Fishing

[Russell88]

<P>I've noticed on most van dweller forums, there isn't much info about anyone fishing for food. I plan on van dwelling all along California and at times would like to get out in the wilderness for a decent amount of time, do a little bit of gold panning and whatnot. Fishing seems like it would be a great way to spend some time in the day and get free food. How many of you do regular fishing to get food?</P>

 

[user 423]

Out-of-state fishing licenses usually cost a lot more than for a resident.&nbsp; If you get caught by a game warden without a license, any fish you catch may turn out to be very expensive!

 

[VanTramp]

We have been getting more and more into it lately and expect that trend to continue. I have been dragging my fly-fishing gear around in the van for years, but this year is the first time I have actually spent some time using it. Heidi wants to start fly fishing too, but for now uses a regular rod/real. We also do some prospecting and you are definitely right, they go well together.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>One thing to consider about that last thought (prospecting and fishing). There are clubs you can join in various states that offer access to their group claims. Many of them you can stay over at &amp; camp at no cost while prospecting and fishing if you are a member.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>We spend most of our time on the west coast now days with some trips in as far as AZ/Utah etc. Most of the time though it is PNW. Many of those clubs I mention cover more than one state. Washington Prospectors and Bedrock Prospectors both fit that description. The fishing license thing could get expensive if you travel from state to state, but staying in one general area is almost always going to be more cost effective overall anyway.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Going fishing again here in a few hours, wish me luck <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp;</div>

 

[twokniveskatie]

it's the non-resident license costs that stop me. i carry gear for survival fishing should my back be against a wall.

 

[4x4tour]

<P><FONT face="times new roman, times, serif" size=3>Mike, <BR><BR>I want to learn to fly-fish.&nbsp; What type/brand rod/reel should I get.&nbsp; Remember, I always want the higher quality stuff, "buy once, buy the best" is my motto. <BR><BR>Also, to anyone interested, I started putting together a Microsoft Word doc containing really cool BLM/NFS spots in the California northwest vicinity that are on/near mining claims.&nbsp; They include river pictures and coordinates.&nbsp; You can't mine on current claims, but the fishing/extended camping is awesome.&nbsp; I know... too much time on my hands...</FONT></P><P><FONT face="times new roman, times, serif" size=3>I'm in the process of purchasing&nbsp;mining claims with awsome views.&nbsp; Many miners don't pay the yearly maintenance fee, and lose their claims without knowing.&nbsp; For under 100 (or so) bucks, these type of mining claims are fun to own, knowing you always have a place to mine/camp/fish etc...&nbsp; You can even live on them, if you improvement to the lands, and actual mining usage. <BR><BR>Interested parties can email at </FONT><A href="mailto:[email protected]" target=_blank target=_blank><FONT face="times new roman, times, serif" size=3>[email protected]</FONT></A><FONT face="times new roman, times, serif" size=3>&nbsp;(try not to let too many people know...lol)&nbsp; Shoot me a PM so I know to check my email. <BR><BR><BR><BR></FONT></P>

 

[user 423]

<font face="times new roman, times, serif" size="3">

&nbsp;For under 100 (or so) bucks, these type of mining claims are fun to own, knowing you always have a place to mine/camp/fish etc...&nbsp; You can even live on them, if you improvement to the lands, and actual mining usage.

<br><br>I wonder how much that has changed now that gold is up to $1800/ounce?&nbsp; A while back I did a little online research into the possibility of spending a summer in OR and doing a little panning/sluicing and living in my van. The rules list was very specific and (as usual for the gov't) very lengthy pertaining to sanitary requirements,etc. but for shorter periods, I guess you'd be OK. It sure would be a good way to go for the temp camping aspects and any gold you would find would be gravy. <br></font>

 

[4x4tour]

California is a PIA for serious gold mining, but panning is a blast.&nbsp; I spoke to a Sergeant at the government office,&nbsp; and he offered to show me the ropes of landing these things. It's all public knowledge, but the only real way to buy these things on the cheap (without paying 3 grand on ebay), is to go there in person for overdue claims.&nbsp; They get sucked up QUICK (like in days) for those ebay scammers to re-sell for thousands. <br><br>I researched a claim for sale on Ebay, and it was actually private property belonging to a logging company (Trinity County, CA) the seller was listing.&nbsp; The ebay seller had just filed a false claim with BLM (they ok new application with NO investigation, as long as a check is attached), and then issue it a CAMC#, at which time the claim is sold.&nbsp; If the buyer doesnt physically view county parcels, he/she would never know unless confronted by the property owner.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>I notified the state, the logging company owner, and&nbsp; Trinity County and eBay... No one cared.&nbsp; <br><br><br>&nbsp;<br><br>

 

[VanTramp]

<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">

<p><font face="times new roman, times, serif" size="3">Mike,&nbsp;<br><br>I want to learn to fly-fish.&nbsp; What type/brand rod/reel should I get.&nbsp; Remember, I always want the higher quality stuff, "buy once, buy the best" is my motto.&nbsp;<br><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">

</span></font></p><p>Really depends on what type of fish. You can go after about anything with a flyrod nowdays. I mostly go for trout and salmon on the rivers and use a 9' 4 section "Sage" graphite model that is perfect for me. Sage makes some really nice rods for a sort of median type price. There are so many crazy over-priced rigs out there! I don't think you can hurt yourself going with a decent graphite setup though. The real I use is a "Tioga" from Teton. It is a nice setup and works well for me so far. Orvis makes pretty decent gear too. There are so many good brands out there now really. If you go to any decent fly fishing shop or even cabellas etc, they should be able to get you setup with a great rig.&nbsp;</p><p>I took a pic of my basic gear (forgot my waders,net &amp; knives etc) for you. Pretty simple and effective.&nbsp;</p><div><br></div>

 

[4x4tour]

Right on... I know there are a ton of rods on CL right now, so I will scour them until I find a steal...lol <br>

 

[VanTramp]

Washington is horrible on prospecting laws. They Make Oregon look really lax <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I prefer going to Josephine County Oregon anyway, I seem to do better there!&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I used to have tons more mining equipment here at my Dad's ranch, but after getting annoyed with all the laws &amp; permits, I found it is much easier for me to stick with a nice 2' Keene sluice and a pan with all supporting stuff (small classifiers, collapsing bucket, small spade etc) in a decent backpack. I can still keep it easily with us in the van, can go way farther back up various creeks where there are less folks to share the gold with and it seems to work without permits every where I have wanted to go.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>We do have gold here in Washington too more on the Eastern side of the Sound in the Cascades etc. The gold I find here on the OP is very fine and doesn't accumulate too quickly. The one good thing about it is that there isn't anyone rushing to claim the areas I go and I know several that are pretty well untouched.&nbsp;</div>

 

[VanTramp]

Right on... I know there are a ton of rods on CL right now, so I will scour them until I find a steal...lol <br>

<div><br></div><div>Yeah, there are some good deals on there lately I have noticed too. I need to score a couple more spools for my real so I keep a few more setups with me. Probably will need another rod as well. I want to do some saltwater fishing out in our bay as well.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Oh yeah, on that note, with the saltwater license, you can go clamming and crabbing too. There are some good spots to dip-net Dungeness crab near by! Yum!</div><div><br></div><div>On the prospecting &amp; staying on site other than the club claims, the places I go that are close are all pretty much NFS land and can be camped for 14 days anyway so not too bad. &nbsp;</div>

 

[lampliter]

Since my "van" is a motorcycle; everything is scaled down to fit. Here is my fishing outfit. It's called a Penrod Extreme. Extends out to about 5', Came with the spinning reel, I think I paid less than $30 for it. The minature fly reel was bought seperately. Penrod.com. <br>

 

[4x4tour]

Ahhhhh, I dig the space-saving...&nbsp; <br>

 

[Butternut]

<font size="3"><font face="Courier">great idea! There's a lady here in mass who pretty much lives off caught fish in the summer and seems to do fine. The license, like the rest said, is the hang up. If you're going to use it a lot it must be worth it</font></font><br>

 

[lampliter]

Correction---Penfishingrods.com. oops.<br>

 

[bob144]

i would love to learn how to fly fish,but i dont do waders they about killed me when i was young

 

[fwiw]

I actually fish for food a few times a week.&nbsp; I live right on the coast, so I go ocean fishing all the time.&nbsp; Depending on your state, you don't need a license at all.&nbsp; All I have is a NOAA registration card, which is free.&nbsp; I keep 6 poles in my trunk, for everything from deep sea fishing (not that I have a boat) to fly fishing an bait fish fishing.&nbsp; In the beginning of the summer I was actually able to catch enough mackeral so that I could sell them to a bait shop for $.25 each.&nbsp; I highly suggest fishing.&nbsp; Even if I don't catch a meal, I find it very relaxing.&nbsp; <br>