Hiking and fishing--I can't imagine a better combination. I love to fish the local rivers for salmon and steelhead in season and have some excellent equipment for this. In a couple of short months when hubby and I take to the high country again after a 20+ year sabbatical, I will be taking fishing equipment with me. I just ordered from Bass Pro Shops a little IM6 graphite spinning pack rod (Micro Lite series) that is only 5'6" but breaks into three pieces and is very light both in action and weight. And combine that with a President ultra light spinning reel that weighs 6.4 oz rated for 4 lb line. What could be more fun that catching dinner from the shores of a pristine mountain lake? Don't have to pack it in and it's fresh. Fish always tastes better when you catch it yourself!