Two of the most popular hobbies in world are fishing and hiking, yet most people do not combine the two. But I’ll tell you what. If you fish, you can find great, untouched fishing spots when hiking and, if you hike, fishing can add some excitement or relaxation (mayb even some food) to your trip. But how do you lug all that fishing stuff around? I’ll give you a hint, you don’t have to…

1. Fishing and Hiking: The Perfect Combination
One of the world’s most popular hobbies is fishing. In the UK, for example, more people go
fishing on a weekend than watch soccer matches. By and large, though, these anglers tend not
to venture far into the wilderness. Perhaps their fishing tackle is too cumbersome or they just
like the comforts of being not too far away from civilization.
Innovative Equipment Makes It Easy:
Often times on a hike, I would come across the most magnificent stretch of river or a wonderful
lake with trout tipping the surface and wished I had my fishing gear with me. It then occurred to
me that these two hobbies needn’t be mutually exclusive. After all, before hiking became a
pastime it was the means to get to the hunting or fishing area. A little online research showed
me that it had also occurred to others too and there are fishing tackle manufacturers making
products that are ideal for campers and hikers to put in their camping supplies.
The Pen Rod:
The most innovative items for the hiker are the ‘pen rod’ products. Think of them like a large
pen, about 8 inches long. Take off the cap and inside there is a telescopic rod that extends up to
5 feet. Now, this seems rather small and many anglers may dismiss this as a child’s toy. In
reality, the action of this type of rod is superb and, coupled with a micro sized spinning reel, will
cast a bait up to 75 feet away. The rods are capable of handling fish of up to 4 pounds, so that
would include most trout you will encounter in streams and isolated lakes.
On one of these pen rod products, the heaviest fish caught so far has been an 18 pound carp.
For all of the convenience and capability, don’t think that this sort of product will be expensive.
Most rod and reel combination kits tend to retail at around the $20 mark and there are cheap
imitations from the Far East that even undercut this low price.
Fly-Fishing:
For those who want to fly-fish, there are rods made by many of the leading tackle
manufacturers which break down into multiple sections so they are easy to stow in a backpack.
The benefit of fly-fishing is that the gear tends to be very lightweight to begin with and you
don’t have to search for something to use as bait. Fly rods are a little different to spinning rods
and you will have to spend quite a bit more if you choose this option. It would be better to buy
a rod from one of the bigger names in the fly fishing world and know that the action and
capability of the tackle would be up to the job.

2. So whether you are a fisherman, who wants to broaden horizons and fish in remote ‘virgin’
waters, a hiker who wants a new interest for your expeditions, or a camper, who wants to catch
something to cook on your Coleman grill, these small lightweight fishing products (and maybe a
camping lantern, if your fishing at night) are just what you need.
Author Bio:
Barry Rodgers is an outdoors enthusiast. He has a love of the outdoors lifestyle and has hiked in
the USA and many European countries. Currently living in Greece, he is often found hiking and
camping in the mountains and on the beaches of southern Crete with his camping supplies, a
camp lantern, a Coleman grill and good friends.