Quote:
Originally Posted by Cshadis92
Thanks for posting this. I have really been considering (mostly daydreaming.) about taking a trip up north for the bigger browns, rainbows, and steelhead. Some thoughts holding me back have been: cost, time from work, and finer details such as time of year to target the fish for a successful trip, where exactly to fish, money, etc. it all feels a little overwhelming, since in Jersey, trout streams are all relatively close by for most of us, and it is not a big gamble if we drive an hour or so and have a rough day fishing. What would you recommend doing to make these trophy trout trips a little easier on the anxiety scale?? Sounds like you've definitely hit some awesome waters.
|
No matter what type of fishing you choose to do in most cases the two more important variables are time and money.
Financial advice is simple. If you have to think too hard on your decision you can not afford it. Now, it is impossible to put a price tag on happiness, but I follow an overall formula for vacations that has not failed me. Budget 5% of your annual income for vacation expenses. If you make $50,000 a year a $2500 vacation will not break the bank assuming you are responsible in other areas, are able to save for the future and do not have a large number of dependents.
Time- If you are young and single, have no children or disposable income etc time is your ally. for those of us who have kids and a family that needs us you can not run around fishing on multiple day trips often so budgeting time is extremely important. Family, work, fishing.....
If you have anxiety about fishing half the fun will be stripped from the trip before you make your first cast. You need to go up guilt free in order to enjoy yourself. From NJ you can make the trip to Lake Ontario tribs in 4-5 hours driving. Hotels are extremely cheap and if you bring a buddy you can split a room that will be under $100 a night. Some sub $2 gas out there as well right now so transportation cost is easily controlled. If you fish the tribs around lake ontario and are familiar with trout fishing the transition will be easy. Steelhead are trout and act no different then a 12" stocked rainbow that has been in a local stream a month. You will need new tackle to handle them, but bouncing a store bought egg sack along the bottom will work. same deal as any trout stream fish edges. If I had to pick the best month up there for trout I would take November. Spring is good for dropback steelhead and there are less crowds.
I am sure there are much better trout anglers on this board then me that can help out with some of the particulars. Good Luck.
