What fishing/outdoor/etc stuff are you most looking forward to in 2025?

This has been a terrible fishing season so far for me; I haven't put a line in the water since the season started in Wisconsin on the first Saturday of January. This is the longest I've gone without fishing since I lived overseas in the 90's. Driftless streams are low and some are iced over. I got up there last week, but had to work in my brother's shop to replace my brakes and shocks/struts so had no time to fish.

But that car that I worked will be my road trip car this summer. I'm going as far as the Black Hills (13 1/2 hours from me) but will spend time exploring trout spring ponds in northern Wisconsin (+/-6 hours), and I plan to finally fish the Au Sable in Michigan 5 1/2 hours). No airplane travel for fishing planned, although I will travel to Vietnam to visit a buddy who lives and works in Saigon/HCMC.
 
There’s the annual get together at the ranch mid May. Turkey on Mt. Hull. Grouse in September. With any luck, shrimping with Rick and Scotty. I’ve been talking with Mrs. about a road trip to Glacier Park. She’s never been there and I know she would love it. Spending as much time at the ranch as I can. Despite some of that time will be burned up by mowing the yard. I’m also entertaining giving duck hunting a shot at one of the lakes up by the ranch. There is the beginnings of what would be a good blind, just a few feet up the shore. Maybe just a half dozen decoys…
There’s lots of possibilities, Ya just gotta get off your ass and do it.
 
Starting off this year , our annual Bighorn trip in April , with a group of us now around 18-20 , six , or seven personal drift boats ,and five days fishing the Bighorn , good friends , good food ,and good times . Then off to Montana in June ,and July for the annual six to seven weeks with the fifth wheel , wife ,and dog in tow , staying in our favorite campground . Spending time there with the many friends we have made over the years. Plenty of fly fishing , BBQ's ,and just sitting around ,and BS'ing . This will be the 23rd year in a row at this place . This makes the 55th year going to the area . A three day trip in late July to fish the Missouri before heading home . Then in late August meeting friends in Wyoming to spend a week fishing the Green ,and New Fork rivers .
 
Canuck from Kansas said:
Should be an incredible trip!! A daily log would be wonderful!!!!

How are you getting from Fairbanks to the Jasper? If you have the extra time, a stout vehicle (you must have for the journey you have planned), and don't mind a few extra miles, would recommend going via Chicken Alaska (when I went through, home to 12 people and one grump), over the Top of the World Highway (believe me, "highway" is a misnomer), and down through Dawson City (Hwy 2) to Whitehorse. Be sure to get a picture of the license plate sign in Watson Lake and stop and have a soak in the Laird Hot Springs first thing in the morning if at all possible).

The drive from Jasper to Banff is as beautiful as it gets (though likely pretty crowded at the time I think you'll be going through). The 2024 fire destroyed a lot of the town, though most major landmarks were unscathed. I preferred Jasper over Banff, which is very touristy. You'll get to see the Columbia Ice field before it melts away (already huge amount lost), and Lake Louise, if you can get past the crowds (or stop very early AM), is stunning!! Have fun on the Bow, some very nice trouts in there.

Again, not sure what route you're taking to get back east, but if ya gots the time, I would recommend the Canadian route along the TC highway. The north shore of Lake Superior is a great drive, and if you see a hitch-hiker in Wawa, pick him up (I hitch-hiked across Canada in my later teens, famous story/legend out there about being sstuck in Wawa).

No matter what or which route you take, sounds wonderful; it's a Journey I am planning on once I retire (couple more years yet).

Be Safe!!

cheers
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Currently, or at the moment, southbound I’m leaning on running the Cassiar and stopping at 100 mile once more before before I die, then Kamloops to Can 1 over to the Banff/Jasper area then home north of Superior via your message. It will totally depend on what and how she’s feeling. I have my splits figured northbound with fuel enough for 700 miles between fills, though I’ll only go 500 max between fill ups with two cans of diesel in the back for those just in case moments. I have 65K on the original tires so those will be new before leaving. I’ve done this before when I was younger, 45+ years ago with a back story in the winter a few times but not fishing related. It was more about getting even with myself, in a way. By myself northbound I’ll shoot for 850-1000 miles between fills on days and nap for a while between splits.
Sitting on 5 boats to NE and NY before I leave, having subbed the rest out and probably will sit the rest of the year out after returning. Delivered one to Cape Cod three weeks ago, started snowing in Del, ran out of it north Jersey and back into it east of Providence. Felt weird passing salt trucks between Providence and the CC canal. 5” of snow on top of ice when I got to Hyannis. Pucker factor was evident. 3 hour nap helped me get back past Dover De before 5PM. Just so you don’t feel alone we got 6” of snow here the following Wednesday. County was SHUT Down! We’ll catch up before I leave. Take care CFK.
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RCF said:
LiFePO 100 amp hour battery so I can troll longer on lakes I enjoy fishing.

Wading staff - something I have needed for a long time. Getting older has made this a top priority.

2+ weeks in Montana this summer.
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Game changer that 100amp LiFePO , Not only the battery life , the portability. Those AGM’s got a bit heavy . Purchased mine a couple summers ago .
 
jeradjames said:
I became a member of the Trailblazers last year so starting to plan a stocking trip or two that will involve some hike in creeks/rivers over a few days. Have done quite a bit of research and plan on getting into some tough spots. Hopefully no fires in those areas.

Back to Europe in September to visit family. First stop in Nice to visit my cousin and will spend a day or so on the Verdon River fishing for Zebra trout. Then Greece again for a few weeks visiting my wife’s family and will be up in the mountains on skinny water for a few days fishing for their native Brown trout.

Short term, excited to get more time in my raft and get more comfortable with that and two handed casting. Trips on different sections of the Yakima and NFCDA come spring. Can’t wait to throw some Skwala’s next month.
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Very cool. I was somehow under the impression that the state had taken over all stocking duties, so it is neat to hear that the Trailblazers are still at it. Some of my favorite fishing experiences have come from unsuspecting small lakes.
 
VAGABOND said:
Currently, or at the moment, southbound I’m leaning on running the Cassiar and stopping at 100 mile once more before before I die, then Kamloops to Can 1 over to the Banff/Jasper area then home north of Superior via your message. It will totally depend on what and how she’s feeling. I have my splits figured northbound with fuel enough for 700 miles between fills, though I’ll only go 500 max between fill ups with two cans of diesel in the back for those just in case moments. I have 65K on the original tires so those will be new before leaving. I’ve done this before when I was younger, 45+ years ago with a back story in the winter a few times but not fishing related. It was more about getting even with myself, in a way. By myself northbound I’ll shoot for 850-1000 miles between fills on days and nap for a while between splits.
Sitting on 5 boats to NE and NY before I leave, having subbed the rest out and probably will sit the rest of the year out after returning. Delivered one to Cape Cod three weeks ago, started snowing in Del, ran out of it north Jersey and back into it east of Providence. Felt weird passing salt trucks between Providence and the CC canal. 5” of snow on top of ice when I got to Hyannis. Pucker factor was evident. 3 hour nap helped me get back past Dover De before 5PM. Just so you don’t feel alone we got 6” of snow here the following Wednesday. County was SHUT Down! We’ll catch up before I leave. Take care CFK.
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curious - what's your tow rig for these professional deliveries?
 
Feb-March walleyes…
End of March retirement :)
April-May springers
June bass (going to try some poppers on the fly rod this year)
End of June sockeye and a Montana trip
July sockeye and summer kings and walleye and a Montana trip
August walleye and fall chinook and a Montana trip
September fall chinook and a tuna trip
October fall chinook and coho and walleye
November coho and walleye and steelhead
December steelhead and walleye
January steelhead and walleye
 
clear_lake said:
Very cool. I was somehow under the impression that the state had taken over all stocking duties, so it is neat to hear that the Trailblazers are still at it. Some of my favorite fishing experiences have come from unsuspecting small lakes.
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I'm still new but from what I've gathered in meetings and from our trip reports, WDFW doesn't stock many lakes anymore. Probably budget issues I'm guessing.
If you can find one of those smaller lakes with freshwater shrimp, you are bound to have a good time.
 
I'm looking forward to the USPS finding my .308 barrel/$270 money order that was sent to a custom gun machinist in Montana by Priority Mail 2 weeks ago that hasn't shown up yet! :mad::mad::mad:
 
One other thing, I can't freakin' wait until carp. Last Fall, I finally got my Steffen Brothers 8' 8/9wt glass (kinda a custom blank job--even though I already knew they had the appropriate mandrels) specifically for carp. I've fished it a bit so far for winter steelhead and it's going to be super sweet for everything....but carp is really what I wanted it for. Light in hand, casts beautifully (and with power) & easily...flat out, fun.
 
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goinoregon said:
any geodes ??
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Have not found geodes yet. We've found common opal, petrified wood, opalized wood agates running in seams in basalt along with all kinds of agate and jasper.. There's lots of material out there to collect. Last weekend we found a bunch between Antelope Oregon and Madras, just looking at road cuts.
 
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mark wlker said:
FINALLY! Delivered at 4:30 yesterday! :):):)
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Good on you mark.
Their idea of Priority is quite different than ours. Last fall I shipped a fly rod via Priority 400 miles for a facelift and it took 13 days. Thankfully the makers wife’s sister was a postmaster in a local town and was able to lasso it somehow. Tracking it all I could think of was The Who’s Pinball Wizard. Asked about filing a claim and they said I couldn’t ……. Because it still showed in their possession.
 
VAGABOND said:
Good on you mark.
Their idea of Priority is quite different than ours. Last fall I shipped a fly rod via Priority 400 miles for a facelift and it took 13 days. Thankfully the makers wife’s sister was a postmaster in a local town and was able to lasso it somehow. Tracking it all I could think of was The Who’s Pinball Wizard. Asked about filing a claim and they said I couldn’t ……. Because it still showed in their possession.
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I was told I had to wait 15 days to file a claim on the package itself. Gave no information on the M/O refund.
 
Waiting on a North Fork Composites Alpha Gamma 8-wt blank that will be built out with Snake Brand reel seat & snake guides along with an NFC Soft-touch full wells handle with a matching fighting butt. This will be used in Pacific City, Oregon fishing for rockfish and Lings out of a Dory Boat. New rod and new experience! That's what I'm most looking forward to!!!
 
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