Fishing Information

Join The Vespa Fishing Team


High fuel prices got you down?

Imagine how most of us feel in the recreational fishing world.

Let me explain.

Here we are rounding into September, the time of year that all true "sport fishermen" look forward to. The weather is changing, and most summer crowds have gone home, leaving the rivers and lakes uncrowded and filled with frisky hungry fish readying themselves for the fall spawn and feedfest that takes place in fall.

Most of us are not lucky enough to have a river or lake out our back door, so that means traveling to our favorite fishing spots is mandatory. Two hundred miles or better is nothing when it comes to our passion.

Most fishermen -and outdoor types in general--are usually heading for the great outdoors hauling their gear in SUVs , trucks or campers/trailers.

Not exactly what you would consider "economy" cars.

I can still remember the conversation I had with Ranger Kurt about three years ago, when I convinced him to purchase an old Ford Diesel f350 in place of his trusty Toyota fishing rig.

He would love the extra room, and heck- diesel was about a dime cheaper than regular to boot!!

He like I, always seemed to just fill the back of his pick-up with just about every piece of sporting good equipment that languished in his garage.On the off chance we might feel the urge to break into a spirited game of Badminton, shoot clay pigeons, ride mountain bikes, or take an impromptu twenty mile hike into the high desert, we were ready!!

So, as our state of readiness has increased with age, our truck beds have shrunk.

Much like our spines and uhhhh hummm... other things!!

But I digress...

Anyway, as I ran out of room and had to spend thirty minutes each time loading and unloading basketballs,hockey sticks and barbecues-- just to find my waders--I decided a bigger rig was in order.

Didn't seem like a big deal at the time, back when diesel fuel was at about $1.29.

....$3.19 this morning!!

Ranger Kurt is not talking to me anymore.

I have decided to make some drastic changes in my life--at least my fishing life-- and the next time you see me.... I will be driving a Vespa.

That's right, one of those tiny Italian jobs that sound like an underpowered weed wacker.

I realize this will make it impossible to carry all the "necessary" gear I need to be ready for "impulse recreation"-- but what's a guy to do?

From now on, I will only carry the essentials--fishing rod, fly box,perhaps a sleeping bag--and wear all my necessary clothing, including waders,vest,wading boots and possibly a change of underwear. Everything else stays home!

I know this sounds drastic, but if I am to continue my passion for fishing --this may be the only way to make it affordable to do so.

I also know that the visual image of a rugged outdoorsman on the back of a Mo-ped is not exactly the vision Madison Avenue would like to sell to Orvis or Jeep Cherokee and is more akin to the image of Jim Carrey in "Dumb and Dumber"--but I don't care!!

Look out Deschutes River Steelhead... we're LEAN, MEAN, and riding WHINY MACHINES...

Whad'ya think?Kinda catchy, huh?

So, until the price of crude drops back down to a reasonable level, which may be never, you will recognize me as the guy out on Highway 97 wearing about fourteen layers of clothing and a pair of Hodgeman neoprene waders.

My poor Ford F250? Well, I suppose it will become an expensive dog house for my Yellow Lab-because unless I have AAA tow my vehicle around town--I can't afford to drive it anymore.

I sure hope they don't catch on to me!!

Oh-- and Ranger Kurt--give me a call, there's room on the back of the Vespa for you...

A.J. Klott

Author, writer of fishing humor,and "fly tack" peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005. If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Flick Fishing 1.2
Macworld, CA - 1 hour ago
Catch a Whopper: Virtual casting, baiting, and reeling in is all part of the fun of Flick Fishing. Flick Fishing aptly describes the gameplay. ...


Ice fishing begins, but be careful out there
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 15 hours ago
The recent cold weather has jump-started the ice fishing season, with anglers in many areas of Minnesota creeping out onto lakes, many only partially frozen ...


Anglers fight for prime fishing territory at Del. inlet
Delmarva Daily Times, MD - 10 hours ago
Fishermen in boats and along the shore are angling for pockets of prime fishing territory. And because of cut lines and flying sinkers, it's starting to get ...


New West

EDITORIAL: Gone fishing
Las Vegas Review - Journal, NV - 10 hours ago
The case involves the Environmental Protection Agency's regulations governing water intake at the nation's oldest power plants. ...
High Court Hears Argument On Power Plants NPR
Marine life in the middle of dispute before high court Providence Journal
all 246 news articles


Modern ice fishing:_no excuses not to hit the hard water
FishingWorld.com, TX - 4 hours ago
Within weeks, maybe days, legions of outfitted ice anglers will start trekking onto the new, clear ice to enjoy early season winter ice fishing. ...


Finest Kind fleet off to slow, steady fishing
TCPalm, FL - 14 hours ago
Most of the boats were well to the north fishing the waters off Vero Beach and Sebastian and were barely heard by VHF radios in Stuart. ...
Finest Kind Quickie off to steady fishing TCPalm
all 2 news articles


Fishing, around the weather, still good
StarNewsOnline.com, NC - 18 hours ago
Red drum, speckled trout, black drum and whiting have provided some great fishing over the past week. They are being caught from the river to the surf in ...
Good bite reported from Gulf Stream boats StarNewsOnline.com
Still plenty of action both inshore and out StarNewsOnline.com
all 3 news articles


Examiner.com

Florida Keys wreck fishing adventure
Examiner.com - 7 hours ago
by Jim Lee, Tampa Bay Fishing and Seafood Examiner The 36' yellowfin knifed through the 6' swells as if they were not there. Capt. ...


Outdoors: Should've stuck with fishing
Maryland Gazette, MD - 4 hours ago
Obviously, we can have only so many days of good fishing weather remaining before the striped bass season closes Dec. 31 - and likewise with good shooting ...


San Diego Union Tribune

Council raises fees for boating and fishing at city's reservoirs
San Diego Union Tribune, CA - Dec 2, 2008
By Matthew T. Hall SAN DIEGO – People fishing and boating on San Diego's reservoirs next year will be the first to feel one effect of the current city ...

Fishing - Google News

home | site map | Ocean Photography
© 2006