I have only been to two different outfitters, so some of the things that I wished I had but not in camps may vary from outfitter to outfitter. One thing I have noticed is that it can even vary from cabin to cabin. How many times do you get to your cabin at a camp, and think it would really be nice if I had a .......... We make do without because that is the way we are, and I guess that is part of the experience. After having been up there a few years, I now take some of these "I wished I had" items with me. But early on, I either didn't think about it or thought it was provided.
So I will start, I now take hot pads with me to handle hot pans. Also pasta strainers. Small containers (like cool whip) or small plastic bags to store leftovers. (Leftovers may not be a problem with a big group of guys)
Every year, I bring a new BBQ brush and leave it as my departing gift.
Also, I bring a metal spoon (for fish fry) which is also a large tong with a metal spatula on the other side - we bring a portable BBQ and have shore lunch sometimes and that one utensil is great for the fish fry, hot dogs, hamburgers and flipping steak/chicken, etc.
I have a rubber maid with all my standard "wish I would have brought" items - zip loc bags, garbage bags, paper towel, mosquito coils, etc.
Great thread...
I basically bring everything but the kitchen sink.
And if I didn't pack it, I can count on somebody else in the group to pack it.
Sponge / dish scrubber
teflon fry pan
spatula
tupperware
zip lock bags
j-cloths
tongs
red solo cups
paper plates
dish soap
spices
just bring it.
better to look at it than look for it.
Every year we seem to forget something, I make a list every year of things we forgot the year before but Tina (owner at Alwaki) always bails us out with what we forget. This is a great thread.
One thing you never want to forget is butter...right Ozzy? ::)
Some things in addition to those mentioned already:
- Sharp all-purpose chef knife and knife sharpener; rarely are the drawer knives sharper than a cotton ball
- Ziploc plastic containers/lids; small for leeches/'erms in the boat, large for food leftovers
- Plastic cutlery, paper plates, cups, etc; we gave up on washing dishes 5x a day many years ago
- Re-freezable ice packs for boat cooler; keep a rotation going through your camp chest freezer
- ENO (higher-end) or like style hammock w/ tree straps (new feature this year for us); compact to pack and relatively inexpensive; we seemed to use the lodge hammock a lot last year.
https://www.amazon.com/Outfitters-Portable-Parachute-Backpacking-Charcoal/dp/B01MTSU1P0/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1497369296&sr=8-13&keywords=eno+hammock
There's more, but these are the quick and easy suggestions...
45...
agree 100% with sharp knives from home.
How does the Hammock fit in the boat?
Quote from: T-Bone on June 13, 2017, 12:00:53 PM
- Plastic cutlery, paper plates, cups, etc; we gave up on washing dishes 5x a day many years ago
Our group of fishing enthusiasts are all in our 70s and we would never consider using plastic cutlery, paper plates or paper cups. For over 50 years, we have always taken in a plastic container (20" X 16" X 16") that has contained all things kitchen related (cooking oil, sugar, flour, coffee, tea, salt and pepper shakers, dish towels, dish cloths, zip lock bags, BBQ tongs, assorted spoons, spatulas, cutting board, set of good cutting knives, cutlery (knives, forks and spoons), saran wrap, tin foil, bottle openers, wine bottle openers, plastic measuring cups, mosquito coils, mouse traps, etc). We each bring our own fishing coffee cups - mine has been with me on every trip for at least the last 20 years. Call us old fashioned or simply resistant to change. :)
Jay
Quote from: Jay Thomas on June 13, 2017, 02:08:08 PM
Quote from: T-Bone on June 13, 2017, 12:00:53 PM
- Plastic cutlery, paper plates, cups, etc; we gave up on washing dishes 5x a day many years ago
Our group of fishing enthusiasts are all in our 70s and we would never consider using plastic cutlery, paper plates or paper cups. For over 50 years, we have always taken in a plastic container (20" X 16" X 16") that has contained all things kitchen related (cooking oil, sugar, flour, coffee, tea, salt and pepper shakers, dish towels, dish cloths, zip lock bags, BBQ tongs, assorted spoons, spatulas, cutting board, set of good cutting knives, cutlery (knives, forks and spoons), saran wrap, tin foil, bottle openers, wine bottle openers, plastic measuring cups, mosquito coils, mouse traps, etc). We each bring our own fishing coffee cups - mine has been with me on every trip for at least the last 20 years. Call us old fashioned or simply resistant to change. :)
Jay
All great suggestions...
Jay-before I bought my camp, i would camp in a tent at different lakes in northeastern Ontario. I would always bring my camp kitchen with me. A 45 liter Rubbermaid container with all the items you listed. I started out with a small container but proceeded to camp kitchen #1 and camp kitchen #2.
Even now when I'm at camp, if I don't have something or think hey it would be great if I have this around, I make a note of it on my phone.
Just one thing I would like to add to all of your lists------ a well stocked Emergency kit.
Quote from: Jay Thomas on June 13, 2017, 02:08:08 PM
Our group of fishing enthusiasts are all in our 70s and we would never consider using plastic cutlery, paper plates or paper cups.
Jay...c'mon. Is it a 'Be Green' thing? Or do you boys just like doing dishes? I'm not saying bringing that other stuff isn't necessary in part, but washing cutlery, plates, and cups/glasses all day every day just gets in the way of why you're there...to relax. With 5-6 people in the cabin, dishes stack-up quickly...and typically the only guy that wants to get those done is bitching for someone to step up and do it. Like I said, we removed that thorn from our paw many years ago.
Quote from: limacharley on June 13, 2017, 02:27:38 PM
Just one thing I would like to add to all of your lists------ a well stocked Emergency kit.
A well stocked emergency kit goes with us on all our trips - it's just not in the kitchen container. Your post is a great reminder for all.
Jay
Quote from: T-Bone on June 13, 2017, 03:49:17 PM
Jay...c'mon. Is it a 'Be Green' thing? Or do you boys just like doing dishes?
Nothing to do with "being green" nor with enjoying doing dishes. Plain and simple, it's just a preference for us old codgers.
Jay
30 days until speckled trout trip with daughter and 2 grandsons
58 days until first walleye trip
83 days until second walleye trip
Quote from: T-Bone on June 13, 2017, 03:49:17 PM
Quote from: Jay Thomas on June 13, 2017, 02:08:08 PM
Our group of fishing enthusiasts are all in our 70s and we would never consider using plastic cutlery, paper plates or paper cups.
Jay...c'mon. Is it a 'Be Green' thing? Or do you boys just like doing dishes? I'm not saying bringing that other stuff isn't necessary in part, but washing cutlery, plates, and cups/glasses all day every day just gets in the way of why you're there...to relax. With 5-6 people in the cabin, dishes stack-up quickly...and typically the only guy that wants to get those done is bitching for someone to step up and do it. Like I said, we removed that thorn from our paw many years ago.
Well????
If each guy brings his own plate and cutlery, I guess he/she are forced to wash up after each meal or eat off a dirty plate the next meal.
In a cabin with 12 to 20 plates, it's easy to use it and sink it.
Then wait for the next sucker to wash.
Jays way, there is no waiting.
Wash it or starve. ;D
I will add one more thing.
In my cabin, if we are using paper plates and one person prefers a real plate, that one person had better not be putting that plate in the sink and expecting somebody else to be washing it.
There will be words spoken and a strike on the score board.
Three strikes and he's out.
Since my son and I usually stay in TBL's outpost cabin(no cell service) we bring a lot of safety stuff.- road flares(Yves knows if he sees one lit we need help), air horn, flare gun,a good first aid kit, even an SOS flag!! We also bring a portable grill and pots and pans that will fit the needs of our meals. I've been leaving more and more at the cabin each year. We bring our own silverware and sharp knives. Paper plates are only for snacks and lunches. Jon's meals deserve the real thing! We bring our own pillows and sheets as well as a blanket. Got to have the Sirius radio! We bring our own anchor, a hand pump bilge, running lights, tie up clips, and a spot light. Sounds like a lot, but it works for us.
Quote from: Oarin on June 13, 2017, 04:47:35 PM
Since my son and I usually stay in TBL's outpost cabin(no cell service) we bring a lot of safety stuff.- road flares(Yves knows if he sees one lit we need help), air horn, flare gun,a good first aid kit, even an SOS flag!!
Ever get searched at the border? I'm pretty sure the flare gun is a no-no. Good wilderness first aid kit is a must too..though our host is a retired nurse and I'm sure they have a well-stocked kit on hand.
Never thought about that T-Bone. It's a small boat one still in its original box. We've never been checked at the boarder. Anyone out there have any idea?? Thanks.
T-Bone, I googled the question and as far as I can tell a Signal flare gun is legal and not considered a firearm if used correctly. I still think I may leave it home though. If I did get checked a border cop may not know that, or may not care and thus end my trips to Kipawa!!
Thanks, better not to risk it. Gary.
Oarin, as I said before I like how you and your son roll....gourmet eats, craft beer, linen from home...and the satelite radio! I agree it's nice to catch a ball game or NHL playoffs, classic vinyl, comedy radio or The Coffee House...I even take it in the boat for the mid day lake trout troll.
After getting destroyed by mosquitos one year and having a sleepless night, we always take 2 box fans along to get air moving in the cabin. Set one at each bedroom door and it really takes care of the problem. We also add a Foodsaver to our list which is the ticket for bringing any fish home.
Quote from: Oarin on June 13, 2017, 07:08:25 PM
Never thought about that T-Bone. It's a small boat one still in its original box. We've never been checked at the boarder. Anyone out there have any idea?? Thanks.
It is legal to import a flare gun unless it is a Zoraki model R-1. ONLY this flare gun is illegal because it has the same barrel as a hand pistol that is manufactured by the same company.
Again it all depends "how" you answer questions at the border. If you state that the intention of the flare gun is for your personal protection against another person, they will deem it prohibited. If you state that you are going boating and it is to signal an emergency, you are golden.
Quote from: limacharley on June 14, 2017, 09:54:32 AM
Again it all depends "how" you answer questions at the border. If you state that the intention of the flare gun is for your personal protection against another person, they will deem it prohibited. If you state that you are going boating and it is to signal an emergency, you are golden.
Why invite the dialogue? Not sure there's much risk here to take it, and I completely understand erring on the side of safety and security. Not sure I'd have the capacity to load it and fire it in the case of an event on the water though...
Lima...do you know what's the deal on fixed-blade knives/machete? Is there a blade length 'limit'? We only ever get asked about firearms, but someone once told me there is a limit on fixed-blade knives also.
Why invite the dialogue....
Because there has to be a reasonable explanation as to why you are importing it.
Bear spray for instance is legal if it says on the can it is strictly to ward off bears but if you are going on a shopping trip to downtown Toronto, there's no reasonable explanation to import that bear spray. There's no bears on Younge street.....only cougars...hahaha.
Fixed blade knives/machete---i'm not aware of a blade length limit but again if you intend on blazing trails on a buddy's property, I see no reason to stop your importation. A longer blade on a filleting knife is reasonable if you're going fishing.
I do know that CBSA used to stop the importation of these long Japanese warrior swords,,,maybe that's where the blade length limit comes into play. You don't need a filleting knife that long do you?
Quote from: limacharley on June 14, 2017, 10:48:35 AM
Why invite the dialogue....
Because there has to be a reasonable explanation as to why you are importing it.
What I meant was to just keep it at home and you, therefore, you do not have to engage in that dialogue. Bringing it = inviting it.
OK on knives...and bullseye on cougars. LOL!!!
Quote from: T-Bone on June 14, 2017, 10:53:54 AM
Quote from: limacharley on June 14, 2017, 10:48:35 AM
Why invite the dialogue....
Because there has to be a reasonable explanation as to why you are importing it.
What I meant was to just keep it at home and you, therefore, you do not have to engage in that dialogue. Bringing it = inviting it.
OK on knives...and bullseye on cougars. LOL!!!
Lets not forget the Puma's also ( older than cougars)
Thanks Lima, mine should be fine then, it's shaped like a tube. T-Bone I would use it if our boat died, or we had trouble at the outpost. Expect the best, prepare for the worst.
One must thing to bring I forgot is a Therma Cell mosquito repellent. They work great.