Southwest members. Thinking inside the box?

[Dave E]

The Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kansas all have fish-in's as do Montana and Idaho. So I was thinking that it's time for those of us from the southwest to start kicking around some destinations a little closer to our homes. A place many of us could get to without a two day drive, burning off a hundred gallons of fuel or enlisting a co-driver.

Just as a starting point, the area contained in this box would offer many cold, warm and saltwater venues to fish and they are within reasonable travel distances for a major portion of the population based in the surrounding southwestern states. It's your trip to plan and I'm personally open to most anything that takes into the account reasonable costs, distances and time expenditures. So how about it, do you have some ideas you'd like to kick around or should we just continue to do our own things?

It's up to us to make it happen.
Dave

Map: http://www.united-states-map.com/road/usroad12.gif



B.T.W. I could not find a way to post this to the Fish-In?s section.

[maodiver]

What're you thinkin'? Where you westsloping from? I am in Woodland, near Sac.

[planettrout]

HERE...almost smack dab in the center...



...a few clicks South of Reno, NV...

PT/TB

[Goduster]

I would say Lees Ferryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=j9_sIPrT4Yo

[PanFisher]

Hmmm, having grown up in So. Calif. I can think of a lot of places. Salt Water Bonita, San Diego Lakes for Warm Water, Eastern Sierras for trout, along with those already mentioned - Lees Ferry, Reno area, etc., etc.

I think I'll wait and see what comes up. The potential is exciting to say the least.

[Dave E]

Hi Guys,

" What am I thinking? "
There's no grand plan at work here, my thought was that we'll see a correlation between the venue submissions and what type of fishing ( species and water types ) that the greatest number of our members are up for. From there, the group could whittle down the submissions by viability. My only concern is, that we take into account the varying time and financial constraints of all who would be interested in attending.

Here's a question for everyone. Are you open to, or more inclined to camping ( RV or tent ), traditional motel/hotel/resort lodging, shared house / condo rental?
My guess is, if the idea of a southwest fish-in, fish-out, Fish-On! - draws enough interest, we'll be looking at areas that offer all the above.

I'm home in the central Sierras mostly between the Carson's to the south, Portola to the north and west and east to the valley floors. While the fisheries here are many and well known, the area isn't centrally located for the majority of our Southwest members. The south-eastern Sierra probably would be easier to reach for a large number of members.

I'd still like to hear more about north western Arizona, South and Western Utah and Nevada. I carry annual licenses for California and Nevada, but my Nevada angling is pretty much limited to the North and Northwestern waters.

I'll likely be down on the San Juan for the better part of a week sometime in July and then pop up into Colorado for a bit.
Let's keep the flow of ideas and questions going.

Thanks, Dave

[maodiver]

Sorry..."What were you thinking" should have read "WHERE were you thinking?" Looking good this year for the northern areas as well...the Feathers, Yubas, Pit, Hat, Manzanita, McCloud...etc.

I tend to fish for trouts more than other species, as it is easier for me to get to.

[Jack Hise]

Dave;
Find a spot that has rooms/cabins and camping. One reason the Idaho Fish In is so great, everyone is in one place.

[Dave E]

Good advice Jack.

B.T.W., there are interstates that run east / west, keep us in mind.

I don't know if you've ever been out here or thought about it. If you were to come out to the Southwest, are there any specific fisheries that you'd like to sample?

Thank you, Dave.

[Uncle Jesse]

I will probably not make it to your Fish In, although I wish I could go to all of them, you mention NW Arizona there is also Eastern AZ which is really close to W New Mexico. Great lake fishing up on the Mogollon Rim, Ft. Apache reservation and National Forest land. In the land of White Wolf who lives around Show Low.