Poncho Tarp

Hey Everyone,

Ive had this little piece of gear in my day pack for at least a year now, and I don't know why Ive never done a post on it. This piece of gear happens to be the Sea to Summit Tarp-Poncho in ultra-sil. It's actually a pretty cool item to have in your kit. It's very small and pretty light weighing in at 12 ounces. Although I don't use it on backpacking trips, I do take it with me when I hike into remote native trout streams as an emergency shelter and, well, poncho. I figure that if I have to stay the night in the mountains (and I'm not backpacking of course) its because I have somehow gotten injured (If was lost I could just fallow the stream back). So with that said I most likely will not want to or be able to gather materials for a shelter. Also if I get caught in a rain storm, which I'm sure we all have at some time, I have a poncho to at least hike out in. I pair this up with a SOL Bivvy which is a high end space blanket and a small kit with a whistle, fire starting supplies, a few bandages, and some cord for a nice little survival kit (yes there is always a knife in my pocket or pack). I have added lengths of cord to the four corners for tie downs and have looped them on for easy removal for poncho mode or reconfiguring how I want to set it up. Its simple yet effective and good insurance to have if you ever have to stay the night in the woods. Heck I may even take it on a mild weather backpacking trip just to see what its like.

See you on the trail,
Lance

p.s. I should also note that I take a small aluminum water bottle as well which I can use to boil water. You can do the same for bring some other way to treat water.

The Otter

Hey everyone,

Ive had this video on my camera for a little while now. I was small mouth bass fishing on the fly one day and had seen several otters along the river. I decided to sit on a log and watch one for a while. I had no idea what was about to happen. I wont spoil the video but I will say its one of the coolest things that has happened to me in the outdoors.

See you on the trail,
Lance

Fish, Fish, and More Fish

Hey Everyone,

This is just a short post and video that is in addition to my last post. I wanted to post a video of some of the fish that we have been catching on the fly. Its been a pretty fun adventure, and were not done yet!

See you on the trail,
Lance

Yes Im still here

Hello Everyone,

I know its been quite some time since Ive posted anything. The truth is that even though I haven't been active on here I have actually been quite active. I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm back and should be posting regularly again.  As soon as I figure out this video editing soft wear on this mac I'll be putting up some really cool videos as well. Ive been doing just about everything you can think of from gold prospecting, steel head fishing, hiking, and even catching carp on the fly. Ive caught my biggest bass ever, which happened to be on a 4wt fly rod! Ive also started a personal quest of catching 25 species of fish all on a fly rod. Of course the most interesting thing Ive been up to is watching my daughter get bigger, smarter, and much faster than I remember. Personal note: a three year old, brownies, and nature museums can be an interesting mix and a great workout. Well, I don't want to get too long winded so Ive posted a few photos for you to check out. keep checking back for updates on future fishing trips and even the status on the "25 on a fly" quest.

See you on the trail,
Lance

Gold, Sweat, and a Two Year Old

Hey Everyone.

Well Its been either hot or raining, with nothing in between. Since I don't like to hike in ninety five degree weather and the trout fishing isn't usually the best this time of year I have found a few ways to spend my summer days. I have recently taken up the hobby of gold prospecting and found that standing waist deep in a river shoveling dirt is a great way to spend a hot day. Ive been doing a little fly fishing for bass as well. Catching a small mouth bass on a four weight fly rod can be quite a challenge and a thrill, though I catch mostly small bream. This is great practice for the fall though. One of my favorite things Ive been doing is spending time with my daughter. Taking her to a museum is a great way to get out of the heat and it also gives me a chance to be dad and teach her about bugs, birds, fish, and anything else that she my ask about. Her favorite thing to say is "I want to touch it" even if its a diamond back rattle snake. I did let her pet a corn snake though. I hope you all have found a way to beat the heat and have some fun. I just keep telling myself fall is just around the corner.


See you on the trail,
Lance

New Water

Hey everyone,
I got my hands on the new North Carolina regulations digest. I'm excited to see that some new waters have been added to the delayed harvest list. Here is the list of new spots to check out this fall.

Jackson county- Tuckasegee river (downstream N.C. 107 bridge to the falls 275 yards upstream of the U.S. 23-441 bridge).

Madison county- spring creek (N.C. 209 bridge at Hot Springs city limits to iron bridge at the end of Andrews ave).

Surry county- Arrat River (103 bridge to U.S. 52 bridge).

Watauga county- Coffee Lake.

Wilkes county- Elk Creek (portion on Leatherwood Mountains Development).

I myself have planned to take a week this October and fish as many rivers, creeks, and streams as I can. I should have a great post after that. Ill also be in N.Y. in Sept. and will probably find my way to the river for some fall run steelies or maybe even a salmon. I hope you all find the chance to get out this fall. Maybe I'll see you out there.

See you on the trail,
Lance

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A Few New Sites

Hey Everyone,

I know that it has been very quiet on here lately. Ive been busy with...well just about everything. Im helping a friend plan her ten day trip into the San Gabriel Mountains to go prospecting for a week (another thing that I have started to play with). In doing so we have been diligently goving over the meal planning. I have recently found out about some realy great sites to get the little things that you may need to have an enjoyable meal outdoors. I have put them in the "sites I visit" section of the site. One of my favorites is Just Tomatoes. I hope you all have had some time to get outside this summer. I know of quite a few folks that have some great paddling trips planned and I am pumped to hit the (bartram) trail this fall. Well I guess that's about it for now check out the new links and make some great meals.

See you on the trail,
Lance

p.s. I have some video that I may edit into some previous posts so keep and eye out. I just have to figure out the video editing program on this computer first.