Sunrise at John Martin Reservoir Hasty, Colorado 2018

https://youtu.be/n0TZ--bbzSI

My Top 4 Fish Filet Knives for Fishing 2018

Cuda

The Cuda 6 Piece Knife and Sharpener set includes 4 knives, a sharpener, and a convenient and easy to use ballistic nylon storage and carry case. 

Kit Includes: 
Titanium Bonded German 4116 stainless steel knives
2.5in bait knife

6in fillet knife

6in curved boning knife

9in chunk knife
Sharpener and Case
Ballistic nylon carry/storage case with handles and zip closure
Non-slip cuda scale pattern grip for knives and sharpener
Full-tang knife construction

$59.99

https://www.tackledirect.com/cuda-18133-6-piece-knife-sharpener-set.html

Victorinox Fibrox

•	High carbon, stainless steel blades are hand finished in Switzerland by skilled craftsmen
•	Special tempering process is used to resharpen over and over again
•	Each Victorinox knife is stamped from a single sheet of metal.
•	Our patented Fibrox handles are hygienic, dishwasher safe and slip-resistant.
•	All Victorinox cutlery products are backed by a lifetime guarantee $19.99

https://www.cutleryandmore.com/victorinox-forschner-fibrox/flexible-curved-boning-knife-p1749

JA Henckels

The Four Star 7-Inch Fillet Knife by Henckels provides a professional quality knife for home cooks and restaurant chefs alike. Manufactured in Solingen, Germany, this knife features a special formula high carbon stainless steel construction for a long lasting and durable product. The patented SIGMAFORGE® process forges the knife from a single piece of steel while the FRIODUR® ice-hardening process ensures the blade stays sharp. The precision honed and laser controlled edge ensures ideal cutting angles for top performance while the ergonomic polypropylene handle offers a comfortable grip with good balance.

Twin Four Star is the top selling knife series from Zwilling J.A. Henckels. The knives are made from a proprietary German steel that has been perfected for more than 280 years and are hand finished by the most skilled artisans. The laser controlled edge is incredibly sharp as the ice-hardening technique creates a sharper blade that won't chip or stain. With an exceptional 57 Rockwell Hardness for superior edge retention and an edge angle of 15°, each Twin Four Star knife is extremely sturdy, balanced, and flexible for top performance and smooth control.

Fillet Knives are thin bladed knives designed for navigating around bones. The thin blade offers superior control to cut around or remove bones from meat, pork, poultry, or fish - these blades are traditionally very flexible in order to move easily around bones. Ranging in sizes from 6-inches to 11-inches, a good fillet knife is important for anyone cutting or preparing their own meats - a must have for every cook's knife collection.

$79.99

https://www.kickassgrills.com/zwilling-j-a-henckels-four-star-7-inch-fillet-knife.html

Rapala

Made by Marttiini, the makers of premium Rapala fillet knives for over 50 years.

More guts than any other knife, this is the one that taught the world to fillet. With over 40 million sold to date, this knife is used in more fishing camps, on more charter boats and by more fisherman than any other fillet knife in the world. Progressively tapered, flexible, full-tang blade of European stainless steel that takes and holds an ultra-sharp edge is securely anchored in legendary birch handle. All protected by a fine tooled leather Laplander sheath with “safety-first” free-swing belt loop that always keeps sheath and blade clear of the body. With four blade sizes to choose from, there’s one just right for every fish cleaning chore. Includes easy-to-use single-stage sharpener that keeps blade razor sharp

$18-36.99

https://www.rapala.com/rapala/knives/fillet-knives/fish-n-fillet-knives/Fish+n+Fillet+Knives.html?cgid=rapala-knives-filletKnives#start=1&cgid=rapala-knives-filletKnives

6 Easy Summer Camping Lunch Ideas

Do you wonder what you should make for lunch when you are out camping?

Do you want to ditch your Kitchen stove for a Campfire?  Do you want to spend more time relaxing then cooking all afternoon? 

Here are some simple ideas for your camping lunch menu....

Walking Tacos 

Frito Chips or Doritos 

Cheese

Taco Meat

Lettuce 

Sour Cream

Guacamole 

Tomatoes 

Onions 

Foil Pack Pineapple Chicken

Chicken Breast 

Pineapple

Tomatoes 

Chives

Teriyaki Sauce 

Squash 

Wrap in Foil and cook on Campfire 

Ham and Cheese BLT's

Bacon

Lettuce 

Tomato

Ham or Turkey 

Mayo 

Bread

Avocado  

 Hot Dogs 

Plain old hot dogs

Hot Dogs wrapped in Bacon

Chili Cheese Dogs

Jalapeno Dogs 

Chicago Dogs 

Meatball Sandwich 

Provolone Chesse

Ketchup or Tomato Sauce

Hoagie Rolls 

Frozen or Fresh Meatballs 

 Sausage and Peppers 

Sausage (any kind)

Cut up Green Peppers

Red Peppers

Onions 

Hoagie Rolls 

8 Simple Beginners Tips for Tent Camping

Everyone had to start somewhere and we all have made plenty of mistakes along the way.  It is normal...as a normal part of life we learn from our mistakes along the way as they say.....

Here are some helpful tips from myself and some of the mistakes that I have made along the way. 

Make a Reservation:

For some crazy reason I was under the impression that I could show up with my tent, supplies, and get right into a camping spot.  Well, I was wrong you need to make a reservation.  Campgrounds book up very quickly especially on the weekends.  Do yourself a favor and book a campsite in advance.  If you are looking for a weekend spot you might have to book up to six months in advance. 

Set Your Equipment Up:

Ok...not joking with this one.  So I bought a tent and thought ok that looks super easy and will go up with a breeze.  NOT the case I wanted to cry on the first camping trip that we took as a family because I could not get the tent up.  They had invented these little stick like things that you put together and WOW.  So practice putting your tent up first.  Put it up in the backyard...the living room.  I don't think it really matters but don't practice when you get to your site. 

Food / Drink Prep:

A bag of ice does melt faster then you think when camping.  You food will spoil and your drinks will not remain cold.  Fill up some used plastic bottles about half way with water and freeze them before you go.  They will act as little ice coolers and help keep your ice longer.  Also, do not...I say do not put anything that is not already cold into your cooler as it will melt that ice faster then you can believe.

If you can and I do advice to prepare as much food ahead of time as possible.  It is really hard to cut up things and mix in bowls when you are starting out and you don't have many supplies

Watch what you Spend:

If you are not sure that you want to go camping or that you will even like camping don't waist your money.  If you don't need a portable grill don't by one find a campground that offers on-site grills.  I went crazy shopping for camping items that I could have brought half of from home and saved myself a small fortune. 

Don't Forget the Small Things:

Make a list ahead of time of what you will need for your food preparation and camping supplies.   Make sure you check off the items as you pack.  Remember that you might need paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, oh yea and your toothbrush.  Bring a Hammer you might need it to put the tent stakes in the ground...that ground can be hard. 

Stay Warm:

Don't forget that it might be 95 degrees during the day but it can get ice cold at night.  You are sleeping under the stars and temperatures can drop.  So bring layers..jackets..sweaters...and yes even hats.  Bring a warm sleeping bag and an extra blanket too. 

Bring a Flashlight:

You may not need a lantern but some campsites can be extra dark at night with no lighting available..that's the point of camping. Check your batteries and bring your flashlight.  You will probably have to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and you don't want to fall in a hole. Don't forget to pack your tent..I know it sounds crazy but people do forget the tent in the rush of packing everything else. 

Most of all HAVE FUN:

Camping is a way of relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors.  Not for you to get all stressed out and not enjoy yourself.  Don't overthink things just be prepared.  Put that phone away for one day...and enjoy the great outdoors and all that camping has to offer you!

Nebraska State Fair Camping Campground Information

Have you ever wanted to attend the Nebraska State Fair but you do not want to stay at a hotel?

Location

Fonner Park
700 East Stolley Park Road
Grand Island, NE 68801-2200

Phone: (308) 382-1620

https://d38trduahtodj3.cloudfront.net/files.ashx?t=fg&f=15NSF-015_GB_Map.pdf-Campground.pdf&rid=NebraskaStateFair

The Fair offers an on site campground with full hook ups for your travel trailer and RV.  They have 130 camping spots that will be assigned when you arrive. It is required that you check in at the campground office before going to the site.  They will assign your spot at the office and give you a parking sticker for your vehicle.  Any additional vehicles will be charged a $3 daily fee.   There will be a campground manager on site.


Cost 
A site will cost you $33 a day and will include full hook-ups.


Check in / Check out

Check in time is 12 noon and check out is 10am


Reservations

You must register in advance and fill out a reservation form.
https://d38trduahtodj3.cloudfront.net/files.ashx?t=fg&rid=NebraskaStateFair&f=CampgroundReservation_2018.pdf

There are other campgrounds in Grand Island but they sell out very quickly.  

Make sure to make your reservations ahead of time!

Mormon Island State Park 

https://youtu.be/EeUrSqeJHUk

http://outdoornebraska.gov/mormonisland/

Hall County Park

https://www.hallcountyne.gov/content.lasso?page=6133

Grand Island KOA

https://koa.com/campgrounds/grand-island/

Spare Tire Ideas for Your Camper Travel Trailer No More Boring Covers

I hate my boring old spare tire cover that is on the back of my travel trailer.  Here are some ideas to spruce that plain old ugly thing up!  

This web site offers custom covers and they have lots to choose from. 

https://www.custom-tire-covers.net/product/skeleton-fishing-patience-spare-tire-cover/

https://customtirecovers.com/custom-tire-covers-by-theme/military-spare-tire-covers/

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Happy-Camper-Camp-Fire-RV-Trailer-Spare-Tire-Cover-Vinyl-Black-31-in/463726280

CAMPING IN COLORADO State Park Reservoir Camping Enjoy Fishing Boating and More

Interested in camping in colorado?

There are plenty of campsites in Colorado’s state parks and private companies that you can find a camping spot and tenting spots in Colorado. Colorado is beautiful country and offers many different types of adventures.  If you love to fish there are plenty of locations located on reservoirs and beautiful lakes.  If you want to hit the mountains and conquer some hiking Colorado is the place for you. 

Colorado State Parks 
Forty-one parks are located over the state and are registered with Colorado State parks. The parks offer more than 4,000 campsites located all over the state.  Many camping locations will include all the necessary things to make your camping adventure amazing.  If you want to camp at a state park a parks pass will be required.  You can purchase a day or yearly pass on site.  

State parks are very well maintained and most have been updated.  Wi-Fi is one luxury that is not offered at many of the parks.  If this is important to you then check with each specific location before making you reservation.  

http://cpw.state.co.us/

US Forest Service
There are over 14 million acres of land in the National Forests located in Colorado.  They offer campsites that have some amenities.  If you are more adventurous then you would be interested in remote camping.  At these locations you will have to backpack in and will be provided with no services.  

https://www.fs.fed.us/r2/recreation/camping/cg-maps/colorado/co-cg-index-072510-spry.shtml

Private Campgrounds
Privately owned campsites in Colorado have luxury's that you may not find at the State Parks.  Some locations like KOA's offer swimming pools, bounce houses, playgrounds, and  Wi-Fi. Private campgrounds can be more expensive because you are paying for these added amenities.  

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• The weather can change quickly in Colorado one minute you can go from wearing a tank top to needing a jacket. 
• You will be required to purchase a park pass when camping at a State Park.
• Please obey all fire bans that are in place!
• Please remember the Boy Scout Rule...Leave no Trace...People please pick up your trash! 

• Remember to bring sunscreen and bug spray.  Sunscreen is a necessity because you can easily burn in the high altitude even during cloud cover.  Mosquito born diseases are just around the corner with that bite. Make sure your spray yourself with bug spray to prevent any illness.   

Have fun and enjoy your camping in colorado!