SONY a7

I went to a local camera store to get some photo paper yesterday, and I saw SONY a7 there.

I held it in my hand, and it was so light that I had to open a battery case to see if the battery was inside.  My 6D felt like a brick compared to a7.

The camera body was rather ugly, I thought.  It looked like as if SONY designers were tying to create another retro style Leica wannabe camera by sticking a view finder on an old black Sony Walkman laying around in their storage room.

Apart from its stylish issue, I felt that the electric view finder on a7 was terrible too. We were comparing it against the electric view finder on a new OM-D, and although I am not a fan of EVF in general, we all agreed that Olympus's view finder was much clearer and pleasant to look through.

It was hard to see details on a7's EVF because of aliasing especially on objects with straight lines.  I also noticed that the view finder image got frozen when I was using focus lock and re-framing. The time lag was quite annoying.

I love the view finder of my 6D.  It is a simple clean without having distracting over-lay info. I fell in love with this view finder, and that was a main reason for me to get 6D.  It is particularly marvelous for portraits with 85mm. People really stand out, and the view finder is very clear that I can see their subtle facial expressions. When they smile, they do look beautiful.  I don't think I can get the same feeling from looking through a7's or any electric viewfinder.

Lastly, the camera body is only useful with a good selection of lenses which SONY lacks right now.  Even for wide angle prime lenses alone, Canon has 8 lenses for users to choose. SONY only has one 35mm f/2.8 which is apparently good but very expensive for f/2.8 prime (I can almost buy my old 24mm f2/8, 50mm f/2.5, and 85mm f/1.8 put together for the price of Sony's 35mm).

Well, we played with the camera for while, and I left shop smiling with my Canon 6D hanging around my neck, I should say.

この前、カメラ屋でソニーの新型機を見せてもらいました。

軽さには驚きでした。僕の６Dの重さの半分位に感じました。ただ、 ファインダーを覗いて、テンションが一気に急降下。やっぱり電子ビューファインダーは好きになれませんでした。ただ単にフレーミングの道具だけと考えれば電子式でも光学ビューファインダーでも良いのでしょうが、ファインダーを覗いた時の、「綺麗だな」とか「良い絵だな」とかいう感覚が、どうも電子ビューファインダーからは感じられません。

それから、カメラのデザインですが、なんだか黒いウォークマンにグリップとペンタ部分を貼付けた感じでした。従来の一眼レフと比べて、ミラーボックスが無い分、ミラーレス・カメラは、デザインの面で余裕がある筈。わざわざ持ち易いとは言いがたい四角いレトロスタイルにする理由が分かりません。

 最後に、カメラのボティーは、レンズあっての物。キャノンのボディーなら広角単焦点レンズだけでも色々と選べますが、ソニーは、３５mmが一つ、しかも、これが結構な値段。僕の２４mm、５０mmマクロ、そして、２００ドルで買った中古の８５mmを合わせた値段と同じ位です。

３０分程遊ばしてもらいましたが、正直良いなあと感じたのは、軽さだけでした。

Sea to Summit garage sale

A local outdoor gear company, Sea to Summit held their garage sale on last Sunday.

I picked up 8 pairs of Smart Wool socks at $5 pair at start. I got a few of these socks at the last year's garage sale, and I fell in love with them.  Feel soft and comfortable, so I got more this year.

I also bought a Smart Wool merino wool T-shirt for $20, but this was disappointing. Compared to my unbelievably soft, yet outrageously expensive "Seventeen.5 T" from iBex, it feels like wearing a piece of sandpaper. It is just too itchy for me to wear, so I might pass it to our dog who loves a piece of clothes to sleep on.

The T-shirt wasn't a good pick, but I am happy with a pair of merino bottom which I got for $30.  They are 3/4 length for some reason, and although I would preferred a full length one, a shorter length might be handy, if I am going to wear it on top of a full length merino bottom as an extra layer.

A few other goodies have been scored too, including a pocket trowel ($3) for going to toilet in the bush and a small folding kitchen sink ($2) to wash the dishes, vegetables and fruits, and of course a fly reel at a camp site.

As for the last year's sale, I am happy to picked up some treasures at such low prices.

Alpacka Explorer

I know a few places where monster black breams are hiding, and although I love the simplicity of wading, these places are only accessible by some sort of watercraft.

The Frankland River in the Walpole-Nornalup National Park is one example. It runs through a heavy forest where trees can grow over 70m tall, and the water is deep enough to hide those giants after falling down into the water.

The bank is very high, steep, and inaccessible, and wading is simply out of option. To fish the Frankland, I need to be able to float on the middle of the river.

大きなクロダイが住んでいる州南部の森林公園の中の川は、岸は高さ７０メートルにもなる木々で覆われていて、バンクから川へは、アクセスできません。

個人的にはウェーディングでの釣りが一番シンプルで良いのですが、この様な川では、ウェーディングできる場所が限られています。

倒れた巨大な木々が沈んでしまう程の深さのある川の場合、プカプカと水の上に浮かぶ事しか釣りをする手段がありません。

Alpacka Explorer

I have been looking for the right watercraft for me for some time, and after having a long thought and many discussions with my friends, I was deciding between a folding kayak, an inflatable kayak, and a packraft.

At the end, I bought a packraft called "Explorer" made by Alpacka Raft.

My first experience of a packraft wasn't positive. I bought one last year, and I later returned it to to the manufacturer as I wasn't happy with it in the end. So, I was bit skeptic about getting another packraft, at least for things I want to do.

As you can imagine, the packraft is like a donkey compared to speed and elegance of a kayak or canoe.  It is not easy to fish from compared to a float tube or a kickboat.

At the end, however I took a leap of faith to buy the raft from Alpacka Raft because it is the only watercraft that I can carry on my back on top of other camping and fishing gears to travel to places like Tasmania, New Zealand, Japan, and so on.


ガソリンで走る船と比べると、カヤックやカヌーなどは、環境にローインパクトかつ、釣り場へのアクセスや、魚を釣るまでのプロセスを楽しむフライフィシングのスタイルには合っていると思います。

カヤック、カヌー、またはフロートチューブ。色々なオプションがありますが、僕が出した答えは、一番軽くてシンプルなパックラフトです。

去年一度パックラフトを試したのですが、全く良い印象はありませんでした。一生懸命漕いでも風に流されてなかなか前に進みませんでしたし、両手がパドルでふさがって、釣りをするのは簡単ではありませんでした。

ただ、バックパックに船を入れて釣り歩いたり、旅行する事が出来る唯一のオプションは、パックラフトだけです。

という事で、Alpacka Raft社のExplorerというモデルを買いました。

The pointy back helps tracking and getting speed bit.

Here is my impression of the new raft after my test run on the weekend.

Compared to my previous raft, Explorer from Alpacka Raft has a longer and narrower body with a pointy stern which is a better design for speed and tracking, I think. 

My first raft was terrible on the water.  It was very hard to move forward and the whole thing kept spinning around from left and right.

On the other hand, I was able to paddle easier and straighter on the Alpacka Explorer. I paddled for an hour on a calm condition with a bit of sea breeze. The raft was moving on the water much better than I thought.  

I am new to a paddle sport, so I got no idea on a right paddling technique, but even with my awkward paddling stroke, it wasn't hard to catch up Mike while he was walking on the bank at a normal walking speed.


日曜日の午後は、風もそんなに無くテストするには良さそうだったので、早速進水式をしてきました。

去年試したラフトよりも、Alpacka Raftは、船体が長くて細めで、船尾部分が鳥のくちばしの様になっているので、直進性もスピードもある感じです。

僕は、パドリング初心者なので正しい漕ぎ方も分かりませんが、そんな適当なパドリングでも、岸を歩いている友達のペースと同じ位で進めます。Alpacka Raftによるとスピードは、時速は、４km位だそうです（カヤックのスピードと比べると半分位でしょうか）。

The river looked quite different from the raft.

I took my rod with me and fished bit from the raft as well.  The raft was very stable and it was easy to fly cast from it especially when I was standing on my knees.  

The problem was that the raft kept drifting fast with the wind and tide. It will be the same problem for any kayak, boats, etc, but I guess, it will be a bigger issue for the packraft for being so light. 

The good thing was that the raft was holding more less the same direction while it was drifting instead of spinning around like a spinning top. So, I was able to make a cast and fishing on the drift.  

I still love to be able to stop drifting or at least slow it down though. So I am going to try a couple of different things like a bag full of rocks as an anchor or drifting with a sea anchor next week.


パックラフトからの釣りも試してみましたが、ラフト自体はとても安定していてキャスティングには、問題はありません。

だたし、船体が軽いのと水面にポカンと浮いている状態なので、風と潮に簡単に流されます。それでも、クルクルと独楽の様に回転する事は無く、一定の方向を向いたまま流されるのでドリフトボートの様に流されながら釣ることはできかもしれません。

Tailor や kahawai の様に足の速い魚ならまだしも、時として一つのポイントへ絨毯爆撃しなくてはいけないクロダイの釣りには、やはり流されるスピードが速すぎるので、次の週末には、アンカーなりシーアンカーなりを試してみようと思います。

I can cross the deep channel to new territories now.

Broken wading shoes

A piece of shoe lace came off as I was putting my wading shoes last week. I checked the shoes and found out that the metal parts for the shoe lace have been badly corroded.

According to the manufacturer, these metal parts are claimed to be "saltwater resistant", so I have been assuming that these are made of stainless steel.   In stead, they are made of some cheap metal which are not that saltwater resistant.

I always wash my fishing gears including the wading shoes after each fishing sessions, which was also the advice I got from L.L.Bean about their wading shoes, but it looks like it didn't make much difference in the end.

The corrosion is happening on every eyelet.  Very disappointing.

MSR Alpine Salt and Pepper Shaker

My mother in law came back from her Japan trip last week, and I got some souvenirs.

Here are salt and pepper shakers from MSR. These are small enough to fit inside of my cooking pot along with other camp cooking items like Trangia burner and Clikstand. I think I can carry enough salt & pepper and other exotic spices for a week long trip with two of these containers.

I also got a cute mini titanium spork from Snowpeak which can complement my pair of folding chopsticks which is also made by Snowpeak.  It looks small and fiddly, but it surprisingly fits nicely in my hand.

P.S.

I have been using theses MSR gizmos since, and I have found that holes on these are too small for things like large pieces of sea salt and ground black peppers, which I like to use, as well as other cooking herbs like basil and oregano. I have cut holes bigger and it seems they work better now.

Mini spork and salt & pepper shaker

The spork just fits inside of the chopstick bag

My Rapid River Waders

I finally got tired of my ever leaking Patagonia's wader, so I got a new one from L.L.Bean at the same time I ordered wading boots from them.

I have gone through several pairs of waders from Patagonia in the past, and every one of them started to leak along seams within the first season or so (8 to 14 months, I would say). The waterproof fabric also began to delaminate around a crotch area at the same time. It then became a matter of constant repair jobs with Aquaseal. I could have kept gluing to fix leaks on my last pair as I did in the past, however, this time, I had enough.

パタゴニアのウェーダーの水漏れには正直がっかりです。早い時には半年、一年も経つとシームの所から水がジワジワと漏れ始めます。そうこうしている内に、股の付け根の所が引っぱられるストレスで防水層が剥がれて、その後は、水漏れが発生する度に接着剤を塗って直す作業の繰り返しです。

これまで使ってきたパタゴニアのウェーダーの数着が全て同じ様な結末でした。そういうことで、もうパタゴニアのウェーダーには見切りをつける事にしました。

Repair jobs on my Water Master Waders

All waders fail soon or later, but for the high price of US$300 (plus $60 shipping to Australia), Patagonia can do a better job to design their waders along their wading boots, I think.

I am not using my waders to climb up the north face of the Eiger.  It is just something to keeps me dry while I am fishing. I have used other breathable waders in the past which were cheaper but lasted bit longer.  They were better on my pocket and on the planet.

Anyway, a new pair of waders that I got is called Rapid River Waders from L.L.Bean, and it was US$180 plus shipping. I am very interested to find out how it is compared against Patagonia's waders.

どんなウェーダーでも遅かれ早かれ水漏れが発生します。もちろん使い方にもよります。でも、アメリカドルで$３００、その上に、送料が＄６０もします。こんな大金を一年ちょっとしか持たないパタゴニアの水漏れウェーダーに払うのはもう嫌です。

ということで、前回L.L.Beanのウェーディングブーツをオーダーした時に、ウェーダーも買いました。＄１８０ドルのウェーダーが＄３００ドルのウェーダーと比べてどうなのか？　とても興味のある所です。

Rapid River Waders

It has a hand warmer pocket with fleece lining

Socks are thick and comfortable

Hooks seem to be fine with saltwater use

Trangia burner and Clikstand

I had a chance to try my old Trangia burner on a new Clikstand when I was camping at Walpole.

Trangia alchole burner is very easy to use and reliable as there is no mechanical parts which can go wrong (I was once watching my friend frantically trying to put back all parts on his MSR Whisper Lite after taking it apart while we were on a fishing trip in NZ).

Alcohol fuel (methylated spirit) is not so expensive, easily available, and I feel much safer to use than something like petrol. Alcohol fuel is probably bit more environmental than other types of fuels too (e.g. empty gas canisters will be ended up in a rubbish tip unless they recycle those).

I must admit that alcohol burners don't have a fire power of gas or petrol burners, however, in the actual field use, I haven't felt this to be a big problem. While I am waiting for water to boil, I just do other things like washing my fly reel, chopping up vegetables, or chasing down cheeky kookaburras trying to steel my food.

Anyway, I have been impressed with Trangia & Clikstand combo so far.  It is very light (I have chosen titanium one), functional (it boiled 500cc of water while my friend walked to toilet and come back), and looks cool (Clikstand reminds me of an ingenious rotary engine of Mazda RX7).

Clikstand in action

 











The only problem that I have experienced so far is to start up a fire with something like a cigaret lighter. The burner sits low inside of the stand, so I had to point flame downwards to light it up. This was too awkward to do without burning my fingers.

I had a better result with using match sticks as my fingers are away from flame, but I decided to get a fire starter which can shoot sparks away from the burner.

So, I went to a local Paddy Palin store yesterday, and bought Scout Fire Steel by Light My Fire (by the way, the lady who was at the store was very knowledgeable and her customer service was great).

With the new toy from Light My Fire, starting fire on my Trangia burner is a mater of one flick on a fire stick.

Scout Fire Steel from Lite My Fire

Gray Ghost Wading Boots

My new pair of wading boots arrived the other day.  It is called Gray Ghost Wading Boots from L.L.Bean. Doesn't it look cool?

先週新しいウェーディングブーツが届きました。シンプルなデザインとグレーのカラーがかっこいいでしょ。

Before writing about the new boots, I am going to do a review on my old boots, Patagonia Riverwalker.

I have using Riverwalker wading boots for the past seven years, and I am already on the fifth pair.  I have finally decided to try something different because I now have a few question marks with Rivewalker in terms of its durability and some of design features.

Let's start with positive things about these boots though.  Riverwalker is very light and fit well to my feet. They almost feel like a pair of running shoes.  I can run and jump with these, and if I were ever being chased by a monkey on heat, a hungry bear, or someone jingling his banjo, I want to be in these boots.

新しいブーツの事を書く前に、今まで履いてきたパタゴニアのウェーディングブーツについてのリビューを書きます。

このブーツの良い点は、軽くて、幅広の日本人の足にもフィットする事です。もし川でサルや散弾銃を持った農家のおじさんに追いかけれても、この靴なら走って逃げられると思います。鉄下駄の様に重いSIMMSのブーツでは、まず無理です。

My old tired Patagonia Riverwalker Wading Boots

 

However, for making these boots so light and having a fancy design, it seems that durability has been compromised.

Firstly, I think Riverwalker has too many parts and panels being stitched together, and it is easy to cut these stitches, if they are rubbed against rocks and trees, and then things start to come apart.

The photo below shows how things are starting to fall apart around a toe box as an example.  I don't understand any logic behind putting all stitching around here because this is a high stress area.  This is area where it gets hit with rocks and snags when you are wading.

I have put glue (Aquaseal) on some of stitching to make them stronger. This works until glue wears off.

軽くて履いていても疲れないので、長い距離を歩く釣りには最適なブーツなのですが、残念な事に、軽い靴の宿命上、耐久性に問題があると思います。

まず、やたらとスティッチが多くて、しかも石や岩に一番すれる場所に縫い目があります。写真から分かるように、一度縫い糸が切れると、どうしようもありません。

Can you see stitching coming undone?

Riverwalker has a soft thin jersey / lining to cover inside of the boots. I suppose it can help to make the boots lighter, but this material is not so durable, and it becomes another area where it can shorten the product life.

The lining fabric is like ones Patagonia uses for their underwear, and Yes, I want something soft to cover my butt.  For shoes? I think it is be better to use something not that flimsy.

The photos bellow shows how the jersey lining started to rip and torn on my boots.

ブーツの内側には、体育の時間に着ていたジャージを思わせるような布が使われていて、軽量化には良いのでしょうが、耐久性は低いです。しばらくすると写真の様になってしまいます。

Speaking of the inside of the boots, I must mention that the boots collect a lot of sand inside. Patagonia's says, "high-filtration mesh drains quickly, keeping out sand and silt" on their web site, but I don't think this is quite true.

I don't know where sand gets in, but  after a day of wading on a sandy bottom, I need to tip out a half cup of sand from the boots. To make a matter worse, sand can go underneath of the jersey / lining which makes very hard to get rid of the sand from these boots.

It is not only annoying to walk with full of sand inside of the boots, but it also won't be good for environment because the boots offer lots of places (inside and outside) for weeds and other invasive species like didymo to cling and hide.

So, these are reasons why I decided to choose different boots this time.

ブーツの内側の話ですが、どういうわけか砂がたくさん入ってきます。底が砂の場所で一日釣ると、ブーツの中からドライシェイク一本分位の砂が出てきます。

こうなると心配になってくるのが、Didymoなどです。ブーツの中にも外にも泥や藻が張り付く場所がたくさんありますから。

ということで、今回は、パタゴニアではなくて、L.L.Beanのブーツを試す事にしました。


Let me describe my new boots now.

L.L Bean's Gray Ghost Wading Boots has a simpler design compared to Patagonia's Riverwalker. It looks much like a traditional hiking / trekking boots.

As you can see, the boots has no stitches around high wearing area (e.g. toe box and sides), so there is no problem of stitching coming off like Patagonia Riverwalker does. The toe box and side are also reinforced with rubber which looks strong.

このGray Ghostというブーツですが、見た目は、一枚の革からできた、イタリア製の登山靴のようで、岩などが当たる場所には縫い目が無いだけでなく、擦れそう場所はゴムで補強されています。

It looks like the upper is made of nylon fabric, but it has some sort of plastic coating on it (may be polyurethane) which feels very slippery, and it will be very easy to clean.

I think this is a big plus in terms of dealing with things like didymo and other aquatic hitchhikers. In fact the entire boot looks sleek and it will be difficult for weed and mud to get stuck or cling.

ブーツ自体は、ナイロン製の様ですが、表面にウレタンか何かでコーティングがされていて、ツルツルです。泥などを落としやすいだけでなく、耐久性もアップしていると思います。

The hardware  looks very solid and according to L.L.Bean, it is saltwater resistant.  It should be OK as long as I wash the boots after using them in saltwater.

靴ひもを留めるパーツは、L.L.Beanによると海水でも大丈夫との事です。ただ、使った後はホースであらってね、とメールには書いてありました。

The boots has a set of drain holes with a mesh cover on it.  I used the boots on the last weekend, and I didn't get any issue of sand getting stuck inside of the boots which was one of problems with Patagonia boots.

靴の中に入った水は、ここから出てきます。ちなみに、週末に履いた感じでは、パタゴニアのブーツの様に中が砂でいっぱいという事にはなりませんでした。

The sole has octagonal tread patterns and they are sticky

There are studded and non-studded versions available, and I went for one with studs.  The studs are carbide-tipped, and they should give me extra grip on slimy rocks.

My only gripe with these studs is that it seems that they are not quite saltwater resistant, and I can already see some rust around them after using the boots on the estuary on the weekend.

Also I don't know how more or less effective these little pins / studs are compared to some of those bigger metal studs like Goat Head Sole Spikes or Simms Metal Bite.

スパイク付きとそうでないモデルがあります。スパイクはカーバイドで出来ているそうです。

The inside of the boots looks more durable than a material being used on Riverwalker.  It feels like suede, but it is probably some sort of synthetic leather, I assume.

This material doesn't dry quickly though. I used the boots on the weekend, and the inside of the boots were still damp after two days.

ブーツの内側は、パタゴニアの物よりも丈夫すですが、乾燥には時間が掛かるみたいです（使って二日たっても湿っています）。この辺は、NZ遠征には少々問題があるかもしれません。Didymoの問題があって、オーストラリア国内にブーツを持って入る前には、完全に乾燥させなくてはいけません。

I guess the biggest problem with Gray Ghost Wading Boots is sizing. They are really big.

The photo shows an insole a size 9 Patagonia's wading boots placed underneath of my foot, and size 9 boots is bit too large for me around toe area, even though it fits fine in terms of width.  

The size 9 insole of Gray Ghost Wading Boots is sitting underneath of the Patagonia insole, and you can see how big it is. It looks to me it should be more like size 10 or even 11.

I have actually asked L.L.Bean about how to choose the right size boots. I explained them that I have a short but wide feet, and I have been wearing size 9 wading boots already. They replied to me to get size 9, so I did, only to find out that the boots way are too big.

Anyway, I sent another e-mail to L.L.Bean customer service about the sizing issue after receiving the boots. They have told me that I can exchange the boots for size 8 but keep using size 9 pair in mean time until size 8 arrives.  They also said that I don't have to pay extra shipping for exchange as they should have advised me to get size 8 at beginning. I am very impressed with their customer service. It is a top class service.

As I said,  I have only used the boots twice so far, and I will write a follow up review after I get the size 8 boots which should fit me better hopefully.

唯一の問題点は、サイズです。足の下にパタゴニアのサイズ９の、そして、その下にL.L.Beanの同じくサイズ９のインナーソールを敷いてみたのですが、写真から分かる様に、同じサイズの靴とは思えないくらい大きいです。

僕は、普通の靴はサイズ８、ウェーダーを履く場合は、サイズ９にしています。オーダーする前にL.L.Beanにサイズの事でメールしたのですが、「すでにパタゴニアのウェーディングブーツのサイズ９を履いているなら同じで良いですよ」と言われたのですが、ぜんぜん大きすぎです。

ブーツが届いてからこの事でメールしたら、「サイズ９を勧めたのは、間違いでした。サイズ８を再度オーダーしてください。釣りには、ブーツが必要だと思うので、サイズ８の靴が来るまでサイズ９を履いていてください。その後でサイズ９の靴を送って下さい。送料は再度頂きません」と言われました。L.L.Beanのカスタマーサービスの良さには驚きです。

Treasure hunt

I went down to Sea to Summit's"Ultimate Garage Sale" this morning.

It started at 8:00 in the morning, but by the time I got there around 8:20, it was already packed with people (I was struggling to find a car park). There was a lot of goodies and they were going very fast. I saw many people walking with a big cardboard box full of interesting stuff.

At the end, I got 4 pairs of socks from Smart Wool (only $5 each), Smart Wool's merino top and bottom ($40 together) which I will take to Tasmania next month. I also picked up two dry bags ($2 for 8L bag and $5 for 35L bag which I can put all my clothes for a week long fishing trip. While I was waiting in a line to pay for what I scored, I was even given a free stainless drink bottle. What a nice morning I had. Thank you people of Sea to Summit.

LENSBABY with a double glass optic

My fishing raft

I bought a raft.

I am not a big fun of boat fishing. I would rather wade and fish on any day. I guess, it is about simplicity and sense of freedom (no engine failure, no problem of a trailer going off the road, etc).

But there are places which are too deep to go on my feet, and the other side of the river or estuary always looks fishier. So, I am hoping, with this raft, I can get to those flats and drop offs that I can not reach by simply wading.

I blew it up to see how it is like. It is quite roomy and feather light. To be honest, it is so light that it feels bit scary to paddle out. I am worried, if it gets punctured, the air shoots out, and I might fly off like a cartoon character.

Anyway, I now need to get a set of paddles and PFD to have a test ride.

Snow Peak headlamp

I got a new headlamp from Japan. It's called "SnowMiner" (the Japanese name for the light is "Yuki Hotaru". Yuki means snow and hotaru means a firefly) from an outdoor gear / design company, Snow Peak.

My other light, Petzl e+LITE is working fine, but I find it is not bright enough to walk in dark especially on an unfamiliar bush track. On our last trip to Walpole, I had to find a way back to our camp in pitch black, and my Petzl e+Lite didn't give me enough light to place a next step without tripping over rocks and fallen branches.

I must say it is not e+Ltie's fault though. It is a nice lightweight headlamp, but it is just a small emergency light after all. It is not made to spot a drop bear hanging off the tree at night.

This new light is not only strong enough to find shining eyes of those bush animals, but it can transform into a hanging lantern to be used inside of my tent to read books or going through my backpack to find a missing toothbrush. By pushing its funny looking silicone bulb, I can choose between having a spot light for walking and a flood light for the lantern mode. I can hang it from the roof of my tent or tree using a little hook which attached on the belt. It is a quite cleaver design, I think.



The lantern mode. It creates a diffusing light for a happy tent life.

スノーピークのヘッドライトが届きました（英語では、SnowMinerと言う名前で売っています）。Petzl e+LITEは、小さくて軽くて良いのですが、やはりエマージェンシー用のライトでして、暗い山道などを歩くには、光源が足りません。この前のWalpoleの旅行の時も、暗くなるまで釣ってからキャンプ場まで真っ暗の中を帰らなくてはいけなかったのですが、e+LITEだけでは、暗すぎて足を木の根に引っ掛けたりと大変でした。

そこで、新しいヘッドライトを買う事になったわけです。このライトに決めた理由は、やはりヘッドライトにもランタンにも使える点です。PetzlのTikkaにしようかとも考えたのですが、e+LITEの弱点がスポットライトの機能が無い点だと思ったので、最終的には、同じくスポットライト機能が無いTikkaは止めようと思いました。

このライトは、リコン製の半球体のカバーをペコンと押し込む事で、集光と散光を選ぶ事ができます。PetzlやBlack Diamondのヘッドライトと比べて、デザイン的にも電球の様な形が面白いかと思います。

This is on the headlamp mode. It gives a spot light on a bush track.

The headlamp has the light output of powerful 80 lumens on high setting and 8 lumens on low setting. I can actually change light intensity by holding the on / off switch (variable mode) to find a right amount of light I need. It also has a strobe mode which can be good for cycling.

While e+lite has a red light, SnowMiner only comes with a white bulb. This is not a good news for fellow fishing people. A red light is a handy option for fishing as we can retain our night vision.

By the way, here are specs of two lights (I also include Petzl Tekka Plus 2)

Snow Peak SnowMiner:
Light output: 80 lumens (max)
Bulb type: white
Lighting hours: 55 hours (high) / 140 hours (low)
Beam type: spot & flood
Power source: 3x AAA
Weight: 101g incl batteries.

Petzl e+Lite:
Light output: 16 lumens (max)
Bulb type: white & red
Lighting hours: 35 hours (high) / 45 hours (low)
Beam type: flood
Power source: 2x CR2032
Weight: 28g

Petzl Tikka Plus 2:
Light output: 50 lumens (max)
Bulb type: white & red
Lighting hours: 55 hours (high) / 140 hours (low)
Beam type: flood
Power source: 3x AAA
Weight: 83g incl batteries.

As other headlamps, it has a tilting function to adjust an angle of beam, and there is a simple clicking mechanism to stop the bulb from flopping up and down while I am walking. Also, inside of the silicone dome, it has a small shade / visor which stops light coming into my eyes while I am using it. This is a good design for me as I wear a pair of glasses. e+LITE gives me a strange light reflection on my glasses when I angle the light downwards, and I had to block the light above my eyes with my hand or wear a hat to see well. I haven't had the same problem so far with SnowMiner.

I must admit I wish if the light is bit lighter (100g including batteries). e+LITE is only 28g and I don't feel anything when I am wearing it on my head. With SnowMiner, it feels like as if an apple got stuck on my head. It is not too bad if I sit still, but if I move my head left and right, I can feel its weight.

It runs on three AAA batteries which add some weight, I guess (e+LITE on the other hand runs on two small coin batteries). One good thing about AAA batteries is that I can get rechargeable ones (like Sanyo's Eneloop) which is bit more environmental and economical, while those CR2032 coin cells are throw aways and quite expensive, if I was getting from local shops.

Unfortunately SnowMiner is not waterproof unlike my e+LITE. It is just a weather proof (IPx4 Water Resistance Rating), but this is same for other competitive products like Petzl's Tikka Plus 2.

I haven't used the headlamp in the field yet, but other than its weight, I like it so far. I used to take a candle lantern with me when I go camping, but I don't need to take it anymore, so I guess, I can save some weight that way. Also unlike a candle lantern, I can use a LED light in my tent, and with the power of 80 lumens, I can probably tie some flies before I go to bed.

If you are interested, check Snow Peak (they have the US site) for details.



１ルーメンが豆電球何個分に値するのか分かりませんが、８０ルーメンの光源は、e+LITEの１６ルーメンとは比べ物になりません。５倍の明るさですからね（それにしても、子供の頃は、理科の宿題で使っていた豆電球が明るいと思ったのですが、今の子供は、そもそも豆電球なんて物を知っているのだろうか？）。

他のヘッドランプ同様、ライトの角度を変える事ができるチルト機能付きです。また歩行中にライトの角度がカクカクと上下しないようにもなっています。それから、シリコン製のカバーを外してみると、LEDが搭載されている下の部分に小さなフードが付いていて、これにより余計な光が目に入ってこない様になっています。これは眼鏡を掛けている人間にとっては良いアイデアです。この機能が無いe+LITEの場合、光を下に向けると、眼鏡に反射して前が見難くなってしまいます。

逆に、e+LITEの方が優れていると言う点もあります。まずe+LITEには、白の他に赤いLEDが搭載されています（これは、同じPetzl社のTikkaも同じです）。夜釣りをする場合、白いLEDの場合、ライトを点灯するたびに、目が再度暗闇に慣れるまで時間が掛かりますが、赤いライトでは問題ありません。あと、e+LITEは防水ですが、Yuki Hotaruは、防滴のみです。まあこれに関しては、Petzl社のTikkaやBlack Diamond社のSpotなど、同じ価格帯で機能を持ったヘッドランプも同じです。

電源は、単四電池を３つですので、重量がかさみます。ただ、単四なら充電式の物を使えば環境にも財布にも優しいです。e+LITEの使い捨てのコイン電池は問題です。小さい割に安くはありませんし。

二つのライトを比べると、e+Liteの圧倒的な軽さは魅力です。ただヘッドライトにe+Liteでランタンにキャンドルランタンという以前の場合と比べるとYuki Hotaru 一個でヘッドライトとランタンの両機能をまかなえるならその方が軽くなります（どちらの用途でも性能は遥かに上ですしね）。今までは、テントの天井に吊るしたe+Liteだけだったので、暗くて何も出来ずにテントに入ったら寝るだけでした。Yuki Hotaruの８０ルーメンの光量だったらテントの中で本を読んだり、その気になればフライを巻いたりできるかと思います。

Patagonia Watermaster wader

We got a shocking rain storm today. The rain came down like someone tipped a whole swimming pool from the roof top.

As I was struggling to get to my car at school car park, I wished if I had my wader with me. So, today, I write bit about Patagonia's Watermaster wader that I have been using for some years.

If I am allowed to get to my conclusion straight, the wader is well made, but I wouldn't be surprised if it starts to leak within the first 12 months or so.

My first pair had a life of one year and bit, then the second pair started leaking in 12 months. The third pair lasted only 3 months, and I used the next one for 6 months. I am on the fifth pair now. All of my previous waders suffered from the same problem. Leaking along the seam tape on legs. Nothing more, nothing less.

Why do I keep going back to Patagonia's waders?

Because apart from their environmental cause that I support, Patagonia's customer service is excellent. Patagonia has replaced all of my leaking waders (the only thing I paid was a shipping cost to send it back to the factory) without making me feel like I am being a bad customer.

I think based on the premise that every wader leaks soon or later, it is a better to go with ones with a good warranty, so when the wader fails, I get a replacement. Of course, if people make their waders to last, I don't need to get a new pair every year which is clearly better for the planet.

The current model of Watermaster wader has these buckles which can be used to adjust the length of the shoulder belts easily without taking them off. It is a handy option for dealing with the nature's call without taking the wader off (provided you are men).

The only problem with these buckles is that one on the back digs into my spine when I sit on a bench, chair or car seat while I am wearing my wader. It is very annoying and it would have been better if they didn't put these things on the back (use Velcro or something instead).

Other than the problem of their leaky seam tapes, the fabric is very tough. When I was using other waders from different companies, I was getting pin holes all the time. With Patagonia's wader, I rarely get pin holes (apart from getting punctured from barb wire, with those annoying thistles in NZ, and of course barnacles).

As I said, the wader is quite well made and comfortable to wear (apart from the belt buckle). It will be an excellent wader, only if it lasts longer (say 3 seasons).

They use their own breathable material called "H2NO"


Socks are thick and comfortable


A stainless steel hook on the gravel guard. It can catch fly line though.


Speaking of catch, here is my catch on the week end.


It is a interesting book to read about the company's philosophy

Osprey Aether

My new backpack, Osprey Aether 70, has arrived.

Compare to my old backpack from Mountain Designs (Columbus 75), Aether is much lighter and more comfortable to carry it. As the name suggests, it is like air.

I put all the stuff I took to NZ in January into Aether to see how it feels on my back. I remember it was one hard work just to walk from one bus stop to another in Christchurch with all gears hanging on my back. With Aether, it felt like I can almost run to catch up with a bus leaving me at a bus stop.

I was wondering, if 70 litter is going to be too big, and perhaps would be better to get 60 litter one. After packing everything, I am now glad I got 70. After putting all camping gears, plus wader and wading shoes, the pack is fully filled up. It looks like I may have to attach my tent out side of the pack, if I am going to carry food and water for walking on a track for a couple of days.

新しいバックパックが届きました。OspreyのAether 70です。今まで使っていたバックパックに比べると、パック自体の重量が格段に軽く、背負い心地もまったくの別物です。

夏休みにニュージーランドへ行った際に持って行ったバックパックの重量は、１５キロ位でした。普段は、車で釣りに行っている、なまくら野郎の僕からすると、そんなパックの重量でも、背負って歩くのは、正直しんどかったです。同じ物をAetherに入れて背負ってみましたが、驚く程軽く感じられて、下流に泳いで行く魚を走って追いかけられる位です。

Free to roam, free to soar, and free to fish.

I took the pack to a local outdoor shop (Paddy Pallin) where I got my pack from (I actually bought it from their online shop).

At the shop, they heat molded my hip belt to fit to my waist. The belt was comfortable enough without the molding process, but I am sure it will fit me even better now.

６０リットルか７０か迷っていたのですが、７０にして正解でした。テントなどのキャンプ道具一式にウェーダーやウェーディ ングシューズ、フライベストなどの釣り道具を入れるとなると７０リットルでも少ない方かもしれません。実際に、NZ釣行に使った物を全部入れると、食料と 水を入れるスペースがありません。なので、バックカントリーに２、３日行く様な場合は、テントを外付けする事になりそうです。

土曜日は、地元のアウトドアのお店で、Aetherのヒップベルトをカスタムフィットしてもらいました。ヒートモールドと言うらしいのですが、してもらう前でも十分快適でしたが、これによりさらにフィット感は、良くなったような気がします。

Osprey's heat molding oven for hip belts.


Adjusting a heat belt to my waist.

After came back from the shop, I went to fish with Mike for a hour or so. Fishing was slow and I could only manage to land a small fish and drop another one.

キャンプ道具やの帰りに、１時間程、釣りに行きました。結果は、小さいクロダイが一匹とバラシが一匹と、パッとしませんでしたが、まあ釣れないよりは良かったです（ちなみに、日曜の今日は、まったくの結果でした）。

For an enjoyable night life

This miniature light (Tag Light by ABITAX ) has been a light source for my night fishing for some years.

I got two of these on each side of my fly vest around chest pockets. The light is nicely designed and only weighs 4g which I like as my fly vest is already heavy enough.

It doesn't give me enough light to walk on a unfamiliar trail or to wade across a river safely in total darkness, but it is bright enough for me to move around a camp site and to change flies at night around bridges, habours, etc.

To spice up my night life though, I bought this, Petzl e+Light on the last weekend. It weighs 28g and comes with a case. The body can rotate 360 degree, and I can either wear it as a head light or attach it on my fly vest with a clip.

I can set it to give me a normal light (on low or high setting) and a red light. The light is waterproof to 1m as well.

According to a product info, e+Light is designed for emergency, so it is not as powerful as other bigger head lights in the market, but those lights weigh 3 times more than e+Lite, so for its compact size, it is highly functional. Besides, compared to my Tag Light, this light is still as bright as a full moon, I think.

Hopefully, the weather gets better on this weekend, so that I can test the light in on the river at night.