Belgarion
01-19-2006, 23:12
I've noticed some people have asked about fishing while hiking the AT.
Every time I have hiked it whether thruhike or section, I bring fishing equiptment. This is the best way I have found for fishing the AT:
Get lightweight tackle. Pole no longer than 6' and preferably an open face reel. Alot less hassles with one of these. Line weight is 6lbs. To protect my pole I made a carrier that lashes to the side of my pack. You need:
1 PVC pipe:
You want the length to be no more than 1/2" longer than your pole and no larger diameter than 2" (the pole should comfortably slide in it without much movement when it's in it).
2 flat end caps
1 tube of super glue
Some duct tape
Super glue one of the end caps on. On the other end wrap the duct tape around it once or twice. You want the other end cap to fit snuggly but not too tight. Another thing I did to my pole carrier is I drilled a small hole into the tube near the end and one in the loose end cap and tied a knot on one end of a poly rope. slide it through the hole in the tube, put it through the hole in the cap and tied another knot. I don't loose that endcap anymore.
For "bait", I bring a small bottle of Berkley's trout bites. Not the little balls but the marshmallow type in yellow color. It's lightweight, you get alot of bait for the bite and the fish love them. for lures i carry a small six section plano box. I have two 1/8th oz rooster talis, one light color and one dark. One 1/8th oz daredevil, 1 1/8th oz mepps and a couple of weighted grubs. I also carry a bag of Berkley Trout Powerbait worms and a package of #4snell hooks and a small bag of STEEL weights. All of this fits in a 9" sack and sits in one of my outside pockets.
When I thruhiked in 79 I brought my flyfishing outfit with me and I always bring it with me when I do sections. It's now the same lightweight setup as the openface at a 1 to 3 weight in a 4 section rod. I make the same type of pvc travel case only shorter and a little wider to accomadate the sections without them rubbing together. I carry the reel in a hard case. Action is medium because sometimes your fishing fast water sections. I use double taper floating leaders and #3 tippets. For flys I bring a nice selection of emergers, adams, and terrestrials especially ants, bees and dragonfly patterns. I also carry a bottle of trout powerbaits and a small bag of fly hooks. Again all of this, including the reel goes into a 9" stuff sack.
As far as licenses for fishing. When a ranger talks to me he or she asks if i have a license. I tell them that I am a thruhiker on the AT and generally they will leave me alone. The unspoken rules are these:
1. DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN YOU NEED! Three or four is alright, a dozen is too many.
2. RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY! Normally there will be signs for private properties. Sometimes the property owners will allow you to fish there if you ask for their permission before the fact.
3. LEAVE NO TRACE! DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING BEHIND BUT GENTLE FOOTPRINTS.
4. When you get to camp be kind to those around you. Do not leave fish guts and waste around for everyone to smell. PROPERLY DISPOSE OF REMAINS. The best way to do this is to have a supply of sandwich size ziplock storage bags with your fishing tackle. When your done cleaning the fish put the entrails, etc in it, gently squeeze all the air out of it and zip it close. Put it in another bag, again squeeze air out and zip it close and roll up and place in your garbage bag that you ALWAYS bring with you to take those things you can't burn or dispose of properly. Next stop in civilization drop bag in nearest proper recepticle. DO NOT PUT REMAINS IN FIRE! First off that's bad manners, second it causes quite a stink.
Personally, for me, I love to get up before sunrise, go to a stream in the area and see if there's any friendly fish. It's a relaxing and very peaceful way for me to start the day. Sometimes you see amazing views and waterfalls that you would never see on the trail and your more than likely to catch a glimpse of some wildlife, just respect the bears if you do come onto one. If you do encounter one SLOWLY back out of the area. If you happen to have fish with you and the bear smells it the best thing to do is lay the fish down on the trail in a smooth and easy manner then gently back away. Once you get out of the sight of the bear you can run, but generally, my experience with them is that if you don't make any rash moves and show that your not a threat to them they will generally leave you alone. The only difference to this is Mother Bear and her Cubs. There is no way to truthfully give advise in a situation like this. It really depends on how dangerous you are to her cubs than anything else. As with any wild animal, they are best viewed from a distance the better.
Enjoy the fishing!
Belgarion
Every time I have hiked it whether thruhike or section, I bring fishing equiptment. This is the best way I have found for fishing the AT:
Get lightweight tackle. Pole no longer than 6' and preferably an open face reel. Alot less hassles with one of these. Line weight is 6lbs. To protect my pole I made a carrier that lashes to the side of my pack. You need:
1 PVC pipe:
You want the length to be no more than 1/2" longer than your pole and no larger diameter than 2" (the pole should comfortably slide in it without much movement when it's in it).
2 flat end caps
1 tube of super glue
Some duct tape
Super glue one of the end caps on. On the other end wrap the duct tape around it once or twice. You want the other end cap to fit snuggly but not too tight. Another thing I did to my pole carrier is I drilled a small hole into the tube near the end and one in the loose end cap and tied a knot on one end of a poly rope. slide it through the hole in the tube, put it through the hole in the cap and tied another knot. I don't loose that endcap anymore.
For "bait", I bring a small bottle of Berkley's trout bites. Not the little balls but the marshmallow type in yellow color. It's lightweight, you get alot of bait for the bite and the fish love them. for lures i carry a small six section plano box. I have two 1/8th oz rooster talis, one light color and one dark. One 1/8th oz daredevil, 1 1/8th oz mepps and a couple of weighted grubs. I also carry a bag of Berkley Trout Powerbait worms and a package of #4snell hooks and a small bag of STEEL weights. All of this fits in a 9" sack and sits in one of my outside pockets.
When I thruhiked in 79 I brought my flyfishing outfit with me and I always bring it with me when I do sections. It's now the same lightweight setup as the openface at a 1 to 3 weight in a 4 section rod. I make the same type of pvc travel case only shorter and a little wider to accomadate the sections without them rubbing together. I carry the reel in a hard case. Action is medium because sometimes your fishing fast water sections. I use double taper floating leaders and #3 tippets. For flys I bring a nice selection of emergers, adams, and terrestrials especially ants, bees and dragonfly patterns. I also carry a bottle of trout powerbaits and a small bag of fly hooks. Again all of this, including the reel goes into a 9" stuff sack.
As far as licenses for fishing. When a ranger talks to me he or she asks if i have a license. I tell them that I am a thruhiker on the AT and generally they will leave me alone. The unspoken rules are these:
1. DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN YOU NEED! Three or four is alright, a dozen is too many.
2. RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY! Normally there will be signs for private properties. Sometimes the property owners will allow you to fish there if you ask for their permission before the fact.
3. LEAVE NO TRACE! DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING BEHIND BUT GENTLE FOOTPRINTS.
4. When you get to camp be kind to those around you. Do not leave fish guts and waste around for everyone to smell. PROPERLY DISPOSE OF REMAINS. The best way to do this is to have a supply of sandwich size ziplock storage bags with your fishing tackle. When your done cleaning the fish put the entrails, etc in it, gently squeeze all the air out of it and zip it close. Put it in another bag, again squeeze air out and zip it close and roll up and place in your garbage bag that you ALWAYS bring with you to take those things you can't burn or dispose of properly. Next stop in civilization drop bag in nearest proper recepticle. DO NOT PUT REMAINS IN FIRE! First off that's bad manners, second it causes quite a stink.
Personally, for me, I love to get up before sunrise, go to a stream in the area and see if there's any friendly fish. It's a relaxing and very peaceful way for me to start the day. Sometimes you see amazing views and waterfalls that you would never see on the trail and your more than likely to catch a glimpse of some wildlife, just respect the bears if you do come onto one. If you do encounter one SLOWLY back out of the area. If you happen to have fish with you and the bear smells it the best thing to do is lay the fish down on the trail in a smooth and easy manner then gently back away. Once you get out of the sight of the bear you can run, but generally, my experience with them is that if you don't make any rash moves and show that your not a threat to them they will generally leave you alone. The only difference to this is Mother Bear and her Cubs. There is no way to truthfully give advise in a situation like this. It really depends on how dangerous you are to her cubs than anything else. As with any wild animal, they are best viewed from a distance the better.
Enjoy the fishing!
Belgarion