Campfire

Hello Friends of First Lite,

Flog  (flg, flôg)tr.v. flogged, flog·ging, flogs1. To beat severely with a whip or rod.2. Informal To publicize aggressively

Every week we get lots of questions, comments, stories, and even a little criticism from time to time.  We wanted to start sharing some of what we get every week as well as whats happening at First Lite right here at the campfire.  If you have questions and it happens to be a weekend or after 4:59 pm (MST) use your digital outdoor skills and hunt down these weekly updates.  Chances are you may find your query right here.  If you don't see what you need be sure to ask questions or leave your comments here at First Lite Blog or as we like to call it the FLog.

Thanks,

Ryan

Weekly Flog-ging 4-08-13

Hello Friends of First Lite,

Flog  (flg, flôg)tr.v. flogged, flog·ging, flogs1. To beat severely with a whip or rod.2. Informal To publicize aggressively

Every week we get lots of questions, comments, stories, and even a little criticism from time to time.  We wanted to start sharing some of what we get every week as well as whats happening at First Lite right here at the campfire.  If you have questions and it happens to be a weekend or after 4:59 pm (MST) use your digital outdoor skills and hunt down these weekly updates.  Chances are you may find your query right here.  If you don't see what you need be sure to ask questions or leave your comments here at First Lite Blog or as we like to call it the FLog.

Thanks,

Ryan

Hello Friends of First Lite,

Flog  (flg, flôg)tr.v. flogged, flog·ging, flogs1. To beat severely with a whip or rod.2. Informal To publicize aggressively

Every week we get lots of questions, comments, stories, and even a little criticism from time to time.  We wanted to start sharing some of what we get every week as well as whats happening at First Lite right here at the campfire.  If you have questions and it happens to be a weekend or after 4:59 pm (MST) use your digital outdoor skills and hunt down these weekly updates.  Chances are you may find your query right here.  If you don't see what you need be sure to ask questions or leave your comments here at First Lite Blog or as we like to call it the FLog.

Thanks,

Ryan

March 10 2013

Hello Friends of First Lite,

Flog  (flg, flôg)tr.v. flogged, flog·ging, flogs1. To beat severely with a whip or rod.2. Informal To publicize aggressively

Every week we get lots of questions, comments, stories, and even a little criticism from time to time.  We wanted to start sharing some of what we get every week as well as whats happening at First Lite right here at the campfire.  If you have questions and it happens to be a weekend or after 4:59 pm (MST) use your digital outdoor skills and hunt down these weekly updates.  Chances are you may find your query right here.  If you don't see what you need be sure to ask questions or leave your comments here at First Lite Blog or as we like to call it the FLog.

Thanks,

Ryan

Hello Friends of First Lite,

Flog  (flg, flôg)tr.v. flogged, flog·ging, flogs1. To beat severely with a whip or rod.2. Informal To publicize aggressively

Every week we get lots of questions, comments, stories, and even a little criticism from time to time.  We wanted to start sharing some of what we get every week as well as whats happening at First Lite right here at the campfire.  If you have questions and it happens to be a weekend or after 4:59 pm (MST) use your digital outdoor skills and hunt down these weekly updates.  Chances are you may find your query right here.  If you don't see what you need be sure to ask questions or leave your comments here at First Lite Blog or as we like to call it the FLog.

Thanks,

Ryan

There are pets and there are working dogs.  There are companions and there are partners.  Not to diminish the value of a companion dog, but a human being will never know a bond with an animal like that of a hunter and his dog.  One cannot function without the other and success is only relative to those with a dog. 

First Lite Team member Evan Williams takes archery to a new level.  If you were to walk into Bill Pelligrino's Archery Hut in Colorado Springs Colorado this would become very apparent.  Bill's is located an olympic sized stones throw from the training center high in the rockies.  This is a professional's haven where pro shooters can be found whenever the shop is open for business.  Evan has trained as a professional shooter and just so happens to take his hunting and bow tuning very seriously.  This blog submission is well worth the read even if you don't shoot expandables.

Thanks Evan!

RC

Urban Camo: Is it ok to wear your hunting gear beyond season’s end?

Unless you’re living in a war zone or you’re a Vietnam vet, wearing camo outside of hunting season can be the ultimate fashion faux-pas.  This can make it awfully hard to justify buying technical camo clothing that will most likely sit in your closet for nine months of the year.  This seems like a crying shame.  So what?  When and where is it still appropriate to don your Mossy Oak or ASAT?

Our good friend Billy Molls has finally crawled out of the hard scrabble and tundra of our northernmost state.  A little leaner but all and all in good shape with spirits improving through the warmth of his waiting family.  Not to say he wouldn't have traded a lichen covered slope void of life in the brooks range for the Wal Mart parking lot where I finally caught up with him.  

Our conversation;

Billy-"I've got some great pictures for you"

RC-"Hey that's great how did things....."

"hold on Cal I've got to find a binky!"

For myself the vastness of the Brooks range to the turmoil of a Wally world parking lot would be enough to initiate a civilian version of PTSD.  Billy however has come through in stride with lots of gear reviews, some amazing video, and plenty of stunning pictures.  So take  a look at the Ol' campfire and feel free to leave any comments, thoughts or questions.

Thanks,

RC

There's really no substitution for a band in terms of things that generate high fives and man hugs on the river, but every now and then something pretty damned cool happens that takes the pain of band-envy away.

Steven Rinella the MeatEater talks clothing, a layering guide interview by Tracy Breen.

Friend of First Lite Danielle Snyder wrote in with a great way to kick off any hunting season.  While we chase speed goats in Idaho Dani drops Mountain Goats in AK.

I recently returned from Azerbaijan where I hunted with Mike Monnin and Caleb Applegate, buddies of mine from Barrow, Alaska. We had a great adventure, and each of us shot a nice tur. 

The morning and evening caddis hatch-like migration of rafts in and out of Missoula and the bikini hatch on the Clark Fork serves as a constant reminder that summer has officially arrived.   I can’t help but get selfishly annoyed that everyone seems to enjoy the same hobby.  Does anyone go mountain biking or play golf anymore?  

Building My 2012 Elk Set-up

Evan Williams

The draw results are out and for this Mule Deer FANATIC it wasn’t a good year for drawing tags.  In fact, after everything is said and done the only tag in my pocket right now is a limited entry Colorado Elk tag.  Now its time to build my elk set-up and here’s what I put together.

2012 Elk Set-up

2012 Hoyt Carbon Element RKT

Winner’s Choice Custom Bowstrings

CBE Tek-Hunter 3 pin sight

Tight Spot Quiver

2” Fuse Axium stabilizer

Carter QUICKIE release

Easton Axis 300, 4” Easton wrap, 3 2.1” Fusion Vanes

            Guiding big game hunters in Alaska is my profession. As a professional, I try to make my clients’ wilderness/hunting experience better than he, or she, dreamed possible. Over the past 15 years I have come to realize that quality clothing, gear, and tools are vital to the success and enjoyment of my hunters and myself. Spending over 100 days in the field hunting and guiding, I need equipment that will not fail. This is not a gear list to trump all others, but this is what I use. And it works for me.

Had a few days to travel and check in with some dealers last week.  Wanted to say thanks to the guys down at the Gunnison River Fly Shop for de-railing my work trip for a day.  The Gunnison and the Taylor fished great, nobody on the water and an epic caddis hatch to boot. 

The weather was great, the bugs were down, and it was 100K to the nearest internet access.  The Griz had most of the black bears pushed out of the usual spots.  Despite there heightened awareness we managed to sneak in on a few, put some miles on the bikes and pound the willows for some moose sheds.  All and all a 19 hour drive well worth it.

A few photos courtesy of Primitive Outfitting and FIrst Lite

Long road through beautiful country.

Good friends up here in the BC.