Welcome Page

...I am leaving for a trip in a week, if you could get this stuff to me by then, I would idolize you even more, and if not....well, you're still awesome. Dave, Ca.

...Your Behemoth duffel survived 3 major expeditions, including being dragged by a yak several miles through boulders and scree....Thanks for the fine products. Jay Smith, High and Wild Mt. guides, Tahoe, Ca.

...You guys suck bald dog. Unsigned, Flagstaff, Az.

...Thanks for the speedy delivery. Your service is a fine as your stuff. B. Donohue, Ca.

...I carried your haul bag to climb/jump Mt. Thor. I needed the biggest mutha sack I could find, so I used my Fish Haul Bag. All in all, I just wanted to say thanks for making such a shit-hot bombproof product. Lt. Will Oxx, up in a jet.

...Hey, I've been using one of your Pescapacks for almost two years and think it is Great! It's a beauteous performer, not too big, not too complicated, and perfectly conceived and executed for a vertical motorin' bag. Thanks. I'm a believer! J. Dinsmore, Email.

...This ain't Tijuana. Dick Cilley, presently living in Madrid.

...Dig this, huge storm on El Cap, the other guys all wet and looking like stiffs in about 5 minutes. But, I'm dry and partying in my Fish 5 Season Ledge. Tough luck fellahs, next time don't buy that other junk. Big Wall Pete, Co.

...A ride--hell, that's a good idea.... Frank in Lumberton.

...Thanks a lot for the best gear I've ever owned--You guys are God-like, Mark in Yosemite.

...When it comes to Big Wall equipment, you guys are the best. John and Eric, Yosemite.

...Our luggage got attacked and trampled by a crazed horse in Patagonia and all our other duffels got trashed. The Fish duffel survived unscathed. Thanks for the real stuff--it makes a difference. Scott Cosgrove, Joshua Tree, Ca.

...Your Texas Luggage, Haul Bag, and Pro Bag are excellent. I like the style, quality, price, and the overkill, bombproof, built to last, built to work, built to have fun philosophy. Thanks! R. Dalmer, Az.

...I kicked your Sarcophagus snowboard crypts ass on 3 separate airline trips to various mountains. No damage! At last, something that really works and isn't junk. Thanks for making my money go further. Jim, out shredding.

...Your Wall Swami is the most comfortable aid rig I have ever used. Thanks a bunch. T. Wells, Tn.

...Your gear is beautifully designed for real climbing. Eight days on the wall solo, and for the first time, no hip bruises! Your Wall Swami and Loops are great. Thanks again for all the help. T. Michael, Wa.

...Your stuff is amazing. Farmers would dig this cowpelt stuff. Send me a Booty Rider. Thanks! T. Stuart, Iowa.

...This is the first day--of my last days. T. Reznor, Hades.

...Your Snowboard bags kick ass! My roof rack whipped off the top of my car going 65mph and your bag totally saved my board! Thanks Bro! Kevin, Ca.

...FISH, YOU BASTARD! I've sent you tons of postcards from all over the world and I still can't get in your catalog! Todd Gordon, Mayor of Joshua Tree.

...Buy 5.10 boots and demand 5.10 resole rubber. C. Cole, Redlands, Ca.

...Oh yeah, loved the booth at the Phoenix Comp. Kicked the 'Flag boys butts. The hula motif, the free booze, and the blue velvet lined picture of a sneering Mr. Hopper. I felt like I was back in 'Nam, thats why I'm sending you the bill for all of my latest therapy. Plus, your catalog rules! Like that Filter song: "Hey man nice shot." R.T., Email.

...M.L.S. sent us a nice (?) gift in exchange for a catalog. Check it out.

...Your bags are tough sons of bitches! 9 days on porters, 4 on Yaks and then carried to camp 1 at 19,000 ft to shelter our food and gear. Your bomb-proof bags are holding up great, and much better than some others. Thanks for your support. American Ama Dablam Expedition.

...Your Wall Swami is great. When I rip it feels like a "Lazy-Boy" strapped to my ass. Cooshy! B. Vanderven, Mt.

...Everything I've gotten from you (Skin Swami, Pro Bag, Haul Bag, Gear Slings) is "absofreekinlootely" awesome. It works great, looks even better, and even a putz like me can figure out how it works. Thanks! D. Wylie, Ca.

..I spent the night under the Zorro Roof on Zodiac in a Fish Butt Bag because my friends A5 ledge fell apart. (The ledge really did fall apart. I'm not sure who made the butt bag) B. McCray, WV.

...Just a friendly reminder to let you know that from the second the phone is answered to the top of the 25th pitch, I'm with FISH all the way. In all the years I've dealt with FISH I've had no problems with you or your products. Thanks for everything and happy nailing! T.N. & A. F., Co.

...Back from some Grade VI'ing on our new route. We got caught by a tremendous hail and rain storm at a hanging belay 300 meters up with retreating close to impossible. We were soaked within seconds and our haul bags filled with ice-water. We set the Double Whammy up and new if it would fail in any way we would be gonners. Whammy and fly performed flawlessly and we had a strong feeling that it saved our lives. We were extremely grateful that you produce such robust items as the Whammy and Fly. Thanks. M. Wyser, Switzerland.

...Last time I came home I tortured my little bro' by stuffing him in my FISH haul bag and hauling him up a tree. Now he wants me to haul him up the Leaning Tower. Yeah, right. T. Kirkwood, Az.

..."Any man that listens to this stuff for more than one hour, will be rendered completely insane." Told to me (Russ) by John Long in 1981, as we listened to Interstellar Space  by John Coltrane, while battling rush hour traffic on the way to Joshua Tree in my '67 Bus. We listened for two hours.

...Last summer I got a chance to use your Portaledge and Haul bags. Words can't describe how good they were. They held up to some "hellis beetings", thanks. D. Smith, Ma.

...Your sponsorship of the Half Dome Restoration Project (Regular route) was greatly appreciated. As I stated earlier, I would not have been able to do the project with any degree of efficiency if it were not for the gear you donated. Thank You. J. Terpening, Ca.

Jason Berkowitz writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT: I got a chalk bag from you -IT KICKS MAJOR ASS - Best chalk bag I have EVER owned. I got it at Nomad Ventures on the way out to a weekend trip to Joshua Tree. My A16 chalk bag just self destructed.

Ryan Sayers writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT: Those huge body-building bastards at the weight gym next door are the worst bunch of climbers. They can't pull shit! BECAUSE I broke their legs. Well, not really, but I could. FISHY STORY: Hello Everybody! Well, I was halfway up a solo first ascent on Trango when a flake cracked off - I ripped my whole line and ended up hitting a #1 Circle Head after about 200 feet, and the bastard held! Honestly... Actually, never used your stuff, but I'm gettin' into this whole "aid-big wall" crap, and everyone says your the best! Honestly... -Ryan

Drew Holmes writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT: You have the gear that is so money!!!!!

Scott Bauman writes:
FISHY STORY: Hey Fish, We drove 9 hours to climb at Looking Glass in North Carolina, and it rained all weekend. But, I looked fabulous carrying around Fish gear. Fish gear is God.

Brian Mooney writes:
FISHY STORY: I was on Zenyatta Mondatta and a soloist in front of us had been passed by a speed ascent team a day before. Well one of them took a space dump and it splattered all over the soloist's FISH ledge. All I can say is that he must really love that ledge because for the next few nights while I was tossing and turning I could hear him snoring and sleeping soundly despite the ledge's new paint job.

Grant Gardner writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT: Your motha fucken bad ass portaledge is Quicker and easier to set up than who ever starred in that show " The Fugitive" BECAUSE You don't have any randomly dangling frame poles or bed tentioning systems like A5 does.

Patrik Hedljung, FINLAND writes:
FISHY STORY: Hi folks! I'v actually never heard of your company before I visited the Ecotravel site. Now I've got a "2-meter-dome" in my pants, as I get every time I find any new climbing gear. I know that you don't snail-mail anything outside the US, but please make an exception for me..........*please* I'll worship you forever.

Ken writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT ...... The Fish drill bits and holder IS the really hot ticket for cave anchors, and especially waterfalls BECAUSE the carbide tips really chew the limestone FISHY STORY: I've been using Fish bolting gear for most of '97 now. I'm a caver and really appreciate the hard carbide drill tips over the SDS drills I've used before for drilling in limestone. My caving bolt kit is nice and compact and ready for rescues or original exploration. Boy do those Fish drills tame limestone!

Michael Tea writes:
Fish crew, What up you freaks? On the delux atom smashers in the mystery bin, it says that they had flaws or crap like that, have these been fixed or at least remidied? Please let me know, because I'd like one if they are, and the price is right. You guys make the dope shit!
Mr. Tea

P.s. We sent one of your haul bags for a ride in Zion, not in the park, just to see what it would do. THE FUCKER HELD LIKE A CHAMP! with about 3000 ft of air time, BRAVO, you guys kick ass! Here's a pic, from the latest fun time.

Steve Todd writes:
...My wife locked me out when my pard and I returned pickled one night after yet another hellish ascent. Even though we couldn't find our asses with both hands, we had no trouble setting up the Double Whammy on the side of the house. That was the best night's sleep I ever got. Thanks for the great gear!

Darren Watson writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
your hooks RULE BECAUSE I've left them for pro before and I was sure that if the pieces above blew I was gonna stop on that hook.
FISHY STORY:
Your hooks and heads are the BEST. I was doing this heinous little thing in the Big Thompson Canyon. It was all shit all over when I found this great incut ledge to get with a Captain Hook. It was BOMBER!!! ( the only GOOD pro so far, about 40 ft off the deck) I called for a roll of duck tape and stuck "The Captain" in place for pro. More of what lay behind lay ahead, back to hooks and tiny heads. Four heads and a few hooks later the crappy hook I was oozing onto blew! I was sure I was headed for "The Other Side" untill YANK!!! "The Captain" caught me! It was the only thing that could have kept me from decking onto the gnarly rocks at the base. I love your stuff and the Captain is a permenant fixture on all my racks now. If I go climbing he's comin along to.

Jeremy Boydston writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT :
The Super Daisy IS boss BECAUSE it lets me test shitty pins from far below so that I don't have to eat pitons quite so much.
FISHY STORY:
Your Super Daisy is a dream-come-true! Not only is is great for aiding, I occasionally tie my girlfriend up with it, but that is another story. Your Super Daisy is my best friend.

Wells Wheeler, Colby Mountaineering Club writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
Your Behemoth Bag IS king bad ass BECAUSE it survived a semester in Mexico without busting a single stitch.
FISHY STORY:
Over the last three months I schlepped your bag around every dusty scorpion-infested corner I could find in Mexico and northern Guatemala. It survived everything from Delta airlines to the Ruta. Great work.

Knut Rokne writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
Your Portaledge IS great BECAUSE it didn't break under the repeditive pounding my girlfriend and I gave it.

Christian Gregson writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
Your Snowboard Sarcophagus IS fabulously bomber! BECAUSE I spent a month lugging it around Bolivia and it kept all my goodies intact
FISHY STORY
As soon as we landed in LA Paz someone decided to rip off our snowboards. My partner had a disguting brown Burton Bag that blended in to the dusty suroundings. My Beautiful Fish bag was seen heading from the airport in the back of a jalopy/pick up truck. It was seen by a God fearing missionary worker from Opelika Alabama who offered us home made brownies. We declined said brownioes and headed after the junked up truck, my Sarcophagus plainly in sight. After yelling and screaming at the driver we extricated the bag as the traffic slowed to a standstill. With much tuging and lugging to get it back to the cab airport through a la Paz traffic jam did little to hamper the bags existence. Kudos to an incredible product. Oh yeah the boarding in the Cordillera Real was pretty incredible too! Best Regards and keep up the good work

Brett Millard writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
Your 4 season portaledge IS awesome BECAUSE it is stronger, cheaper and more comfortable than any other.
FISHY STORY:
uh.. I don't know which piece of gear to write about becacause all of your gear is awesome. Just do us all a favour and keep up the good work.

Will Abraham writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
Your www site IS really cool BECAUSE it's original and interesting FISHY STORY:
I am just a wannabee hardman. I am slowly being taught to aid, but I probably won't do a wall until this summer. As I have to buy gear, I'll be sure to check your stuff out. IT appears to be really bomber and reasonably priced. Thanks for all the effort you put into customer service and activism on rec.climbing and elsewhere.

Troy Anderson writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
The Grade V haulbag IS great BECAUSE that pig, it has been hauled over the worst 90 degree angles of many last pitches and has yet to fuck up on me. My Fish is my friend when I solo. My friend recently asked me to trade my bag for another brand, but I couldn't do it. That bag has treated me too good to let it fly like that.
FISHY STORY:
I currently climb with your Double Gear Sling. My buddy as another brand of gear sling. I put that piece of shit on, and my shoulders, back, and neck killed. Hell, they already do in the first place. I don't need that junk to add to the pain. I am currently collecting cans to afford your Atom Smasher. If I quit smoking, then I should be using one in no time. I climb in Zion. I have yet to experience granite walls. We have a few F.A.'s currently in progress. The season was cut way too short this year.

Jack Leebron writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT ......
We in Oklahoma have little idea who in the hell you are!
FISHY STORY:
I had a piece of fish gear once. The lake was frozen over, and I don't mean just a little. We sent Billy Bob out there in his 501's to check to see ifn it was safe to walk on. Well, it weren't. Sos Billy Bob went for a little swim. I throwed that piece of fish gear at im, and sure enough it worked. "I'll be damned," I said to Ray. "Jaseethat?" Luckily he did, so I didn't have to lie to nobody about what happened next. For the record, Billy Bob's deal was sucked up so far that he couldn't have found it for nothin to go pee. That fish gear caught ahold of him though, and pult it right out. In fact, pult him right out of the lake by it--the fish gear, that is. You may not be- lieve this, but Billy Bob says he ain't never goin nowhere with- out no fish gear ever again. Can't says I blame him. You ever try to go ta the bathroom when you're so sucked up you can't find it?

Mark L. Berrier writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT
my crotch itches BECAUSE ?

Brandon Calloway writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
Yer 5 season rainfly IS killer tough BECAUSE it was unscathed after departing 3 pitches up on the Prow.
FISHY STORY:
Yer rainflies are the only ones I've found that are durable enough to provide complete protection during those dynamic bivis with my 3 wives.

Brian Lampe writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
The New Double Whammy Portaledge IS absolutely wicked BECAUSE Ya can git busy with the "significant other", stay covered, have plenty o room and not get my butt thrown in jail for being naked..

Trevor Porter writes:
FISHY STORY:
Sorry I can't give you any feedback on your gear. The local shops don't carry any big wall stuff, as we are several light years from any sort of vertical terrain. I do think that our local shop could really move some of your shirts. All they have are some crappy looking Metolious skull things.
Here's my bid for some stickers:
(1) My sister lives in Bishop. I visited her for her wedding and got in some time at the gorge and the buttermilks. The gorge was so-so, but the buttermilks kicked ass! After 2 solid days of cranking my fingertips were a little thrashed, but it was well worth it! I can't wait to return.
(2) Her husband stuck himself up about 200' on a 5.6 in Sedona (AZ) w/o shoes, rope, brains, etc.. That was his first and only rock climb. Anyway... they visited me in Phoenix later that day a the guy left his shitty skivvies under my couch!

Jennifer Alexander writes:
Thanks for your help! I have never written a letter to a company like this before, but I must say that you guys are FANTASTIC!! GREAT page!! I can't believe you offer this type of service to your customers. I regret all the times I ordered gear from other companies. You guys will have my business from now on!!

Ed Herceg writes:
FISHY STORY:
Jack and Jill went to Yosemite to climb The Nose...
Jack fell down as he clipped that rusty bolt...
Leaving him hanging off of a single Fish Hook...
Jill seemed very upset; when Jack said,"Hey I'm O.K.!"
She said, "I know...If it wasn't for that darned Fish Hook I'd
be living large in the Bahamas right now!"

Brent Ware writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
The ledge with the 5 season fly IS pretty swank BECAUSE the built-in daisy and gear loops on the straps are the envy of my A5 friends.

Sam Pearce, of England writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
Your chalk bag with cows on it IS absolutely rad and I would love to fondle in it someday BECAUSE it`s as sexy as my wedge

Kevin "Karnage" Karn writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT ......
My ass IS Bomber BECAUSE it too is made of white vinyl...
FISHY STORY:
Me and my droogs were doing a bit of the up-and-fall, up-and-fall in the Niagara Glen (which is fast becoming a kick ass bouldering area) and as i was scrubbing a new problem, one of the mortal masses came a-strolling on by and noticed my swank bovine FISH chalk sackage. Upon his spotting of the bag he began to strike up a conversation suggesting homosexuality on my part. I was a bit perturbed by this, as was brood. After continued harrassment we felt a beating was in order, so after i removed my overly tight slippers and I proceeded to apply a swift kick to this bastard's backside. One particular cheesehead member of my group broke a bottle of the beer type over the victim's head (we were however disappointed in the loss of the beverage). Then we hastily hurried away from that lump of unconciousness. So, as you can see FISH product ownership induces such intense pride that it can be taken to extremes. (and isn't that what climbing is about anyway?)

Matthew Pollard writes
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT ......
yer fish hook IS supurb BECAUSE it is the only damn hook that doesn't scare the shit outa you by flexing!
FISHY STORY:
My favorite piece of fish gear is the haul bag; why one may ask. It just kicks butt, is strong, durable, chicks dig it and it doubles as a sled when you are doing the North dome decent in the snow.

Roland Moonie writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
My Atom Smasher IS Waggity Dope BECAUSE It smells minty fresh.
FISHY STORY:
So, uh, my friend and I got a late, late start on the Kor-ingalls route on Castleton Tower last December(95), and ended up bivy-ing inside the chimney thirty-ish feet from the top. It was very cold. There was gratuitous spooning. 200 mL's of H2O and one Power Bar. Finished route in morning. Went to Denny's for breaky, and then went and bought Atom Smashers (2) cuz bivying unprepared bites.

Chad Cassady writes:
FISHY STORY:
The aiders uh-hem, etriers are great. And I didn't have to shell out 1/2million $$$'s to get those ones by that other company DB or BD uh something like that.

David writes:
Hey Russ,
I called A5 and asked why their ledges cost so much more than Fish ledges, etc. but here is the transcript for your reading pleasure. I especially enjoyed the part about the buckles.
It starts here:
Dave: Hello, I'd like some information about your portaledges if I can get it.
A5: Sure, that would be fine.
D: Who am I talking to?
A5: What?
D: You know, who are you? A nameless A5 minion, or something more?
A5: Karen [doesn't seem amused]
D: Yes, well, I'm wondering about your ledges. The two I'm comparing are your double ledge and Fish's Double Whammy. How come yours costs so much more?
A5: I don't know anything about a company called Fish. [silence]
D: Oh. Can you tell me about your double ledge then?
A5: Can you hold on? [Starts talking to someone in the background about receipts, exchanges, etc. A couple of minutes go by] OK, you have my undivided attention. What did you want?
D: You were about to tell me everything there is to know about your double ledge.
A5: Right. Ours is made of an aluminum frame. I think Fish ledges use steel [Ha! never heard of 'em, huh?]. Aluminum is lots better than steel because it's lighter. We have milled aluminum corners, really nice corners. Our ledges are put together really nice. With a lot of care. We use a claycoat covering on our flies, too.
D: What's a claycoat?
A5: It just means a real thick waterproof covering.
D: What else do I get for $750?
A5: Well, we use aluminum cam buckles. [talks to someone else away from phone]. No, that's wrong. We use steel cam buckles.
D: I thought aluminum was better.
A5: Well, they're silver and there isn't much difference in the cams. We used to use plastic, but the plastic ones absorb twice their weight in water.
D: Gotta cut down on that salt intake, hm?
A5: [As though nothing had been said] The plastic ones break, too. But if one did break, it wouldn't affect you. You wouldn't die.
D: Good to know. How come?
A5: We have six of them! [Clearly sees this as a selling point]. They're sewn in so that the ledge can't go anywhere.
D: Now, what's the difference between the expedition fly and the regular one that justifies $95 bucks?
A5: The expedition fly is for serious weather. It encircles the ledge, and is harder to ventilate. I recommend the lighter, regular fly.
D: What are the dimensions?
A5: I don't know. [Rifles through papers looking for something]. Here it is--43" by 75".
D: Do you have'em in stock?
A5: No.
D: Well. How long before you get them?
A5: Hard to say. Probably a month or more.
D: Or more?
A5: Silence.
D: Well, I'll keep shopping then. Thanks a lot...

Jon Anon writes:
HEY FISH PRODUCTS, I'VE BEEN ITCHING TO TELL YOU THAT:
The Atom Smasher IS the best! BECAUSE we can easily divide hump loads and haul sleeping bags.
FISHY STORY:
I love my atom smasher. After I'm done humping loads, the sleeping bags are stuffed into it, leaving lots more room in the main bag. Makes organizing and humping alot easier, and the loads can be divided more evenly. All the hardware goes in the Smasher, the rest of the load goes in the main bag. Usually works out to even weights for both climbers. I won't do a wall without it. BTW - we're hoping to get on the Zodiac next week (April 26, 96). Can't wait the gear has been packed for a whole month because we tried to get on the Nose last month, but got stormed off. Scott Burke had fixed lines up to the Stovelegs cuz he's trying to do the second FA. Burton had just come down from the Zodiac after five days in the storm. That guy is way hard!! Anyway, we're hoping for a nice pleasure cruise. Hope the weather holds!!! See you on rec. climbing.

Reza Tabrizi writes:
FISHY STORY:
Last summer while visiting the Karakarom of Pakistan, we used your haul bags, tied to the back of a mule and rode in them through a bunch of stuff. Although highly intoxicated from a Persian bevarage, called ARRAGH(very potent), the haul bags acted as a soft cushion on the ride through a rough plataeu. I was very pleased that afterwards they were unhurt. I still use them, as I did on the Column a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for such routhless products.

Welcome Page