fishing games to play ARTICLE

Join The Vespa Fishing Team...
By A.J. Klott, Sat Dec 10th

High fuel prices got you down?

Imagine how most of us feel in the recreational world.

Let me explain.

Here we are rounding into September, the time of year that alltrue "sport fishermen" look forward to. The weather is changing,and most summer crowds have gone home, leaving the rivers andlakes uncrowded and filled with frisky hungry fish readyingthemselves for the fall spawn and feedfest that takes place infall.

Most of us are not lucky enough to have a river or lake out ourback door, so that means traveling to our favorite spotsis mandatory. Two hundred miles or better is nothing when itcomes to our passion.

Most fishermen -and outdoor types in general--are usuallyheading for the great outdoors hauling their gear in SUVs ,trucks or campers/trailers.

Not exactly what you would consider "economy" cars.

I can still remember the conversation I had with Ranger Kurtabout three years ago, when I convinced him to purchase an oldFord Diesel f350 in place of his trusty Toyota rig.

He would love the extra room, and heck- diesel was about a dimecheaper than regular to boot!!

He like I, always seemed to just fill the back of his pick-upwith just about every piece of sporting good equipment thatlanguished in his garage.On the off chance we might feel theurge to break into a spirited game of Badminton, shoot claypigeons, ride mountain bikes, or take an impromptu twenty milehike into the high desert, we were ready!!

So, as our state of readiness has increased with age, our truckbeds have shrunk.

Much like our spines and uhhhh hummm... other things!!

But I digress...

Anyway, as I ran out of room and had to spend thirty minuteseach time loading and unloading basketballs,hockey sticks andbarbecues-- just to find my waders--I decided a bigger rig wasin order.

Didn't seem like a big deal at the time, back when diesel fuelwas at about $1.29.

....$3.19

this morning!!

Ranger Kurt is not talking to me anymore.

I have decided to make some drastic changes in my life--at leastmy life-- and the next time you see me.... I will bedriving a Vespa.

That's right, one of those tiny Italian jobs that sound like anunderpowered weed wacker.

I realize this will make it impossible to carry all the"necessary" gear I need to be ready for "impulse recreation"--but what's a guy to do?

From now on, I will only carry the essentials--fishing rod, flybox,perhaps a sleeping bag--and wear all my necessary clothing,including waders,vest,wading boots and possibly a change ofunderwear. Everything else stays home!

I know this sounds drastic, but if I am to continue my passionfor --this may be the only way to make it affordable todo so.

I also know that the visual image of a rugged outdoorsman on theback of a Mo-ped is not exactly the vision Madison Avenue wouldlike to sell to Orvis or Jeep Cherokee and is more akin to theimage of Jim Carrey in "Dumb and Dumber"--but I don't care!!

Look out Deschutes River Steelhead... we're LEAN, MEAN, andriding WHINY MACHINES...

Whad'ya think?Kinda catchy, huh?

So, until the price of crude drops back down to a reasonablelevel, which may be never, you will recognize me as the guy outon Highway 97 wearing about fourteen layers of clothing and apair of Hodgeman neoprene waders.

My poor Ford F250? Well, I suppose it will become an expensivedog house for my Yellow Lab-because unless I have AAA tow myvehicle around town--I can't afford to drive it anymore.

I sure hope they don't catch on to me!!

Oh-- and Ranger Kurt--give me a call, there's room on the backof the Vespa for you...

About the author:A.J. Klott Author, writer of humor,and "fly tack"peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern dayevents that surround the world. His first book is dueout in December of 2005. If you need a laugh or a fun gift,visit his website at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com

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