Wes: Lots of excellent advice, born from experience. I suspect that a person could make a directory from VFBers, and plan an itinerary, and accept the hospitality of VFB members enroute. This is one of the many terrific things about this bunch. We've seen hospitality extended, revealing of mythical fishing spots, and offers to guide, and supply the go-to flies, and all sorts of things which rise above the usual "neighborly" gestures. Truly gracious offers, and some wonderful friendships have been the outcome. I am always impressed. The standard line is: "Come on out here! We'll take care of you. So and so will already be here, and we'll turn it into a real occasion. Don't forget to bring some of that Jalapeno chutney, etc." This is as it should be. When Chris Cook comes to America, he will be in good hands. His only problem is deciding where to spend his time. With good fishing everywhere, he may decide to stay. And he would be welcome. I've rambled too much already.
Larry Johnson Springville, Utah >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 12/12/03 08:12AM >>> Chris, Linda and I have done an extensive amount of long-term road travel in our camper van. Seems like we have been on every highway inside the square from Albuquerque, New Mexico to South Dakota, Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Death Valley, California. I used to be a college professor, so we were able to travel for 2-1/2 months every summer for 12 years. I think the most mileage we ever did in one summer was 5500 miles and that was mostly on a trip that featured Montana, though included the Pacific Ocean Coast. Some thoughts on your trip planning: One of the problems you will encounter about 90 days through the trip will be burnout! You will find that "moving on" will start to take precedence over "enjoying it". You will hit your idea of fishing heaven only to be pulled away from it regrettably early just to fulfill your travel schedule. (Sometimes a "schedule" will be your worst enemy.) You will find yourself "going through the motions". We used to travel in a two-three day "on" and one day "off" pattern. That one day off was a "no or limited driving", rest and relaxation, do something different sort of day. That enforced break made all the difference in the world. During the tourism season we also were into our weekend campground spot by mid-Friday and almost never moved out until mid-day Sunday. Weekends are the absolute worst for reliably finding a place to stay the night. We camped in our camper van by choice...the vehicle is very comfortable (even has a hot-water shower), and we were on a college teacher's budget. Bad weather is a factor in long-term travel, and a tent or motel were not the best options for escaping the cold, snow, wind and rain. (On one memorable stretch, we experienced a rain storm at Clark Canyon Reservoir in Montana where it rained solidly for three straight days!) Camping for us was by far the least expensive option (a consideration!) and whenever possible we camped in a rustic, isolated, and free situation. Rustic, isolated and free are not necessarily the most "convenient" to the fishing. Your ace in the hole may be the opportunity to do overnight stays with VFB listers, and that will help immensely in a lot of ways. Camping fees and motel lodging will be a huge part of your trip budget that obviously needs to be planned for. You will find camping in eastern U.S. locales to be much more expensive than camping in the western U.S. I am assuming you will be renting a vehicle for your trip transportation. If so, you will find the cost extremely prohibitive unless you can return the vehicle to the same place you picked it up at the end of your journey. That may be another argument for keeping your geographic travel area more compact. For that long a travel and stay, I would even consider buying a vehicle at the start of the trip and selling it at the end! The following may be taboo for this flytying/flyfishing group, but I harken back to what a flyfisher's wife said to us once as we prepared for a trip that included fishing in the UK. She said, "a fish is a fish is fish - you should spend more time seeing the history and enjoying the culture and sights while you are here." I think that was good advice and gave us a more well-rounded and memorable experience. Whatever your choices, you will have a wonderful life experience traveling through the US. If this is not something you have done before in a more limited manner, you will be amazed at the variety of terrain, culture and people available to you here in the States. If you plan to be in northern California (say in the area that encompasses the Upper Sacramento River near Dunsmuir or the many flyfishing streams and lakes around Burney and Mt. Lassen) or in Central Oregon (around the city of Bend, the Deschutes River, the Metolius, and the Cascade Lakes such as Hosmer, Crane Prairie, Davis Lake), please let me know, and we will see if we can get together. We have a client at a private flyfishing resort ranch in n. California and might be able to meet you there for a free stay (lots of dry fly stillwater fishing for rainbows 4-10 pounds). Unfortunately that has to be done on dates scheduled well in advance. Regards, Wes and Linda Wada Bend, Oregon
