Hot Outdoor Recreation How-Tos


How To: Replace and align v-brake and cantilever brakes on your mountain bike
If you own a mountain bike that is equipped with v-brake or cantilever brakes, this tutorial might be useful. Don't pay an arm and a leg to get your biked fix, instead do it yourself.

How To: Make an All-Night Campfire with Just One Log
The next time you're out camping, whether it's outdoors in the wilderness or right outside in your own backyard, try this hack out for an effortless campfire all night long. While there is definitely some prep work involved, it's well worth it if you don't need a huge bonfire, and more so if you plan on cooking meals over the flames.

How To: Throw a boomerang
Regardless of what you might have seen on tv or movies, you should never throw a boomerang side-arm. The only proper method for throwing a boomerang is to throw it overhand just like you would with a baseball. There are two ways to grip a boomerang: either pinch it or cradle it. You can do whichever one is more comfortable to you. This video will show you how to throw a boomerang.

How To: Rig a saltwater fishing pole
Take your fishing line and run it through the guides on the fishing pole. Of course, for you beginners, start at the bottom as the line in on the reel and work up. While doing this, release your bail. After you have finished running the line, pull the bail back over. This keeps the line from running out. Now we are going to do a overhand loop by making a loop which doubles the line. Make an overhand knot, about 8 inches up from the lower loop. You will twist the loop and then run the double l...

How To: Clean and overhaul a Shimano bike pedal
Cleaning your pedals is an important part of regular bike maintenance, but annoyingly enough there is no one way to overhaul a pedal. Every bike maker builds their pedals differently. This video demonstrates how to disassemble, overhaul, and clean Shimano pedals so that they will be free-spinning and functional as the day that you got them.

How To: Create realistic wings for fly tying
The Art of Fly Tying shows you how you can create realistic wings for your fly fishing flies from scotch tape.

How To: Remove and install the gears on a mountain bike easily
If you need to replace the spokes on your rear wheel, change the gearing, replace certain parts, or just clean it, this video is going to show you how to do just that.

How To: Tie the quick release knot
Here is a good knot. Do you know it? It's the quick release knot. Check out this instructional knot tying video that demonstrates how to tie the Quick Release knot. Just follow the simple instructions outlined in this boating tutorial and learn how to tie a Quick Release knot. Knot tying is a breeze with this video. Start practicing and reel in the big fish!

How To: Use Diagonal Lashings to tie poles together
Diagonal lashings are a popular type of knot for building structures with wooden poles that allows you to join two poles at a 45-90 degree angle. It can replace a square lashing, but not vice versa. This video will show you how to tie a diagonal lashing yourself, which can be used in all sorts of outdoor construction projects.

How To: Tie a bowline fishing knot
Know your knots! With this free video tutorial, you'll learn how to tie a bowline knot. The great thing about a bowline knot is that no matter how much tension is applied, it will always slip back out when you want it to. The knot is easy to tie provided, of course, you know how to go about making it. For an easy-to-follow, step-by-step overview of how to tie this useful fisherman's knot in a minute's time or less, watch this free video knot tyer's guide.

How To: Bait a Hook with Catfish Punch Bait
There are many different types of prepared catfish baits for catching channel and blue catfish. These baits are often referred to as "stink baits", but while they might smell quite foul to some anglers, the smell really attracts catfish.

How To: Tie off a suspension ring with a basic knot
This video tutorial is in the Outdoor Recreation category which will show you how to tie off a suspension ring with a basic knot. Weld less rings are used as connection points for a variety of purposes. However, riggers quite often make tying a ring unnecessarily complicated. All that is required is a basic knot and a few hitches. For this you will need to tie the running overhand knot. Take a rope, bend it in half and tie it to a suspension point. Now pass both ends of the rope through the r...

How To: Tie a Shamrock knot / True Lover's knot
This shows you how to tie a Shamrock Knot / True Lover's Knot - A decorative knot, built from two Thumb Knots, that forms the shape of a shamrock. This is used in sailing, boating, general use, camping and bondage.

How To: Tie the slip knot for boating
This version of the slip knot is basically a uni knot tied with rope and with just one or two wraps around the double line. It does the trick and is easy to tie.

How To: Make & install a Canam snorkel kit for a Outlander ATV
John Cannon shows you how to make and install a snorkel kit on all can-am outlanders. Part 1 of 6 - How to Make & install a Canam snorkel kit for a Outlander ATV.

How To: Tie an Anchor Hitch / Bucket Hitch knot
Learn how to tie an Anchor Hitch (also known as a Bucket Hitch) - A very secure means of attaching a rope to an anchor or any other object that you can't afford to loose (like a bucket down a well, I suppose - thus the alternate name). I actually do use this hitch for temporary anchor attachment (preferring to permanently splice instead) as well as for my bucket lanyards when washing down my boat's deck.

How To: Make a cheap but realistic goose call
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a realistic goose call. The materials required for this project are: a plastic bottle cap, scissors, rubber band and a piece of paper. Begin by making a small hole in the bottle cap. Then wrap the paper around the other side of the bottle cap and secure it with the rubber band. Now just blow in the hole and make a humming sound to create a goose call. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy goose hunting, and would like to learn how to...

How To: Remove a turkey tail fan
In this tutorial, we learn how to remove a turkey tail fan. Get the tail fan and spread it out, then hold the secondary tail fans and cut the tail fans out. You will want to cut at the base of the turkey where the but is, skinning a little bit to get it out. The removal should be pretty quick and simple. Before you do this, you should prepare the turkey by hanging it upside down on a tree. Keep the tail fan in borax powder until you're able to properly store it to make a trophy out of it. Thi...

How To: Fish for bluegill with a fly rod and popping bugs
Nothing is more fun that fly fishing with popping bug for panfish. With popping bugs, you can get bite after bite from little bass. Wade Bourne, host of Wade's World on MyOutdoorTV, shows you how to fish for bluegill and panfish using a fly rod and popping bugs.

How To: Mold and cast a fish mount for taxidermy statues
This video taxidermy tutorial demonstrates the process of molding and casting a fish mount. Any fish can be placed into molding material and covered with plaster to create an exact replica of the fish. When the mold hardens, a duplicate of the fish can be cast. Watch this instructional video and learn how to mold and cast a fish mount for taxidermy statues.

How To: Use the Honda TRX 250X SportClutch - What Does It Do
This video will explain what the Honda TRX 250X, 250 EX SportClutch does and how to use it. This video will help to answer what does the Honda SportClutch do; do I need to know how to use a manual clutch to ride the 250X, or is it an automatic. We answer these questions in this video for you.

How To: Make homemade catfish dough bait
To prepare homemade catfish bait out of dough, you will need the following ingredients: gloves, a bowl, 2 slices of dried bread, 1/2 cup to 1 cup of peanut butter, honey, garlic, onion powder, liquid smoke, and flour.

How To: Feather cast on a spinning and bait casting gear
Fishing is a relaxing hobby that many people pick up and enjoy during the spring and summer seasons. For some, fishing is nothing more than a can and fishing line. But for others, they take it a bit more serious. This tutorial is for those who are interested in taking it more serious. The video shows you how to feather cast on either a spinning and bait casting gear. Each one works differently, but casting lures takes a delicate touch. So good luck, pay attention, and enjoy!

How To: Perform a float fishing cast properly
Float fishing is one of the most popular types of fishing, and the art of casting the pole properly as a part of it is much debated. This video features a professional fisherman demonstrating the techniques he using for casting properly while float fishing. Master these and you are sure to catch more fish and have much more enjoyable days on the water.

How To: Go vertical on a surfboard
In this video, surf pro Joel Parkinson gives you his best tricks for getting vertical on your surfboard. Getting vertical basically entails moving your body completely to its side so you are standing on top of the wave. Joel offers some awesome tips and tricks for practicing your vertical turns.

How To: Use the common rope seizing knot
Rope seizing is a technique that is used when two things need to be held together with rope, like two pieces of timber for example. This video from ITS Tactical demonstrates how to use some cord to perform rope seizing on a big, heavy rope so that you can use it to suspend an object or perform other heavy rope-using tasks.

How To: Tie a simple chain knot
Know your knots! With this free video tutorial, you'll learn how to tie a simple chain jeweler's knot. Chain knots are attractive knots and are used in a lot of jewelry projects. The knot is easy to tie provided, of course, you know how to go about making it. For an easy-to-follow, step-by-step overview of how to tie this useful crafter's knot in a minute's time or less, watch this free video knot tyer's guide.

How To: Pack a backpack for mountaineering
The video demonstrates how you should pack to be fully equipped and prepared for a backpacking trip that lasts 2-3 days. Gather all of your equipment including clothes, food, water, climbing gear, emergency kit, sleeping back, and more. When you start to pack, you want to make your center of gravity is very low so pack your heavier items near your back and lighter ones that aren’t required immediately during your trip such as your sleeping bag at the bottom of the backpack. Also remember th...

How To: Wax a snowboard without an iron
This particular video demonstrates a method to wax your snowboard. This method of waxing the snowboard does not involve use of iron. It is done using a large piece of wax and a piece of cork. Firstly we need to rub the piece of wax over the surface of the snowboard. Hard rub is required and one ball jay is the most efficient. After rubbing for some time we need to polish the waxed using a large round piece of cork. After polishing for some time you will discover a shiny looking snowboard read...

How To: Tie a Round Turn and Two Half Hitches knots
Learn how to tie a Round Turn and Two Half Hitches - a quick and secure way of attaching a rope to a railing or other fixed object. This is a good knot for sailing, boating, general outdoors and even bondage.

How To: Tie two ropes together with different knots
For those who didn't learn any knot-tying skills in scouts, or have forgotten them all now, this video demonstration shows how to do knots from basic to more advanced knots such as Sheet Bend, Fisherman's Knot, Square Knot and Thief's Knot. Knot tying is essential for camping, sailing, fishing, and even when you least suspect it. Watch this video camping and outdoor preparation tutorial and learn how to tie two ropes together with several different styles of knots.

How To: Tie a Cobia fly
Watch this video to learn how to tie a cobia fly for fly fishing.

How To: Freeboard
Learn to freeboard with Bob and Sica. Don't get it? Well it's a skateboard with 6 wheels capable of stopping on a hair and carving like you're on snow and not pavement.

How To: Attach the chicken loop and hook in when kiteboarding
This kiteboarding video for beginners shows you how to attach the chicken loop and hook your kite in to your harness.

How To: Fix boat stringer systems with epoxy
Fix your stringer system in your boat with epoxy.

How To: Tie a slip knot
Also called a running knot, the slip knot actually refers to any knot that "slides" along the rope, or can be untied by pulling both ends. Watch and learn how to tie one type of slip knot. Tie a slip knot.

How To: Keep Mosquitoes & Other Annoying Bugs Away from Your Campfire or Backyard Fire Pit
I'll be honest—I've never been a huge fan of camping. It's not that I have anything against nature, I'm just partial to showering and sleeping in my own bed. In fact, the only part of camping I've ever really enjoyed is sitting around a campfire. Outdoor fires are perfect for socializing and cooking hot dogs, but they're also great at helping remove one of camping's biggest annoyances.

How To: How the Hookup or Connect a Battery to Your Camper or RV
Video: . This video will show you how to connect the positive and ground wire on the battery of your RV or camping trailer.

How To: Clean your skateboard griptape
In this tutorial, we learn how to clean your skateboard grip tape. To do this, you will need: window cleaner, an old toothbrush, and paper towels. After this, you will spray the area with the window cleaner and then scrub it with the toothbrush. Scrub it until it comes up clean and there is no dirt left on the surface. From here, you will need to use the paper towels to clean the residue off of your board. Make sure to dry it off completely so you don't waterlog your board. do this to all the...

How To: Tie the Miller's Knot (bag or sack knot)
In order to tie a Miller's Knot, which is also known as the bag or sack knot, you should begin by wrapping the rope around the object you wish to bind: the Miller's knot is a binding knot. It is used to bind things. Next, wrap one of the free ends around it. You are, basically, wrapping one end around a second time.