Dermasafe ultralight knives and saws.
Dermasafe ultralight knives and saws (from 8 grams): http://www.derma-safe.com/product/the-derma-safe-folding-utility-knife
Fishing
Trout Fly Rod Conversion for Hiking Pole
While you’re looking at ‘ruta locura’s’ web-site (Sp = crazy journey; I like!) you might notice their ‘Tenkara Trout Fly Rod Conversion’ for a hiking pole. Now that’s a good idea if you’re a keen fly fisher (as you ought be!): http://www.rutalocura.com/Tenkara.html The Clarkii rod is a telescoping Tenkara fly rod that attaches to a
Camping by Victorian Rivers & Streams
The Western Tyers is beautiful. Victoria (yet) has many other lovely rivers/streams where you can camp undisturbed (especially weekdays!) Some other examples: Latrobe (above Moe), Mitta (above Blue Duck), Avon (above Wombat Crossing), Haunted Stream, Nicholson (above Deptford), Snowy (above Orbost), Tambo (above Bruthen), Wellington (above Licola), Macalister (above Licola), Moroka (above Licola), Caledonia, Ben
Western Tyers River – Great for Crays!
Escaping the heat: The Western Tyers is the BEST place I know to spend a couple of hot days: nestled under the South face of Mt Baw Baw, enclosed by Antarctic Beech and majestic Mountain Ash, it is always a lovely spot on such a day. You can brave the icy water (if you dare)
BCB Fishing Kit/Speedhooks
I recently posted about the BCB Fishing Kit (10.5 grams). http://www.theultralighthiker.com/bcb-fishing-kit-as-good-as-it-gets/ The ‘Speedhook/s’ might be a useful addition to (a couple of) these. Pack of six US$20.95. Nothing like a set line overnight to provide for the hungry, lazy hiker that fish breakfast (or maybe platypus?) in paradise: http://www.speedhook.com/servlet/the-1/Speedhook/Detail
Fishing on a Bicycle
What sort of weird place is New Hampshire – where you are allowed to go fishing on a bicycle. Really? SUVs should surely be compulsory: http://www.surflandbt.com/october-17-sams-first-keeper-and-the-fish-bicycle/
BCB Fishing Kit – As good as it gets!
I reckon this is about as good as it gets for a lightweight hiking hand caster @ 10 grams (inc. line). It has a handy notch for holding the line from unravelling when not in use. These BCB Fishing Kits are available from the UK for around $7 delivered if you buy half a dozen.
Eels
The world’s oldest (authenticated) eel has died in Sweden at age 155, (clearly not enough folks EAT eel). I guess not all hail from ‘Ely’ in Cambridgeshire (as my ancestors did), a famed seat of ‘eel-lore’. We encountered some very friendly eels at Paronella Park in Qld recently. After the disastrous Alpine fires (in 2006)
Small, Thin Pocket Knives
On recollection it seems I had my Cardsharp (http://www.iainsinclair.com/en/cardsharp4-natural.html) in my wallet on our recent trip to Cairns. They are exactly the size of a credit card so it is easy to forget you had one in your wallet for peeling a piece of fruit, opening a letter, etc. Those security people are getting really
Don’t let old age stop you.
Someone quipped to me just yesterday. ‘Old age is not for sissies!’ Boy, you’re not just ‘whistling Dixie’! The young just wouldn’t be up to this shit! But their turn will come. Most of my (old) friends are either already dead or might as well be, creeping safely towards the grave as they have been