Now, THAT's a fishing trip

[BrianA61]

Yesterday (Sun.), I went with a buddy of mine on a hike-in fishing trip to a lake I've never been to. It was 3 mile hike with full backpacks full of fishing gear. This is what greeted me as soon as I set my pack down.


This lake has little fishing pressure and we didn't see one soul around. Between the fishing and the scenery, it was a very satisfying 'mental health' day.

[Shadowman]

And a good place to just enjoy the scenery. Nicely captured.

[IzzieK]

Very nice place, Brian...thought we lost you somewhere...now you are back...did you get fish to eat for dinner cook out? Any more photos from there? Looks like a nice place to just relax...

[Texas Dave]

What a blessing to have that opportunity. Good for you and thanks for sharing your day with us.

[BrianA61]

Izzie, it just so happens that the trip was more than just a hike and a few photos. Here are a couple of more shots of the results.

Rainbow trout


Brook trout.
[/IMG]

Final result.


At this point, I could not feel my feet and my legs were cramping due to the cold water. Seems like a lot of foolish effort for only 5 fish, but, the overall adventure of visiting new and beautiful places so close to home and enjoying the outdoors is priceless in my mind. Unfortunately, the overcast, cold, wind and occasional rain prevented me from getting any other scenery shots as well as not having my "big boy" camera with me.

[fgpalmer]

Is that Mount Ashland Ski Area in the background of the landscape shot?
Gary

[BrianA61]

Is that Mount Ashland Ski Area in the background of the landscape shot?
Gary

Gary, I don't know what peak that is covered with snow. First time I've been to this area and am unfamiliar with the terrain.

[IzzieK]

Message #5, Brian: I love fresh water trout...with all the bad things in it -- and some made mayonnaise. Yum...!! And these are biggies by the look of them...I haven't tasted trout here in the US but in Oz rainbow trout is the first thing I will eat as soon as we have dinner that day I arrive. Something of a ritual for me...force of habit.

In the third picture, what was that you are sitting down on? Is there a name to it? I have not seen anything like it. Is that how you go fishing around here in the US? Looks cute...I want to have me one of those...It looks inflatable. How heavy is it deflated? I am not just curious, but very interested...

[BrianA61]

Message #5, Brian: I love fresh water trout...with all the bad things in it -- and some made mayonnaise. Yum...!! And these are biggies by the look of them...I haven't tasted trout here in the US but in Oz rainbow trout is the first thing I will eat as soon as we have dinner that day I arrive. Something of a ritual for me...force of habit.

In the third picture, what was that you are sitting down on? Is there a name to it? I have not seen anything like it. Is that how you go fishing around here in the US? Looks cute...I want to have me one of those...It looks inflatable. How heavy is it deflated? I am not just curious, but very interested...

Izzie, the majority of trout here in the states are raised in a hatchery and then transplanted to various lakes. The meat is usually kind of a pale white color. There are, however, a few places where the trout are not planted and are called "native". These fish all had pinkish color to their meat kind of like their big cousin the salmon. That is an indication, along with their bright color, that they are native fish. My friend that invited me to go said they don't plant fish in the lake and the ones that are there were the offspring of ones probably planted at some point long ago. They just established themselves and have thrived without any additional help. As far as size goes, these are about average (~1-1.5lbs) and really nothing special for me. I've caught MUCH bigger ones. I believe the largest I've caught using this technique has been a 7.5lb rainbow, which took me for a ride.

The "device" I'm sitting in is called a float tube. It is an inflatable tube with a padded seat strapped across the bottom. They are very popular and come in really handy when the fish are moving and/or out of range from someone who is limited to shore fishing. Most require you to wear insulated waders(due to cold water) and strap on fins are for propulsion. I've had this particular one for 15+ years now and have caught tons of fish from it. This lake is a 3 mile hike to get to so we had to fold up and pack all of our gear into a metal framed backpack. Once there, we then had to inflate our tubes, went fishing, deflated and repacked everything when we were done and hiked the 3 miles back to the truck. A LOT of work for only a 5 fish limit but the scenery and the fishing in a place like that were worth all of it. These float tubes are great in situations like this one, however, if the wind comes up to high, it could get somewhat hazardous to navigate. This day, the wind did come up, but, it wasn't overwhelming and it was in the direction I needed to go back to our pack site, so it was an easy paddle back. Due to the cold, my feet went numb and my legs started to cramp, which is another hazard you have to deal with. Sounds a little crazy for someone to go through all that just for a few fish, huh? Hope this answers some of your questions. If you like to fish, these float tubes are a great way to get to difficult places. I highly recommend them for anyone wanting to get to where others can't.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Brian I like the image. I would clone the small leaves at the top frame.

[IzzieK]

Thank you so much for the further explanation. I really like that float tube...and will look into it seriously. Not that I like to fish, but imagine the fun just riding that one...I'd go crazy just having fun floating in that and being in the water...I will take a lot of selfies and sent it to my folks in Oz...