Has anyone bought any cool new gear for their trip this year? I got a couple of new rods that break in half for better transportation. I am looking for a small light rod holder that will carry three rods into the BW.

Any suggestions??

a lot of people rig pvc pipe to carry rods that have one glued on end and one threaded.

I use a stiff cardboard tube that works pretty good.

I knew about the PVC but was concerned about the weight. I may try to make my own. I will probably pad both ends with a sponge so the tips don't get scratched. I think I will give that a shot.

I may even trill in some latches for a strap. Anything would have to be better than last year. I just laid my rods in the bottom of my kayak. I could feel my feet pressing against the eyes and could feel the poles bent in the bow. NOT PRETTY!

Thanks...

Use the lightweight drainage PVC pipe not the heavy schedule 40 stuff, I use the sponges on each end and just put a strip of duct tape around the end to hold the cap on... carry them to the BWCA from Arkansas that way too... okay maybe two or three strips of duct for the ride up there and back... :-) I just bungee cord and tape them inside my upside down canoe on the rack.

Oh and as far as cool new gear... I have gotten a Down sleeping bag, new cook kit with 2.5 gallon nested pots and gear for six, new lightweight griddle to use too, a 12 gallon blue barrel for food...

Also looking to get a Kelty Noah 16 tarp to go with my 12 by 12 light weight nylon... and maybe a new paddle... bent shaft or straight can't decide yet... and new rods and reels for the kids... the list goes on and on...

Bruce..

I bought a new tent a couple of weeks ago and am sure several trips to Cabelas will be in order before to long. My boys all got new rods for Christmas and they're fired up as well.

Cold weather got you down? Nothing like money burning a hole in your pocket for some new camp gear for the upcoming season! Went to Gander Mountain today and picked up a new prolite4 thermarest pad. Tried it out in the store and seemed to be great. Also picked up a new canoe chair. It is called the Sitbacker. Put it on my penobscot when I got home and was really comfortable on the backside and on the back. Better than my crazy creek - at least I thought it was. Throw in some new fishing tackle, a GSI coffee press, and some odds and ends. Can't wait to hit the water. Canoe fever really setting in here!
montebfishing...in Indiana for now

So far I have a new tent, new fishing pole, fillet knife and I have a MSR EX water filter coming. I'm trying to spread the rest of what I want out over the remaining four months before our trip.....that way the wife doesn't total the bill :)
My dad is the one going crazy on the gear. It's his first trip, coming all the way out from Idaho, and he lives to fish. So far in the three weeks since he's committed, he's bought a new collapsible rod, pole holders for the canoe, a portable fish finder, extra Penn Reals with weighted line to get down deeper for the Lake Trout,two way radios for the car trip up with our group, and a light weight sleeping pad. I keep reminding him that whatever we take in, we have to carry, but so far it hasn't slowed him down. I have a feeling my back will be sore too, but what a great chance to have me, my son, and my dad together!
Eric

Thanks for the rod holder ideas, I will make one in the next couple of weeks.

I am all but done except for some new rain pants. The only thing I may buy is a new thermarest pad. Does anyone have the new short style?? I have the old 2 1/2 pad, its big and bulky and I want to downsize. I was thinking of getting a blow up mattress (not doll), the kind you use in a swiming pool. Has anyone ever used a pool mattress for a week of camping?

Food wise, this year we are taking in 5 days of frozen. Two nights of steaks, brats, sausage (with fish night) and one night will be chicken fajitas! Anybody have any good ideas for pita bread or tortillas? Last year we vaccumm sealed the pita bread but they all smashed togeter into one large lump.

Damn... I can't wait!

Wishin I was fishin!

Ya, I started with a cheap swimming mattress. It made alot of noise when you moved around at night and by the end of the week, I popped it. But it was nice to float around on during the day. I got alot of new gear, mainly fishing stuff, however what I'm most excited about is my new Humminbird Wireless Fishfinder. I read about it in the latest BW Journal. I don't know if it will help me find fish, but I can see underwater structure, know depth and temp of water, all readable on a wristwatch. I'll let you know how it works next month in the BW.

Okay, no pool mattress for me. I bought one but will use my larger thermarest pad. I just wanted to save space on the way in. I have heard others say their pool mattress popped too.

Thanks for the update.

Hopp
You may want to give the Big Agnes Air Core or Insulated Air Core blow up mattress a look if you want a good quality but very small pad.
I bought an Insulated Air Core mattress and I love it! It folds up to about the size of a Nalgene bottle, but is 2 1/2 inches thick when inflated--very comfy!
Hope you find what you are looking for and happy paddling!
Kim

Thanks for the air mattress tip. How much does something like that cost? Is it rugged enough to lay on for the entire trip? What size are you? I'm about 6'2'' 190. Have you used it for a week long trip yet?

I would like to find something that small to take in.

I just purchased a Big Agnes air pad also. It cost me about $55 but I did not get the insulated kind. From what I can tell it seems very well made and durable but I have not taken on any trips yet. I would recommend that you pick one up. Having a 2 1/2 inch pad that packs up this small will be great!!!!

I have used my pad for a 4 day trip into Ontario, Canada and it is just like new! Very durable.
I'm a big girl and it is very comfy. My brother who is about 6'1" and 250# also has borrowed it and felt comfortable also.
Check out the Big Agnes website: www.bigagnes.com for descriptions and prices, then shop around to see if you can find a deal.
You probably wouldn't need the insulated pad for summer, but I got it for frequent early spring trips into Canada, and it gets pretty cold at night.
Air Core pads range in price from $45 to $55, no insulation.
Insulated Air Core pads are $70 to $100, depends on the size you want.
Good Luck and have a great paddling season!

Just ordered a new sleeping pad as well. I got a Pacific Outdoor Insul Mat Max Thermo. I found some information on it at the Backpack Gear Test site that was helpful http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Sleep%20Gear/Pads%20and%20Air%20Mattresses/
I have a bad back and have used the same Therma-a-Rest for the last 20 years -- I decided it was time to pass that one on to a younger generation and let the old man try out some new technology. Will give a field report in a few weeks after I have a chance to try it out. Also picked up a new bag at REI's clearance sale --the Big Cat. I am looking forward to having a bag that is cut for someone a bit bigger than normal size.

I got this new flashlight a couple of days ago and will be trying it out next week, yippee!

It is very small with two LED bulbs. It is solar powered and has a little panel much like a calculator, no batteries. It has an alligator clamp on the back end to attach to stuff. You can wear it on your hat bill or clamp it to your big toe. I like putting it on my toe personally. It's always pointing the way you are going.

Solar powered light with no battery?
If it doesn't have a battery how does it store energy to provide light?

Silly, I meant it doesn't have a replaceable battery. An internal battery that is recharged with solar light rays.

I broke down and bought several new items. One is the Duluth Pack Food Pack with the two large side pockets. I've previously used a Granite Gear 3.5 and with the banana box it was a slightly tight fit -this pack is roomier and with the side pockets, I can now consolidate all stoves, plates, pots and pans to one pack.

I also bought the tiny folding aluminum table from REI. This lets me raise the stove up out of the dirt - I kinda like the look anyhow.

Thanks for the tip kavdvm. I will check out the site and mattress. I try to pack about as light and small as possible. The only luxury items I take are for fishing.

This will be the first year I pack in a Timberline 4xt for two guys. I have the two man version also but figure the extra room would be nice if we are caught in the rain for a few days.

I go up next Saturday, the 11th!!

GIDDY UP!

What type of stoves do you all find useful. I have a peak one feather light now and I am thinking about getting an MSR Dragonfly, or wisperlight. I have heard that they are hard doing anything with besides boiling water. Any ideas?

Canoed8,

I have used the Dragonfly and the whisperlite. The dragonfly works great to cook on and has an adjustable flame so you can simmer or boil easily only drawback is it is loud. Whisperlite does not have an adjustable flame---with alot of practice you might be able to adjust the flame, but it's best function is boiling water---you could try a scorch plate to keep the heat down. If it was me I prefer the Dragonfly.

Tons of new gear - gotta be prepared for my first BWCA trip!

Browning headlamp, new backpack - El Cheapo 4800 ci, 2 new rods 6'6" & 7" Med action, making PVC rod holder, Coleman Exponent cooking head and mess kit, lots of tackle, flask, fishing hat and knife.

Enjoy it all... Just remember that the most important piece of equipment your take... will be your decision making... Be prepared to realize that on your first trip you will probably carry too much stuff... we all did. But, in time you will learn what in necessary and what is not. If the wind or weather is too bad... sit it out.. better to be late getting back, than not getting back at all...
The main thing is the love of the sport, and the wilderness... at times it is not easy, the bugs might make it uncomfortable, or the weather... but just remember if you had wanted it easy... you would be at the beach in a Holiday Inn... Challenge yourself... but not to extremes... and always thank God above for what He has given us to enjoy...

Bruce

I am going to buy a new tent. I rented a 4 person timberline from the outfitter last time and boy was it heavy and the zipper failed. I have a North Face 2 person tent and was thinking about a Kelty Gunnison 4 person. Light weight but it seems pretty good quality. Anyone used this tent! Comments? Suggestions on another, I really only need 3 people but I like therm-a-rest pads, and 1 25" from Cabelas so the extra space of a 4 person tent seems the way to go.

I just got one of the small wristwatch size depth/fish finders for my b-day. I can't wait to try it out. Has anybody tried one of these? Here is a link. http://humminbird.com/products.asp?ID=497

Zip tie the rods to the inside of the canoe