Yeti Coolers
My first thought when it came time to review the Yeti cooler, was that there is no way to justify the price. I mean, dang, the thing is a very pricey cooler…how could it possibly be that good?! Well, after using one for a while, it is safe to say that the Yeti is in fact in a class by itself.

The Yeti slogan is “wildly stronger, keeps ice longer”. Seems simple enough, but that appears to be an understatement. This thing is bomb-proof, and in my testing, it kept ice much, much longer than my other coolers. In fact, I got tired of waiting for the last of it to melt during my test, so I can’t say for sure exactly how much longer. Suffice it to say it’s a long time.

The Yeti Tundra is made of roto-molded plastic in the same way that river kayaks are built. It’s insulated with expansive polyurethane foam that adds to the coolers rigidity and overall strength, and features a refrigerator-style rubber lid gasket which is recessed for protection. Two handles are built in to each side; a molded in version for one-person carrying, and a heavy rope handle for two-person hauling of fully loaded coolers. The lid latches are heavy rubber and stretch tight to seal the lid gasket, and the screw-in drain plug is recessed for protection. A really neat feature is the molded in spot to lock the lid, making the cooler certified bear-resistant (or to keep your mooching buddies out of your suds!). The non-marking, non-slip rubber feet kept the Yeti from sliding around in the back of my Tundra and also make it stay put on fiberglass boat decks. In fact, Yeti’s are now being used as primary platforms for anglers to stand on in flats fishing skiffs. There is an integrated tie-down system allowing the cooler to be secured to anything with 1” straps, and Yeti offers a variety mounting systems and accessories for the coolers. The Tundra model I tested has a removable dry-goods rack that suspends food above the ice; a very handy feature.

While I was initially skeptical of the Yeti’s value, I was more than impressed with its build quality and insulating abilities. I’d heard that a Yeti would be the last cooler I’d ever buy, and it’s safe to say that statement is likely true. Outdoorsmen of all types rely on their coolers, and if you’re going to rely on one, let it be a Yeti.

Berkley TurboGlide Cordless Fillet Knife
I’ve got to be honest, I’ve never owned an electric fillet knife before this one. It’s not that I didn’t fillet fish, I just did it with a knife sans motor. But after borrowing an electric one a couple times to process a pile of fish, and a full summer of eating fresh walleye weekly, I was more than ready to convert. And since many of my non-fishing hand tools are cordless, it stood to reason that I ought to try a cordless, rechargeable fillet knife for the same mobility and convenience. Enter the Berkley 7.5” TurboGlide fillet knife.

My first impression was that it was physically lighter than I expected. That’s because of its lithium-ion battery, which weighs one third less than the NiCad batteries I was used to. The li-ion battery also charges in half the time, and lasts twice as long; a definite bonus. In my testing, holding a charge was not an issue. Perhaps more importantly, the knife feels good in my hand. It balances well and the handle is ergonomically well thought out. Motor heat is dissipated by engineered airflow and heat shields keeping my hand cool, too. Said motor must also be well designed; it has plenty of torque and works at speeds comparable to corded knifes I’d tried in the past, yet is light in the hand. The full kit comes with a folding fillet board to protect your surfaces, a digital charger, and a convenient carrying case for the whole shebang.

More important than all of that is how the knife handles fish. After all, that’s what its purpose in life is. Suffice it to say that the chrome-plated 7.5” blades made quick work out of whatever I chose to fillet. With a little practice, I get just as clean of carcasses as I did with a regular knife, only much quicker and easier. I must admit that I still prefer a plain ol’ knife for removing blood lines and the skin, but the heavy lifting so to speak is quickly handled by this appropriately named Turbo Glide. The blades seem to be durable, and are holding their edge very well so far. After using the Berkley’s cordless electric knife, I wonder why I resisted going electric for so long.

Lowrance Mark 4 and Elite 4X
One of the most common product questions I get is from folks looking for simple, affordable fish finders that perform at a high level. Often they are to be installed on small boats, kayaks, or family pontoons…and since I happen to have a fishing kayak and a 12 foot custom built Jon boat, this seemed like a good time to review a couple of great options for those applications from the industry leader, Lowrance.

The first option is a pure sonar unit; the new Elite-4X.  It’s got a super bright, full color 3.5inch display allowing for easy interpretation of the image. The image is surprisingly bright and detailed for the modest screen size. It has Lowrance’s TrackBack feature allowing the screen to be scrolled back up to four pages in history which is very handy to get detail on something that caught your eye. It’s designed to reach depths of 800 feet with a dual-frequency skimmer transducer for the transom mount. The transducer also has a built in temp sensor – a very nice feature on an affordable unit. I found the buttons and menus to be somewhat intuitive and very easy to navigate.

Speaking of navigating, the second option I looked at is the Mark 4. This unit is a combination sonar and gps chartplotter all in one, which is extremely versatile in a compact and inexpensive unit. The display is grayscale – no color – but it is very bright and easily viewable even in bright sun. Contrast was excellent and it also features the TrackBack technology found on the Elite 4x. All you have to do is move the cursor back to see what you missed. It can be split screened to display both sonar and gps, or you can focus on one or the other with a larger view. Here again the menus and buttons are easy to use. The chartplotter can store 3000 waypoints and 100 trails, and comes preloaded with a detailed basemap. It is compatible with several aftermarket map “chips” via the microSD card slot if you need more detail in your mapping.

Both the Elite-4X and the Mark-4 are easy to install with simple tools and can run a small 12V battery. They have a quick-release mounting base that is excellent in portable boat installs, and the mounting base can be both tilted and swiveled – also very handy. They are true plug-and-play units installed this way, or you can use an optional mounting kit for flush-mounting the unit in the dash of a pontoon boat, etc.

I chose the Mark-4 unit for my Jon boat mainly because of the integrated chartplotter, and installed it mid-ship so it can be viewed from either deck using the swivel base. Installation was a snap using the trolling motor bracket option for the skimmer-type transducer (which also includes a temp sensor).  For a dedicated sonar unit, the Elite-4X gets the nod mainly due to its color display. Whichever you choose, you’ll find a powerful and competent tool in a very compact and easy to use package.

NanoFil
It would be easy to just slap a positive review together for Berkley’s new NanoFil line. After all the accolades it’s received from within the industry and from the field, worldwide no less, it would be safe to assume that it’s good line. The problem with that assumption is not that it’s wrong…it’s that I’d miss out on actually fishing the stuff. Fishing NanoFil on your spinning tackle is not to be missed. It is ridiculously thin (even by “superline” standards), extremely smooth, very supple, and has no memory at all. In short, it casts farther and easier than anything you’ve tried, I promise, no, I guarantee. In other aspects such as no stretch, durability, and sensitivity, NanoFil performs similar to other premium superlines – which is to say great…but it’ll outcast them all by a wide margin.  Ranging in pound tests ratings from one (yes, one!) to 12, NanoFil was specifically designed for spinning reels. We’ve fished it in creeks and rivers for trout, reservoirs for bass, walleyes, trout, and pike, and ponds for panfish. In all cases, it handled and cast great, especially with light baits. One tip is to pay special attention to your knots; the stuff is very slick so good knots are very important. We’ve had our best success with double Palomars to terminal tackle, and double Uni’s (with a few extra wraps) for line-to-line connections. Since I first saw the hype last summer, we’ve been fishing NanoFil consistently (which for the record is a spun Dyneema fiber molecularly bonded, not braided, so it’s smooth). It truly does perform as promised. We’ll have it on a bunch of reels this season.

Havoc
Berkley is the industry leader in soft bait design. From Powerbait to Gulp! to jarred dough baits, they’ve lead the way in developing new and effective soft baits for literally any application. In 2011, Berkley launched a new line of plastic baits called Havoc, and based on the success of the early offerings, they’ve added several new models for 2012. Each of styles are designed by big time pro bass anglers including Skeet Reese, Larry Nixon, and Mike Iaconelli, and they’re made of a very soft plastic to ensure lively action, even in cold water. Any of the eight bait styles in the Havoc lineup can be Texas rigged, Carolina rigged or put on a jighead, and several of them make excellent trailers for skirted jigs as well. Some, like the Wide Load and Craw Fatty are designed to displace a lot of water making them great around heavy cover or stained water, while others like the Bottom Hopper and Deuce Grub are more subtle and perfect for clearer water. I found the Iaconelli designed Devil Spear to be a unique bait with a great gliding action. I really liked it T-rigged on a shank-weighted hook and fished like a soft jerkbait, or on an 1/8oz jighead and allowed to spiral on the drop. All the baits come in proven colors with subtle hues, and they all have that oh-so-soft plastic. If you’re a basser, Havoc deserves a spot in your box of tricks.

Orra S and SX
Abu Garcia is one of the oldest reel manufacturing companies still in existence, so it stands to reason that they ought to know how to build a quality spinning reel. Add to that the fact that I have about a gillion hours of experience fishing various Abu’s over the years with great results, so I had high expectations of their latest spinning models, the Orra S and SX. So, how’d they stack up? Very well!

Both Orra models feature some new and some proven Abu Garcia features including the Carbon Matrix drag system well known for its smoothness and overall power. They are both also built on the X-Craftic frame for serious corrosion resistance, even in salt water. Both are also the recipients of one of the neatest things about the series; the superline-ready machined aluminum spool. Modern anglers, myself included, have come to love the positive things superlines like NanoFil and Fireline bring to spinning tackle, but we’ve also learned to hate the negative; slipping on the spool that can occur if backing or some other trick is not applied prior to spooling the superline. Well, Orra solved that with a very subtle “corkscrew” machined into the spool, which has the effect of cinching the line should it try to slip. In my testing, it was a perfect cure; no hassle when spooling, and no line slip, even under extreme pull with heavy braid. Also, the superline spool is shallower, holding just enough of the tiny diameter line to be efficient without waste from the 125-150 spools superlines are commonly available in. It’s a well thought out system. In case you fish mono or fluorocarbon, there is a traditional deeper spool included with each model.

Other commonalities amongst the two Orra models include a one-piece gear box for solid gear alignment, and brass gears and stainless steel main shaft for durability.

The main difference between the two models other than appearance lies in the bearings; both feature HPCR (High Performance Corrosion Resistant) bearings, but the top of line SX model has nine of them while the S model has seven. More bearings equals smoother and more durable performance. The rock solid anti-reverse bearings in both are designed to deal with the beating no-stretch superlines can give them. My experience with both models was that they are well thought out and very solid reels, worthy of the Abu Garcia name, and they see tons of use by our guide clients.

Columbia
The Columbia Sportswear brand has been synonymous with fishing apparel way longer than I’ve been fishing. In my original home state of Florida where fishing is a way of life, their PFG (Professional Fishing Gear) line is just about the official state shirt, and for good reason; namely, performance. Guides wear them, tournament competitors wear them, and weekend warriors live in them…heck I’ve got pictures of myself fishing in Columbia shirts from when I was about 10 years old, and my closet is full of them today. Columbia’s latest versions of the iconic garb reflect tradition, yet are packed with style and, more importantly, technology.

“Blood and Guts” may not be pleasant, but neither is a stained shirt. Columbia makes a treated polyester material by that name that repels, well, blood and guts. Don’t like sunburns? No problem, look at their Omni-Shade technology. Hot, muggy days are handled comfortably with Omni-Wick technology and well designed venting found on many Columbia garments. They’re all quick dry too.

The latest shirt on my back is the Low Drag Offshore model featuring very clean lines and both Omni-Shade and Omni-Wick, with venting of course. One cool feature, and don’t think I’m gross here, is the anti-microbial fabric which keeps it fresh over multiple wearings; perfect for lighter packing on longer trips. In my wearing, it stayed looking as sharp as it smelled, even after two full days of inshore fishing. This is a truly great looking and performing fishing shirt that will see a bunch of use in my travels.

Anglers need pockets and Columbia knows it (go figure) so they designed the Permit short with 10 of them, and some good sized ones too. These fit me a touch shorter than some others, perfect for wading with your tackle in the pockets. They’re made of Nylon and feature the shade and wicking technologies found in many Columbia garments, plus a front utility loop to keep tools immediately handy. I wet-wade more often than not, and these fast drying, super wicking shorts are perfect for it. That they look good is a bonus!

Lamson Velocity Fly Reel
Bigger, faster, lighter, stronger. Not words often associated with fly fishing tackle, but after trying out Lamson’s fantastic new Velocity reel, you might change your opinion of that. I know I did. The Velocity has been fully redesigned, retaining only Lamson’s unique engineering concepts and build quality, while improving capacity, line recovery speed, and strength-to-weight ratio. That’s a tall order given the first generation reel, but they did it.

I’ve been drawn to Lamson fly reels for one reason; engineering. Part of my education background is aerospace engineering, and Lamson’s concepts make great sense on paper, and more importantly, they flat work on the water. I won’t go through all of them here, but the conical drag and center axis concept, plus the lightweight materials, deserve a mention. The conical drag provides more drag surface for power and heat dissipation in a completely maintenance free design. The start-up inertia and smoothness throughout the drag’s power range is super smooth, too. The center axis concept found on the Velocity and all Lamson fly reels aligns the center of mass of the reel with that of the rod, making the rod balance and feel much better, a concept that was really evident when trying several reels back-to-back on my favorite 6wt St. Croix Bankrobber rod. Great materials combined with solid engineering lead to a lightweight reel, and the Velocity certainly exemplifies that throughout its available sizes. The arbor size is very large and wide for faster line recovery and less line coil, yet the reel is still feathery light and balanced.

The reel is finished with a Hard Alox coating that has proven to be very rugged – far superior to traditional anodizing or other reel finishes – on my other Lamson, an older Litespeed which is heavily used yet looks new. I’m honestly not sure how exactly Hard Alox is produced, but it looks refined and is extremely durable. For the new Lamson Velocity reel, “bigger, stronger, and faster” will likely describe the fish it whips as much as the reel itself.

Scientific Anglers Fly Lines
The two most important components of good fly casting and presentation are the rod and line. A high quality rod is done a major disservice by be paired with a low quality line. That won’t happen if you choose a Scientific Angler’s line. From my personal favorite Mastery Textured Series GPX tapers, to the budget friendly yet high performance Supra series, there is an SA line for any application.

The Textured Series utilizes a subtle dimple pattern on the lines surface to break up contact with the rod guides in the same way as they’re ground-breaking Sharkskin series does, only not nearly as abrasive or noisy. The concept adds to lower memory and more durability as well. It shoots like a dream, very noticeably better than more traditional smooth lines, while being easier on the fingers while stripping line. The GPX tapers are about a half size heavy for a given weight so they load very well on the faster action rods often preferred by anglers these days. I’ve found that they work very well on short casts where not much line is in the air and they come off the water’s surface easily. Longer casts require less “hauling” to really load the rod. They have built it streamlined loops for backing and leader attachment and are optimized for a range of water temps.

For a more traditional all-purpose fly line, look to the Supra series. Available in double taper and weight forward designs in floating and sinktip versions, Supra is the kind of line any fly guy can appreciate. It floats very high in the surface film and is designed to cover nearly any freshwater situation. They’re durable and come in two colors, Buckskin and Sunrise. In my book, Supra represents a very good value for high quality line.

Frabill Nets
Having the right landing net may not seem like a big deal, until you’re trying to land the fish of a lifetime, or tonight’s dinner, and your grandpa’s net ain’t cuttin’ it. Frabill’s extensive line of nets is available at Sportsman’s Warehouse to ensure you never have that problem. In fact, their line-up of high quality and somewhat specialized nets is so stacked that I had a hard time deciding which one to review so I got several. Seems reasonable, right? The largest is a Tru Trax Pro-Formance monster for netting big pike and lakers. It features the Pow’R-Lok yoke and slide handle making it easier to stow given its size, plus soft mesh and a very deep net. I don’t see me catching anything bigger than this net can handle, and it’ll reach way out there to get ‘em, too.

Moving down to a walleye/bass size net, the Power Stow series was my choice and it was a great one. The Power Stow net’s hoop folds in half along the same axis as the aluminum handle, and then the yoke slides down that handle, making it very compact to stow, even in smaller boats. It unfolds and slides into locking position quickly and securely – every time – to make sure that’s not an issue when landing your dream fish. I really messed with the overall stow/un-stow process looking for weaknesses and found none: this is a very well designed net for the serious angler. The soft, knotless mesh is easy on fish and features Frabill’s flat bottom design I’ve learned to love on my older Frabill nets when reviving fish for release. They can swim unbound in the net until ready for release, which incidentally is handy for fish-friendly photos as well.

Since we fish trout, I also tested a few of the trout nets, all of which are tangle free. I really like the rubber-dipped net bags for their fish care and the hoops are tough as nails to survive river rocks and hiking around, yet light to carry and inexpensive too. The handles are soft and grippy and they come with an attached lanyard so it’s always handy.

Spend some time checking out any Frabill net and you’ll see, as I did, that these folks are serious about netting, and they have at least one, if not more, nets that are perfect for your angling.

Frabill Crawler Can
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been fishing on a warm day and opened your worm container only to find a bunch of nasty, dead bait cooking in the sun. That, my friends, is quite yucky, not to mention expensive and unproductive. Well, Frabill has solved that common problem with a simple solution, the Crawler Can. Basically it’s a small plastic bucket with separate compartments, one on the top, one on the bottom.

Each are capped with convenient quarter-turn, water-tight lids, and the whole thing is foam insulated. Like all Frabill stuff, the overall build quality is very solid for years of use. The concept is that you put ice in one side, crawlers in the other. Viola, no more dead bait! Or, if you like to have two kinds of live bait, say crawlers and leeches, you can place them on opposite sides and have them both handy in a single insulated container. Speaking of handy, the Crawler Can has a beefy handle for toting and since the Can is insulated, it’ll work well for keeping mealies and wax worms alive and separated for ice fishing. The Crawler Can truly is one of those “why didn’t I think of that” products, simple and effective.

St Croix Rage
My first introduction to the new St Croix Rage series of rods was at the hands of the guy that designs rods for the company. He was smiling like a proud father as he went over the features, obviously happy with the fish-catching tool he’d created. After fishing one for a while now, I’m as happy with it as he is.

The Rage series is built on St Croix’s SCiii graphite blank. It features their proprietary “IPC” technology (Integrated Poly Curve), which leads to smoother, more consistent actions and very durable blanks. To compliment the proven blank design, St Croix added Pac Bay Minima guides for increased accuracy and sensitivity; they look small, are very light, and perform big. The reel seat and handle are unique in that no cork is used. The handle is made of a neoprene skin that gets ever so slightly tacky when wet. This led to great feel in my testing, and adds to the rods overall balance. The reel seat itself is minimalist to say the least, allowing for lot’s of finger access to the blank for sensitivity.

I chose the 6’8”, medium power, extra fast action spinning rod to test. This is my favorite overall length/power/action in spinning rods and this rod did not disappoint. I found the Rage’s accuracy to be stellar, and it balanced very well with a size 20 Abu Garcia Orra S spinning reel mounted. The overall “feel”, which is very hard to put into words, was positive and the neoprene grip was surprisingly comfy. If you’re looking for a very high performing rod, the Rage is a great choice. It’s kind of a hotrod in that it looks menacing, balances perfectly and performs flawlessly, all at reasonable prices. It’s designed in Wisconsin, is available in a range of models, and warranted for 5 years to boot. In short, they’re all the “Rage”!

St Croix Triumph Travel
Let’s get one thing straight, I’m a rod snob. I haven’t spent my entire life learning to be proficient with fishing rods to fish with sub-par stuff, and that’s often what you get when you purchase a manufacturer’s most affordable rod. Well, the St Croix Triumph series knocked the snob right out of me.

I wanted a multi-piece pack rod that I could take into the boonies to harass trout. It had to be accurate, reasonably sensitive, very compact when broken down, and most of all, extremely durable because I would use it when bushwhacking willows, traversing steep banks, etc, and breaking your rod after hiking five miles in to fish would be a serious bummer!

St Croix’s Triumph Travel rod series fits the bill perfectly. Of the four models offered, I chose the littlest, a 5’6” ultra-light powered, fast action model because of the small creeks, tight confines, and smallish fish I expect to encounter with it. It weighs in at a feathery 2.7 ounces and breaks down to just under 18”; won’t add much weight or bulk to the backpack. The Triumph Travel comes with a soft rod case to protect it in transit. I paired it with a Cardinal 301 reel spooled with 3# NanoFil.

To put it simply, this set-up made me smile. It handles great and fills out my other criteria even better than I hoped it would. True packable spinning rods of good quality are increasingly hard to find, but St Croix has once again proven their reputation with an affordable rod the feels and fishes perfectly for its intended application. Oh, and it makes a great gift for the adventurous western angler!

Rocky Mountain Tackle
Trolling for kokanee salmon and trout is one of the most popular fishing techniques in the west, and few people know more about it than pro Jared Johnson. His company, Rocky Mountain Tackle has an extensive line-up of products tailored specifically to this type of angling. Since trolling is not my strength as an angler, I consulted with Jared to get some insight on dodgers and “squids” – two of the key tools for salmonid trollers.

Dodgers are designed to attract fish, not actually catch them, and they do so using “flash” to catch a fish’s attention. RMT’s signature dodgers are thin polished metal on one side and highly reflective permanent tape on the other, which comes in a range of hues and patterns such as Bahama Mama and Lime Fire Ice – two of Jared’s personal favorites. Both are more of less silver, with a subtle color pattern to fine tune for selective fish and conditions. The dodgers are a single, lightly-cupped design about 5 inches long with a realistic shape reminiscent of a large flat spoon and they integrate 3D eyes. Most importantly, they can be trolled at higher speeds than other dodgers and he recommends the 1.2 to 2 mph range. They have quality swivels and clips making them ready to go right out of the package.

RMT Signature Squids come in a rainbow of colors heavily skewed towards the pink and purple hues known to be favored by salmonids. They are a twin “octopus” hook design utilizing high quality red hooks and come pre-rigged with 10# test leaders. The Plankton version has a tiny clevis/spinner blade built in for more attraction and comes with 12# test leaders. Both are sure to be effective on “kokes” and trout all over the west.

Glacier Glove
Fishing for a living means you deal with all kinds of weather. When it’s your career, you don’t get to stay home in cold, and I’ve never been very durable in that regard. To put it simply, I’m cold at any temp below about 50 degrees, and that can occur just about any season here in the mountain west. I combat my wussiness with good clothes, and the Glacier Glove brand can be found on gloves packed for many of my trips. The latest offerings from the warm-hands specialists bring light-weight and well thought-out features to my arsenal.

The Ultra Light Angler and Ultra Light Angler Mitt are both made of very thin premium breathable fleece and are designed for cool to light cold angling conditions. Both models feature silicon texture applied in a web design to the palms for grip, and slits in both the index finger and thumb through which they can be exposed for dexterity. The difference in the two models is that the Mitt features a super light wind-proof over-mitt that can be easily pulled over the fingers, and the thumb is wind-proof as well. The palm and fingers remain breathable; a key point in moisture wicking.

Fishing in gloves is a difficult proposition (believe me, I’ve done it a lot!) and both of these gloves are about the best option I’ve worn for somewhat mild conditions.  They are certainly light and very comfortable and I’ve been able to fly and spin fish without exposing my index finger or thumb through the slits. On milder days the slits work well, too. I took the Mitt through a variety of days, most often covering the fingers to drive the boat or move around and then uncovering them to fish; the best of both worlds in a light-weight and simple design. Grip, even on wet items, is never an issue and the gloves compact nicely to stow in my gear bag. I’ve found all Glacier Glove models to be durable and effective and these two pairs appear to be no different. In fact, they’ve earned a spot in my daily gear bag, meaning they are now with me on all outings. I back them up with heavier gloves for colder days, but otherwise they are my new gloves of choice and they’re small enough to carry both styles because cold hands are a bummer.

Plano 767
The Plano brand and “tackle box” are just about synonymous, and for good reason. Plano makes a huge line-up of hard boxes and soft bags, and a bunch of combos there-of. Their Guide Series has proven very popular due to the abundant storage and handy designs and the latest in that series, the 767 is no different.

I’d consider it a mid-sized hard box at about 18” x 10” x 11” in size. As with all the Guide Series boxes, it’s got compartments for both specific items and general use. The 767 comes with six smaller, removable clear plastic boxes, three of which are accessed through the clear main front hatch. A very handy feature is that the boxes slot in at a 15 degree angle upward, making them very easy to retrieve when the main box is sitting on the ground or deck. The top lid opens to reveal a large area with its own separate water-proof box and two smaller side compartments for things like sunglasses. Two smaller removable boxes flank the main compartment with very easy access for oft-used items, and all the compartment covers are clear allowing you to see what box is inside without opening it.
Another great feature is the soft, expandable rear pocket for weird shaped or bulky items; I stored boxes of line and my waterproof camera there.

So there you have it, my picks to make you a better equipped angler. As much time as I spend outdoors, I’ve come to really appreciate quality gear, clothing and tackle, and the value they ultimately bring. Try some of these new products in your own angling; I think you’ll agree that your experiences in the woods and water will be better for it!

KB SWING:
Benefits: This move is very taxing of the hips, trunk, and shoulders.  Keep your trunk stable and let your hips do the work!  You won’t find too many moves that burn as many calories.
Pre-Requisites: General core strength and tracking down a kettlebell or dumbbell.

Movement: Place KB between your feet. Push back with your butt and bend your knees to get into the starting position. Make sure that your back is flat and look straight ahead. Swing the KB between your legs forcefully. Quickly reverse the direction and drive though with your hips taking the KB straight out to chest level. Let the KB swing back between your legs and repeat.

Hint: The KB should be placed between your feet, but then slightly back from center. You should be reaching through your legs to grasp the bell. This places the load on your hamstrings right from the start.
Workout:  Perform 30 seconds of maximal KB swings repetitions.  Rest 30 seconds and repeat.  Work for ten minutes and note your total reps.  The time is short, so once technique is mastered, ratchet up the intensity and go for broke.

If you cannot locate a KB, use a dumbbell as a replacement.  Note the progression of the movement by the images supporting this article.  Integrate this KB workout a few times a week.  My favorite way to make this workout come to life for hunters, is to put the KB in your day pack, and hump up the hills.  Every five minutes or so stop, take the KB out and perform 20 unbroken repetitions of the KB swing.  If you have a hill near your home that takes around an hour to hike, this is a great way to challenge yourself and get those legs and lungs ready for fall.

Hiking up the trail, I reflected on the fact that this was one kind of fishing almost everyone loved; small, off-the-beaten path waters with a feeling of real wilderness.  There’s always a chance to stumble across some wildlife, and feel a sense that this creek, and its valley, were pretty much unchanged since the last ice age.  Maybe the fish wouldn’t be huge, but they would be eager, and they would probably be eating dry flies. Broadacres Ranch manager Dave Marlin and I were making the trek along with renown fishing photographer Jim Levison in the hopes of getting some good photos for use on the ranch website, and the weather was definitely cooperating.  Although the forecast hinted at rain for the afternoon, there was scarcely a cloud in the azure sky as we worked our way closer to the fishable water.

Guided backpacking trips take fishermen to pristine waters and breathtaking scenry where other fishermen won't be found.

Jimmy and I had arrived the day before, and both of us were feeling the elevation.  We were staying at Broadacres Ranch near Creede, Colorado, at just about 9,000 feet above sea level.  This beautiful creek was closer to 10,000 feet, and the air sure wasn’t getting any thicker.  We clambered over a jumble of massive basalt slabs and finally arrived on a grassy bank covered with wild flowers.  Dave announced this was the spot, so we rigged up and proceeded to land rainbow after gorgeous rainbow on dry/dropper rigs.  Working our way upstream, we were rewarded by the sight of a spectacular waterfall, the signal to head home.

Broadacres Ranch is one of the few fishing lodges around to have the permits necessary to guide the backcountry streams of the Rio Grande National Forest.  There are over a dozen of these prolific tributaries in the nearby Rio Grande valley, and the guides at Broadacres know them all.  You can chase brook, brown, rainbow and cutthroats in these streams, and what you want to catch often determines where the guides will take you.

Broadacres season runs from June into September, but the Rio Grande is only floatable until mid-July. With that in mind, we decided to spend a couple of days exploring the river waters above and below the ranch.  The next day found us floating the Rio Grande itself with head guide Ray Kemper, a native of the Creede area. Floating the river took us past undercut banks, riffles, large boulders and other mid-river structure.  High water had the fish hunkered down a bit, but stoneflies were hatching, so we were working a big black rubber leg nymph dropped off a big dry stonefly pattern.

Ray, like many good guides, seems to know every fish in the river on a first name basis.  Fishing with an expert guide can mean all the difference between just fishing and catching fish. The guides at Broadacres Ranch are all locals and have years of experience on this river, so it was no surprise to me that Ray seemed to know just where all the fish were. When we approached the Broadacres property, he got even more specific. Pointing to a nice back eddy along the cliff-lined bank, Ray said, “There should be a 21- or 22-inch brown right there.” I didn’t tempt a strike when my fly floated through and it kind of felt like I had let Ray down. I caught plenty of browns that day, and an occasional rainbow. I was pretty darned happy with the result, but Ray was apologetic that we hadn’t landed any 20-plus-inch fish.

Private ponds are also a great option when high waters are prevalent or rivers are not delivering.

The Rio Grande flows right through the ranch property.   Starting below Rio Grande Reservoir, there are more than 75 miles of river to explore, past Creede, all the way through South Fork to Del Norte. Between South Fork and Del Norte, the river is designated Gold Medal water by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, 22.5 miles “considered to provide outstanding angling opportunities for large trout.” Broadacres encompasses over 2 miles of the best of this water, and it’s available to ranch guests to wade fish as well.  Colorado has some of the most restrictive river access laws in the country, and you cannot get out of raft, or even drop anchor, on private property without permission, so be aware of whose property you are on.  Staying at the ranch, I was glad we didn’t have that problem.

Ending each day at Broadacres Ranch was the best of all worlds.  Not only was the fishing great, but there was minimal travel time as well, something that’s often true at good fishing lodges.  One thing you don’t need after a long day of fishing is that one or two hour drive back home, or to wherever it is you’re staying.  That evening, we relaxed in Broadacres’ beautiful main lodge, Glenmora—an airy post-and-beam structure that overlooks some of the best runs on the ranch—and planned the next day’s fishing. It’s hard to focus on anything but food when Gary Seamon, the ranch chef, spoils you with his culinary creations. Medallions of elk, crisp salads, mouth-watering steaks, almond-crusted trout—it just goes on and on. Plan on losing 5 pounds before you get there and maybe you’ll break even by the end of your stay. The ranch operated Glenmora as a public restaurant for a couple of years, so the menu offers a wide choice of entrees. Unlike most lodges, you have a choice of main courses and can even decide when to eat. Most of the guests really seem to enjoy that flexibility.

Ray Kemper and John Bleh land another colorful Rio Grande brown trout. Rio Grande browns are rich in color and highlighted with golds and bronzes.

Day four at the ranch was devoted to wading the ranch’s own private water, starting right in front of our cabin.  Over the years, Broadacres has invested heavily in improving the structure and fish holding capacity of their water, and the dividends are real for ranch guests.  The Rio Grande averages 1,300 fish per mile, but many guides agree the most productive water is on Broadacres property, and many large rainbows and browns are taken by ranch guests.

I enjoy fishing from a raft or drift boat, but I prefer wade fishing to almost anything else.  You can cover the water thoroughly if you want, and if you run into a selective fish, you can take the time to figure it out.  I was working the bank as golden stones buzzed like helicopters along the streamside vegetation, and the occasional fly crawled across my vest.  Golden stones are like T-bone steaks for hungry trout and they attack them with a vengeance. Ray was carefully pointing out the best lies, and I was hooking feisty 12-16 inch browns that fought hard in the strong current. He calmly warned me that there were a few Moby Dicks hidden in the deeper runs, and the words were scarcely out of his mouth when the water exploded as a 2 foot long rainbow went airborne.  The fish turned, headed down river in high gear and I prepared to follow him. My suddenly slack line was an almost predictable conclusion, although I was somewhat consoled by the fact that the hook had pulled out rather than being broken off.  By the time we quit for lunch, I had landed over a dozen fish.

That evening we were joined by Mike Deming, President of Sportsman’s News, along with his brother, Troy, and young nephew, David. David had never caught a fish on fly, although he had plenty of fishing experience. Surrounded and probably a little overwhelmed by the “experts” and the nonstop advice he was receiving from all the adults, he still managed the perfect beginning to a lifetime of fly fishing—his first three trout were a brown, a rainbow, and a cutthroat. With dusk settling around us, the fish began to feed greedily, and swirls covered the lake in every direction. Contrary to expectations, the lake fish were just as strong as their river cousins and proved it by streaking across the flats when hooked. Finally, we called it an night and headed in, tired and happy.

The accommodations at Broadacres range from intimate one bedroom to large three bedroom cabins.  There are six different cabins, and they have all been extensively renovated.  Continental breakfast is stocked in each cabin daily, and lunch and dinner are both served in the main lodge.  The quality of the whole experience is reflected in Broadacres participation in the Orvis Endorsed Lodge program.

Dave Marlin nets another Rio grande brown trout. Float trips are an option during the earlier season when waters are higher.

I woke the last morning determined to sample one the ranch’s real gems, Shallow Creek.  This beautiful little freestoner starts high in the San Juan Mountains, then eventually finds its way down into the ranch lakes north of the river, and enters the Rio Grande in the middle of the ranch.  Shallow Creek is a very special small creek with surprisingly large trout hidden in its plunge pools, long glides, and undercut banks. Winding through a combination of wooded and meadow stretches that have benefited from some thoughtful habitat improvements, the resulting riffle-pool-run combinations provide nonstop enjoyment. If you welcome the challenge of small stream casting and stalking wary trout, you’ll relish a day here. A 3- or 4-weight rod is the perfect choice, and light tippets are the norm. The stream might be full of browns, rainbows, and cutthroats, but they are not pushovers. My accurate and delicate casts were well rewarded by lightening-like strikes from hungry trout, but I spooked the biggest trout I saw, a 20 inch brown that looked like a whale in this tiny water.

Gourmet meals at Broadacres Ranch are the norm and a great way to finish a hard day of fishing. A staff chef is ready to prepare meals for guests each day.

I spent five days fishing at the ranch, and it was a little hard to believe that I didn’t fish everything it had to offer. But with miles of the Rio Grande River, a private creek, two lakes, and countless backcountry streams, it would take more than one visit to see and fish it all.  So I’m headed back there soon, real soon.

If you’re looking for someplace new to fish that’s just a bit off the beaten path, with everything from backcountry hike-in streams, small creeks to private lakes to a big brawling river you can wade and float, you should check out Broadacres Ranch. I’d be happy to tell you more.   www.broadacresranch.com.

If you like hunting here in the West, hunting in awesome country, hunting for trophy animals, and also like hunting with a great outfitter, then J&J Outfitters is a great choice for you. J&J Outfitters is located right here in our home state of Utah and is owned and operated by Jed and Jenni Wayment of Henefer, Utah. They manage thousands of acres of private hunting ground throughout the state of Utah and offer quality fair-chase hunting for trophy mule deer, elk, Shiras moose, and mountain lions. They have guaranteed tags on most of their ranches and they run professional, high-quality hunting camps, with knowledgeable and experienced guides to provide you with some awesome hunting. No matter how extreme or novice you are as a hunter, these guys have been doing it for a long time and they seem to pull it off no matter what type of client they are hunting with.
We would like to invite people from all across the United States to come and hunt with them to see what the J&J Outfitters experience is all about. We are confident that it will only take one hunt with them for you to quickly decide that it won’t be your last. Jointly, we have collaborated on a Mule Deer Hunt of a lifetime donated by J&J Outfitters. There will only be one lucky winner! You can enter to win this Mule Deer Hunt inside any one of the Sportsman’s Warehouse locations nation-wide! You can also enter the contest on our website at www.worldwidetrophyadventures.com. The contest ends soon so make sure you have your entry in!
Below is a list of hunts that J&J Outfitters provides:

Utah Mule Deer Hunts
They offer 5-day guided muzzleloader or rifle hunts for trophy class bucks and also 6-day guided archery hunts. Their hunt dates run from late August to early November, and they also offer management buck hunts. Prices vary depending upon the hunt, ranch, and weapon choice.

Utah Elk Hunts
They offer 5-day guided muzzleloader or rifle hunts for trophy class bulls and also 6-day guided archery hunts. Their hunt dates run from late August to early November. They also offer lower priced bull hunts on their ranches with smaller bulls. Prices vary depending upon the hunt, ranch, and weapon choice.

Utah Shiras Moose Hunts
They offer a limited number of guaranteed Shiras moose tags each year. If you would like a chance at one of these impressive animals, or you’re lucky and draw one of the state draw tags, they offer 5-day guided hunts between September 1 and October 31 with any weapon of your choice. These types of hunts can be customized as well. Just give J&J a call and they will work the details out with you.
Check out their website at www.jandjoutfitters.com and see all of the trophy pics from past hunts! There are a lot of them to look at so prepare yourself! You can also reach them by phone at 435-336-4146, or you can send them an email directly to jwayment@allwest.net.

We are still using some of the original coolers that we tested almost a half dozen years ago and they are holding up just fine.  It was hard to believe that they had made these products better, but it turns out that they have made some good improvements.

We have put the Grizzly 400 to an extreme test and here is what we know.  The Grizzly 400 is the king when it comes to coolers.  The 400 in the title means that it will hold 400 quarts, which equates out to be about 500 12-ounce cans of soda.  We successfully put two quartered bull elk and three deer in this beast on a long road trip last fall.  When the unit is empty, two guys can easily load it into the bed of a pickup truck (90 pounds).  The handles are molded into the body of the cooler and moving it around, even when fully loaded is possible without worrying about breaking off the handles.

This cooler is extremely durable and has been bear certified by the IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee).  To attain this certificate, the cooler must be filled with food and then turned over to a hungry bear.  The bear must stay in contact with the cooler for a full sixty minutes and still not be able to access the products from the interior.  I’m sure that the product is extremely durable after the bear testing as well as ours, but the main reason for having a cooler is to keep your drinks and groceries cold.  By filling this cooler with block ice and checking it once daily, the ice lasted for a full 19 days and change, which is a good test of the insulation qualities.  However, testing it in normal circumstances with kids getting in and out of it during the entire day, we found that covering the bottom with block ice and normal use on 80 degree days, we still got a full week out of our ice.

Cleaning the unit when you are done is a snap and the 2” drain plug allows easy draining of unwanted particles.  Heavy duty latches, hinges and lid make this a well rounded cooler that will last you a lifetime. Each cooler comes with a lifetime guarantee which will ensure that you can pass this cooler down for generations.

The 400 is the king size, but this cooler comes in a 150 quart model as well.  Both coolers are available in stores only and not online. You can see a full video product review and testing of the Grizzly Coolers below.

For a lot of us, this is a time to get excited about the upcoming archery season or just a good excuse to get out and shoot our bows in general. For me, I shoot all year, but still get very excited about spring time. With the snow melting and weather warming, my plans for this hunting season start rolling through my mind, whether it’s tags that you put in for or just plain having fun at your local 3D shoots. We need to start thinking about our archery set-ups and what we can do to better them or just make sure that the proper upkeep and maintenance is being taken care of on them. Let’s look at a few things that will ensure you better success in the field or just more enjoyment with less frustration in your archery set-up from damaged or worn equipment.

This shows timing on a single cam bow where the cable is crossing in the center of the circle on the cam. There will be differences in reference holes depending on year, make, and model of bow.

First off is your bow string and cables. Many of us go way to long, in my opinion, before we look to replace our strings and cables. Worn strings and cables can cause injury and create unwanted frustrations, especially when we should be enjoying our time shooting our bows. We need to make sure we look them over for any stands that may be cut do to broadheads, branches, rocks, etc. Even if we don’t have physical damage, another thing to look for is excessive peep rotation. This can be caused by poor string quality to begin with or from the strings’ fibers breaking down. We have all experienced peep twist from time to time and when it gets excessive, nothing can be more frustrating. A lot of this can be prevented from just having a good set of quality strings and cables put on our bows.

For some of us we might not need anything but a good cleaning and proper waxing of our strings and cables. I have heard of some people applying string wax with a lighter or blow dryer and to be honest I would not recommend putting excessive heat to your strings and cables. This will increase your chance of damage to your bow or worse, to yourself. I like using a soft piece of leather when rubbing in string wax and that is more than sufficient for waxing your bowstrings.

Another thing to consider this year is just a good quality “tune” job for your bow. It will just make you a better archer and make for a more enjoyable time with less frustration when it comes time to start shooting your bow.  Remember, don’t be afraid  to ask questions when taking in your bow for any service.  One of those questions would be, “Am I using the proper spined arrow for my set-up?”  When they are paper tuning, ask them if they can shoot through paper at multiple distances of 6, 10, 15 and 20ft. This is simply giving you a snap shot of your arrow in flight and doing so at one distance and calling it tuned does not do it justice. I see in many cases that paper tuning is done at one distance all the time and they show the customer a bullet hole and call it good. Nothing could be farther from the truth in regards to a properly tuned bow. This starts with the proper spined arrow and I can’t stress that enough.  Another suggestion is a complete breakdown of the axles, cams and limbs. Having everything relubed can do wonders for your draw cycle and will just make your bow quieter and more hassle free for the coming season. Don’t be afraid to ask a few questions, it will make you more knowledgeable in regards to your equipment and it will hold archery shops accountable as well.

Part of the tuning process will involve cam timing. For dual cam bows, this is where both cams start and end their rotation at the same point. You might not think single cam bows need to be timed, but nothing could be further from the truth. They will have a correct starting location that needs to be addressed as well in the tuning process to get the optimal performance out of your bow. Some of you might have purchased a new bow recently and might think there is nothing special that needs to be done.  You need to take into consideration that new strings and cables settle into their tracks and might have slight initial stretch. This is referred to as your break-in period.  In this case, it is quite common to lose the correct synchronization of your cams (referred to as cam timing) meaning one cam can be out of synch with another or for single cam bow it might have lost its correct starting rotation in the bottom cam.  When these things aren’t corrected it will change the vertical nock travel of your bow and in return make for a bow that just might not be as forgiving as you would like.

This is a picture of a draw board and really the only true way to get the correct timing on a dual cam bow. This is really the only way to be truly accurate when making adjustments to get your cams in proper synchronization and a great way to check actual draw length.

Let me give you an example of this. I was just working on a new Mathews Heli and had noticed the starting rotation of the cam was off. I proceeded to make the proper adjustments needed to correct it. You might think, “OK everything is back in line with the cam timed and ready to go”. Well on this particular single cam bow it was designed to be nock level and by changing the starting rotation you are in turn changing the nocking point slightly as well. When these things aren’t corrected it will make for a bow that is out of tune and won’t perform to its ability. Whether  you have a single cam or dual cam bow, cam timing matters and when it is correct it will lead to a more accurate and shooter friendly bow.

These are just a few things to think about as we prepare for the upcoming season. These preparations just might make for a better overall shooting experience for you and your bow. And again, do not be afraid to ask questions.  More understanding will make you a better and more knowledgeable archer in the long run.

Leica, who has been known for high-end hunting optics for over a century now, has just launched the new 1600B which is a must have for everyone who shoots over a  couple hundred yards or in terrain that will require steep uphill or downhill shots.

We were able to get our hands on one of the first test models and put it to the test.  This compact rangefinder will fit in the palm of your hand and only weighs in at 6.8 ounces.    It uses a 7-power magnification.  This new rangefinder uses the Advanced Ballistic Compensation (ABC™) technology which will take into account the current air pressure, incline or decline and temperature in calculating the correct yardage or meters for your shot to target.  The best thing about this new unit is its’ ability to give you the correct information for your rifle setup.  You can choose one of three different setups.  The first output is for those of you that have a standard rifle scope with either  a fixed or adjustable power and a set sight in distance.  With this output, the ABC™ will spit out a distance to the target in yards or meters and give you the precise holdover in either inches or centimeters.  The second option fits those of you who use an etched reticle with known sight-in distances or a precut turret for known yardages.  This option will give you true horizontal distance to the target taking.  So, when you have a downhill shot at 560 yards, it will give you the correct yardage and reticle to shoot, say a 450 yard shot.

The third and final output option is for those of you who use a turret with Minute of Angle (MOA) adjustments.  This option will tell you the correct MOA adjustment to put your point of impact on target.  All of these adjustments and setups are based on 12 preprogrammed ballistic curves with three different sight-in distances (100 yds, 200 yds and 300 yds).  One of them is sure to be close to your current setup, but you shouldn’t attempt to harvest game at long ranges without sufficient practice and validating the data.  The Leica 1600B will give you accurate holdover and ranges out to 880 yards, which should accommodate the majority of long range shooters.   Although the calculations only go out to 880 yards, the rangefinder still gives ranges to 1600 yards.  We were able to get ranges at good reflective targets out past a mile (1850 yards) and ranges on deer and antelope out to 1550 yards.   See our full video product review below.

“As parents of toddlers we couldn’t find a solution other than bulky backpack carriers or strollers,” remarks Wayne Lifshitz, CEO of Piggyback Rider. “So we set out to solve the problem of sore backs, necks and only needing to carry our kids sometimes,” he continues, speaking of his brother, co-inventor and business partner Jonny Lifshitz, CIO. “Our goal was to create a kid carrier that is lightweight, easy-to-use, and provides ergonomic support when carrying a child (or an adult) on one’s back” said Wayne.  No one needs to be taught how to give a piggyback ride and the same is true for the Piggyback Rider; it’s natural and instinctive.

Now available at Sportsman’s Warehouse stores nationwide, the multi-award winning Piggyback Rider creates a mutually enjoyable, effortless way to carry toddlers at your back and revolutionizes trends in child transport by replacing passive sitting backpack carriers and strollers. The innovative, unisex design incorporates standard backpack adjustments to distribute the child’s weight at your core, while they stand firmly on the tempered aluminum bar supported by the shoulder carrier. For safety, the child holds integrated grab handles and is secured by a safety harness. Children love the height advantage, rest, quality time and longer adventures, while you walk with a natural upright posture. “With the Piggyback Rider, we have begun a revolution in child transport and engaged parents and children in active transport,” said Jonny.

Since the Piggyback Rider launch in 2011, it’s won 11 awards, been featured on TV, in Entrepreneur Magazine and had several celebrity sightings. Wayne believes there are three reasons the product was met with such enthusiasm.  “First and foremost, the Piggyback Rider is unique in the marketplace. It is the only carrier made for toddlers,” he said, “Second, this is active transport – you’re not putting a child in a stroller or backpack and taking them places; on the Piggyback Rider, the child is standing at your back and actively engaged on the outing with you as your heads are now close together.  And finally – and maybe the most important to many families – the Piggyback Rider is very small and lightweight. At 2½ pounds and the size of a rolled towel, the whole carrier quickly collapses and folds into its’ own carry bag for easy storage in your trunk or bag.”

At a price far below the other options it’s easy to see why the Piggyback Rider is stealing the show as the hottest new gear product for 2012.

For more information and to see videos visit www.piggybackrider.com.

Look. Stand. Interact.  Ride The Bar!

Over the past six months, the Sportsman’s News team has had the opportunity to test the Alps Glacier Extreme tent with the Browning camping label.  According to the statistics, this 10’ by 10’ double walled, four season tent is a 6-man tent.  A hundred square feet of space with an addition 66 square feet of vestibule space is a little crowded for six full sized guys and gear, but you can make it work in a pinch.  However, this tent is absolutely perfect for two guys and gear.  We tested this tent in just about every weather condition you could imagine.  It withstood fifty mile per hour winds, eighteen inches of snow and a couple of major rain storms. The tent is in as good a shape right now as the day it came out of the box.

This tent is built for what it says, “Extreme Conditions”.  The tent floor is made of 210D Oxford with 2000mm coating.  What that means is this bathtub type floor is super heavy duty and will withstand many years of use regardless of where you pitch it.  It comes pre-sealed, so you can take it right from the store to the field without any other preparation.  The pole system is made of four 25mm poles with a center hub.  These poles provide for a good amount of flex in high winds, yet are lightweight and durable.

The tent itself is well ventilated on the sides and the top allowing for unwanted moisture to escape.  The straight side walls allow for full usage of the 100 square feet of available space.  We had plenty of room for two full sized cots and all of our gear for a ten day excursion. The fly is also made of 210D Oxford and is a nice light gray in color.  I like this feature because it allows for plenty of sunlight to come through the tent during daylight hours.  The fly has numerous tie down points and reinforcements to make sure it stays where you pitch it during inclement weather.  The steel stakes are a great addition to this package and we had no problem with them in the rocky soils of Utah and Wyoming during our testing.  The one minor complaint that we had is that the tent won’t fit back into the original bag once you have used it.  So, we recommend picking up an oversized waterproof bag to complete your setup.  Overall, this is one of the best and most durable tents that we have ever tested. You can see the full video product review of the Glacier Extreme Tent below.

Here are a few facts that will shed a little more light on the subject of our 49th state:

• No sunset for 84 days.
• No sunrise for 67 days.
• It is one-fifth the size of the rest of the United States combined.
• Has the smallest population in the U.S. with Anchorage its largest city.
• Half of the worlds glaciers are found in Alaska and cover about 3% of its total area.
• It has 47,300 miles of coastline, more than all of our other 49 states combined.
• Mt. McKinley (Denali is the native word) is North America’s tallest peak.
• Anchorage’s Lake Hood is said to be the worlds’ largest floatplane base.
• And of course the most famous land sale of all time from Russia in 1867 for about .02 cents an acre!

Having said all of this, when it comes to venturing into Alaska, in most cases, your trip from the lower 48 will start when you hit Anchorage.

With Anchorage as your base to adventure, many travelers will find the need for a hotel room either before or after their adventure begins or ends.  Now you will find many great hotels that will take care of your wants and needs, but believe me, you will also be paying top dollar for those accommodations and amenities.  The team at Sportsman’s News always chooses the Puffin Inn as it’s resting place when in Anchorage.  The Puffin Inn is one of only a few no-chain hotels left in the area and General Manager Sonja Jorgensen and her staff go out of their way to make sure your needs are met and at the best price available.

The Sportsman’s News highly recommends that you make the Puffin Inn your headquarters for exploring all that Alaska has to offer.  They are conveniently located a short drive from the Ted Stevens International Airport and the many downtown Anchorage attractions.  Complimentary airport shuttle service is available 24/7 as well as breakfast and wireless Internet access to all guests at no charge. Give the Puffin Inn a call today (907-243-4044) to book you next stay when the need for a little layover brings you to the beautiful city of Anchorage, Alaska, truly the entrance to America’s “Last Frontier”!

P.S.  Don’t forget to ask about their PPM (Puffin Priority Membership) for a chance to save even more on your stays throughout the year.

By my definition, there are three indicators of cold. Uncomfortable happens at about 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with a damp wind of around 10 knots. The demarcation of cold itself is initiated at 15 and at 5 degrees or below the real battle with the “old man”, begins. This is when your hands and feet cannot be kept in statia, no matter what high tech fiber is in your mittens or socks. If you are not in motion, you are freezing.

On Tuesday, November 20, 2007 I was returning to the city from McPherson, Kansas at the end of a fruitful upland bird-hunting trip with some long-term hunting buddies. I decided to toss out a few mallard decoys on a secluded cove at a state lake and attempt to ambush a few quackers. Although balmy weather was depressing us outdoor types for this late in the year, a frontal system was predicted and threatening and my hope was to take advantage of unsuspecting waterfowl migrating ahead of it.

I waded through a bronzed patch of CRP and a smothering stand of Eastern red cedar bordering the glassed waterway, that had plenty of ducky groceries close by. Selecting a stealthy vantage and having the imposters in place, I settled in with hopes of a red-meat dinner.

An eerily quiet and slate overcast sky shrouded our chosen hide-out. My back propped against an ocher earthen bank, with the canine slightly behind and comfortable in the musk, I got out my calls, in an attempt to entice some candidates. Soon auditory senses began to indicate a groaning gain in the landscape, but my mind was unable to detect the origin. A keen imagination estimated the noise to be a large truck careening down a washboard road in the distance. But no, this could not be the source of the increasing volume, because it refused to dissipate or cease completely.

Waves began forming on the small cove and a flock of raucous crows smattered across the gap to find better shelter. The recent calm gave way to a rising foam of cascading winds and a flurry in spits of vapor, rapid temperature decline and general dissolution for living things. The embattled hound began to whine, begging for interpretation of her instincts, but I was out for blood. I was not leaving before the law mandated. A flock of 6 big ducks worked for a few passes but launched for safety elsewhere, regardless of my pleas with practiced songs, on expensive acrylic flutes.

As if in an extravagant Hollywood production, a weather wave crashed over the world, from nothing to something in mere moments, not more. Without warning, a chill came over me with the increasing but invisible velocity, so I buttoned up my canvas-shooting shirt over the long handle cottons dressed earlier. Within minutes my comfort level disappeared completely and I was gritting against the gale and swearing that I would not give in until the last light of legal shooting. My straining eyes scanned the bleakness for any encouragement, but with no cooperation.

My usually stoic four legged hunting partner began chattering her teeth like a sub-machine gun even with several visceral critisicisms from me, the master. No amount of self-assurance could surmount this natural onslaught. My mind was a battlefield in mortal conflict over how much physical torture one could endure, versus survival. Near the strike of sunset, the magical moment of law and natural reasoning, I picked up the dekes and bolted for the truck. Without regard to direction, terrain or landscape, I pushed forward through the blackness and scratchy bush. Blindly I went, occasionally whistling for the dog, hoping she would find the shortest line to safety.

With burning face, watered eyes, stiff knees and crushed ego, I discovered the outline of the 4X4. Immediately, I inserted the key into the ignition and prayed she would cough to life. RRRRR ka room the V8 was lit and I reached for the Thermos jug, blended from 4:30 am.  Although I scorched this batch of java in my camp stove pot, added too much powdered creamer and not enough sweet, it was the most perfect cup of coffee I ever poured down my gullet, albeit now, lukewarm. My life was renewed and with God’s mercy, I lived on for another chase.

Whites Ranch in Paradise, Utah was settled in 1868 by Barnard White, an immigrant from England. This was one of the first settlements in the beautiful Cache Valley in northern Utah.  The homestead, approximately 56,000 acres, was located in the southeast corner of Cache Valley consisting primarily of mountain property.

The ranch house, stables and creamery were located on a bluff overlooking the fertile river bottoms of the Little Bear River.  This location was chosen because of its isolation and vantage point to overlook the valley, remembering, of course that the west was still unsettled in the mid 1800’s and the Native Americans were still formidable neighbors.  Another reason for choosing this location was the abundant springs located just below the bluff line where the ranch house stood, as a year round water supply was paramount to any settlement in those years for livestock and the settlers.

Mike Deming shoots some 5-stand clays at Sportsman's Paradise White's Ranch just south of Logan, UT.

Over the years and through the generations, this working ranch has produced cattle, hogs, turkeys, milk, crops and rainbow trout.  Today this working ranch produces cattle, crops, trout, pheasants and partridge.  The fourth generation working the ranch are Grant and Tom White.

In the 1920’s the Little Bear River and the springs throughout the property were put to use as a resource of their own.  The Little Bear River ran through the center of the bottomland and each spring the river was washing away and eroding the best bottomland. Since there was little hope of reclaiming the damage, the best solution was to turn the ravages of nature to an advantage. The river was diverted along the western side of the valley along the mountain.  This left an empty channel through the middle of the river bottoms that generated the idea of a family recreational fishery.  The Whites began developing the springs and diverting them into the empty channel.  As time went on, family, friends and other outdoorsmen came from miles around to fish the ponds.  The trout that were caught were sold to the fisherman.  The fishery grew from these humble beginnings to the nation’s fourth largest producer of rainbow trout, both fresh and frozen.  As late as 1989 the Whites were producing in excess of seven million pounds of trout annually.

In 1990 the fishery began to turn full circle, forced by the state government into a massive and costly disease disinfection and the fishery was forced in a different direction.  This was the beginning of a massive restoration project.  The goal was to create a unique, self-sustaining totally natural fishery, complete with spawning beds and invertebrate production areas.  Utilizing the original natural stream beds, the spring waters now flow as they did in the late 1800’s.  The stream restoration is still an ongoing project to ensure the streams and still waters are providing plenty of invertebrates to keep the fish healthy, active and impressive in size.  The mixture of browns, rainbows, cutthroats, steelhead, splake and cutbows provide an unmatched fly-fishing experience.  The fish range in size from the naturally spawned fingerlings to as high as sixteen pounds, with an average of eighteen inches.  Any fish under 18 inches, have been naturally reproduced by the fishery.  The fishery is managed as a wild fishery, practicing catch-and-release for fly rods only.  The two miles of streams and spring-fed lakes provide unlimited opportunity for year-round trophy fly-fishing for wild trout.

Steve McGrath and Matt Anderson enjoyed winter success despite the fresh foot of snow.

Your experience at Whites Ranch doesn’t stop there. The wing shooting on the ranch is also phenomenal. Professional bird rearing techniques have allowed them to raise birds that look and act identical to their wild counterparts. You will have a hard time believing that any of the birds you are hunting have been pen raised. They have spent countless hours creating and maintaining mother nature’s natural habitat on their hunting unit. Although this is a working ranch and crops are raised and harvested, there is still an over abundance of natural cover in and around the cultivated fields. You will be hunting natural and improved rangeland, a combination of rolling hills with dry farm wheat, barley, alfalfa, sage, CRP grass and irrigated farm ground. It is this habitat that allows the ranch to hold both released and wild birds on the property year round. They offer mixed bag hunts of partridge as well as the wily ring neck pheasant. During a typical hunt, it is not uncommon to see as many as 100 roosters and several coveys of partridge.

The ranch’s European-style Driven Pheasant Shoots are also packed with great adventure. Just imagine 300 magnificent pheasants, at full speed, soaring from the cliff bluff overhead, as you prepare to take aim and shoot. This event will challenge the best of shooters and will definitely sharpen your shooting skills with fast moving, high-flying excitement. Their driven pheasant shoots are modeled after the European driven shoots in Scotland. A true Scotsman, Arvey MacFarland, even helped with the design. The European Shoots are a great way to introduce your friends or business clients to Sportsman’s Paradise. It can be designed for private groups of all sizes and it is ideal for those unable to field hunt.

Twenty shooting “butts” or positions are aligned at the base of a small hill, up the hunting area called Long Hollow. Pheasants are driven to flight towards the shooters. After each twenty bird barrage, the shooters switch to another shooting butt and the fun begins again. By the time the shoot is over, all shooters have fired from all of the positions. At the conclusion of the shooting, the Sportsman’s Paradise retrievers start picking up the birds. The driven shoot is followed by a traditional walk-up hunt to find and flush the birds that got away on the driven portion of the hunt.

When the hunt is over everyone meets back at the club house for a whole pig roast, complete with the customary apple in its mouth. Dutch oven potatoes, sweet potatoes, Wilber baked beans, corn bread, salad fixin’s, beverage and desserts adorn the serving tables. The camaraderie and atmosphere of these shoots is a great team building experience and a great way for members to socialize and meet other members and guests.

Your wing shooting guides are professional, courteous, knowledgeable and will do whatever it takes to ensure a successful and enjoyable hunting experience.  Mostly pointing dogs are used including Llewellin setters, short-hair and wire-haired pointers with some lab retrievers also. These dogs have been hunting since they were old enough to walk. By the time they are a year old they have found and retrieved countless birds. The combination of masterful guides, gracefully skilled dogs and hard flying birds will make your wing shooting memories something you will never forget.

Another great opportunity can be had to hone your skills before you head out to the field. The game of Five Stand is very similar to Sporting Clays in that a wide variety of targets are thrown. If you are not familiar with Five Stand, it may become one of your favorite games to play with your shotgun.

A successful day of hunting pheasant and chukar in the European driven style. Trained retrievers help drive and collect the birds.

No two Five Stand courses are exactly alike and this course is one of the best you will find anywhere. The Five Stand course has five stations, one for each shooter and each shooting station has its own unique target presentation. Rotating from station to station, the shooter is presented with targets at different viewing angles of the target as in skeet.

Five Stand is a quick reflex game which will challenge any level of shooter. It is a 25 target game and can be shot in about a half hour. Targets are launched from eight locations in many directions for you to try to break from the five shooting stands. This is great fun and terrific upland game practice to warm you up prior to hitting the field for live birds. Give it a try, you will love it!

This working ranch has some of the finest wing shooting, fly-fishing and big game hunting in the west. Sportsman’s Paradise is known for their great hospitality, fine dining and some of the best guides and hunting dogs you will see anywhere in the country.  All of the properties that are hunted and fished are now in a conservation easement which means they will stay the way they are, indefinitely.

If you are looking for a great hunting and fishing adventure that offers you guaranteed results while surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery that you can imagine, give Grant White and his staff a call today to book your next outdoor adventure.  They also have accommodations available on site and their breakfast, lunch and dinner creations are to die for!  Whites Ranch-Sportsman’s Paradise, 435-245-3053, “Utah’s Ultimate Sportsman’s Destination”.

Never underestimate the San Juan Worm is a statement I hear a lot when talking nymph fishing.  A piece of yarn tied to a hook seems a little too simple or generic to catch fish. The reality is – fish like worms, and the San Juan Worm is a tried and true fly pattern that catches fish everywhere. I became a believer a few years back on a trip to Lee’s Ferry on the Colorado River in Arizona. I was totally unfamiliar with the river and which flies to use. I threw streamers around, fished Scuds, Pheasant Tails, etc. with little luck. After examining the river, I noticed small, red worms in the water, unfortunately I didn’t have a San Juan worm in my box. That night back at the hotel I tied a few up with materials I purchased at the local shop. The next day was a completely different story. I caught fish consistently throughout the day.

The Bead Head San Juan is the supped-up version of the regular San Juan. It’s tied with a bead head, wire ribbing, and dubbing on the head. Most popular color variations are red with a gold bead, pink with a red bead, and wine with a orange bead. Hook sizes range from size 8-12.

How to fish the San Juan-
You’ll need a 7 ½ ft. 3X tapered leader. Tie on about 1 ft. of 4X tippet, then tie on your fly. Place a split shot just above the knot  (from where you tied on the tippet) to keep the split shot from sliding down against the hook.  Judge the depth of the water you’ll be fishing and place a strike indicator that distance from your fly. Fish the current seams and riffles casting upstream and allowing a drag free drift.

Tying tips-
The materials you’ll need are a #8 Scud hook, 1/8” bead, wire, and a little dubbing.
Step 1- Slide the bead on the hook. Using a bobbin threader, pull a three-inch piece of chenille through the bead hole.
Step 2- Attach your thread and build a thread base covering the shank of the hook.
Step 4- Tie in wire so it is extending out the back of the hook. Then advance your thread to the front of the hook behind the bead.
Step 5- Hold down the chenille against the hook and wrap the wire over the chenille toward the front of the hook. This should give the body a neat, segmented look. Tie off with your thread just behind the bead. Make 10-12 good, tight wraps to secure everything down.
Step 6- For a little curb appeal, add a few wraps of dubbing to cover everything up behind the bead.
Step 7- Clip down the chenille so there is about a hook shank length extending out of the front and the back of the hook. Use a lighter to burn the tips of the chenille. Whip finish and apply head cement.

A smile comes across my face as I read this last paragraph.  It brings back so many great memories of life with family and great friends. The wall tent is a home away from home for all that use it.  The famed “Wall Tent” has been around for centuries and has been used by our military since the Civil War era.  It is a primary home for many outfitters and their clients throughout the summer and fall each and every year.  However, this isn’t just a piece of equipment for professionals.  More and more individuals are purchasing these tents for even the occasional usage.  

A well maintained wall tent should last you nearly 30 years.  Value and longevity is the key in this shift of buying wall tents as opposed to less expensive shelters that require replacement every four or five years.

Montana Canvas, out of Belgrade, Montana makes one of the finest wall tents on the market today.  They are made right here in the United States with top quality craftsmanship and they can be purchased through your local Sportsman’s Warehouse camping department.  Most stores actually have a display model in the upstairs display area where you can see the quality of products available as well as walk away with a few specific sizes.  However, you can custom order any Montana Canvas tent for your specific needs with many different features.

Montana Canvas builds tents in many different sizes as well as different materials and one is sure to fit your needs.  Sizes range anywhere from 8’X10’ all the way up to 18’X23’.  They also come in different weights of canvas as well as the ultralight Relite fabric which comes in three different colors.  Lightweight, hardened aluminum tent frame, a tent fly and a wood stove are all recommended items with your purchase to finish off your home away from home.

The Sportsman’s News team put a 12’x14’ wall tent to the test for the entire 2011 hunting season and when we were done, we felt that it was worthy of being endorsed as one of our “Pros Pick’s” items for the year.
Our test model was a 10oz canvas, 12’x14’ model with full aluminum frame and wood stove.  The tent alone weighs in at about 70 pounds and the complete aluminum frame is nearly the same.  We had a cylinder stove outfitter package that weighed in at about 88 pounds.  It included wood stove, water heater, warming tray, grate and stovepipe.  So, our entire setup was about 225 pounds.

We setup the tent in our parking lot as a trial run and to make sure all the pieces had been shipped.  Getting familiar with new equipment on a hot sunny day is much better than being thrown to the wolves on a cold rainy day at dark.  The 10oz canvas is pretreated with water/fire/mildew coatings which will insure many years of quality use if well taken care of.  The aluminum frame comes in a heavy duty vinyl bag that is a little awkward to carry and tie closed, but is sufficient in keeping poles and connectors together for the life of the tent.

The tent frame itself is one of the best that I have ever used.  All connections “click” into a locked position with a detent ball which isn’t the normal for most frames.  This simple item will be much appreciated if you are in your tent during a high wind storm because it keeps your entire frame locked together even as the tent shifts back and forth(bad memories with other frames make this very important to me).

The walls on all of the Montana Canvas tents are five feet high with a steep roof pitch(steeper than most other manufactures).  The added pitch to these tents when used in conjunction with a fly is especially nice during heavy snow storms.  The snow doesn’t tend to build up on the tent roof as much and a slight push up from the inside will easily ditch the added weight, unlike a tent with less pitch.  Tie downs around the base of the tent are grommets instead of tent loops.  I like this much better than loops because loops tend to wear out more quickly and need to be replaced every four or five years.  The grommets should last beyond the life of the tent.  This also allows you to stake the tent down on the inside or the outside.  I prefer inside since it is much easier to pound them back in during severe weather conditions and high winds.

The 12” sod cloth is made of heavy duty vinyl, which allows you to bury it in the dirt or place heavy objects on it inside to give you a weatherproof seal around the base.  The tent also comes with all the rope and tensioners that you will need to secure your tent.  You do need to cut the rope yourself and set up the tensioners yourself.  This is another good reason to do this on a warm day.  This part of the initial setup will take nearly an hour.  To be honest, I would like to see the tent shipped with these already set up.  If you aren’t familiar with tensioners or aren’t mechanically inclined, this process will take more time to get it done correctly. However, this job only needs to be done once and they are setup for life. Doors have both zippers and buckle clips which are extremely important in the cold and high winds.

Our tent was pitched for over 100 days during the 2011 calendar year and it surpassed all of our expectations.  It withstood winds up to 60 miles per hour, several feet of snow and hours of stories from happy hunters throughout the year.  The Montana Canvas tent series is “THE BEST” wall tent I have ever used. Stop into your local Sportsman’s Warehouse and have a camping department specialist show you the features and benefits of one of these great tents and order your own.  Visit their website at www.montanacanvas.com to see all available options.

Tip-We recommend that you take (8) 3’ long T-posts along with your tent.  Pounding four at each side of the tent about five feet out from the tent at an angle will give you the best tie downs you can ask for.  They are a lifesaver in heavy winds and work well in even the sandiest of soils.