How Is This Economy Affecting Your Fishing?

[ruthead]

Economy here is slow which directly relates to drop of income at almost 50% as compared to 4 to 6 years ago. Our closest fly fishing destination is a 4 hour drive one way so those weekend trips have been cut in half. We now spend a lot of weekends at our favorite farm pond fishin. I used to do a lot of bass fishin with my Dad in his boat but his "Hemi" is not real economic so those 75 or even 50 mile trips one way to fish have been reduced also. i just turned 49 last month and I find myself useing the phrase "Back in the good 'ole days we used to....". Hope those days aren't gone!

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Between the economy, and the addition of kids over the last 6 years, I have not been able to fish but a few times a year. I now work 2 1/2 jobs ( a seasonal job) and I don't see that changing much soon. It really is a shame as I have a large creek that is within walking distance, and I drive over it multiple times daily just looking at it with hungry eyes.

[Dutch]

So far it hasn't had any effect on me and my fishing. I trade off with other guys so about 1/3 of my fishing is free and I make 90% fo my fishing baits which over the long haul has saved me a few bucks. With 2-3 times fishing each week I need the relief.

[inshore]

You would think it would have a large effect,however, when I go to the lake it doesn't seem it havedone much. In the summer the big boats are every where and bass boats with 200 up to 300 hp seems to be the norm. When I lived on the gulf coast running a twin 200 cat at 1.9 miles per gallon if we went 40 miles out and fished 8 or 9 hours you figure out the cost of going. That didn't include the 200K for the boat. Whether it's a pound of bass,crappie or snapper and grouper it would be a lot cheaper to buy at the market. The big difference is there we would catch 200 to 400 pounds per trip rather than 20. But no matter I still try to go at least once a week and maybe twice. 17 foot boat and 90 hp merc cost 50 to 60 bucks a trip. Maybe sell the boat and get a kayak and float some local rivers and ponds. Not a bad idea and will avoid the crowds.

[straw hat]

I can tell you have not been on the rivers for a while inshore. They are just as busy as the lakes from April to Octovber. The last time I went on a river was the Niangua and it was a Wed., we must have seen up to 200 canoes. There were so many people you couldn't hardly wet a line.

[Flysmallie]

Well that's because the Niangua is a busy place. There are plenty of rivers where you can find some solitude. And the bonus is no Jetskis. Well not many anyways.

[buckcreekmike]

economic downslide? I thought things were great?

After all, we just re-elected the guy who has made things so much better for all of us.

And gosh, doesn't the future look bright?

Ironic isn't it?

[fishinwrench]

I keep hearing that the economy is in the dumps ..... but I sure can't tell it by looking around. When I go to town I only see fairly new cars/trucks, hell I can't even remember the last time I saw anyone driving an old rusty beater. Gas prices are high yet the roads are always busy as can be. All the shopping mart lots are full.

The sky is full of jet trails as masses of folks travel abroad for both business and pleasure.

Real estate folks are all driving new cars, sporting 70.00 haircuts, 150.00 shoes, and 60.00 fingernails...so apparently property sales are doing well.

The bass fishermen are all towing fresh boats with sweet new trucks, throwing 30.00 wiggle warts and 50.00 jerkbaits.

Restaurant and bar parking lots are full every night of the week.

Lots of new Harleys on the road.....hell even the bikers are looking rather upper-crust.

So I dunno, unless EVERYONE is operating via credit card (which might explain the ecessive Air Miles) I just find it hard to recognize this financial peril that everyone is supposedly experiencing...... except for Me! LOL

[patfish]

I just find it hard to recognize this financial peril that everyone is supposedly experiencing...... except for Me! LOL

Starving through winter has been your m.o. for years.

[Jerry Rapp]

FW, one of your comments is right on I think. We are living on borrowed time.