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ATV's and Motorcycle Trout Bumming
ATV,s
ATV's are excellent tools for getting
one into the back country.
They can be parked and hiking further
can be anther option employed. I have never come
across anyone using them as a camping tool except
myself. They seem to be made just for that though.
ATV's can carry a bunch of gear.
Start with your backpacking setup and move up from
there. Always carry your fly rod in a hard tube on a
ATV. Depending on the type of ATV you have, always
bring a solar shower with you. They all seem to make
you dusty and at the end of the day, it feels good
to get all that dust off of you.
Motorcycle
More and more retiring people are
buying motorcycles' usually Harley’s for travel. But
the Adventure/ Duel Sport motorcycle market is
beginning to take off for those preferring the back
dirt roads of America. These bikes are perfect for
getting one out of the big cities and in into the
back country, thus Trout Bumming. Years ago I chose
the Kawasaki KLR650 because of its bullet proof
reputation and 20 plus hard core use in the
military. This is also the bike preferred by people
that ride the world by motorcycle, choosing it
because of its old style technologies. They are very
inexpensive compared to all other adventure
motorcycles on the market. If you ever consider this
type of bike look at 2010 or newer.
KLR's have a sort of cultish
following around the world and because of that you
can find many resources for them, on the Internet.
Enough said about the KLR.
I simply love motorcycle travel and
as a teenager began riding bikes. As I have
mentioned before in 1979 I set off on a motorcycle
(Honda 750K) for a year, Trout Bumming around the
USA. It was one of the most enjoyable times in my
life!
Motorcycle Camping
I basically have a set of light
weight backpacking gear that always stays packed in
the hard bags of my KLR. I simply add food, drink
and the fishing system needed for the planed trip.
This simple camping system has a tent, sleeping
bag/pad, break down camp chair, cook set, grill,
fabric ice chest, shower and other camping gear. I
will often bring along a Dave Scaden Aircraft float
tube because its so light, or pack raft for lakes
and rivers. Both boats weigh only 4 pounds. For fly
rods, I usually stay with Orvis Frequent Flyer rods.
But as much fun as motorcycle Trout
Bumming can be it is not for everyone. Depending on
how and where you ride they can be dangerous. I
personally make it a rule never to ride in big
city’s or after dark. I plan routes around city’s.
I'm usually camping so I like to set up my camps
before dark. I always take my time and become super
aware of my surroundings and potential up-coming
hazards. In my 40 plus years of riding I have only
had three accidents. Two when I was young riding “go
fast motorcycles” fast, and once on a Trout Bumming
trip. That one, a lady didn’t see me and pulled out
in front of me.
Weather on a bike is always an issue
and one must be willing to deal with that.
Here is a video of a guy in Alaska
that uses the combination of motorcycle and pack
rafting. Warning its a bit long. Click here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFz809RQQJI
One of the ways I use a motorcycle
for Trout Bumming is to haul it in our toy hauler
trailer. From an RV location I can plan easy two
night trips away, into more remote locations for
fishing.
I also use a motorcycle when
researching rivers and lakes for the stories I write
for fly fishing magazines.
Casting Further...
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