Registered: 02/11/07
Posts: 6
Loc: Southern California
Hi all,
I am new to this site and backpacking in general. Initially, I was going to post a thread asking for advice on a lightweight fishing rod, but I read the thread regarding your stances on fires and got a little spooked. If a lot of you think fires are unethical, you will surely loathe me for even mentioning the diabolical practice of fishing!
I mean, I realize it is killing another creature, but what if it's for food and not sport? If one stays within limits and has a license, is fishing really all that bad?
There are plenty of hunters and fishermen here. I'm sure many members would have no problems with fishing and there was a thread on lightweight fishing rods not too long ago. (Within the last few months any way). Welcome aboard,and if some folks have issues with fishing, at least as many or more will be be supportive. Generally, folks here are pretty well behaved.
Around here fishing is a religion with some folks. Generally the limits and reg's are such that in a season any one area won't be over-fished. Plus there are lots of seasonal closures and so on... it's pretty tight. And there are spots that are stocked, if you are just looking to putz around with new gear.
Same deal with fires... pretty well understood where they are ok, and where they aren't. It's been so dry here it would be suicidal for the untrained to start fire, and the media is pretty good about getting the word out when there are fire bans.
Registered: 10/30/03
Posts: 4963
Loc: Marina del Rey,CA
We have had a number of threads on fishing, hunting and guns. What we do discourage are posts intended just to start arguments-what other forums call trolling. Those will get tossed fairly quickly as will the people who start them if it becomes apparent that is their only reason for posting here.
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Don't get me started, you know how I get.
You've come to the right place, no reason to get spooked. I'll be fishing and backpacking this weekend! Texas stocks many lakes and streams with rainbows each year and I like to go catch 'em.....they die anyway by summer and the state expects you to take them home. I'd be interested in light weight tackle too. Fly and/or casting.
The campfire thing comes around a couple times a year. Fires are appropriate some places and not others. Fishing, on the other hand, is always appropriate. Catching, even better! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3293
Loc: Portland, OR
I don't fish, never have. I wasn't raised to it and never got started.
I think you'll be quite disappointed in your notion that anyone who objects to fires will automatically object to fishing. I'm fine with fisher-folk, provided only that, if they clean their catch, they do so in a proper LNT manner and don't leave guts and fish heads where they don't belong. Catch and release presents no problems of this sort at all.
Come to think of it, my only objections to fires have to do with improper or boneheaded practices, too. Like chopping doewn green trees or scarring alpine meadows with fire rings. So, I guess there are a few similarities bewteen objecting to fires and to fishing after all. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
P.S. Kill as many fish as your license permits and I won't holler or weep crocodile tears over the poor dead fish -- as long as they don't go to waste. Really, it all comes down to respecting the wild and knowing the rules.
Registered: 02/11/07
Posts: 6
Loc: Southern California
Quote:
We have had a number of threads on fishing, hunting and guns. What we do discourage are posts intended just to start arguments-what other forums call trolling. Those will get tossed fairly quickly as will the people who start them if it becomes apparent that is their only reason for posting here.
This post was in no way intended to instigate an argument. If it came off as that way I apologize. I was just wondering what the general consensus was on fishing among fellow backpackers.
Good to know that fishing and hunting aren't looked down upon.
I don't think he was talking about specifically you.
Light weight fishing stuff is a great topic! Campfires or not. Post away! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
There are some interesting treads posted in the past you might search.....one by me on a cheapo Walmart fly rod. I'd like to see the subject brought up more often.
And this weekend, I'm having a big campfire (state park fire pit) and it will, God willing, have fish on it! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Fishing for me is a mixture of heritage and occasional pastime. Before the days of commercial fishing the salmon population was much, much stronger than it is now, and my tribe would take advantage of the salmon run every year to smoke enough fish to last through the winter. Some people still recognize the first salmon ceremony, where they thank the spirit of the fish for allowing itself to be caught. Every year, my family still smokes, freezes, & jars enough salmon to supplement the diet until next season. It's kind of needed in a place where groceries are overly expensive.
What somewhat annoys me is the commercialization of salmon for its meat, and the hordes of out-of-staters who sometimes overfish a creek until there are none left that day to have a chance a spawning, or to be caught by others. Traditionally, people are supposed to show respect by taking only their portion and no more.
Registered: 05/02/06
Posts: 208
Loc: Rock Springs, WY
i have a 6'6" ugly stick lite that joins in the center with a cork grip and a small tackle box with some flies, a few jigs and a few spinners that i hike with when i know i will be able to catch some fish. The setup is not UL but it is a nice pole and it attaches to the back of my pack just fine. for me, buying UL gear has let me fish more and bring things i would not otherwise have with me.
Registered: 09/16/05
Posts: 128
Loc: Idaho Falls, Idaho
I like backpacking fishing trips. Around my neck of the woods, there are some far off places with monster fish in them simply because they don't get fished that much. I like both fly fishing and spinning rods. A few rods I have tried and liked:
Eagle Claw 5 piece fly/spinning rod ww griggs 3wt fly rod (2 piece) also the best bang for your buck around $30 Sage FLi or Launch 4 piece fly rod (a little pricey but well worth the investment) any TFO rods are good for the money Bass Pro Shops micro-light series 2-piece
or you can find a local outfitter and take some rod building classes and build your own rod fairly easily and cheaper. I personally own a Sage FLi 5wt 4-piece and it is my favorite rod to date. The rod/reel only weighs 10 oz, but the rod tube weighs at least a pound. I haven't built a rod yet, but I would really like too. Just have to convince my wife I need another fishing pole.
Registered: 10/30/03
Posts: 4963
Loc: Marina del Rey,CA
I didn't mean to imply that you were, just a reminder as to how we view the level of discourse we expect to see here. (Although some of the humor you will see here may take some getting used to.) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
For rods and reels, check Cabela's. Their online catalog has a lot of breakdown and travel rods. Never seen any in person, but the prices are quite reasonable.
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Don't get me started, you know how I get.
Um Food Yes there is a fine line between "fishing" and "catching" but shore fishing does not make you an idiot unless you're trying to backcast into this brush... Jim
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
I like backpacking fishing trips. Around my neck of the woods, there are some far off places with monster fish in them simply because they don't get fished that much. I like both fly fishing and spinning rods. A few rods I have tried and liked:
The rod/reel only weighs 10 oz, but the rod tube weighs at least a pound. I haven't built a rod yet, but I would really like too. Just have to convince my wife I need another fishing pole.
Doug
Doug,
Where are you finding the "big fish" around Kearney? ( I lived in Lexington for 35 years & used to fish the interstate sandpits quite often.)
I quit using a rod tube. I just put the rod in a sock and rubber band it together with my Tarptent tent pole. On extended trips, I'll carry two rods this way.
I have a Cabela's 5 wt. Stowaway that's a reasonably priced rod. The hardware is pretty cheesy but the rod works well. One of my favorite rods is a St Croix Ultra Legend, 4 wt, 4 piece. Another really fun rod is the Cabela's 3 piece, Three forks, around $50. I liked that rod so much I bought a spare. Several of my FF buddies cast the rod and promptly bought one. Little brookies are great fun on this rod. Bluegills would be a blast.
Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 129
Loc: Seattle, Washington
Corey, I think there are probably quite a few of us who fish and hike. I'm a member of two high lakes fishing clubs in Washington State. One of these is the Hi Lakers, and we have two links to California high lakes fishing sites that may be of interest to you. Check out our site and be sure to click on the links section for the California sites. You may want to browse our Hi Laker site a while, too, and pick up some helpful info. Be sure to look at the slide show section for tips on gear and techniques. Link: http://hilakers.org/
Corey, The pro-furry animal arguements are a figment of mammal chauvanism, we are mammals and some of us are furry also. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Fish are cold blooded and have scales - NO FUR. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Campfires are a subject dear to everyones heart, fish are not. People care way more about camp fires than about killing a cold blooded animal and eating it. Few people sympathise with fish. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> but some do:
However if you are seeking some reverse feedback... I had some relatives call me a sadist for torturing poor little fishies by making them fight for their lives with a nasty sharp hook in their mouths and the worst part of it was that I ENJOYED <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> feeling them struggle on the end of my line as they fought for their lives. AND to top it all off - instead of eating them I released them - meaning that I didn't even do it because I needed food, catch and release is a terrible thing... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
Registered: 09/16/05
Posts: 128
Loc: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Your right, there aren't many places to fish around Kearney. But since I moved to Idaho Falls Idaho there are more places than I have time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I have a cabelas 3 forks 2 piece 6#. I have to say I prefer my sage anyday over the 3-forks. I have a few trips planned for this summer/fall where i'll be doing some backpacking fishing trips.
Corey, The pro-furry animal arguements are a figment of mammal chauvanism, we are mammals and some of us are furry also. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Fish are cold blooded and have scales - NO FUR.
Damn mammal chauvanists! They only care about cute and fuzzy creatures, not slimy, gross, tasty fish!
Fishing is not unethical, neither are campfires. Since I backpack in brown bear and wolf country I also carry a large bore handgun along with my fishing gear. How's that for politically incorrect? The only time I won't build a fire is in the dry season when the U.S. Forest Service prohibits it for obvious reasons.
I don't have much patience for the holier-than-thou types that look at gas-powered stoves, for instance, as being unethical since they use evil petro chemicals. Where do they think nylon comes from? How about gas for their sacred Subarus that transport them to the tralhead?
I think I might have seemed a little Neanderthal on my last post, so in the interest of mutual agreement (we are all backpackers after all), it's been my experience that we all have a very real common enemy: ATVs and snow mobiles. Those infernal machines are so capable these days that their owners just can't resist taking them into places where they are not permitted.
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