The Interactive Underground: We Ask You Again if Gas Prices Have Changed Your Fly Fishing Plans
By Tom Chandler on Jul 16, 2008 in Poll, Underground Entertainment
Way back in March, we ran a poll about gas prices, which at that point hadn’t come anywhere near $4/gallon for most of you. The results?
Now most of the nation is paying better than $4/gallon, and on several occasions I paid closer to $5 on my recently concluded Montana trip, where the difference in gas prices between the start and finish suggested I’d squandered most of our nation’s Strategic Reserve right there on the road.
As Garisson Keillor points out in a brilliant Salon opinion piece, 86% of the American public now believes we’ll see $5/gallon gas this year.
Contrast that with a year ago - when most thought $3/gallon gas was just a price spike - and we’ve got the Underground’s current poll question:
Eric | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I’ve taken to fishing unknown places like murky canals and other urban jungle type places.
The other thing is, fishing only where I can ride my bicycle. Really makes wading easier to have strong legs.
My vehicle gets 10mpg, so I’ve not gone on at least one good fishing trip because of that. If gas were, say, $1 a gallon, I would’ve gone. Self inflicted pain - I could’ve bought something more fuel efficient.
I like living where I do, though… within an hour or so of both great cold, and warm water fishing… and that is at an average of 12mph (self propelled).
Josh | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I’m concentrating on local rivers around town (Missoula, MT), and when I do head out, to spend the night and go camping so I get more fishing for my buck. While my vehicle gets about 25mpg, I’d rather drive 5 miles up to Rattlesnake Creek and go mountain biking to the best fishing than drive 30 miles to the good fishing on Rock Creek, or 50 miles to the good fishing up the Blackfoot. But then again, I don’t have too much to complain, as these distances aren’t all that great compared to some other places in the country.
Day Tripper | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Thank god for the local smallmouth/carp populations.
Dan | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
My “rig” is a 1991 Toyota Prius. While the cost of gas is still higher for me it went from not important to mildly annoying, not life changing. I do miss having a truck but now I just walk more. Better fishing and fewer people when you drive to a trail head and walk the rest of the way. $45 gets me around 450 miles, plus some decent exercise. There is some great fishing within 450 miles of Sacramento!
Day Tripper | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I’d be curious to know how often the people who it doesn’t affect go fishing. I’d guess they either don’t go much, or they live close to good water.
Tom Chandler | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
The simple costs of traveling to and from destinations are only dimension of rising energy costs.
After all, if higher energy costs mean your family budget has less room for things like out-of-state licenses, hotel rooms, etc., then we’re looking at a change there too.
Garnet | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I have to go at least 100 miles for mediocre trout fishing, and at what I make (I’m a student after all, and lucky to even have a paying job in a market like this), that’s not a trip I make often. Especially not in that air-conditionless, $%!*-box death trap of a station wagon I drive. Backyard bass and carp, here I come!
hawgdaddy | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I was one of those who said gas prices weren’t affecting my plans. They still aren’t, mainly due to previously scheduled vacation time, reservations that would be difficult to cancel, and fear that this may be my last shot before I dip below the poverty line. The trip I leave for next week is going to hurt financially. Luckily, I saved up for it, and it’s going to take every bit of it. I had no plans for trips after this one beyond local fishing, but if I did they would be affected.
Nathan
razmaspaz | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
Not changing my plans, of course I don’t make plans more than a week in advance, so…
“My “rig” is a 1991 Toyota Prius.” Is that a typo? A ‘91 Prius? I didn’t know they made the Prius in ‘91, how is that battery holding up?
Kentucky Jim | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I was going to go to Montana late this month for the FFF Conclave. However, with my daughter’s recent trip to Europe, and the extra I had to pay for her “mad money”, I feel I cannot justify all of the expense for this summer.
When you look at gas prices, and the price of gold (which means Bristol Bay Mining company is not going to quit easily), you see the clue. The cost of some poorly thought-out foreign policy is being capitalized to the American consumer/dollar user. Put another way, your dollar is now worth a couple of pieces of popcorn.
Happy Trails,
KJ
Devin | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I traded my pickup in for a Subaru Forester, frankly it takes me just as many places and uses half the gas. Another note to consider, the more the Government is strapped the less we will see for conservation. I am typically “optimistic” but am quite concerned about what lies ahead. I try not to be tooooo political but the current leaders have done so much damage spendy gas will be the least of our worries.
Cheers All….
kbarton10 | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I just bought a cadillac SUV - at substantial discount, I just wake up at 4AM and siphon gas out of everyone else’s tank.
Make sure you carry a pocketful of breath mints, it’s hard to claim innocence when your breath smells like a refinery.
Jerry | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I found an interesting site, while online that boasts a new service that offers fixed price gasoline. The company is GasBankUSA and their website is http://www.gasbankusa.com
hugh koontz | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
My wife found this place on the headwaters of the French Broad River, within walking distance of three wild creeks and a couple waterfalls.
I will have to hitch a ride to Tennessee’s S. Holston this year, rather than drive.
I’m glad I married a smart girl.
I get to fish every weekend and she’s glad to get me out of the house.
ijsouth | Jul 16, 2008 | Reply
I’m actually going to be in the market for a camper - not a hulking motorhome, one of those pop-up jobs…but I won’t haul it around the country. I’m going to park it on my land in Tennessee - I’ll at least be able to save on hotel rooms. The gas price affects everything, so of course it’s affected my flyfishing. I would like to fish around here, too…but my circa 1970 Johnson sucks gas like no tomorrow, plus my mileage goes into the crapper when I’m towing it. For a really big saltwater trip around here, I would end up spending almost as much in gas as driving 700 miles to the Smokies.
Murdock | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
you will see me creekside in a Honda accord not the usual Toyota Tundra. It helps a bit. I think for me it has cut down on the impulse trips. Its hard to hop in the car and drive 2 hours to fish for just an hour or two. I still like the Tennesee tail water and the mountain streams but that big warm water lake a mile for the house sure seems more and more appealing.
Harry | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
It has most certainly affected my trips. The closest really decent trout fishing is either in Tenn or the Cumberland tailwaters and you are talking minimum 3 hours or more each way. Even in my Chevy HHR @ 30 mpg it’s at least $100 in gas.
More local ponds,creeks and such for me. Got any good bass and panfish patterns you would like to share?
oatka | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
While I don’t take many actual trips, I haven’t gone even a 1/2 drive away for trout in a while, instead I’m doing my normal summertime warm water fishing. But, even with that, I’ve started limiting myself to the closest pond (4 miles from home) instead of farther ones. Fortunately, that closest pond has been successful at rekindling my love. Once I thought it was only good to fish when I had too, but something has change in that pond, and it’s high on my list. Of course, when you pull out a 17 inch large mouth bass (my personal best) it’s easy to fall in love again.
I have contemplated riding my bike to even that close pond. I have to figure out a way to rig up my rod on the bike first…..or buy a 7 piece rod and back pack it!
Tom Chandler | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
Wow. Right now we’re at 65 “Yes” and 36 “No” - a turnaround from March’s poll.
Is this fly fishing’s next big ride?
Dan | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
No it is a 91. I bought it used two years ago(100,000 miles) and the battery dies two days after I bought it. Toyota warranty repaired it even though there were no warranties left on the car. It has worked great ever sense than (140,000). I wish I could buy an American car that had the same customer service and quality of product.Until they get their heads out of their asses I will have to buy Japanese cars.
Tom Chandler | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
Dan: You gotta mean your Prius is a 2001? That’s when it was introduced in the United States (1997 in Japan).
As for me, I think I’d look pretty good sitting on the 90 mpg scooter pictured above, hammering along those dirt access roads on the Upper Sac.
Then again, I bring style to everything I do…
G. F. Gone Fishing | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
I live close to the NYC Croton Watershed and need to fly fish almost every day. I had moved 35 miles away and had to move back again. My plans were to fish this evening, at a less favored river, at 7 miles distaince. Instead online, seeking a second part time job, to fill the tank. Came across your post, as a deversion. I would much rather be fishing ;) Had given up a better job, commuting to NYC, as to have more time to fish trout localy.
Gas prices have put a bite into that plan.
Dan | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
You guys are totally right. My old truck was a 91. Sorry brain not functioning, to many days inside. Need a break!!!!!!!!!!
Peter Spirito | Jul 17, 2008 | Reply
I live in S Florida. Its 700 miles to decent trout fishing. I’ve cut back on daily expenses like having dinner out, weekend breakfast, cut back on magazines & read more internet, fewer trips to the store, etc. In August I will be in Blue Ridge GA, May I was on the S Holston in TN with Jeff Wilkins.
Bob Laskodi | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
YEEEEGADS, if gas prices stay this high I may not be able to afford to take my boat to the Delta this fall for striped bass. At these prices, each trip will cost me 100 clams. YIKES!
Tom Chandler | Jul 18, 2008 | Reply
Things are getting desperate when you start calculating cost per trip. Earlier this year I looked at a drive to a remote creek that would require 4WD clearance.
Then I sat and figured the cost of gas driving the Bronco winter vehicle instead of my beater Toyota. Gads!
G. F. Gone Fishing | Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
I stand outside the local fly shop and offer free guide service, just to double up with someone from the city, that is willing to drive over 45 miles to the better streams.
Next I will be tying and offering free flies….or a fishing derby price and catch a ride with a contestant. I don’t care if gas becomes rationed. I’m going fishing. Yesterday I scheduled a 4:30am interview with an employer, so on the early return trip, I could stop at a stream.
Peter Spirito | Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
I’ve got a lot of up-front cost of driving from South Florida to North Georgia and beyond. I’m taking fewer trips but staying a lot longer.