Outdoor Retailer Fights to Keep Public Lands Public

Last year, at the end of the Obama Administration, President  Obama designated the "Bears Ears area of Utah as a National Monument.  This designation caused a stir amongst the Republicans in Utah.  As long as Obama was president, Bears Ears National Monument was safe.  

Since the November 8, 2016 election of Donald Trump as president there has been a move afoot to turn over public lands to the states, especially in Utah. Because there are 33 states with Republican governors there is a big risk that if public lands were turned over to these governors, corporations will be given access to develope these public lands for profit taking away our rights to have access to our public lands like we have today.  After Trump was elected, Orrin Hatch, Senator from Utah, has been working to remove the Bears Ears National Monument designation and to exempt Utah from the Antiquities Act which gives the president the power to create National Monuments.  He has help from Utah Senator Mike Lee. HERE/ for the OR unity page to learn more about their fight for our public lands. Click HERE for a Denver Post article on Bears Ears National Monument.

This year OR will return to Salt Lake City, Utah.  But next year OR winter and summer market will not be held in Utah.  An RFP will be released this year to select a new home.  

 In light of the actions by Hatch and Lee and Utah Republicans, the Outdoor Retailer (OR) made a decision to help organize and fight for our public lands. Click

In support of Outdoor Retailer (OR), largest gathering of outdoor recreation retailers in America, REI, The Conservation Alliance, Ibex, The North Face, Vasque, Smartwool, Cascade Designs, Thule Group, and Adidas Outdoors have issued statements of support.

If you support keeping public lands public like I do, then shop outdoor retailers who support keeping public lands public.

Until next time, be safe in the sin and have a great day in the great outdoors.

Backpacking & Hiking First Aid Kit Accessories

I have been meaning to share with you some products that you must add to your first aid kit especially if you are a through hiker on the AT or Pacific Crest Trail.

Silipos contacted me a month a go about their orthopedic products.  When I got samples I immediately thought of through hikers.  Through hikers have been know to run into some nasty foot and toe problems being on the trail for an extended period of time.  I have to believe that having these light weight toe guards and foot support devices could go a long way in keeping you on the trail.  The same goes for the zipper repair.  This morning on cable TV I saw my first zipper repair kit demonstrated.  Looks like these have been on the market for sometime now.  But I guess that I just missed them.  With lots of your gear with YKK zippers, every hiker or backpacker should have these in their backpack or day pack.  One never knows when you will blow out a zipper.  These will surely come in handy.  

So the next time you head outdoors be prepared.  Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great outdoors.

ICAST 107 Days Away

Now is the time to make your reservation to attend ICAST, the world's largest sport fishing trade show, at the Orlando, Orange County Convention Center on I-Drive.

ICAST is a closed show.  It is not open to the general public.

Each year over 13,000 sport fishing buyers, store owner,  media and sport fishing celebrities gather for the three-day sport fishing experience.

 This year the water products on-water demo will take place at the Orange County Convention Center instead of using Lake Toho.  The demonstration will be held at the rear of the North/South Concourse.  Shuttles will be available to transport attendees from the West Concourse to the demonstration area. Also, the ICAST Cup will still be held on Lake Toho.

As we get closer to July and the opening of ICAST, I will post updates. So come back soon.  Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great outdoors.

Ron Jon Beach 'N Board Fest 2017

February and March are always great times to hit the Space Coast beaches to enjoy some of Florida's best surf and SUP events. This past March 10-12, 2017, the Ron Jon Beach N Board Fest was held at Shepard park in Cocoa Beach.  The Fest was a great family affair.  There was surfing, high school girls volleyball, skateboarding, wake boarding, music, food and product displays.  Something for everyone.  Click HERE for a video from the Ron Jon Beach N Board Fest.  Here are few great photos from the Ron Jon Beach N Board Fest.  Click HERE to visit the Board Fest webpage.  Hope to see you there next year.  Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day n the great outdoors.

The Normal Brand at Surf Expo

Each year as I cruise the rows at Surf Expo, I am on the hunt for a brand that puts a different spin on its products as the brand tries to get the attention of surf lifestyle buyers and store owners.  In January I discovered 'The Normal Brand".

The Normal Brand? That seems like a very  nebulous name for an upscale mens' and women's clothing line.  That is why I had to find out what The Normal Brand was all about.

To start with, this clothing company is a family affair.  At the show were three brothers, one of which started the brand.  Jimmy Sansone was the brainstorm behind The Normal Brand.  If you search for Jimmy Sansone you can easily find him. But click HERE for a very good article from Entrepreneur Magazine about The Normal Brand.

The Normal Brand booth was tucked away on one of the rows in the clothing area of Surf Expo.  When I arrived three of the brothers were sitting on the booths front steps.  There I met Lan Sansone pictured above.  He gave me the history of the family business started by his brother Jimmy.  We talked about how their Midwest lifestyle had a big impact on their clothing design.  As Entrepreneur Magazine article noted, the Normal Brand was filling a gap between office attire and outdoor clothing where office attire was not suited for the outdoors and outdoor clothing was not suited for the office. Through Jimmy Sansone's ingenuity and vision, The Normal Brand was born. Lan showed me the great book they had made when he and Jimmy went fly fishing in Oregon with their father.  He was real proud of the family's accomplishment taking The Normal Brand where it is today.

You can shop online by clicking HERE for their storefront.  You can also find The Normal Brand at retailers like Urban Outfitters. Click HERE to find a store near you.  Find a store near you and try on their great outdoor clothes for men and women.

Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great outdoors.

Kayak Fishing Sarasota, Florida

The fishing community here in Florida is a diverse collection of pond, lake, inshore and offshore fisheries.  Anglers from all across the world work travel to the Sunshine State to test their angling skills.  Whether or not you fish from the shore, pier, boat, kayak or SUP, you can find your little piece of fishing heaven here in Florida.

If you are looking to hone your kayak fishing skills, there is a kayak fishing guide out of Sarasota who has a reputation of putting his clients on many different species of fish.  His specialty is fly fishing from a kayak.  Steve Gibson has been guiding kayak anglers along the west coast of Florida for as long as I can remember.  Click HERE for Steve's biography.  

Steve offers his clients trips to Sarasota and Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Matlacha and Pine Island Sound and the Everglades.  His trip prices vary from $200 for a half day up to $350 for a trip to the Everglades.  

When fishing with Steve, you will get a chance to try out the NuCanoe fishing kayak. NuCanoe has designed their Frontier Fishing Kayak especially for fly anglers with its stable wide deck. Click HERE for the NuCanoe webpage.  In addition to fishing from a NuCanoe Frontier, the Pursuit maximizes kayak speed and agility with its sleek design.  Both of these fishing kayak are stable enough to stand up and fish.  This is why these kayaks are loved by fly anglers.  The stand up and fish accessory package is available on both the Frontier and Pursuit fishing kayaks.  No matter what kind of kayak you have at home, fishing from a NuCanoe just might be a new experience. 

As spring and summer approach and you are planning your Florida vacation, making Sarasota your base camp would not be a bad idea.  Sarasota is just two hours from Orlando with Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World and a short one hour drive to Bush Gardens in Tampa.

To learn more about vacationing in Sarasota click HERE for the Visit Sarasota web page.

Until next time, be safe in the sun and have a great day in the great outdoors.