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Gone Fishin’ |
June 01, 2010
Welcome to Fish America - 16
by Rick Bach
 I’m Rick Bach, and I’m fishing my way across the country for Fish America on Outdoorlife.com. My cousin and I used to spend summers chasing fish, and the winters planning our cross-country trip. We were going to do it the summer after high school, then the summer after my junior year of college, after he got out of the Navy. But life has a funny way of happening at the strangest times. Then on a cold February night this year, I was in a tattoo parlor outside of Boston. Maybe it was the state of mind that results from getting drawn on with a needle for more than an hour, maybe it was a lack of sleep, but when the artist (Josh) offhand, used the phrase: “The future is just a series of presents,” it sunk in. I realized that we will all, if we are fortunate, be 75 and sitting on a porch some day. And the difference between talking about what you always dreamt of doing, or what you’ve done, is only what you do today. I did not race home that night and plan this trip. But something that I had always wanted to do subtly but suddenly solidified from pipe dream to plan. A list of dream fishing destinations wrote itself and gradually took the shape of a route. And with the help of several people to whom I will forever be indebted, I have reached the edge of this adventure. I claim neither expertise, nor all that much confidence, just a love of the water. Hemingway said that courage, as distinguished from panic, was the ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination. So, I am refusing to imagine how much I will miss the job and the people I am leaving behind, or what I will do when this adventure ends. My hope is that some of these places go on your list, that you take a day or two off work or school, leaving the lawn un-mowed and the mail piling up, and turn a few places on your list into memories. Because life is as short as the country is big, and the things we do not do, just don’t get done. So I’m fishing America. Here is my list of dream destinations for the first half of my trip, in the order and approximate time frame I hope to hit them.
It is perhaps overly ambitious, and might even prove impossible. But if that’s the case, at least I won’t fall short for lack of trying. Let me know what you think, tell me places I’ve missed, and if you think it can be done. I will gladly and humbly accept any help that any fellow fishermen are wiling to offer. I will be posting from the road. Welcome to Fish America! |
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Comments (16)
This may seem strange but it's really true:) I am your nana's neice's(Debra)grandchild. My grandma told me I was related to you and I was really happy. So you are my 3rd cousin:)Being related to you makes me feel special. Even if you don't know I exist:) You're awesome.
This I'm sure will be one of your greatest adventures ever - can't wait to ride along. You have a great way of making us feel like we're right on the shore next to you, so were ready and will be following right along - can't wait to ejoy this experience with you.
Wow! Well if you wind up in Az with a pole (its not on the schedule) you got a free place to stay,eat and relax before your next fishin hole. Check out the lakes outside the phoenix area....Apache, Canyon, Roosevelt, Horse Shoe, etc ...Bass, Cat etc...So jealous...mutter, mutter. :)
good luck young man and catch many fish.
If your gonna catch stripers in NJ young squire, you best hurry up. That time of year at Sandy Hook, all you might find are sea robins and Coney Island whitefish
What a great adventure you have ahead. I can't wait to read about it. Enjoy the moment!
Chlorophyll? More like BOR-ophyll!
Hey Rick--
What a trip! I'm envious, but will sure look forward to following you online. Good luck and say hi to the folks at Wheaton's Lodge in Grand Lake Stream—really nice folks and a great place to fish.
Ishi: nope, no camera man, just me. Sanyo makes a cheap (as camcorders go) submersible handheld HD that is completely water-tight, which is how I get any underwater stuff you see.
Hey Rick - I'm a friend of your Mom & Aunt Tara! Good luck with your endeavors. I'm impressed so far!
Kathy
Grand lake stream is a nice area but you won't be getting atlantics there, only Land locks, but while your up in the area you should look into some togue fishing in the area it's not to bad in maine.
This is AWSOME!! I am just so jealous. To actually go & do what you love the most is just sweet. I will check this every day & keep up with your daily or weekly adventures, it is all very exciting. I will tell everyone I know to watch this & will spread the word!!! I know of a lake in upstate NY called Kayuta Lake & I know for a fact that they have some nice small mouth bass & some tiger muskies!!! If you want to come & see for yourself I have a hammock waiting for you, just let me know. Have fun & make a ton of memories that will last you a life time!!!
Luv you Pumpkin!!! Have fun
Hey there Rick. I work with your Aunt Tara...GREAT person. At any rate, some people are saying this may be the year a 50lb King Salmon is taken from Ontario. If you are interested in getting hooked up on the 'big pond' or fishing Pulaski in the winter for steel head drop a line and consider it done.
Best of luck!
I envy you young man.
I do have a technical question. I noticed several photos and underwater shots. Do you have somebody with you to photograph and what type of camera are you using?
Wow. Cool concept. Good luck Rick. You have to love a guy that fishes in Air Jordans in case a spontaneous game of horse breaks open.
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Wow. Cool concept. Good luck Rick. You have to love a guy that fishes in Air Jordans in case a spontaneous game of horse breaks open.
I envy you young man.
I do have a technical question. I noticed several photos and underwater shots. Do you have somebody with you to photograph and what type of camera are you using?
Hey there Rick. I work with your Aunt Tara...GREAT person. At any rate, some people are saying this may be the year a 50lb King Salmon is taken from Ontario. If you are interested in getting hooked up on the 'big pond' or fishing Pulaski in the winter for steel head drop a line and consider it done.
Best of luck!
Luv you Pumpkin!!! Have fun
This is AWSOME!! I am just so jealous. To actually go & do what you love the most is just sweet. I will check this every day & keep up with your daily or weekly adventures, it is all very exciting. I will tell everyone I know to watch this & will spread the word!!! I know of a lake in upstate NY called Kayuta Lake & I know for a fact that they have some nice small mouth bass & some tiger muskies!!! If you want to come & see for yourself I have a hammock waiting for you, just let me know. Have fun & make a ton of memories that will last you a life time!!!
Grand lake stream is a nice area but you won't be getting atlantics there, only Land locks, but while your up in the area you should look into some togue fishing in the area it's not to bad in maine.
Hey Rick - I'm a friend of your Mom & Aunt Tara! Good luck with your endeavors. I'm impressed so far!
Kathy
Hey Rick--
What a trip! I'm envious, but will sure look forward to following you online. Good luck and say hi to the folks at Wheaton's Lodge in Grand Lake Stream—really nice folks and a great place to fish.
What a great adventure you have ahead. I can't wait to read about it. Enjoy the moment!
If your gonna catch stripers in NJ young squire, you best hurry up. That time of year at Sandy Hook, all you might find are sea robins and Coney Island whitefish
Wow! Well if you wind up in Az with a pole (its not on the schedule) you got a free place to stay,eat and relax before your next fishin hole. Check out the lakes outside the phoenix area....Apache, Canyon, Roosevelt, Horse Shoe, etc ...Bass, Cat etc...So jealous...mutter, mutter. :)
Ishi: nope, no camera man, just me. Sanyo makes a cheap (as camcorders go) submersible handheld HD that is completely water-tight, which is how I get any underwater stuff you see.
This I'm sure will be one of your greatest adventures ever - can't wait to ride along. You have a great way of making us feel like we're right on the shore next to you, so were ready and will be following right along - can't wait to ejoy this experience with you.
good luck young man and catch many fish.
This may seem strange but it's really true:) I am your nana's neice's(Debra)grandchild. My grandma told me I was related to you and I was really happy. So you are my 3rd cousin:)Being related to you makes me feel special. Even if you don't know I exist:) You're awesome.
Chlorophyll? More like BOR-ophyll!
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)