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I hope that this post won't be considered "stupid" or "silly" by those who read it. I think it could be an interesting read if a few BFTers participated.
Here goes...
What if you won a contest that entitled you to fish anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, for a week, and you could take along three of your buddies. The only catch, it had to be a fishing trip. To keep this scenario plausible, let's say it was being offered by ESPN as part of a fishing feature and your week-long escapade would be taped and aired on their network. Sound real enough?
Now, for the fun part: Where would you go?
I'll start.
As some of you know, I'm a writer by profession. Years ago I was contracted to write a series of fishing brochures for an outfitter in Ketchikan, Alaska. The outfitter sent me several dozen pictures and descriptions of what he offered by way of fishing and accommodations.
I discovered that his destination offered fishing for trophy king salmon, silver salmon, pink and chum salmon, as well as pacific halibut, ling cod, red snapper and many other species in the secluded and sheltered panhandle region of Alaska. His lodge was situated on the mainland and the waters near his lodge were protected by several small islands, which served as huge barriers against the waves and winds of the sea. Fishermen were allowed to rent small crafts from his lodge and fish for any of the above-mentioned species in calm, protected waters while being surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery I'd ever seen.
After studying all of the pictures, I wanted to visit his place BAD. He even offered me a very discounted rate, since he liked my work, but I was a newly married and very poor (financially) fisherman at the time, so I declined.
Anyway, I believe a week-long stay at his lodge would be my first choice.
I have also read/heard about some incredible fishing in the Sea of Cortez, however, and I think that a week-long stay in Rocky Point, Mexico, sampling all of the local foods and culture there might sway me in that direction as my first choice, especially if I decided to do a bit more research on the area.
I have friends and family who make yearly pilgrimages to Rocky Point and simply love the area, but none of them ever fish. I read one report years ago that said several species may be caught in the Sea of Cortez on the same fishing rig, and it's very exciting to see what's on the end of one's hook each time the rod bends there. Sounds fun.
Lastly, there's something to be said of fishing in our own backyard at Lake Powell. A well-equipped houseboat for a week and a nice bass boat in tow might be just the ticket as my choice for number one. I've only fished once at Powell for an extended period, and with all the stripers, walleye, and bass our party caught--I had the time of my life.
Well, those would be my top choices. I would have a hard time choosing a number one.
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Yakutat Alaska. Stay at Leonards landing and fish all day! Nothing better than chasing Salmon up the rivers in the morning, Halibut charter in the afternoon, and digging clams at the beach for dinner!
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I would go to South America for giant peacock bass.
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Anywhere with a beach and cold beer. Do so r&r and surf fish man that sounds good. No worries about any time lines just a good relaxing nap type fishing. Can you hear me snore yet ..... [  ]
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[cool][#0000ff]Interesting thread. Usually better during those times we are stuck inside by weather, job duties, "honey-do's", finances (gas prices) or whatever. We have to be able to dream don't we?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have had the good fortune to have fished in a lot of dream spots. It's all good. But, since you brought up the Sea of Cortez, I am going to say that even though I have logged a lot of water hours on that fish-rich finger of salty water, I would go back in a heartbeat if I had the chance. It epitomizes the ideal fishery to me. You can catch tens of different species, of widely varying sizes, from shore, boat, tube or toon (or kayak). [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have come to prefer fishing for small to mid sized fish, on light to medium tackle, rather that going after the "big game" species. I take my float tube just a few yards offshore and wear myself out on fish no larger than 3 to 5 pounds, with many not much more than a pound. But, what they lack in size they make up for in aggressiveness, fighting ability and table quality. A "hundred fish day" down there means that you only fished for a couple of hours in the morning.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Vamonos![/#0000ff]
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A week in the land of giant pike, huge lakers and walleye by the dozens. It's Canada for me.
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great barrier reef fish local (loco ) style......hand line with parachute cord and 200# mono cleats all around the boat get something to big you tie off till it tires and then start pulling again CRAZY !!!!
they say you catch some thing under 40# its because something bigger didnt eat it on the way up
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Depending on the time of year definitly of miami beach!!!!On the reefs you fish top water and get kingfish ,bonitos and also a mix of yellowfin and blackfin tuna and wahoo in the mix.Oh i almost forgot the tax collectors(barracudas) also show up in abundance.Fishing for sailfish is great off the green and blue edges and they also show up on the reefs.Bottom fishing you get gags,blacks,red, strawberry groupers.Also the big mutton snappers ,true reds,yelloweyes, and big amberjacks show up on the reefs.Then way offshore you get the big bull and cow dolphin and they occasionally visit the reefs to.Also night fishing is awesome.Lots of yellowtails,blue runners and mangroves on light tackle will give youa workout .Also on heavy tackle you can catch cobias,sharks big groupers and snappers.The reef is full of life at night and all the top predators will be there.You can fish 24 hours a day for different species just take your pick!!!! The best thing about fishing of miami beach is you only need to go out a couple of miles out.A 20 minute drive and you are into the reefs.And when the gulf stream is a few miles offshore with the blue and green edge the fishing gets even better.If the weather gets bad you can stay inshore and fish for cudas,jacks, spanish mackerals,snook,redfish,tarpon,ladyfish and smaller species of snappers.
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1. Costa Rica. The mouth of the Rio Colorado and its tributaries for (what I hear) the best tarpon and snook fishing on the planet.
2. A private stretch of river in New Zealand fishing dry flies to giant rainbows in gin-clear water requiring perfect presentations.
3. Yes, the Amazon River peacock bass fishing looks very appealing. Bad-a** fish on topwaters!
I've fished and guided in much of Alaska and Canada, in all the "great" waters, and they're all as good as the hype, but I've already "been there, done that"! I do hear that the trout and salmon fishing is Russia is "like Alaska was 60 years ago." That would be tempting.
Oh, if I only had a real job with good income! NOT! I'd still rather just go fishing every day . . .
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Canada for sure! HUGE pike, millions of eyes, gorgeous lakers and some other bonuses thrown in.
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the I-80 ponds. imagine a weeks worth of video of that on espn hahahaha, but if the scenario is as said, they would HAVE to air it.
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I'm doing it tomorrw. For two weeks strait!!!!![cool][cool][cool][cool]
Family vacation to Oregon. Specifically, Bandon. Prowler Charters kick butt.
Four days of giant Ling Cod, Cabazon, Grenling for starters. Top that off with Black, Blue, Quillback, Copper, China, Tiger, Yelloweye, Canary, and monster Vermillion rockfish(I'm talking like pushing record status; 5-8# Vermillions are average.) All of that on 12# line with 4 Oz. Jigs scraping the bottom.
Two days of fishing King and Coho Salmon(And oh yeah, they've finally turned on the first time this year!) 20# Chinooks aren't uncommon; Neither are 35-40#ers. Usually you limit on 20's with one or two 40's per boat.
One day of Pacific Halibut. Bandon's average Halibut is better than 60#'s, my P.R.
And, to top things off, one day of Tuna 40 miles off shore in 75* weather. Non-stop fishing. Litterally. It's 25 fish or when you can't reel them up anymore.
Plus theirs surf fishing for giant surfperch. Fishing the lighthouse for rockfish, greenling, and ling cod. And, for the first time in about 10 years, the entire coast is open for Razor Clam digging. Butters, Cockles, and Gappers are all very aboundant.
And Dungeness Crab like you wouldn't believe! Massive buggers. And normally, limits each day you really try it.
It's amazing up there. It really is. I love it!
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Well I like chefwhofishes would enjoy going back to yakatat alaska to leonards lodge that was a good time.
I think i could enjoy spendinga week in the area of Star Valley Wyoming. I have doen this before. Fishing the Salt, Grays, Snake and Hoback rivers and Falls creek.
I spent a week up in Grays river with some Buddies. We were hunting deer in September. I was fortunate enough to shoot my deer opening morning. I spent the next five days fishing these rivers and streams up there all day. what a wonderful time.
However one trip I do each year is backpack in for the day to Baileys lake in the little Grays river drainage. Its a 6 mile one way hike in. We go in early in the morning, Spend the day catching and releasing the most beautiful Cutthroat and brookies you have ever seen. have lunch and come back in the afternoon. We are always tired when we get back to the truck, however its well worth the hike to see my 14 yr old daughter catch 20-30 fish and turn them loose for our nrxt trip in.
Great post. Great memories.
RILEY
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I would head to Siberia. This is the Alaska of 50 years ago. Taimen (a giant salmon type fish) that reach 100 lbs. I have read they use rodant and bird imitations as dry flies there.
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JHT -- while reading the other responses, I kept wondering why no-one had brought up Russia. Glad to see there is someone else thinking about the largest salmonid in the world! Mix in some Amur Trout (similar to Brown Trout), Lennok, and Grayling to go along with the Taimen, and you've got yourself a dream vacation like no other in the world!
Me? I'll take Siberia/Mongolia over New Zealand, Argentina, Alaska, or Canada any day.
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The answer is an easy one ...
1. Lake El Salto Mexico ... November / December ... 100 LMBz per day in the 6+lb range and heavier ... Catered Meals ... Warm Tortillas ... Air Conditioning ... Hammocks ... Spanish Guitar and all the ice cold drinks you can handle. Absolute Heaven On Earth.
2. New Zealand ... Late Fall ... Flyfishing Heaven, firggin monsters in them there streams & rivers ... Crystal Clear Waters with fish that will take a friggin mouse pattern. You do the math.
3. The Harris Chain Of lakes, Florida ... Early March / Spawn ... This place has goosebump sized toads in there with friggin enough fish that will hammer your rods to keep you on cloud nine for like ... YEARS ... Just the feeling of being in Florida, fishing the best LMB fishery in the U.S.A.
4. Lake Dixon, California ... April / Spawn ... Home of the New World Record Largemouth Bass. All I need is one week ... Digital Camera, Measuring Tape, Certified Scales, Cell Phone With Coverage ... BAM! One Million Bucks!
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Cabelas fish tank
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KAMCHATKA(FAR EASTERN COAST) RUSSIA. GREAT RAINBOW AND STEELHEAD FISHING. DRIFT BOATS OR WALKING, WITH A FLY POLE OF COURSE !!
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[cool][#0000ff]That would be great, but they told me you have it booked for the next six months.[/#0000ff]
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Fly-in somewhere in Manitoba.I'd love to catch some of those 3 to 5lb brookies then retire to my little lakeside cabin.
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