…
Lisa Rands Makes First Female Ascent of The Mandala
“Lisa Rands made the first female ascent of The Mandala (V12) in the Buttermilks in Bishop, California, on Friday, January 18. Rands, who lives in Bishop, had her eye on The Mandala for years, but had not had a chance to really work on it until recently. She took only three days in 2008 with the problem before sending it. Fellow The North Face athlete Peter Croft and Bishop local described The Mandala as the best unclimbed line in the Buttermilks before Chris Sharma’s 2000 first ascent.”
February 29th, 2008
My first fly rod and reel was a combo set purchase at a “big box” store. It was a great rod for learning on and for fishing the small stocked trout creeks of Kentucky. After I moved to Tennessee, my fly rod and reel were way undersize for the fly fishing in my area, so I upgraded to a better set up; longer rod and a reel to match the rod.
After numerous year of slight upgrading to better gear, I decided I would make a giant leap to something new. I bought a Lamson Velocity Hard Alox fly reel by Lamson Waterworks. This is a great reel. I have been fishing this reel for the last six months and I am yet to be disappointed. Since most of my fishing has been winter fishing, the real test will be this summer on long float trips on my local home waters as well as a few other trips to the Watauga River in April and the White River in September.
The drag is smooth and there is a drag adjustment knob is large and easily adjustable. The mechanics / drag mechanism is completely sealed from the elements: dirt and water, which helps eliminate debris on the gears. The reel is a large arbor so there is less line coil and retrieves line quickly when needed.
There is porting on the spool and reel to aid in ventilation and to reduce the weight of the reel. The reel is priced between $219.00 and $289.00 depending on the size. This is a medium priced reel with a top of the line smoothness and drag. Lamson has created another great product. If anyone is in the market for a new reel, check out a Lamson Velocity, you won’t be disappointed.
February 29th, 2008
Ecco Casual Mary Jane Clogs (For Women)
- Closeouts. With the Ecco Casual Mary Jane clog, you get the traditional comforts of a clog and the classic, single-strap style of a Mary Jane. Cushioned, leather-lined footbed for all-day comfort
- Adjustable forefoot strap
- Non-slip polyurethane sole
- Leather uppers
- Manufactured by Ecco of Denmark
- Medium width
- Closeouts. China.
- Size Euro(US): 36(5½-6) 37(6½-7) 38(7½-8) 39(8½-9) 40(9½-10) 41(10½-11) 42(11½-12)
Buy NOW
brought to you by Outdoorzy and Sierra Trading Post
February 28th, 2008
TheGearJunkie.com has launched a new weekly gear giveaway contest.
Sign up at The Gear Junkie to be entered into a weekly drawing for prizes the likes of a half-year supply of Clif bars, Tech4O’s TraiLeader Watch, a pfd from Kokatat, the Thule Echelon Bike Mount, a Kelty Light Year XP 0º sleeping bag, and much more.
Now who wouldn’t want a half-years supply of Clif Bars? “…Clif Bar Stew, Clif Bar a-la-king, Clif Bar mush, Fried Clif Bars, Boiled Clif Bars, Clif Bar Pie, and when there was no Clif Bar, we ate sand.” - a little Raising Arizona for ya… Okay it was Crawfish, not Clif Bars in the movie. But it shoulda been Clif Bars Dammit!
February 28th, 2008
Two New Hampshire natives have put up a big traverse of 3 routes in Patagonia according to The Adventure Blog. It’s great to see that even in this day and age when most people tend to think “everything has been done”, that there are still people out there pushing the limits and setting the bar.
A quote from one of the climbers…
“Mad Dog and I had four different successful climbs, but I really see them as part of a prolonged project that involved first doing our homework via a new route on Guillaumet, a new variation on Fitz Roy, and a free ascent of the Red Pillar on Mermoz, then linking all three summits in a single three-day traverse,” Wilkinson said in an email from Patagonia.
You also gotta love that one the climbers is named “Mad Dog.”
February 27th, 2008
About two years ago I started a Fly Of The Month (FOTM) program for Middle Tennessee Fly Fishers. The FOTM covers all type of trout and bass flies, covering larva, pupa, nymph, and adult stages of caddis flies, midges, stoneflies, mayflies, as well as streamers.
If you go to the website, you will see something like the following. The photo is downloadable if you wish to keep a copy for you own use at home. Not until recently, I have been including a PDF of the pattern and photo of the fly, also for available for download. Please check out the website if you get a chance. The FOTM is under “Fishing Forums”, then click “Fly Tying” and you will see “February 2008 – Fly Of The Month – KF Midge”.
As I continue to update the MTFF Fly Of The Month program, I will update Outdoorzy too. I hope that all of you find this fly as well at the upcoming flies useful for your fly fishing trips. At some point, I will try to update the website with the past flies from the program.
The Fly Of The Month for February 2008 is the KF Midge. The KF Midge is an effective pattern when fishing it alone during a midge hatch or as a dropper under a nymph. Please check out the MTFF website for a photo and the pattern for the fly as well as a downloadable PDF of the pattern with photo.
KF Midge
Hook: TMC 2487; size 18 to 22
Thread: Black 70
Rib: Silver Wire (Small)
Wing: 3 to 4 Strands of Pearl Krystal Flash
Body: Peacock Ice Dubbing
February 26th, 2008
As many of us outdoor nuts are aware, Into the Wild was snubbed by the Academy this year. Hal Holbrook was nominated for best supporting actor and was dissed last night. He did an amazing job. But I have to give cred where cred is due, Javier Bardem. He was pretty frikin scary in No Country for Old Men. Since watching that movie, I have stopped flipping coins for good.
What do you think, Hal or Javier?
We do know one thing for sure, if there was an award for worst haircut, Javier would have that all wrapped up.
February 25th, 2008
You may have noticed all the ads for Eckerd Youth Alternatives on Outdoorzy lately. Eckerd is a new advertiser on the site, and is going to be advertising with us for a while. I wasn’t familiar with what Eckerd did until I started exploring their site last night. I’m very impressed with the way they provide opportunities not only for the children who attend their camps, but for the employees who work there.
Imagine having a job where you can backpack, camp, AND help teach kids how to enjoy all the outdoor activities you love so much. They have jobs all over the country, and from the looks of their job board they always have openings. There are part-time seasonal and full-time positions available.
Many people question the way they spend their days and wonder if there are more meaningful options out there. It looks like there are always jobs available at Eckerd.
February 22nd, 2008
Online magazines are increasingly popping up on the web. I have frequented a few in the past, but some reason, they decided to change and become print magazines. Hopefully, this one will stay around for awhile. This Is Fly is the next online magazine that has a lot of potential for lasting many years. This Is Fly has fresh, new, young, rock and roll atmosphere to the magazine.
When you access the main page, the This Is Fly looks like a real magazine. You can turn the page by clicking the bottom right corner of the page and moving it across the screen, clicking on the page numbers, or the “Next” button. While you are looking through the magazine, you can activate the embedded mp3 player that contains a wide selection of music from rap (Beastie Boys), rock (Korn), reggae (Bob Marley), etc and the music changes every month with each new issue.
Within the pages of the magazine, there are interviews, stories, articles, and information on national and international destinations. If gear is your thing, then check out the “Goodz”. If you want to see a new and exciting online magazine, check out This Is Fly. I wish there were more online magazines like this one.
February 22nd, 2008
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