LOOKING FOR DEALS ON GEAR

During the yard sale season, many good finds can be picked up for a song and dance. I didn’t do much of that kind of thing this summer but I did come up with a few good pieces of equipment.

            First, I found a light weight tent that looked interesting. This was at a moving sale and it was marked ridiculously low to begin with so when I asked the condition of the tent, the owner immediately said “It should be alright, but I’ll make you a deal. Take it for a dollar.” What could I do? For a dollar I at least had another set of tent stakes, even if the tent was no good!

(tent picked up cheap, yet a good find)

            Once I got home with this find, I set the tent up in the front yard to check out its condition. Pleasantly, I found it to be in quite excellent shape as far as the fabric, zippers and netting goes. The only problems I see is that the collapsible poles are a bit worse for wear. Someone must have bent them a bit farther than was intended for them to go because two sections were split. But for just a few bucks, new poles can be had and it is certainly a roomy tent. Its light weight also makes it good for moderate weather backpacking.



(cook set picked up for one dollar)



           

Second, I also found another cook set that was in mint condition. If ever used it wasn’t used more than a single time. This excellent set consisted of a shallow cooking pot with a cover, a dish and a metal drinking cup. Although a little large to use backpacking, it will come in handy on any fishing and hunting camping trips in the near future. I believe I spent a total of one dollar for this as well.



(inside contents of the cook set)



            Not all items go for a dollar. The third item picked up was a rifle scope with a mil-dot reticle. This will work well on any number of rifles and although a bit more in money, it was still way less than shelling out for a new one. Of course it will mean making another trip to the shooting range to sight it in, but sacrifices must be made!

            Not only did I find these additions to my gear, but a couple of friends also found a number of useful items. Each one found a ground blind for less than half the price of new cost, and neither blind had been set up more than once or twice. The original blazing white tags were still on them. Add to that camo seats and stools, fishing equipment, plus a number of other items and you get the idea.

            Although I would not look in this direction for items that my life might depend upon, it still shows that some very useful camping and outdoor items can be found second hand. Don’t over look the opportunity next time your spouse suggests another yard sale trip.

SUMMER FISHING AND TRAVEL

As you can see I have not been able to write for some time. My wife and I have been involved with her mother’s needs over the past six months. My Mother-in-law was 95 years old, living on her own still until March 2011 and then she went on to be with the Lord just a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, that left my wife and me to deal with her last physical belongings, such as her home and furnishings. Michele is finally home here in the north country and we are trying to get things back to normal.

            In spite of the hectic spring and summer, I was able to get in a few fishing excursions. Both saltwater and freshwater fishing was good each time I went out. While on Long Island, I did get the chance to fish for both Blues and Strippers. Both were migrating through the inlet where I was and they seemed to be quite hungry. 



(cocktail size - just right for table)

            Only caught a couple of the strippers and they were released because they were short, but they still put up a fight. I did see a couple of forty plus inch strippers, one being taken by a scuba diver and his speargun.

            The Blues were much more accommodating! We caught them from snapper size on up to cocktail and chopper size. Needless to say, we had a number of fresh fish fries this summer. My grandkids enjoyed catching the snappers. The two middle grandsons are both becoming quite proficient with the spinning rods and reels. They are about 7 and 9 years of age. They were both able to throw the snapper poppers out with no trouble and then land their own fish.



(grandsons with snapper blues)



            Back up here in the north country, I only got out a couple of times. But the action has been pretty good this year. Frank Abel Jr. and I went out in the narrows of the Chateaugay Lakes looking for bass. We found a few, a couple that might have pushed the legal limit. They all went back in of course. We did find a few eager yellow perch.

            On one cast, Frank hooked into a big fish and the battle was on. He fought the fish for a few minutes before it came around the bow of the canoe to where I could see it. I saw immediately that he did not have a bass on his line. 

(Frank's first Northern Pike)

            After about ten minutes of battle, he finally landed a nice Northern Pike. This was the first pike that he had ever caught and, for a first one, it was nice. So there was some success in the fishing department this summer. In spite of heat waves and humid days, we still had some fine fishing.

            Talking with a number of my fishing buddies, they all report they had quite a bit of success this summer. Hope you had the time to get out on the water as well.