Winter Camping Checklist

Evenin' Folks,

  For the first time in a while I didn't do any fishing this weekend (haven't been doing much catching lately, anyway!).  Instead, I've been working on getting organized and getting my lists made for my trip to North Carolina this coming weekend.  I'm going to be attending The Fly Fishing Show in Winston-Salem and I'm very excited!  I'll have a full post up after the show with tons of pictures and my experiences at the show.  Make sure you're following me on Facebook and Instagram because I'll be live posting photos there all weekend.
  There was a special rate offered at the local hotels for show attendees, but a hotel room is way outside my budget.  I've never been a big fan of sleeping in a bed slept in by a few hundred strangers before me either! So, I'm camping!  I'm packing up the tent, sleeping bag and chuck box and enjoying a weekend of sleeping in the great outdoors.  I've found a nice little campground about 25 minutes from the convention center and, fingers crossed, the weather should be fairly cooperative for the weekend, according to current outlooks.  Being that this is the beginning of February, North Carolina does get pretty cold.  The night of my arrival the meteorologists are predicting snow flurries and weekend lows in the low 20s.  Since I'm car camping, I don't have much concern for the weight of my gear, but I want to make sure that I am well prepared for whatever the weather might throw at me.  In doing my research, Googling "camping checklist" seems to assume warm weather camping and searching "winter camping" assumes back country snowshoeing or cross country skiing trips.  None of the lists I found seem to be tailored to winter camping in the southeastern US where it could rain, it could snow or it could be 70 degrees all in the same weekend!  So, I've put together my own list and I thought I would share it here with you.

Tent
	Tent
	Groundcloth
	Tent stakes
	Rainfly
	Floor pad
	Kitchen shelter
	Door mat
	Wisk broom
	Tent light
	Cell phone charger
	Extension cord
	Power strip
Cold Sleeping
	Sleeping bag
	Sleeping pad
	Sleeping bag liner
	Extra quilts/blankets
	Pillow
Specialty Clothing
	Long johns
	Heavy socks
	Knit cap
	Henley shirt
	Coat
	Gloves knit & leather Rain gear
Kitchen
	Stove
	Fuel
	Lantern
	Pot
	Skillet
	Plastic utensils
	Plastic cooking utensils (spatula, spoon, tongs)
	Matches/lighter (plus extra)
	Plastic cup/mug
	Paper plates/bowls
	Paper towel
	Plastic pot scraper
	Scrub pad
	Dish detergent
	Dish cloth
	Wash basin
	Kitchen knife
	Cutting board
	Cooler
	Ice
	Hot dog forks
	Small trash bags (used grocery bags)
	Nalgene style water bottles
	Aluminum foil
	Kettle
	French press
	Can/bottle opener
	Kitchen towel/pot holder
	Measuring cup/spoons
	Zip top bags
	Salt/pepper/sugar/spices
	Cooking oil/spray
Light
	Lantern
	Spare mantles
	Fuel
	Flashlight
	Spare Batteries
	Headlamp
Tools
	Multi tool
	Hatchet
	Hammer
	Knife
	Rope/cord
	Duct tape
Campfire
	Matches/lighter
	Fire starter (homemade or store bought)
	Firewood (extra)
	Newsprint
	Folding table
	Camp chair
	Fire poker
Toiletries
	Soap w/box or zip top bag
	Wash cloth
	Towel
	Shower shoes
	Shampoo
	Toothpaste
	Toothbrush
	Deodorant
	Glasses
	Eyeglass repair kit
	Contact case
	Contact solution
	First aid kit
	Lip balm
	Personal medications
	Laundry bag
	Throat lozenges
	Antacid tablets

  My Winter Camping Checklist isn't a whole lot different from my regular checklist, except that I've added a few "extra" and "spare" designations that may not be as important in warmer conditions, and the "Specialty Clothing" and "Cold Sleeping" categories have been added.  I've left out categories for clothing and food because those are very individualized for each person and each trip.  I'm going to keep this as a "live list", as my camping experience grows and different pieces of kit are tested and tried, things will be added and deleted.  I'll also continue with the Seasonal and Specialty categories to tailor each list to each individual trip.  I'll keep the list updated on the blog, so make sure you keep checking back and let me know if you think I need to add anything, I'm always open to suggestions!
  I hope you're all doing well.
     Happy Camping!
         -Nick

We Have A Winner!!!

Thanks to everyone who followed, liked and shared!  This giveaway was a lot of fun for me!  Thanks so much for all the support!  Instagram follower @dcasto128 is the lucky winner of all these goodies!  Just shoot an email with your mailing info to TheSuburbanAngler@gmail.com and I'll send it right out to you!

Huge thanks to Tacky Fly Box, ARC Fishing and Fly Box Outfitters for donating to the giveaway!!  And thanks, too, to all the vendors I was able to get the decals from!! 

Umpqua Feather Merchants

Huge thanks to the folks at Umpqua Feather Merchants for the pile of gear to test and review!

Evenin' Folks,

  If you follow me on social media then you've already seen these pictures, but I wanted to make sure and get them posted up here for those that don't.  Back at IFTD I had the pleasure of meeting the folks from Umpqua Feather Merchants and I had the opportunity to check out the soon-to-be-released gear they had in the works.  Fast forward a few months and I had a nice, big box waiting on the front porch full of a few pieces of that new gear that impressed me so much!  Keep an eye here on TheSuburbanAngler.com over the next few months as I do my First Cast review and follow ups.  I've already mounted the Tailgater on a storage container and filled a few of the pockets and I can tell already that it's going to become a vital piece of kit for me!

  I hope you're all doing well and staying warm this winter!

     -Nick

The Tailgater locked and loaded!  There are still a lot of empty pockets to fill!

Giveaway 2015!!!

 

The Suburban Angler Giveaway 2015!!! This giveaway has been in the works for several months, and it's finally a go!  This is just a small way for me to say thanks for all the support in 2014 and a little bribe to get you to stick with me for all the good things to come in 2015! Thanks and good luck!!!

  There are multiple ways to win:

Since you're here, subscribe to the blog!  All subscribers get their name entered in the contest, just make sure to comment on this post so I have some way to contact you if you win!

  If you're on Instagram:

FOLLOW @TheSuburbanAngler, find the photo above and give it a LIKE, then make sure you SHARE it with the tags

@TheSuburbanAngler and #TSAgiveaway2015

  If you prefer FaceBook:

LIKE The Suburban Angler, find the photo above and give it a LIKE, then make sure you SHARE it with the tags

@TheSuburbanAngler and #TSAgiveaway2015

The contest will run until midnight eastern time on 01/18/15 and the winner will be chosen by random number generator and announced on 01/19/15 by midnight.  This is your chance to win an awesome Tacky Fly Box and logo buff, an ARC Fishing can koozie, plus a pile of manufacturer and fly shop stickers (for your cooler, back window or Trapper Keeper!) that I've collected since IFTD and anything else that I find between now and the end of the contest. 

Happy New Year 2015!!!!

Happy New Year!!! 2014 was a great year for The Suburban Angler and 2015 will be even better!! We've got some big plans in the works, starting with our first giveaway, so stay tuned! Thanks for all the support in 2014 and here's to a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!! 
   Thanks again,
        -Nick

WNC Fly Fishing Expo 2014

Evening Folks,

  Sorry for the hiatus, I had to take a little time away from the blog to prepare for finals at school!  But, that's behind me now and I can return to the important things, like fly fishing!  

  Earlier this month I took a ride up to Fletcher, North Carolina to attend the 6th annual Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Expo.  This is considered to be the Southeast's largest fly fishing event.  The show takes place in the Expo Building of the WNC Agricultural Center.  There was  a PBR rodeo happening at the same time as the expo, driving through the Ag Center there were a lot of nice looking trucks hauling horse trailers and cowboys and cowgirls walking horses through the parking lot!  

  The expo itself consists of a large casting pond in the middle of the the big, open Expo Building with aisles of exhibitors down both sides and lecture tents in the back.  The two day show has become a live forum for local fly fisherman to see the latest gadgets and products from some of the top manufacturers, participate in lectures on a wide range of fishing techniques and scenarios and even get casting instruction from IFFF certified casting instructors.  

  This was my second year attending the Expo and while it is a bit of a drive for me from metro Atlanta I enjoy the show because it has a very local feel.  Most of the exhibitors and lecturers were either local to Western North Carolina or, at least, spoke on topics and techniques that pertained to the area.  I think my favorite part of attending the show is getting to meet the folks that work in the local fly shops.  There were 10 shops represented at the Expo this year and each booth is like stepping into a mini version of the shop it represents, the folks are always very nice, excited to tell you about their shop, quick to invite you to their store and love to talk fishing and gear with any like minded individuals.  

One of several demos at the casting pond.

  In addition to the manufacturers and fly shops, the show plays host to many booths from guide services, lodges, magazines and organizations such as Casting for Hope, Project Healing Waters (I got to talk fly tying and bluegill fishing with a couple great guys!), Federation of Fly Fishers and even a booth from the soon to open Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians!  

  Since I made the Expo a day trip from Atlanta, I only had time to take in two of the lectures.  I attended Mac Brown's Dry Fly Tactics, Casting & Presentation where I learned about effectively fishing with dry flies and various techniques to do so.  Some that I never would have thought of and would probably cause some of the uppity dry fly elite to get up and walk out! But, if it'll work it's worth trying!  My second lecture was with Cameron Mortenson and his talk on the Reinvention of Fiberglass Fly Rods.  Cameron's website, The Fiberglass Manifesto, helped to inspire me to start The Suburban Angler, so it really was an honor for me to meet him in person.  His talk on the history and evolution of fiberglass fly rods was fascinating.  The only downside is, now I want to try fishing one!!!  

BBQ and Fly Fishing just go together!

  Since nobody likes to peruse fly gear on an empty stomach, the Expo invited a couple of food trucks out this year.  A local competition BBQ truck and a gourmet coffees truck were parked at the entrance to the building and the IFFF had a beer and snacks booth inside the show as a fundraiser.  Luckily, I had $2 in my pocket so I was able to get the first Pabst Blue Ribbon I've drank in quite a number of years!  

  For the second year in a row I had a fantastic time at the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Expo and I really look forward to attending again in 2015!  For more details on the show and the full list of exhibitors click here and if you'd like to hear an interview with Reba Brinkman, the Expo manager, and hear a shout out to The Suburban Angler, listen to The Fly Fishing Consultant Podcast with Rob Snowhite.  I hope to see you all there next year!

  

   Pleasant Fly Fishing Journeys,

       -Nick

  

Orvis Alpharetta Grand Opening

Evenin' Folks,

  This past Friday night (November 14) the Little Girl and I went over to the new Avalon shopping center off Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta to attend the Orvis Alpharetta store's grand opening party.  They had quite the turnout, that little shop was absolutely packed with folks celebrating the new store.  With the barbecue sandwiches, beer from Sweetwater Brewery and classic country music from Whiskey Belt, a good time was practically guaranteed.  If you're in the vicinity of Alpharetta and you're into Orvis' clothing, then this is definitely the store for you!  Lots of apparel and accessories to suit the sporting lifestyle.  The back of the store (or front, depending on which entrance you use) is dedicated to fly fishing gear.  It's probably not the largest fly fishing selection in an Orvis store, but they certainly stock the essentials.  As far as the hunting gear goes, you're probably going to be directed to a catalog as it didn't seem like there was enough room in the store to stock any of it.  

  I wish them success in their latest location.  In my opinion, you can never have too many fly shops!  If you're in the neighborhood, drop by and check them out.  

    Tight lines and happy shopping,

        -Nick

  Orvis Alpharetta