A Strange Find in the Water
November 8, 2025
Source: Reddit
I was fly-fishing down a river with rocks in the bottom of it. I caught something underneath the surface — an old Primos Trail Cam 35.
It looked at first like a twisted up chunk of a radio or control unit. However, as I cleaned off layer after layer of dirt from the river, I could see features I recognized from trail cameras — three little green buttons, a small screen (display), and the sturdy outer shell of a trail cam.
I finally determined the trail cam was a Primos Trail Cam 35, Model 63010. It is a classic of outdoor equipment from the early 2010s.
Trail Cameras That Capture Much More Than Just Wildlife
The Primos Trail Cam 35, was used by many hunters and wildlife observers as a reliable scouting camera. It had a 3-Megapixel Sensor, Infrared Night Vision, and the ability to easily view images on its Basic LCD Interface. The Trail Cam utilized 8-AA Batteries to store images on an SD Card.
The Trail Cam’s Rugged Construction allowed it to be left outside for months and months. It was exposed to harsh weather conditions without fail. Its simple, yet functional button configuration allowed users to quickly and easily set it up in the field.
When Nature Takes Over Technology
The Trail Cam I found has obviously been taken over by nature, as well as the elements. Both of its battery compartment openings have rusted shut. The casing has pitted, warped, and cracked. Its strap is hanging loose, probably broken off of a tree during a storm or flood and washed into the river.
Even though it is severely damaged, I am confident that the Trail Cam is a Primos Trail Cam 35. This is due to its casing, button configuration, and its visible model.
Why Finds Such As These Are So Compelling
The Primos Trail Cam 35 is a representation of a simpler time, where outdoor equipment was made with functionality in mind. There were no screens to sync or update; there was only the camera and the woods.
Each time you would check your SD Cards after a long day of hiking through the woods, you would hope to find images of deer, coyotes, or other animals. These had been captured the night before. The simplicity and functionality of such tools allowed them to withstand the challenges of actual usage.
More Than One Story
Although the photographs that the Trail Cam took have long since disappeared, the story it now has to tell is just as captivating. At one point in time, it was a part of someone’s daily routine — to scout, track, and watch. However, at some point it vanished and did not resurface until many years later. It is worn and faded, yet still recognizable.
The Primos Trail Cam 35 is much more than a piece of junk discarded technology. It is a small example of how all tools, regardless of whether they are used again or not, will always contain a part of their past memories. These memories are formed by the environments that they once served.