Of Trout and Petrol

I've been giving a lot of thought lately to how gas prices will affect my fishing habits. Before taking my trip last week, I thought that that outing would be my big solo trip for the year; I would do some more trout fishing during my Grayling weekend with Kristine and during a closing weekend cast-and-blast trip. In the meantime, I'd content myself with bass fishing on the Huron river. I started to feel virtuous about cutting back on my gas consumption.

But by last weekend, I began plotting a hex hatch trip over June 29-July 1. What harm would one more trip of only three hours each way? After all, some people still go north every weekend (and in thirsty SUVs to boot), and a few lucky souls will still make the drive to the Rockies this summer. (That's one of the problems with personal conservation efforts--you can always point to someone using more fuel than you are to justify using more fuel that you otherwise would.) Besides, who knows how much gas will cost next year? Shouldn't I get my licks in while I can? And with such lackluster results during my two trips this year, didn't I deserve a shot at more and bigger fish?

I think I will end up taking the trip, albeit with some guilt I wouldn't have felt before. Opponents of oil drilling near trout streams assert that oil and trout don't mix, but the fact is, for many fishermen they are inseperable. I couldn't fish for trout without access to copious quantities of gasoline. I've reflected on this conundrum for about as long as I've been driving to fish, though it weighs more heavily now.

Ideally, I'd find a fishing partner to split the cost of trips with; that may be a good reason to get involved with the local TU or FFF groups. I envision one day groups may charter bus trips to trout waters, though trout fishermens' characteristic love of solitude may make that venture uncomfortable for many. But if it's that or staying home to fish for bass (very satisfying, but "not the same..."), I think I could give up some elbow room

The way this sport is practiced will undergo some radical changes in the very near future. As long as I can still get on the water, I'll roll with them.

And seriously, if you live in SE Michigan and would be open to splitting a trip, even just for a day, email me.