Let There Be Light, Part 1 – The Camping LanternWritten by Nick Smith
The only thing worse than setting up a tent in rain is setting up a tent in rain in dark. That is a lesson I learned all too well while trying to set up camp in middle of night during a cold New England thunderstorm. Having right camping lantern can be difference between a camping trip you'll never forget and one you wish you could. A good camping lantern is usually one of two styles - gas or battery - and right one for you depends on type of camping you'll be doing, amount of gear you can afford to take, and what you'll be doing while you're camping. Gas Camping Lanterns Gas-powered lanterns typically provide brightest light of two types, though most are adjustable so you can conserve fuel when you don't need as much light. They usually do better in cold than do battery-powered lanterns. There are a number of different types of fuel available, including propane, butane, dual fuel, and kerosene. If you live in an area where white gas (butane, propane, etc) is not readily available, dual fuel lanterns are probably best option because they allow you use unleaded gas. You usually can't go wrong if you choose a lantern that uses same fuel as your camp stove. Though it may seem obvious to most, it is worth mentioning that all of these fuels are extremely flammable, and any time you change or refill tanks you should be far away from any open flames or flame sources. Also, because of nature of system, gas camping lanterns can become very hot, and while in use they should be kept out of children's easy reach. Necessary equipment besides lantern and fuel includes spare mantels and a way to light lantern. Most new lanterns come with electric ignitions, so you won't have to worry about including matches or a barbecue lighter in your supplies for lantern (don't forget them if you plan on having a fire or cooking something!). You'll need to get a protective carrying case as most lanterns don't come with one included. Optional equipment includes a lantern reflector to redirect light escaping out of back of lantern, and a stand to hang your lantern in a central place in camp. Gas camping lanterns are not practical options if you'll be hiking to where you'll be camping, so you'll need to consider another lighting option.
| | Fly Line Care ItemsWritten by Brett Fogle
Dirty fly line is a recipe for bad casting. So clean your line to provide for better casts and longer fly line life. Fly lines need to be cleaned for best casting. Additionally, by cleaning your fly lines, you'll greatly extend life of line - saving you money as well as time and hassle in changing out line. And if you fly fishing for larger fish that have a tendency to pull out large amounts of fly line, don't forget about chaning out your fly line backing occasionally, too.Fly Rods : A fly rod is a crucial piece of equipment for fly fishing. A poor quality or wrong type of fly rod is a wonderful way to potentially ruin an otherwise fine day spent fly fishing. Having right fly rod can make all difference between putting fish in net and coming away skunked. Now days art of making fly rods has become so good that if you buy any rod for $100.00 or more will cast better than most anglers can with it.. keep in mind that buying a more expensive rod will not make you a better caster, only learning to cast will do that. So, my point is this, if there is anyplace that an angler should not skimp on when putting together a fly fishing outfit, it is fly rod. A good fly rod often makes difference between precise casts and casts that are just wide of mark. It makes difference between being able to reach that rising trout and being just a few yards short. But also, keep in mind that practice casting also helps one become an expert angler. Having said that lets move on to choosing right Fly rod. Choosing Right Fly Rod Although there is a common belief that if you spend more on fly fishing gear, you’ll get more. There are two sides to this story. As with anything else you purchase, there is value and there is perceived value. Simply put, value is what you actually get out of money you spend and perceived value is what you think you will get out of it. Whatever you decide is up to you and what you can afford. My personal favorite is cabelas, I included link for you to take a look. I am not advertising them, I only want you to take a look as a point of reference, and check out as many other places as you like, but find one you like and one that fits comfortably in your hand.
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