Steelhead

Hey Everyone,

I'm back from my trip to NY. I was surprised to see how much had changed, and at the same time, how much has stayed the same. Needless to say, it was nice to be back on my home waters. Well, I dont want to steal too much from the video, so here it is.



See you on the trail,
Lance

Have Tenkara, Will Travel

Hey Everyone,

Well after seeing his simple setup and talking with Jason Klass about Tenkara fly fishing, I just had to try it out. I recieved my rod the other day, and I can't wait to get it on the water. For the backpacker/fly fisher, there is no better setup. I have the Tenakara USA "Iwana" rod, which pulls out to eleven feet, and weighs in at a staggering two and a half ounces. This eleven foot telescopic rod collapses down to a mere twenty inches.
The reel you ask, there is none. This is a traditional style of fly fishing that originated in Japan about three hundred and fifty years ago, long before the invention of the reel. Your fly line, which was traditionally woven from horse hair, simply attaches to the end of the rod. The simplicity and compact design is what makes this style of fishing blend so well with ultralight backpacking. So far, the average kit I've seen, which includes rod, line, fly box with flies, tippet, and some basic tools, weighs in at around six ounces. I plan on using it almost exclusively for all my back country streams. If you have any questions or would like to try Tenkara for yourself you can checkout tenkarausa.com or stop by and chat with Jason, Myself, and other like minded folks at backpackflyfishing.com

See you on the trail,
Lance

Hot!

Hey Everyone,

Well I spent the day in the sun, on the river, catching fish, getting burnt. I started the day with a little shiver, while I stood waist deep, watching a light fog come off the water. However, by that afternoon I was dying to just get out of my waders and "wet wade". I figured that the afternoon might die off a little, and we could get out of the sun for a bit. Well luck would have it, that at about one o-clock the bite came on again so we stayed. I did put on sun screen eventually, but by then it was really too late. I am glad to say that Ray landed a nice Rainbow that filled the net, and I held my own catching some healthy fish as well. I have always considered myself pretty hard core as far as the outdoors. I mean I kind of look forward to the rainy days because I know I'll have the river mostly to myself. However, I now know that rainy days don't make you that die hard, because getting wet is a whole lot easier to forget about the next day.

See you on the trail,
Lance





p.s. I think I might change the saying from "rain or shine" to "soaked or sun burnt". whadya' think.

Events

Hey Everyone,

Sorry it has been so slow on the site lately. I have been really busy this spring. Not only have I been checking out some new products, but I have been busy attending several events this year. I have been invited to speak about backpacking all the way back home in NY in April. I am very excited to see what this year brings with backpacking and fly fishing. I have met some really knowledgeable people and made some great friends along the way. I also have been invited to come fishing with Linda Heller and Bob Clouser, and to go shad fishing on the fly with the team from Orvis. As far as backpacking, I have a few trips in mind for late spring in the higher elevations, and I think we have a caving trip in the works. This should prove to be a very eventful year indeed. Thank you to everyone who has invited me to talk at your events. I truly love sharing the passion that I have for these sports and getting others as excited about them as I am.

See you on the trail,
Lance

p.s. I have a really cool video on camp soap that I'm about to finish so keep checking in.

Learning From The Best

Hey Everyone,

What a killer day. I spent the day talking fly with two of the most respected fly fishers in the sport. Not only did Anthony Hipps show me how to tie a couple of his most famous patterns that were featured in "Fly Tyer" magazine, but Linda Heller and I spent a good amount of time talking fly. I always say you can never stop learning and I figure if your going to learn something about fly fishing why not from two of the best. I'm excited to say that Linda told me that next time that Bob (Bob Clouser) is in town that we all should hit the water together. I gladly accepted the invite. Here are a few photos of the masters in action.

See you on the trial,
Lance

Wow Busy!

Hey Everyone,

Im sorry for the lack of activity on the site lately. Ive been busy at work getting ready for the spring season. I havent even been fly fishing in about three weeks. Im hoping to get out here in the next few days and have something to share. I am also checking out some realy cool gear that I will be doing some videos on. Hang in there I have not abandoned you.

See you on the trail,
Lance

First Trip of the Year

Hey Everyone,

This weekend I went on my first backpacking trip of the year. My venture crew and I headed to Uwharrie National Forest for our first hike together. Temperatures where mild compared to the 20's we have been experiencing, and we even managed to slip out just before the heavy rain fell. Although it wasn't a long hike, it was one of the more interesting trips I have taken. Menu choices are always fun to see, and there was no shortage of interesting meals. Now that the first trip is under our belts its time to hit the gears lists and start to shave some pounds. I hope to get everyone to around a fifteen pound base pack weight.

I have some really cool ideas for gear this year. I also have seen some new things that have come out that may make it into my pack. I think this is going to be a great year. I hope to be under nine pounds soon so keep checking in to see what I come up with.

See you on the trail,
Lance