Just curious to what some of yoll carry when on an extended fishin trip… Myself, other than fly fishing equipment, I take a good knife, firesteel, paracord, a medium diamond stone and some 500mph tape which is a form of duct tape but much better used as a quick repair for bullet holes in aircraft… With those 5 things I can deal with just about anything that comes my way… Lots of times I like to go places where most folks wouldnt go…
Many years ago, my mentor told me that I should only carry that which me happy, and leave anything that does not by the side of the trail.
Well to tell you the truth, I am still carrying too much, but I am continuing to lighten the load!
Every day, I am continuing to discard those things, that have no purpose, except to load me down from enjoying life.
So I am constantly emptying my pack, and repacking only those things that give me happiness.
“Everyone you meet in life, some by their arrival, others by their departure!”
Same applies to stuff, Do I really need this, does it help me, or weigh me down, from enjoying life!
My mentor, was Al Campbell
~Parnelli
Fishing Rod… Fly boxes, 2, small…2 rolls tippet… a couple spare tapered leaders…nippers… fishing pliers…floatant…sinket…a sharp knife…small coil strong cord…small plastic bag… all in a very small over the shoulder bag. That’ll do me for about a week. I keep some duct tape, baling wire, and a couple tools in the truck along with a spare rod, and more flies and leaders…ModocDan
I stopped using my vest a few years ago, trying to lighten the load. Just kept taking stuff out of the bag till I got it down pretty light… so far I haven’t wished I had some of that stuff I used to carry for years and never use…
When I have munchkins along, like grandkids and such, I break out the vest and usually spend most of my time helping the young’uns…and havin’ the time of my life…
All that & a leatherman & a dozen or so electrical tie raps & a bubble pack or 2 of 5 min epoxy.
Too much crap…
But I ALWAYS carry a lighter just in case.
Post script:
It came in handy this past weekend. Low 30’s and cold hands and a nice, warm:
All the usual stuff, my survival gear etc… my SPOT and now that I have gotten a little older, I carry a Cuban cigar,and a mickey of good whiskey.
My philosophy on this is that if I am going to die on a stream, I am going to do three of the four things that make fly fishers happiest, fly fish, good whiskey and a cigar.
The forth is not normally done on a stream…
:lol:
I still stand by the rule smoking is very bad for all and that it kills…
What is it about fly fishers that makes them like fly fishing, scotch and/or whiskey and cigars?
That is one of the mysteries of the universe that I will not question!
I will only bask in its greatness, and be thankful that it is not fly fishing, prune juice and broccoli…
Leatherman tool…750ml of “Makers Mark”…a bag of peanuts…and 1 match…
Thought I would post a pic of my new additions to the pac…
Fischer is not too sure about the cigar… I keep telling him but it’s a Cuban…
I’m sure that Fischer has your best interest at heart.
Ed
I must say thanks, and that yes I would bet my last breath on that… Just one of the traits of a GSD that I love so much, he has already stood up to two wolves and a black bear, while we were fishing, but will lay there and watch a deer or flat faced deer (cow) walk by and not even flinch, he has even stopped me from walking into a Alberta puddy cat (skunk) one evening, he just stopped and stood across the path and would not move. Damn I love that dog…
Cigar smoke keeps the mosquitos out of your face…and the spirits…uh…improve your balance in the stream?
I like and use Al Campbell’s idea, and that is to keep it simple, I too used to have a vest with everything “I just might need you never know” in it, and I learned, for me, a simple waist belt with the basics is all I need and find I enjoy my fly fishing ten times much more…
lol That kitchen sink used to get mighty heavy after awhile…
I have way too much in my Sage gear bag. Every now and then I sit down and decide to sort through all the stuff, but the pile of items to leave out remains very small. You just never know when you may need this or that?Seems like every time I really slim down my gear then I really needed something that I had left at home.
Larry —sagefisher—
2 things I always carry…a whistle and some bayer aspirin…being over 56 sucks sometimes…but, better to be prepared in case something does come up…
YOu hit a great suggestion and not just for a headache or body pain. That could save your life if you have a heart attack.
My outings are generally short…2 hours or much less. So, I pack fairly light.
In addition to my fly boxes, I take a camera, extra batteries, pliers/forceps, tape measure, extra tippet material, a cigar or two, and a lighter in my pocket.
My outings are usually in urban settings.