Taking a fishing trip... where should I go?

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

Due to some very favorable changes in my life, I’m planning on taking a fishing trip… a really GOOD fishing trip!!!

'cept I need advice. I’m willing to spend up to $4K on the trip… maybe a bit more, but not necessary up to $4K. Just giving some parameters.

My first thought is Alaska, but have to research places up there.

I prefer to fish in a river for steelhead or some trout species… maybe a mix of some different salmon.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

2

Hi Walt. If you like to river fish for steelhead consider “Steelhead Alley” along the south shore of Lake Erie from western Ohio up through PA and NY. This area is heavily stocked with steelhead (over 1 million each year), and makes for some excellent fishing from late September through the winter into April. The only limiting factor is ice on the rivers, but that can be checked out with a couple of phone calls. Access is not a problem and walking guide trips are arranged through local fly and tackle shops at very affordable rates. Some guides will also do float trips on the bigger rivers.

JOe

3

If you want to fish for steelhead and kings and have a really great chance at excellent fishing, check out Yakutat and the Situk River. Try this web site.
www.leonardslanding.com/links or just google “Yakutat fishing” The steelhead fishing is unbelievable mid-April to late April, early May and the kings start to run the end of April. You could do very well on your budget there. If you would like more info about it, email me and I’ll tell you more. I have no $$ interest in this and live in the Anchorage area, but have been to Yakutat fishing.
take care,
Dean

4

Walt, put the money in your pocket and drive out to my guest cabin and relax for a day. Then I will set you up with Vince Tobia (www.cattarauguscreekoutfitters.com)

The cabin is free and Vince is a great guide, his fee is very resonable and you will stll have $2500 left over for the casino or for some new gear. 1week in Bliss.

Send me an email if you want awesome steelies or even some browns.

Philip

5

If you are planning to go fly fishing in February or March, GO NEW ZEALAND! It is Summer in New Zealand.

Sonny Morgan went there and it was a trip of a lifetime. I was glad that he went, because shortly after returning home he was diagnosed, that he had advance Cancer. He died less than 9 months later.

I miss Sonny, but I am glad he and his wife, had a trip together that was splendid.

6

I could not possibly imagine going fishing for “steelhead” in the great lakes region with a $4000 budget. I would probably go to Alaska for diversity of fishing, if I wanted steelhead alone I would go to the Dean in BC, or maybe one of the other rivers near there. There are plenty of books and articles on Alaska and you should be able to find something there that meets your budget.

7

Walt, if I had that amount to spend and I lived in Jersey, I’d try to get away with $3000 on a “trip of a lifetime” in the far northwest like Alaska or BC and then I’d take up Philip on that most generous offer. I just looked at the site he included and that guide looks fantastic. His rates are more than reasonable and he has access to some great water. The testimonials look great. Now that I think of it, I need to start saving my pennies and get out there.

No financial or personal relationship. Just an opinion.

8

If you come to Alaska get away from the road systems check out the bristol bay area there is a lot of rivers out that way, and less crowds. if you are spending that much money get the real alaska experiance.

9

http://www.ouzel.com/kamchatka/kam_rates.htm

10

Loreto, Baja California. Around $1500 (plus airfare) will get you a week of fishing, lodging, meals. Go in July or August for Dorado, Black Skipjack Tuna, yellowfin tuna, shots at sailfish and marlin plus other species like Jack Crevalle, Cabrilla, Pargo, Trigger fish and more.

Of course that is not Salmon and Steelhead.

Someone told be about a trip they did riding the ferry to different points on the Alaskan inland passageway and fishing a day or two at a time at different locations for Salmon, Steelhead, Dolly Varden and other species. They mixed DIY days with guided trips. Had to do some research ahead of time, which was part of the fun, but got in a lot of fishing on a budget less than yours.

11

Forget the big-budget trips. Spend your cash on fishing licenses, tippet, guides, campground fees and booze. If your calendar allows, use the money to spend a month in MT or CO.

To each his own!

12

i’m with Jordan. I’d put the camping gear in the truck grab the dog say goodbye to the wife and kids and hit the road. This way you could go fishing for a couple of months instead of one week in some exotic local where the fish may or may not be biting. But thats just me. :slight_smile:

13

Why not come to Canada and so some Atlantic Salmon Fishing, there are lots of Lodges in Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador that offer fantastic fishing. Or you could come to Nova Scotia where no guide is required and spend some time travelling around to some of our better rivers.

14

Some FANTASTIC ideas!!!

Ok, so far:

  1. I like the Yakutat idea.
  2. I like the steelhead alley idea, but I’m only abut 3.5 hours drive from the Salmon River in New York and go there a couple times a year… will be going there quite often next year. HOWEVER, I’ve never fished the Cat and appreciate the idea of staying in a free cabin! How generous you are, Philip! (I’ve come to realize that there are some very awesome people in the world.)
  3. Steven, sorry to hear about your friend. Life’s short. I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma about 4.5 years ago. Lucky for me, I got it early and I’m out of the woods (for now). New Zealand was actually one of my ideas.
  4. Diane, I think your idea is going to be the one. Alaska and Bliss.
  5. Tailingloop, I’ve considered Costa Rica or something like that, just because its so different from what I normally do. I also like the researching and exploring idea combined with fishing with a guide.
  6. I can’t take two months off… or even one. Maybe a two week vacation at best. Possibly save up for a three week to a month off in the future, several years down the road.

Someone mentioned saying good-bye to the wife and kids. Well, saying good-bye to the wife is the life changing event! I’m getting a divorce, but I’m keeping the kids and the house. The story is a sad one for the soon-to-be-ex-wife, but a great one for me and my family. She’s always given me a hard time about fishing, my favorite hobby… so I’ve got alot of catching up to do. Nothing better than guilt-free fishing.

This will be a soul-cleansing trip to say the least. So far, it’s either:

  1. Alaska/BC and Philip’s offer.
    or
  2. Some exotic location and Philip’s offer.

I plan on hitting Colorado for a ski trip where I can scope out the fishing opportunities and collect some info. Montana is a given, but maybe with the kids so we can go to Glacier National Park. Thinking of hitting the Kootenai (spelling?) River which is only about an hour (so I’m told) from Glacier National Park. My son is 8 years old, and want to wait for him to get a little older so he can enjoy the fishing a little more. My daughter is 14 and would love to get away to a remote location to relax.

But for this trip, the two choices above are in the running. I think New Zealand will be a trip I do with a buddy in the future as well.

My best days are ahead. All of your thoughts are very much appreciated.

Now, I could use help narrowing down these ideas. I’ll look at the Yakuta site and the other links provided.

Thanks!

15

Walt…

Here’s an Idea…

Come to Branson Missouri… and fish lake Taneycomo…
its about a month to late for big browns (look in the fishing report section on FAOL… you’ll find my reports)… but there are still some 6-10lber swimming around… and the bow are starting to move in to… ranging about 4-12lbers

also to catch up on fishing… you can fish here day or night… If you want a new adventure… try night fishing!!

Leonard

16

If I could, my three spots would be Canada, Alaska or up there in NY. I have seen the pictures of the Browns and the Salmon up there and I don’t think I could handle anything more.

17

Walt send me an email, if you want the offer. Let me know the dates and I’ll check with Vince. The Catt, Canandaway are among the best around right now. Vince also has a cabin on the Catt for a rental.

Philip

18

I would seriously consider heading to British Columbia in Late October, early November. With a little research (and help from guys like me with contacts) you could fish a couple full weeks and have everything from Ocean bright Coho, Steelhead and Chinook to Chums and BIG Kamloops Rainbows.

I’ve been blessed and have been able to do some traveling. While the Great Lakes are great, Steelhead alley is far from a relaxing trip away from it all. LOTS and lots of people and since you have the $, spend it and go somewhere with outstanding fishing, amazing scenery and far fewer people.

Much of the water out there can be done on your own or with reasonably priced guides. The Fraser River system offers some great tribs that fill with Salmon and some with nice Steelhead returns. Not far away you have the Thompson River which is a gem of a Steelhead River and far lass costly than the Babine, Dean and Kispoix. The Thompson Steelhead are BIG, BIG, BIG. Lots of fish in the high teens and plenty in the 20’s :shock: . Then a short ferry ride away you have Vancouver Island with many great rivers like the Stamp. Salmon and Steelhead galore. Fished the STamp for Steelhead in Oct this year and did very well and never saw another person.

Some good Dolly, Bull Trout and Cutt fishing as well

Yup, that would be my vote . . . :smiley:

19

Yep, we have some excellent salmon and steelhead fishing up here. If you’re looking for a less expensive trip, you might want to take oldgeezer up on his offer. Vince is a great guy and a very good guide. He works through Oak Orchard Fly Shop now.
Of course, if you want to spend that whole chunk of change, i’d probably go to Alaska, BC, Montana, or New Zealand. Like Steve said, it’s summer down there!
Flygoddess, if you head up this way let me know. I can play guide for a few days.

20

dang it old geezer, it’s XXX creek!!! have the locals taught you nothing? LOL

that whole area is beautiful and a great fishery as well.

Marty