This best friend lasts just about forever

Man's best friend isn't his dog, but rather it is his trusty knife.

Various types of blades have been part of the lives of farmers, warriors, hunters and gatherers.

But in the more mundane world of the outdoors, a knife has been more of a staple of innovative evolution.

I never gave serious thoughts to buying one, even though I used to carry something like it for many years. I'm referring to a Swiss Army Knife.

This may appear to be corny stuff for some, but when I was in the Boy Scouts, one of my treasured possessions was my Scout knife. It went with me on every overnight and day camping trip. I used to cut and trim tinder for the campfire. I used it to open cans of beans and other assorted packed foods, and I also used it open bottles of pop (soda). It was a Scout's security accessory, and rightly so. We were taught that one day we could very well depend on that knife if and when we got into a jam while on a trip or just walking through the woods.

I remember my Scout troop going to White Pines State Park on one of the overnighters. Along with a sleeping bag, I packed a rod and reel, a rain poncho, and my trusty Scout pocket knife. The Scout motto was is "Be Prepared," and I was following orders. Of course, the only serious incident involved the removal of a wooden splinter from the finger of one of our troop members.

Spin the clock hands to adult time, and the adventures in the wild took on a whole different complexion.

Before the days of heightened airline security, I use to pack a sheath knife along with other necessities.

I was on a four-day fishing trip at the very top of northern Manitoba. One afternoon I wandered off in to the thick woods. While walking along a rough trail, a large black bear sow sauntered out of the trees with a cub in tow. She was popping her teeth and snorting and started making moves toward me. I had always been told not run, so I stood my ground and pulled my knife. Thankfully she and the cub took off for parts unknown. I had no illusions of winning a bear-to-man battle, but the knife gave me an iota of confidence.

And then my oldest daughter surprised me on my birthday one year. She and her husband were in Switzerland on vacation. She walked into a shop and purchased an engraved Swiss Army Knife for me. I was flabbergasted when the package arrived.

This is the knife I said I wouldn't purchase myself, and yet I treasure this multi-faceted tool just as much as my fly rods and reels.

This versatile gem has traveled with me to the Arctic, sub-Arctic, Costa Rica, Mexico, western Canada, as well as being there on countless trout fishing excursions in this country.

My knife is small enough to carry in my pocket without causing any undue discomfort. In the past I used to carry a small, stainless scissors and clipper for line slicing and trimming. The scissors in this knife tucks in to the knife's frame and has remained super-sharp. The flathead and Phillips screwdrivers have saved my bacon numerous times during gear and tackle emergencies. I've even used the bigger knife blade to filet fish on an occasion or two. That blade has never lost its edge. And the accompanying metal tweezers that sit in a grooved receptacle has removed dozens of slivers and thorns from my hands and legs.

Several years ago I was trout fishing in the deep bush of western Alberta near the British Columbia border. While crossing a stream I slipped and severely sprained my ankle. I couldn't unlace my boot because the laces and straps were wet and very stubborn. My trusty Swiss Army companion freed the laces and strap and allowed me to remove my injured foot and soak it in the frigid water. The swelling subsided enough for me to limp back to the 4-wheel ATV and subsequently get proper medical help.

And the real reason as to why I carry this tool with me is simply because it was gift from my oldest daughter, who is always looking out for my well-being.

Is Rosemont show in jeopardy?

There is quite a bit of behind-the-scenes activity going on now, with mailings going to outdoor show impresarios about taking over the Chicagoland Outdoor and Fishing Show held every winter in Rosemont.

The show, a long time magnet for anglers and hunters, has been run by an East Coast outfit. Knowledgeable insiders have said the show had become a money-losing proposition, with attendance figures sliding downward.

It's hard to imagine how much worse the winter doldrums might be without the usual the Rosemont show.

Fishing report

Right now the focus is on local and area fishing.

Fox Chain: Excellent crappie and bluegill angling on Channel Lake and Lake Marie. Bass are fair, but muskie action offers some hope to the dedicated, especially on Lake Catherine.

Fox River: You may be surprised at any given moment on this river. Smallmouth action isn't steady, but some nice catches on leeches and minnows were reported from Batavia and Elgin this week.

Lake Michigan: The secret password is "go deep" for salmon and trout.

Bangs Lake: Still plenty of time to take advantage of a decent largemouth bite, especially right after sunset and in the weeds.

• Mike Jackson can be reached via e-mail at angler@mikejacksonoutdoors.com, and you can catch his radio program 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.