[poperob]

Ok I really need some input on this one. I do not have to go back to work until the beginning of September. Which means I will have some free time. I have always promised my self," If I have some free time I must go on a long fishing road trip". So the time has come to get something worked out. I will not have a vacation after this for a very long time. So I need to make this count!
The guidelines:
1. Must stay in the US.
2. I have to drive
3. I have around $2000.00 cash to spend
4. I can only be gone for no longer then 3 weeks
5. I will be by myself
6. I must have maximum fun all of the time
7. I will not go to Utah!!!
So what would you do? Any advice on where you would go and how you would do it will be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks

 

[slayerfish]

Crazy dude-This could take a while-If you will be fishing from the shore(no boat or bellyboat) then either high mountain lakes or rivers in co or wy would be my choice.The north platte in wy like the miracle mile or below Alcova dam.There are so many high(10,000 ft+) lakes in colorado that I wanna try,and hiking is cheap! Or Lake Mcconahuay in Nebraska!The Gunnison gorge or Black canyon.Geez,3 weeks almost anywhere would be great.

 

[poperob]

Yes, I will have an inflatable pontoon and a motor setup. I can not hike too far because I had major knee surgery, and I have not healed up all of the way. I have a week or so to get this figured out. Think of this as a dream trip for cheap. I could always spend more I just set a limit. I love this idea....

 

[McFish]

Canada is always kick ---

 

[poperob]

Where would you go in Canada? Would you drive straight their or would you do stop and fish on your way their. I have been to Canada a few times on guided trips which cost a ton. Can you do it for under $2000.00?

 

[hooknline]

What type of fishing are you planning on doing and what type of fish do u want to catch?

 

[poperob]

I would have no problem targeting the warm water species. I love Pike and Musky. But I love to fish for all fish.... ;D

 

[bassmaster]

How about a Montana trip. My neighbor is from there and is always saying how great the fishing is.

 

[slayerfish]

One of the ways to diversify the fishing is to use your pontoon in the lake of your choice then go below the dam and fish the tailwaters.Ive done this many times in wyoming and its a blast! Also works in colo or montana!

 

[TroutFishingBear]

If it was me I would do a 2 day float on the gunnison gorge from chukar to just below pleasure park where you can take out. Set up a shuddle and it will only cost you 50 bucks or so. It will cost you around 20 bucks to stay in there and be there also. So that comes to 70. I figure 60 bucks worth of gas for you to get there that comes to 130. hundreds of great browns and the odd big bow. Maybe 20 dollars worth of fishing gear beyond what you already have (bring extra #6 and #9 panther martins in silver or orange and yellow. Also bring curly tail grubs) 150 bucks. Say another 20 for miscellaneous (food, etc.) and you have spent 170.

After that you should go to the yampa river and launch at duffy mountain and take out at maybell bridge. stay the night in juniper canyon for free. I know a guy that will shuttle for 50. Very professional. Big smallmouth and the odd BIG pike. I got a 36" northern and a smallmouth almost 5 pounds on the same day on a float last year. panther martins, rattletraps, senkos, standard bass gear. Maybe spend 20 on that and another 20 on miscellaneous (food, etc) and that brings your total to 90 plust the 30 bucks worth of gas or so. 120 dollar trip for two days.

You have spent 290 dollars now...roughly. This will eat up about 5 days of your time and you will catch some trophy browns, bows, smallmouth, maybe a trophy pike as well (they are all big in the yampa pretty much).

You should probably devote a week to the flattops as well.

I don't know what else...

 

[iron chef]

Valentine area in north Nebraska, pike and bull gills

 

[poperob]

Where is the Valentine area? Sounds good. Thanks Pope

 

[hooknline]

Lake Maconaughy if you dont mind fishing from shore from 8pm till sunrise. Catfish, walleye, wiper, whitebass. Your pole will bend all night. Couldnt tell you about the daytime fishing i never have, and i dont have a boat.

 

[hooknline]

O yea and you'll still have alot of money in your pocket when u get home LOL.

 

[NeWcS]

Id see what salmon are running up the rivers in OR or WS. Id also look into a trip to CA for some monster bass.

If it were me though Id drive to BC, CAN and try to get into some runs of Salmon.


-Jay

 

[iron chef]

Where is the Valentine area? Sounds good. Thanks Pope

I cannot insert a link from here, search valentine nebraska.com, cool refuge area, lotsa fishing opportunities and nice lodging, could easily spend a week there.

 

[idratherbfishing]

Valentine is in north central Nebraska. Take I-76 to I-80, drive past the turnoffs for McConaghie Turn north at North Platte and take US-83 north for 130 miles to get to Valentine.

Lots of good fishing there. Merritt Reservoir southwest of Valentine is good for walleye and bluegills. It has a great reputation for ice fishing too. Lots of ponds and small lakes in the National Wildlife refuge south of town. Good hunting too, some of the best grouse around.

For other recreation lots of people canoe and tube the Niobrara River, you can rent everything you need there.

I am sounding like tourist guide book ............

Dan

 

[poperob]

Has anyone ever fished the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota?

 

[Guest]

you could look into the boundry waters in northern minn. guess it depends on warm or cold water fishing but id deffinatley look in upper minn, say lake of the woods area.

 

[work2fish]

Sounds like fun.

I'd recommend a trip to Minnesota or Wisconsin. Mayber a bit cheaper than Canada and if you don't like one lake, another one is a few miles away. Great northern, musky, walleye and bass fishing!! You can go to the Alexandria Lakes, Grand Rapids or Ottertail areas in Minnesota for starters... You can check out http://www.fishingmn.com/