Randy and Sheri Propster through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 222 days, and then walked across the U.S. in 253 days. They are coming April 9 to the REI store in Cranston as part of Backpacker magazine’s Get Out More campaign.

The couple met as college freshmen 13 years ago at Old Dominion University where both were athletes.

In 1999, they hiked the Appalachian Trail, and then went to work for the Department of Defense as outdoor recreation specialists working out of the Outdoor Adventure Center on the Navy’s Dam Neck Base in Virginia Beach, Va. They led hiking, rafting and paddling expeditions and conducted team-building adventures for the Navy and other government groups.

Their love for backpacking eventually led them away from the coast and into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. They lived within walking distance of the Appalachian Trail where they trained for their next long-distance adventure.

In early March of 2006 the couple embarked on a through-hike of the American Discovery Trail, across 13 states from coast to coast.

For the Get Out More tour, they will visit 35 states and 55 locations — including REI on April 9 at 6 p.m. and Kittery Trading Post in Maine, April 12 at 2 p.m.

Among the topics they will discuss in their 60-minute presentation are the complete backpacker, getting in gear, and the survival state of mind.

For details, go to www.backpacker.com/getoutmore

Ocean State Tackle expands

Jim White, skipper of White Ghost Charters, a light-tackle specialist, is leaving Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle in North Kingstown and moving to the new Ocean State Tackle store in Coventry, he said last week.

At the new store, White will join Bill “Eelman” Nolan, a big-striper specialist who is equally deadly in a Bay boat as he is on a beach. Fishing on White’s boat last season, Nolan landed a 60-pound striper in the upper Bay.

White and Nolan will be at the new store on Friday and Sunday evenings.

Bob Neilson, formerly the fishing-department manager at Wildwood Outfitters in Wakefield, is also joining Ocean State Tackle.

David Henault, owner of Ocean State Tackle stores in Providence and Bristol, will open the Coventry store in mid-May. It’s at the Centre of New England shopping center at Exit 7 off Route 95.

Hab’s Plugs return

With the help of two of his father’s friends, John Haberek Jr. is making Hab’s Custom Plugs again. John’s father, “Hab” Haberek, died last autumn.

Joe Martins, of Point Jude Lures, and Mike “Tattoo” Dauphin, the maker of Tattoo’s Tackle lures have been helping Hab Jr. learn the plug-building craft, and the results are impressive.

Joe showed me two pencil poppers bearing Hab Jr.’s signature. They’re beautiful.

They will be on sale at the New England Saltwater Fishing Show, April 4-6, in Providence.

State stocks trout

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife is stocking 100 steams and ponds with 70,000 trout for opening day of fishing season, April 12. The agency expects 20,000 anglers to turn out for the state’s largest sporting event. On average, each fish weighs 1.5 pounds.

A list of stocked ponds and other data can be found on DEM’s Web site, www.dem.ri.gov; click on Fish and Wildlife under Offices and Divisions, then choose Freshwater Fisheries, then Trout Stocked Waters.

tmeade@projo.com