Paracord Goes Outdoors Contest - Win Merchandise

Our friends at www.paracordgalaxy.com have a contest going where they want you to show how you use paracord in real-life outdoor activities. Take a photo showing how you use paracord while recreating. Go to their paracord contest page and upload the photo. Then share the page and get your friends to vote. You could win a $100 gift certificate good for anything on their website.

Use Paracord To Make Sliding Sinkers For Fishing

Paracord is versatile stuff – useful in all kinds of situations. Lately I've been using it to make fishing lures and now I've started using it to create sliding sinkers.

When a fish picks up your lure, you want it to feel natural. If the fish feels weight from a heavy sinker it may spit out the lure before you can set the hook. To combat that, many anglers use sinkers that allow the line to slide freely, so there is no unnatural weight. Your tackle shop probably has a variety of such sinkers, but they are not cheap.

Using paracord I can make sliding sinkers that are effective, inexpensive and can be easily customized to provide the characteristics I want.

I use 650 paracord, which is coreless, or I use 550 paracord after I pull out and discard the core.

The idea is pretty simple. I just push something heavy into the cord, melt the bottom to seal it and then melt and flatten the top. I then use a hot pin or needle to poke a hole in the top.

Some people stuff bbs or split shot into the coreless paracord, to give it weight. That works fine. I choose to push a length of solder wire into the cord. I can easily cut the solder wire so it is just long enough to give me the weight and length desired.

Regular solder wire is just the right diameter to fit into the coreless paracord.

When paracord is held in a flame it melts and creates a hard, plastic-like bead. That makes it very easy to seal off the bottom of the sliding sinker. When the plastic-like bead is forming you can pinch and flatten it. (Be careful because it will be very hot. I often use leather gloves. Some people wet their fingers with saliva and then pinch and pull back quickly.)

After the flat plastic-like top has cooled and hardened, use a red-hot pin or needle to poke a hole through which you can thread your line.

I push my line through the sliding sinker and then tie on a swivel, and then attach leader to the other end of the swivel. I then tie a lure to the end of the leader, 3-4 feet below the slider. Rigged that way, the sinker will pull the line to the bottom. As I troll, the sinker will bounce against rocks on the bottom and my lure will ride just above.

My process creates a sinker that is long and skinny, like a tube. The longer I make it, the heavier it will be and also the higher my line and lure will run above the bottom. By varying the length I can create sinkers that work at varying water depths and trolling speeds.

– Dave Webb

Put Mule Tape In Your Gear Bag

I enjoy “canyoneering,” descending the narrow slot canyons found in Zion National Park and other areas. I have long carried nylon webbing in my canyoneering gear bag because it is useful in many situations. Lately I've replaced it with “mule tape,” which I purchase from my friends at paracordgalaxy.com.

Mule tape (also known as “pull tape”) is like webbing in that it is light weight and very strong. A 50 foot roll takes up very little space and adds almost no weight to my back. It can be used as a strong rope. I carry mule tape with a 2500 lb breaking strength rating. I've also used it to replace straps on my backpack. (It is wide enough to disperse pressure so it doesn't cut into your shoulders like rope does.)

Some slot canyons are “technical,” meaning ropes and rappelling gear are needed for the descent. Other canyons are fun and challenging but normally rappelling is not required. I like to bring people with me on these hikes and sometimes a participant becomes uneasy scrambling down steep slopes. In those cases a hand-line is useful to give them confidence. Occasionally, a person requires even more help and I rig a simple harness to keep them secure as we lower them off rocks or waterfalls. Mule tape works very well in both situations.

Why mule tape? Why not just use regular nylon webbing? A couple of reasons. First, it is less expensive for the same length and strength rating. Secondly, mule tape is made from polyester and is soft and flexible to the touch. Where nylon webbing feels stiff and harsh, mule tape feels soft and flexible. Much more comfortable if it comes in contact with skin.

ParacordGalaxy.com offers mule tape with breaking strength from 1130 lbs to 6000 lbs. I keep a roll of the big stuff in my truck tool box to pull people out of the sand.

It's good stuff.

Paracord Projects Tutorials

If you are interested in learning how to make paracord bracelets or do other paracord projects, check out these great paracord bracelet instructions.

My friends at ParacordGalaxy.com have been busy creating tutorials for many different paracord bracelet patterns. They also have made some videos to show creation steps, and they have more in the works. They now offer a pretty good library of detailed paracord bracelet instructions as printable pdfs.

Here are some samples:

• Solomon's Dragon Bracelet Tutorial
• King Cobra Bracelet
•  Mad Max Paracord Bracelet
• Two Color Cobra Bracelet
•  Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet

They have many more. Check them out.

Camping Food - Eating Well While On The Go

It is now officially spring and that means camping season is beginning where I live in southern Utah. The desert canyons, national parks, lakes and forests are calling. I've vowed to make this one on my best summers ever for adventure.

I car camp, backpack, boat camp and this year I hope to do a little horse packing into high mountain fishing lakes. That is a wide variety of activities, with several things in common. One essential is food, of course. How do you eat well at camp without sacrificing too much time to cooking chores? How do you carry food and still have room for gear and comfort items?

On recent trips I've turned to freeze-dried meals in pouches. I particularly like the Mountain House meals. They actually taste good. They are extremely light weight and take little room, and they are very east to prepare. Just heat water, dump it into the pouch, wait a few minutes and enjoy. I eat it right out of the pouch so there are no dirty dishes.

I particularly like the Mountain House rice and chicken meal. The pouch says it serves 3. When I'm camping I'm always extra hungry but it is a ton of food. Usually plenty for two people.

I also like to Mountain House biscuits and gravy. That pouch serves 2. It is a hearty meal.

My friends at ParacordGalaxy.com have recently expanded their business to offer a complete line of Mountain House meals. They have the best selection and best prices of any site I've checked. I like doing business with them because they are good people.

The video review below by Mudd Creek shows just how easy it is to prepare these meals. He focuses on the lasagna with meat sauce, which is also one of my favorites.

Parachute Cord In New Colors

My friends at ParacordGalaxy.com have just received a shipment of new parachute cord (paracord) in new colors and are working to get the products posted to their website.

They always have an excellent selection of 550 cord - the most variety of any company I have seen. And their prices are always low - usually the lowest around.

It is fun seeing them bring in new product. Paracord is so usuful, I always keep it in my emergency kit and many friends use it for survival bracelets and many craft projects.

Ice Fishing Finally Begins At Strawberry Reservoir

Utah has had unusually warm and dry weather this winter and that has really messed up ice fishing. There have only been a few waters with fishable ice and they have been getting pounded.

But, finally, Strawberry is capped and has safe ice in most bays. There may still be thin, dangerous ice in some spots so always be careful.

Mud Creek was the first area we heard of offering safe fishing and it has been going for a couple weeks. The Soldier Creek side was next and now we hear The Meadows area is safe.

With little snow, people have been able to drive to more access spots than normal this year, but that could change this weekend. Snow is expected Tomorrow (January 6, 2018) and more next week.

The weekend storm is expected to be relatively warm and so we will have to judge what it does to ice conditions. Normally, I would expect good solid ice over the entire reservoir within a few days.

I would not put a snomobile on the ice yet. Wait until the storm ends and then test ice conditions.

See our Utah ice fishing tips and techniques.

See our general Strawberry Reservoir fishing tips.

Parachute Cord In Multi-Packs

My friends at ParacordGalaxy.com have posted a bunch of "multi-packs" - parachute cord bundles in 300 or 700 foot packs, with  discounted prices.

They now offer 3 x 100 ft packs of popular colored cord. So, if you have a favorite color you buy often, you may be able to save money buy buying a 3-pack. For instance, camo ground war is one of their most popular colors and they have it in a 3-pack.

They also now offer 7 x 100 ft packs of mixed colors, focusing on the most popular cords. The photo at right shows one of their 7-packs of camo colors.

They have multi-packs of parachute cord in solid colors, multi-colors, neon colors, camo colors and others. These is high-quality US-made parachute cord at fabulous prices.

Outdoor Edge Para-Claw Buckle For Everyday Carry

I've been playing with the new Outdoor Edge Para-Claw Buckle and I really like it. It has become an essential part of the gear I carry with me for everyday use and for emergencies.

I get mine from ParacordGalaxy.com - my standard supplier for all kinds of fun gear. They really do have the best selection and best prices for many great items.

The buckle body is hard plastic and it serves as sheath for a very sharp knive blade. It is commonly used on paracord survival bracelets but can also be used on lanyards, key fobs and other items. Weave the cord so one end attaches to the slot in the plastic knife handle. The cord then acts as an extension of the knife handle, making it easy to hold and manipulate.

The video below demonstrates how convenient the knife is and how it could possible be used..

Best Utah Ice Fishing Waters

Ice fishing is just around the corner now and so we're organizing our equipment and planning our trips.

On our website, redrockadventure.com, we have organized our ice fishing info to make it easier to find and use. We have some great ice fishing articles describing where and how to catch fish during the winter.

• Best Ice Fishing Lures, Baits, Other Tips
• See our map showing the best Utah ice fishing waters.
• Here are good ice fishing tips and techniques.
• Flies for ice fishing.

Also note, there will be an ice fishing seminar Nov 30, 2017, hosted by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 

• Ice fishing seminar details.

Utah Mighty 5 From Salt Lake City

Our five spectacular national parks have come to be known as the Utah Mighty 5 - or the Mighty 5 Utah - and can be combined into one amazing Utah national parks tour.

I'm now planning my fall adventures and debating, do I hit all five parks in one trip? The alternative is to divide and conquer and do Zion, Bryce and Capital Reef in one outing and then do Arches, Canyonlands my next time out.

Both options have advantages. I like to get into the backcountry and that takes a little time. If you hit all parks in one trip you can see the most popular attractions but you are always pressed for time. But, looking at my schedule, is it really feasible for me to schedule two separate trips this fall?

If I do split the trip, east side and west side, I'd probably include Monument Valley with the Moab parks - it is not that much farther and very much worth the extra drive.

Decisions, decisions. I know I want to do a Utah national parks tour. I know I want to visit and explore the Utah Mighty 5. If I throw in Monument Valley it almost becomes a Grand Circle Tour. That's not bad, if I can find the time.

Regardless, I'm ready to hit the road. Oh, I still have to decide if I do the Mighty 5 as a self-drive tour, or do I go with my friends from Southwest Adventure Tours and let them guide and drive.

Sinking Decoy Line - Polypropylene Mainline

With water fowl seasons starting I've been checking my equipment and find I need new sinking decoy line.

Luckily, my friends at paracordgalaxy.com have it in stock at an amazing price. Here's their description:

Firm, diamond braided decoy mainline with 600 lb test. Handles extremely well. It's the idea pro grade heavy duty decoy line or gang rig mainline rope.  It's also great for crawfish traps.  Don't use cheap cord or line and risk losing your decoys, hardware, gear or traps. This is pro quality rope with hundreds of uses including hauling, cargo restraint, adventure, hiking, camping, boating, material handling, hoisting and more. An awesome tool for anyone's garage, workshop, boat or vehicle.

This is 1/4 inch polypropylene, full fiber core, perfect for my needs.

And the best part is the price, just $12.99 for 100 ft.

Check it out, mainline decoy sinking polypropylene.

They also have nylon rope and polypropylene rope, all made in the US, at great prices.

Have you seen the new Para-Claw Knife Buckle?

I like gadgets and gizmos when they are useful. I don't have time to follow every crazy trend but I'm quick to go with a good ideal.

I knew the new Para-Claw knife buckle was a winner immediately, the first time I saw one. It features a 1.5” hawkbill knife blade made of high-quality stainless steel, and can be incorporated in a bracelet or belt or other practical item. It is great when used for paracord projects.

I find it amazing. A sharp knife available instantly, anywhere, anytime. I get into situations periodically where a blade can be very useful and, perhaps, even save a life.

The blade has become a best seller for my friends at paracordgalaxy.com. They are literally shipping them all around the country. Here is their description:

The Para-Claw Knife Buckle features a 1.5” hawkbill stainless steel blade with a gunmetal black finish.  Handle grooves ensure a positive grip at all times. The buckle is actually a glass/nylon sheath system that locks the knife securely - and ready for immediate deployment in any situation. A steel T-post is incorporated into one end of the sheath. Tie your paracord bracelet by attaching one end to the ParaClaw knife and finishing the other end with a simple loop to attach to the steel T-post.

The buckle can be incorporated into many innovative paracord bracelet weaves. I'm definitely going to use them in some of my products.

Check out the para-claw buckle.

Polypropylene rope for boating, hunting and utility

The boating season is ending and I'm working to winterize my gear and make sure it will be in good shape when needed next year. I'm doing the same with my camping and recreation gear.

Hunting seasons are underway and I'm double checking to make sure I have everything needed for successful trips afield.

Rope is important for all of these activities and I find some of mine are warn and need to be replaced. There are many specialized ropes on the market and some are quite expensive.

For general use, I find polypropylene rope to be excellent. It is strong, easy to work with and inexpensive. I buy mine from paracordgalaxy.com. They offer various sizes and colors, with the best prices I've found. I usually get 3/8 inch in lengths of 50 feet.

I love their color choices.

I know the people at paracordgalaxy.com. They are good folks offering square deals.

Grand Circle Tours and Road Trips

Ready for a road trip? Whether you want to go it yourself or go with a professional guide, my friends will help you have the best experience possible.

The national parks and other attractions in the Grand Circle area in the Southwestern US are excellent destinations for fall travel. The hot temperatures of summer have moderated but the weather is still very nice, usually warm and dry.

See these Grand Circle tours for driving trips, from my friends in the Grand Circle Association.

If you want a guided experience, I suggest Southwest USA tours offered by Southwest Adventure Tours.

I know these people personally and they area great.

Lodging and Guide Services For National Park Trips

I serve as webmaster for the Grand Circle Association, a nonprofit that promotes travel to the national parks and other attractions in SW Colorado, NW New Mexico, southern Utah and norther Arizona. Some incredible scenery is found in that area.

Members of the association operate lodges and resorts, guide services, information centers and other businesses in the area. I know these people; I've visited their hotels, motels and resorts and I've gone on many of their guided tours. I recommend them.

National Park Lodges/Resorts
National Park Tour Guides/Guided Trips
Campgrounds Near National Parks
Travel Information Centers

Paracord for hunting and fishing

I'm going to start posting again, trying to make this useful.

Lately I've been carrying 550 paracord in my gear bag and I find it useful for securing gear, making repairs and creating items for specific needs.

I get all of my 550 paracord from https://paracordgalaxy.com. I know the guys there. It is a small, family-owned business based in St. George, Utah, where I grew up. They have a huge variety of cord at the best prices around and their customer service is top notch.

I recently bought a good, used bass boat. In my initial check I notices several little things that needed attention but nothing serious. I think I got a great deal. The first time I launched it I was surprised to find that the boat trailer bunk boards were held on with paracord. The screws/bolts and fallen out and the previous owner just wrapped them in paracord to keep them in place.

That fix worked but I don't consider it a good long-term solution. I'm now installed new bunk boards using real bolts.

https://paracordgalaxy.com recently did an interesting contest to learn about real-world fixes - ways customers actually use paracord. The photo on this blog shows one of the winners. See all the results here: https://paracordgalaxy.com/content/21-paracord-uses.

Paracordgalaxy.com's latest promotion suggests camo paracord for hunting. They have a huge selection of camo cords to match any hunting situation.

Ice Fishing Begins At Scofield, Strawberry Is Next

Scofield has 2-5 inches of ice, according to a DWR report today. The area near the dam and some other spots freeze early and people have been fishing there for a few days. With this cold weather, the entire lake is now solid. Fishing is usually very good during the first couple weeks after ice-on.

Bays at Strawberry will probably have fishable ice this weekend, although the main lake will probably not yet be safe.

I haven't heard any reports but I bet Otter Creek is now solid, and most other Traditional Utah ice fishing waters will freeze quickly now.

Always use caution when venturing onto new ice.

Explore Indian Country

I've started a new website to provide information about attractions and adventures in Indian Country, in the Southwestern U.S.

I've moved to the site many of my articles about ancient rock art and ruins.

I'm adding info about Navajo and other tribal culture and area attractions. I'm also posing information about pow wows and other Native American events, plus places where you can buy authentic Indian rugs, art and craft items.

I've always been interested in this stuff and I'll use the site to organize my material. Hopefully, someone will find it useful.

Ice Fishing Begins in Utah

I've been neglecting this blog, working too hard and not playing enough. Well, I've vowed to change. And now's a good time to get back to the lakes, since ice fishing is now starting in Utah. Huntington Reservoir now has 4 inches of ice and offers good fishing. Lots of tiger trout in there and they are fun to catch. Scofield should be fishable soon. Strawberry will take a couple more weeks. I'm starting a page to show what's frozen: Utah Ice Fishing Report.