Ultralight Revolution
Fishing Joins the Ultralight Revolution -- How Fishing Caught Up with Hiking
By Jeffrey Gray
The image of a boy with his cane pole and a can of worms heading down a dirt path toward the "old fishing hole" has been burned into our minds by the likes of Norman Rockwell. That image, of the most basic of fishing tools, may warm our hearts but it is as far removed from the reality of fishing today as Neanderthal's spear is from a modern rocket launcher.
The keyword in modern fishing is specialization; the boy with the cane pole could catch all the sunfish and catfish he wanted, but his chances at a wild mountain Brookie or a Yellowstone Cutthroat were probably not that good. As a matter of fact, until recently to get at those remote fishing venues where you could find a Cutthroat or an Apache trout required a near expedition. Equipment, by modern standards, was heavy and bulky. To carry enough food, shelter, fishing gear, etc., required herculean efforts. An outdoorsman could hike, or he could fish. Doing both was problematic.
One of the biggest problems facing the hiker/fisherman was solved in the 1990s. A new class of hiking gear utilizing space-age polymers, ultra-light fabrics and metals and a new set of strategies for camping made long distance hiking a far more enjoyable experience than it had ever been. Using freeze-dried and dehydrated foods, tiny alcohol stoves, sil-nylon tents and internal frame packs the hiker could now roam far and free with a surpisingly light pack-load. Five to seven days in the wilderness can now be accomplished with under thirty-five pounds of equipment. Micro-filters treat water on the spot; new fabrics repel water and protect from weather extremes like those old wools and cottons never could. All these factors lead to the best of results: Extra space in your backpack!
What to do with that extra space? Once again it's technology to the rescue. For under 2 pounds the fisherman can now carry a variety of "Pack rods". Pack rods are usually made of graphite and appear at first to be impossibly thin and light. Don't let appearance fool you! Once assembled from their 4 to 6 component parts these pack rods are sturdy enough for most uses in the back country. Armed with open spin reels and 2 to 4 pound test line they open up a world of possibilities with very little space and weight impact.
Whatever your target, back-country etiquette should always be observed. Pack out what you pack in, practice leave no trace camping at all times. Also, when targeting wild (unstocked) trout it's best to catch and release at all times (and required by law in most places). Camp away from water sources and limit burning as much as possible. Tight lines!
Jeffrey Gray, founder of TroutWorld.com, has been helping trout fishermen find their way to new and different fishing venues via the internet since 1999. http://www.troutworld.com/ -- bringing you great fishing gear deals, trout fishing news and a world of information. http://www.magnascreen.com/ -- Turn your SUV into a tent. Email -- grayjj@troutworld.com
Ultralight Revolution
No comments:
Post a Comment