Steve K.
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Well the Trout Truck project has come to fruition. I wanted a dependable truck that was good on gas….and could tow the driftboat. It had to be outfitted with a fiberglass cap so I could pull into a rest area and climb in the back to sleep. So…..I decided on the Toyota Tacoma Access Cab with the V-6 4.0 liter engine and TRD Off Road Package. I took it on it’s maiden voyage this weekend with the ARE fiberglass top. Zero money spent on lodging and I threw some groceries in the back and took off. Only costs….I renewed my NC fishing license and used about $70 worth of gas…..19mpg with the boat.
Well….she passed with flying colors!
Windshield mounted Garmin Etrex. The 4.0 liter pulls the driftboat quite well….even in the mountains:
Rod Racks mounted on shower curtain rods. Wire shelfing (the attic) rests on top of the rods to hold maps, reading materials, etc
Here’s a large photo showing the removable sleeping platform with storage beneath (the basement):
The sleeping platform consists of three pieces….the frame and two pieces of birch plywood:
The scenery was hard to beat:
And even fooled a few brownies:
Almost forgot the obligatory IA food shot……tailgating after sunset …boiling water for some Mountain House and Folgers.
This thread reminds me of a conversation I had with a native Alaskan a few summers ago. She said that when Alaskan men are searching for a prospective wife……….THE most important attribute the woman must have is her ability “….to carry her share of the moose!”
Aaron,
As a 51 year-old father of two boys…………Two things come to mind when I see this post………….
1. You are creating memories that little Hudson will carry with him the rest of his life. Both my sons have traveled with me to Alaska, Montana, Wyoming , etc in pursuit of trout. Backpacking into the backcountry for days at a time. They will never forget that! This past summer I took my 16 year old to AK where he camped and fished alongside the grizzly bears. With these memories come an appreciation of the resource that all of us are thankful for.
2. While many kids get involved in the wrong things….you have planted the seed of flyfishing that hopefully Hudson will continue to nurture the rest of his life. I’ve always said that kids are kinda like a savings account…….the more you invest….the larger the dividend.
Let me speak from a voice of experience……the next 16 years will fly by! You will be sending Hudson off to college before you know it. In the meantime……enjoy the ride and keep fishing!
The photo below was taken almost ten years ago but seems like yesterday:
Thanks for posting.
Steve
Just returned from a 25 mile backpacking odyssey in NC.
Gas was $2.99 yesterday in Andrews, NC.
BTW…….The leaves and brook trout are beautiful in GSMNP right now!
Joel,
There’s a techno gadget….and I’ll have to get on the Googler to find it…that acts as a burglar alarm by dialing your cellphone. In other words, when the motion detector is tripped, the built-in modem text messages your cell phone to let you know there has been an intrusion. It’s designed to catch the bastards….not scare them away. What you do with them when you arrive is up to you.
Kevin….I was riding shotgun after consuming copius amounts of Alaskan King Crab legs at Captain Patties on the Spit. The clam chowder that is made from locally caught razor clams….is some of the best I’ve had. Highly recommended
5-Stars.
Nicely done Brian!
I haven’t read the whole article just yet, so you may have mentioned it in there…..but may I ask…..
What is the brand and weight of your tarptent? I see you are into lightweight backpacking.
Thanks again for a great report!
Kevin,
Save yourself some grief and stop by Unicoi Outfitters in downtown Blue Ridge. Ask Julian or Metrela what pattern you should use to match that little cream colored midge. I bet they’ll have the answer. They can also advise on the wadeable areas.
Will,
Nice job as always. If I remember right….you were once photographing the insects in a terrarium (sp?). Is this still the case or are you using an underwater housing on your camera? You may have told us previously (and I apologize if you have) but I’d be interested in your equipment setup.
Craig,
Blue Ribbon can handle the guided trip as well. Tell them that you’re wife will be with you so they can appeal to her tastes as well. Maybe a little less fishing and a more elaborate shore lunch…..
I had figured on trying to find somewhere close to the NW corner of the park, maybe around paradise valley, since we plan on fishing several streams in both the SW and NE corners.
Paradise valley is a loooong way from the NE corner of the Park…..probably a two-hour drive one-way….longer if there is a bear jam.
Let me know what streams you want to fish and I’ll let you know what kind of driving will be required.
(Disclaimer….I’m no Yellowstone expert but I usually go backpacking and flyfishing there each summer. I can certainly tell you what mistakes I have made.)
Call Craig or John at http://www.blueribbonflies.com. They guide in that area.
They used to own a house on the Madison that they rented….they also could point you in the right direction if you tell them what you are looking for.
You are smart to start looking now. If you were gonna be with a bunch of guys that were only concerned about fishing….I’d tell you to stay at the Roosevelt Lodge cabins for about $65 a night.
