Summertime Camping Hacks

Summertime Camping Hacks

Dream of sleeping under the stars after a day of catching fish? Here are a few tips we’ve curated and tested over the years.

They should help you stay sane when out on your next wilderness adventure.

1. Insects hide from the wind just like we do. If small stinging and flying insects aren’t your thing, pitch your tent with the door facing the breeze, as critters like mosquitoes take shelter in the lee of the tent. You’ll have a far smaller resident population inside, if done correctly.

2. Make a doormat for your tent. A thin 2’ x 2’ piece of nylon works wonders keeping excess dirt and sand outside. Even better, buy a “sand-free mat.” They were designed for this very thing.

3. Store sleeping bags (hanging) in the closet, or on the back of a door. Keeping them in stuff/compression sacks robs them of insulating fluffiness.

4. Use the dryer to “reset” the waterproofing on your rain jacket. It works better than any spray-on stuff. Wash gently with no-fabric softeners, using dry cycle on low-low heat. You’ll be amazed with the results.

5. Lastly, a useful tidbit: You can use an Aquaseal wader repair kit to fix a ripped fishing net. Take a small wader patch to make a backing material, then spread Aquaseal on the other side (adhering the broken net and sealant). After 24 hours, remove the patch and the Aquaseal is secure and slippery, making it safe for fish, and you’ve got your net back in business.

6. Keep your campsite clean and free of excess, or half-eaten, food–it’s a dinner bell for larger critters. And never bring food in a tent at night, unless you want unwelcome visitors.