Our First Official Post in 2008: Where Are You Going Fishing This Year?
By Tom Chandler on Jan 2, 2008 in Underground Entertainment
While I’m furiously typing away on the Underground’s “2007 Year in Review” post, I thought I’d ask the Undergrounders fly fishing’s most loaded question — where are you planning to fish over the next 12 months?
I spent more time in the backcountry in 2007 — and who can blame me?
Any “Trips of a Lifetime” planned? Anyone madly scanning maps for blue (or brown) lines worth fishing? Got your eye on a lake you’ve never fished — or even a species you’ve never caught?
Let us know, Undergrounders.
Me? Who Knows?
I might return to Idaho’s Big Wood in February, but my plans for the rest of the year are wholly up in the air. One recurring thought is to resurrect the solo road trips I used to take when I lived hours from decent trout fishing — the kind of multi-day trip that’s fallen by the wayside now that I’m surrounded by more beautiful places than I could fish in a lifetime.
Last year, I also didn’t wholly scratch an itch that had me hitting the backcountry with some regularity, and I expect I’ll be spending more time on small, little-fished areas in 2008 too.
Sure, that means giving up precious time on the Upper Sacramento, but life is never without its trade-offs.
So what’s the word, Undergrounders? Where you going fishing in 2008?
UPDATE: Tom M at Two Heel Drive and Rick at the Best Hikes blog are asking their readers the same questions. Are outdoorsfolks inveterate planners? We wonder…
Technorati tags: fly fishing, fishing, trout underground, fishing plans
Mike W. | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
I’ve got several backcountry trips in the Smokies planned. I’m after Brookies, Brookies and more Brookies with the occasional slaw dog thrown in.
Patrick | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
The highlight this year will be Alaska for salmon and big rainbows with my dad and brother. Then I will hopefully more regularly haunt the typical spots in the Eastern Sierras and perhaps flog a few new small creeks and/or rivers. If’n I get lucky, may even try some North Coast (California) rivers later in the year.
Tom Chandler | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Mike w: So (he asks a bit too casually), where in the Smokies you headed…?
Patrick: For a CA boy, I’ve spent surprisingly little time in the Sierras. There’s an odd brook trout stream just a little south of here that I’ve got my eye on, and maybe something in Lassen, but nothing in the Sierras.
Clay | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Being from Michigan I will probably stay here and the U.P.. Mostly the AuSable, upper Mannistee, Pier Marquete, (Upper Pen.) Fox (Main, East and Spreads) and the upper Tequaminon. We are just plain spoiled over here. Then I plan on blowing up the “Ice Mountain” plant and flyfish in those pagan bastards blood!!!
Mike W | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Dig out your Smokies map and find Raven Fork, **** **** Prong, *** Creek and ***** **** Creek. I would be drawn and quartered for listing names on message boards down here, but what the hell.These places aren’t secret and all take some effort to get to. That rules out most folks.
Tom Chandler | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Raven Fork has been on the list for some time and for reasons I am not going to go into here.
There are a handful of other places highlighted in yellow in Ian’s guide book, but it’s unclear if I’m making the trip to Tennessee this Spring, and whether I’ll be dragging along the backpacking gear.
At some point, I’ve gotta make Ian come out and try my river…
Guido | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
My fishin’ partner and I were just discussing this very issue earlier today. We found a few small creeks in the Sierras last year and plan to explore them nore this year. We are also on a quest to find brookies (I feel your pain Mike!)in moving water as we’ve only taken them out of lakes and ponds. We also plan to finish all the rest of the rivers from “Blue Ribbon Trout Streams of California”
Clay, I spent ten years in Mich and have fished many of those same rivers and while they are notable, they got nuthin’ on the variety and number of rivers here in Nor Cal.
Murdock | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Trying for a trip somewhere warm in March to celebrate my 41st b-day.
Arkansas’ White River in April with zugbug and Paisley.
The wife says we have to go to Alaska this year too. I’ll give in if she lets me fish at least half the trip.
and probably a trip or two to float the Watauga in Tn.
Mike W. | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
I do feel a little sick this morning about naming… I usually don’t do that. That’s what I get for having a keyboard in front of me after a Black and Tan AND a big glass of wine. I may go back to Arkansas also.
El Pescador | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
There’s no question that in 2008 I will be seeking stripers and bluefin tuna on the fly in Maine. My guess is that I will also float the Kennebec hoping for the usual mixed bag of browns, brookies, rainbows, landlocks and whatever else. I also plan to tempt corbina in Southern CA sometime in July or August. Other than that it’s up to fate. Does anyone want to join me?
Peter Spirito | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Living here in South Florida I dont get but 2 or 3 oppertunities to trout fish a year. So if all goes well I expect to spend some time at the private waters of Davidson River Outfitters in Brevard NC.
The Day Tripper | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
One of the perks of moving 800 miles away is exploring new water. So I’ll probably spend another season just getting more familiar with the northeast. A couple trips back home to Michigan are definitely on the books though.
Mickey "Kelly Boy" Metzler | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
The Directors of the Fishing Safety Institute will be making our annual pilgrimage to the Bozeman Airport on April 3. We will be there for one week performing the sometimes dangerous research necessary to protect fly fishers everywhere. We make this annual trip with the guidance of Blue Ribbon Flies of West Yellowstone on their Mayfly Tour hoping to find copious hatches of BWO’s. This our 7th year and in past years we have fished Armstrong’s, Boulder, Stillwater, Yellowstone, E. Gallatin and Gallatin, Madison, Ruby, Beaverhead and others. Depends on the weather and runoff. It’s always a great trip so check it out at Blue Ribbon Flies. Lot’s of hungry fish and no crowds.
Sully | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Probably won’t make it to Cotter again this year.
Don | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Hopefully, I’ll be chasing some steel later this month or early next month after the fair-weather flock and the tweakers have abandoned the rivers.
I’ve been invited to do another float/camp trip in Alaska this summer, but I doubt my finances will allow it. I may, however, finally make a pilgrimage to Montana this summer; but there would be too little fishing if I do make it as my wife and I will be visiting/staying with her friend. The same “friend” who visited with us for a couple of months last year (it was suppose to be a week or two, but she wouldn’t leave!). And I’d like to do a little more stillwater fishing and, of course, visit some of my finned pals on the Upper Sac.
hugh koontz | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
I am looking forward to catching a 2-foot brown in the South Holston (Tenn.) River sometime this year,when I am not fishing the French Broad’s north fork in my front yard or chasing brookies up near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Check out Champion Outfitters’ web site to see what I mean about the SH. Scary fish. Have to save up for the out of state Tenn. license,though.
Patrick | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Tom: There’s a great little creek up in the hills above Bridgeport that reminds me of some of the small rivelets you’ve mentioned. Sort of “adventure fishing” requiring crawling through brambles. (Take the short pole.) The payoff is hungry wild rainbows and solitude…yes, solitude can be found in the well-flogged Eastern Sierras. Want to hunt some brookies too…
Dude | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Locally
Although I’ve lived in Kentucky all my life and have been fly fishing for 6 years I’ve never fished the Cumberland River. So one of the things I’m looking forward to the most, is a weekend float/camp on the Cumberland River with the help of a new personal pontoon.
Regionally
A couple extended trips into the Smokies with an annual pilgimage to Abrams Creek.
A camp/hike trek up the Cranberry River.
Nationally
A 10 day trip to Montana to explore the Yellowstone, Slough Creek, and a hike or two.
I’ve never caught a grayling. That would take the cake for me this year.
Tom Chandler | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Wow, lots of ideas here. A recurring theme — and now a Trout Underground Official Executive Edict for 2008 — would be to fish something remote that you’ve never laid eyes on before…
David Knapp | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
Great topic! How could you NOT head for East Tennessee?
I don’t have any huge trips planned this year but will be doing a lot more exploring in the Smokies including several backpacking trips. I’ve decided to fish tailwaters less and small wild streams more this year, they’re just a lot more fun. There are some interesting rumors on lake-run fish as well that I’ve got to check out…
Tom Chandler | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
David: Well, for starters, there’s the plane flight…
You going to hit some smallmouth hotspots this year? If I do make it back to TN, I’m forcing Ian to take me smallie fishing. That’s just fun.
David Knapp | Jan 3, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been intending to target Smallies nearby my home here in Crossville for awhile. I’ve only gone 3-4 times though. We have more smallie streams than I could ever possibly explore but I just haven’t gotten around to it…yet…this year I will though…
Matthew | Jan 4, 2008 | Reply
I’m a little slow responding but I’ll still throw in my two cents worth. I’m planing to do some more tail water fishing. I am more accustom to the tiny mountain stream than the big tail water, so I want to improve in that area. Also, last year I took an interest in carp fishing an I done fair to midllen on that venture but had a lot of fun with it. Also I am planing a trip to Florida, first vacation in four years, to chase some drum or trout. All of this means I will be on the water more this year than last which is something I have vowed to do this year.
Tom Chandler | Jan 4, 2008 | Reply
David: Didn’t know you lived in Crossville - home to James Beasley. I’ve driven there from Knoxville a couple times (nice drive).
Matt: Good luck!
David Roberts | Jan 6, 2008 | Reply
TC, I am heading back up to more time on the little steams we fished last year. I have also found about 6 more of those and am hoping to hit them all. I also want to head up to a great little brook trout steam up in the Fremont.
David
Harry | Jan 7, 2008 | Reply
Kind of late getting in on this one, but this year I am blowing the budget and taking the long awaited trip to Alaska. Still working on all the details as to fishing, but the plane is booked!
Locally hope to hit the Cumberland and work on some of the smallies in the Little Miami here in Cincy.
Sue | Jan 7, 2008 | Reply
The highlight this year will be Alaska for salmon and big rainbows with my dad and brother. Then I will hopefully more regularly haunt the typical spots in the Eastern Sierras and perhaps flog a few new small creeks and/or rivers. If’n I get lucky, may even try some North Coast (California) rivers later in the year
Shane | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply
Lots to explore this year. I have a trip planned and paid for to Southern Alaska to visit the father-in-law and fly fish the rivers and streams around his cabin. I’ll also be looking into hooking some Grayling in the colder higher waters of Utah. I have heard of some stillwater in the north that is a short drive and 3 mile hike in. Once there you have access to 3 high mountain streams flowing into a glacier lake. I am DEFINATELY Planning a trip to Idaho for the steelhead spawn. The Father-in-law has a friend with land around some prime waters. I married into fishing.
Tom Chandler | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply
“I heard…”
The two words that get the attention of almost every fisherman…
Frank D. Carlo | Mar 8, 2008 | Reply
Dave, I am thinking of looking at some land in the Crossville area. Please, Please give me names of rivers or streams in the area, for fly fishing. I will be down in early April. I would like to wet a fly while I am there.
A reply will really help me out.
Thanks,
Frank