Who Put Up The #@$@'n Cell Tower?

[jdmidwest]

Dropped off the grid today for a little fishing. Had to deliver some product to a customer close to the Current River, so made a full day of it. Out the door and on the road at 3 am. Took a small nap at Baptist till the sun came up and started getting ready when the duck call started going off. The dam cell phone. Next, my buddies started beeping a message. Walked away and went upstream. Fished till after 9 and caught a few nice ones during a beautiful morning. We had deer, beavers, muskrats, and a irritated kingfisher.

Back to the truck, both phones beeping missed messages and voicemails. Went to the lodge for breakfast, came back out and the phones were ringing as we opened the door. I really don't know why we did not kill the power to them. I did call one back and tell them that I was off and fishing at Montauk, was wished good luck and he let me go. We fished the park till 2 then back to business. Wind was kicking up and fishing dries was getting tough.

I like technology, but I like to get away. Mine stayed in the truck, my buddy carried his on the river and answered a few calls that amounted to nothing that could not have waited. The new service really sucks in my opinion, who's idea was it to put one there in the first place?

And the van never showed up at Baptist, but I was ready.

[Coldspring]

It does sort of stink when you're in a business that you need to be on call. I really hate backpacking out in December, when you have to go to bed at 4 p.m. and can't get up till 8 a.m. I'd be lying if I said I don't get a little lonely during the long night for something to read or somebody to talk to. I can't sleep for 16 hours!

I don't mind mind having coverage everywhere, I just hate the unsightly towers.

[jdmidwest]

It does sort of stink when you're in a business that you need to be on call. I really hate backpacking out in December, when you have to go to bed at 4 p.m. and can't get up till 8 a.m. I'd be lying if I said I don't get a little lonely during the long night for something to read or somebody to talk to. I can't sleep for 16 hours!

I don't mind mind having coverage everywhere, I just hate the unsightly towers.

Why would you go to bed at 4?? Why not build a fire and have a few drinks around it? Then you can sleep like a baby. Download a book and read it on your phone for a little entertainment.

My gripe was that I was OFF work and work was bugging us.

[awhuber]

Dropped off the grid today for a little fishing. Had to deliver some product to a customer close to the Current River, so made a full day of it. Out the door and on the road at 3 am. Took a small nap at Baptist till the sun came up and started getting ready when the duck call started going off. The dam cell phone. Next, my buddies started beeping a message. Walked away and went upstream. Fished till after 9 and caught a few nice ones during a beautiful morning. We had deer, beavers, muskrats, and a irritated kingfisher.

Back to the truck, both phones beeping missed messages and voicemails. Went to the lodge for breakfast, came back out and the phones were ringing as we opened the door. I really don't know why we did not kill the power to them. I did call one back and tell them that I was off and fishing at Montauk, was wished good luck and he let me go. We fished the park till 2 then back to business. Wind was kicking up and fishing dries was getting tough.

I like technology, but I like to get away. Mine stayed in the truck, my buddy carried his on the river and answered a few calls that amounted to nothing that could not have waited. The new service really sucks in my opinion, who's idea was it to put one there in the first place?

And the van never showed up at Baptist, but I was ready.

Its a blessing and a curse. I did call a buddy while fishing to rub it in a little.

[ness]

Its a blessing and a curse. I did call a buddy while fishing to rub it in a little.

I've done that too. I've also traded bonds while standing in a stream, but that's been a while back.

Why not turn your phone off jd?

[ozark trout fisher]

I actually agree with JD on this... I wish there wasn't reception on any of our trout streams. That way I'd be telling the truth when I say "I can't be reached."

Fishing and cell phones don't go together.

[eric1978]

I actually agree with JD on this... I wish there wasn't reception on any of our trout streams. That way I'd be telling the truth when I say "I can't be reached."

That's a good point, but I'm looking forward to the day that there is total coverage...that way solo floats wouldn't be so dangerous. I'd be much more inclined to be adventurous by myself if I knew I could make a call in the case of emergency. I'd keep the phone off and at the bottom of the dry bag unless needed.

[stlfisher]

IMO The advantage's of having coverage outweigh the negatives. I have to be on call for work so at times I need to have reception. This allows me to fish more. Secondly, as Eric mentioned it is nice to have the option to call if I need it in an emergency. Thirdly, it makes it much easier to meet up with friends who might be arriving at different times or fishing different spots.

On those solo missions when I am not with friends or on call the phone stays off, but with me if I need it.

[Coldspring]

Why would you go to bed at 4?? Why not build a fire and have a few drinks around it? Then you can sleep like a baby. Download a book and read it on your phone for a little entertainment.

My gripe was that I was OFF work and work was bugging us.

Because it gets DARK at 4! No, I hate fires. I can't stand the smell of smoke saturating my sinuses, I like to smell the world, not smoke. I have expensive gear, and do not want it to smell like smoke. You can't carry drinks 15-20 miles when you are lightweight backpacking. I have health problems too, so drinking is not on my agenda anymore. I have spent many a night watching fires in the past, and frankly it gets a little boring. Just razzing you a bit.

[eric1978]

Because it gets DARK at 4! No, I hate fires. I can't stand the smell of smoke saturating my sinuses, I like to smell the world, not smoke. I have expensive gear, and do not want it to smell like smoke. You can't carry drinks 15-20 miles when you are lightweight backpacking. I have health problems too, so drinking is not on my agenda anymore. I have spent many a night watching fires in the past, and frankly it gets a little boring. Just razzing you a bit.

Oh man, remind me never to backpack with you! Just kidding. Hey, I hear ya on the smelly smoke stuff, but a campfire is a good friend on long winter evenings and gives you something to do. I couldn't live without one. I have expensive gear, too, so when I get home I set it all back up outside and let it air out for a few hours...seems to do the trick.

And as far as drinks...We always buy a handle of tequila, split it up in our Nalgene bottles or an empty water bottle, and pack in a few limes. Light, potent, and nice to have after a long day of hard work.