| High fuel prices got you down? | | | | a bigger rig was in order. |
| | | | |
| Imagine how most of us feel in the | | | | Didn't seem like a big deal at the time, back |
| recreational fishing world. | | | | when diesel fuel was at about $1.29. |
| | | | |
| Let me explain. | | | | ....$3.19 this morning!! |
| | | | |
| Here we are rounding into September, the time | | | | Ranger Kurt is not talking to me anymore. |
| of year that all true "sport fishermen" look | | | | |
| forward to. The weather is changing, and most | | | | I have decided to make some drastic changes |
| summer crowds have gone home, leaving the | | | | in my life--at least my fishing life-- and |
| rivers and lakes uncrowded and filled with | | | | the next time you see me.... I will be |
| frisky hungry fish readying themselves for | | | | driving a Vespa. |
| the fall spawn and feedfest that takes place | | | | |
| in fall. | | | | That's right, one of those tiny Italian jobs |
| | | | that sound like an underpowered weed wacker. |
| Most of us are not lucky enough to have a | | | | |
| river or lake out our back door, so that | | | | I realize this will make it impossible to |
| means traveling to our favorite fishing spots | | | | carry all the "necessary" gear I need to be |
| is mandatory. Two hundred miles or better is | | | | ready for "impulse recreation"-- but what's a |
| nothing when it comes to our passion. | | | | guy to do? |
| | | | |
| Most fishermen -and outdoor types in | | | | From now on, I will only carry the |
| general--are usually heading for the great | | | | essentials--fishing rod, fly box,perhaps a |
| outdoors hauling their gear in SUVs , trucks | | | | sleeping bag--and wear all my necessary |
| or campers/trailers. | | | | clothing, including waders,vest,wading boots |
| | | | and possibly a change of underwear. |
| Not exactly what you would consider "economy" | | | | Everything else stays home! |
| cars. | | | | |
| | | | I know this sounds drastic, but if I am to |
| I can still remember the conversation I had | | | | continue my passion for fishing --this may be |
| with Ranger Kurt about three years ago, when | | | | the only way to make it affordable to do so. |
| I convinced him to purchase an old Ford | | | | |
| Diesel f350 in place of his trusty Toyota | | | | I also know that the visual image of a rugged |
| fishing rig. | | | | outdoorsman on the back of a Mo-ped is not |
| | | | exactly the vision Madison Avenue would like |
| He would love the extra room, and heck- | | | | to sell to Orvis or Jeep Cherokee and is more |
| diesel was about a dime cheaper than regular | | | | akin to the image of Jim Carrey in "Dumb and |
| to boot!! | | | | Dumber"--but I don't care!! |
| | | | |
| He like I, always seemed to just fill the | | | | Look out Deschutes River Steelhead... we're |
| back of his pick-up with just about every | | | | LEAN, MEAN, and riding WHINY MACHINES... |
| piece of sporting good equipment that | | | | |
| languished in his garage.On the off chance we | | | | Whad'ya think?Kinda catchy, huh? |
| might feel the urge to break into a spirited | | | | |
| game of Badminton, shoot clay pigeons, ride | | | | So, until the price of crude drops back down |
| mountain bikes, or take an impromptu twenty | | | | to a reasonable level, which may be never, |
| mile hike into the high desert, we were | | | | you will recognize me as the guy out on |
| ready!! | | | | Highway 97 wearing about fourteen layers of |
| | | | clothing and a pair of Hodgeman neoprene |
| So, as our state of readiness has increased | | | | waders. |
| with age, our truck beds have shrunk. | | | | |
| | | | My poor Ford F250? Well, I suppose it will |
| Much like our spines and uhhhh hummm... other | | | | become an expensive dog house for my Yellow |
| things!! | | | | Lab-because unless I have AAA tow my vehicle |
| | | | around town--I can't afford to drive it |
| But I digress... | | | | anymore. |
| | | | |
| Anyway, as I ran out of room and had to spend | | | | I sure hope they don't catch on to me!! |
| thirty minutes each time loading and | | | | |
| unloading basketballs,hockey sticks and | | | | Oh-- and Ranger Kurt--give me a call, there's |
| barbecues-- just to find my waders--I decided | | | | room on the back of the Vespa for you... |