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Camo Everything? Seriously?

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 02:47:04 GMT

I remember a time when the only people who wore camouflage were bow hunters and military snipers. But now camo seems to be everywhere on everything. Very confusing. So, I headed down to my local Cabela’s to do a little research. Check on the current state of camo affairs so to speak.

My first revelation was that camo clothing is now designed for the various geographies. Hunting the hardwood forests of New England? Yup, they’ve got a pattern for that. Hunting the Rockies with their stands of aspen and sage covered slopes? They’ve got a pattern so stealthy you can even tag your elk before you shoot it. What about waterfowl in the marshes? They have camo so good that ducks will practically land in your lap. As long as you don’t forget the camo coat for your lab.

Next up were different camo for different seasons. Hunting in the fall? Then how about fall foliage. Once the trees drop their leaves, try a late fall pattern. Snow on the ground and still haven’t filled your freezer? Then go with some winter white.

And each different pattern comes on a full range of clothing. All matching - coat, vest, pants, gators, gloves, hat, etc…etc…

If you chase multiple species, during different seasons in different states, you can amass a wardrobe that the Kardashians would envy. Camo as a fashion trend? You bet. How about the white, black and grey urban pattern? Favored by hip-hop artists everywhere.

If it keeps going like this, I predict that soon we’ll have patterns specifically designed for individual states. How about Montana Muted or North Carolina Normal. Maybe even Vermont Vegan - camo Birkenstocks anyone? You get the idea.

But where it really goes off the rails for me is accessories. Do we really need camouflaged coolers? Camo beer cozies? Camo rifle stocks? Camo long underwear? What are you trying to hide? Camo flashlights? I don’t know about you, but I like to be able to find my flashlight. Makes it easier to find my long underwear.

Clearly, we’re living in the age of specialization. Unlimited solutions to undiscovered problems, at least until someone educates us.

But where does it end? And what about other outdoor sports? Fishing? Camping? Backpacking?

I remember visiting a friend shortly after he opened his new fly shop. We were chatting as he unpacked a box of landing nets. I picked one up and gave it an admiring look. Bent ash frame with walnut insert, and a neatly knotted cotton net. Beautiful work. Then I looked at the price tag and almost fainted. My friend took the net from my hand and hung in on the wall with the tag dangling. When I questioned the price, he smiled and said, “Don’t forget, it’s not about catching fish, it’s about catching fisherman.”

Just sayin’.

It's Been A long Journey

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 02:47:04 GMT

It’s been a long journey.

What exactly is your first novel? The first one you write? Or, the first one you publish? Does that include self-publishing or do you need the imprint of a “real” publisher to claim first novel status? And given the state of the industry, what is a “real” publisher? Do we even know? Hard to figure. If you research most authors, I bet you will find a treasure trove of written but never published manuscripts serving as the foundation for “the first one”.

However you decide to qualify, “first novel”, my hat is off to anyone with the imagination and discipline to actually make up and write a several hundred page story. Because that is what it is really about; the need to create something. To exercise that creative muscle, watch it grow and get stronger with each session at the keyboard.

I’m getting published this coming November. First novel? Second? How many shitty manuscripts did I have to write before “the one”? I won’t bore you with the semantics.

Hopefully I won’t bore you with my novel, either. Let’s just say, all things considered, I’m pretty damned pleased with myself.

Finally did the ADK 90 Miler

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 02:47:04 GMT

For years, I've always wanted to compete in the ADK 90 Miler - a canoe race that covers 90 miles of the most beautiful water and wilderness in the world. The race commemorates early life in the Adirondacks where sportsmen from Albany, New York and Philly would come to the town of Old Forge, meet their guide and go on a 90 mile adventure hunting and fishing and paddling their way through the Adirondacks, finally ending in the town of Saranac. Today's race still begins in Old Forge and ends in Saranac, but doesn't include hunting or fishing, plus it takes place over only three days of intense paddling and portaging. I trained all summer, building endurance and concentrating on my paddling form. And finished tired and hand-sore, but proud of the accomplishment. I've been asked about next year. Do it again? You bet. I can't wait!