I just got back from Ohio, and I would have to have nothing, but carp fishing near me to pack, and board, and unboard airlines to get to a far away destination to fish. It would only be in a fit of desperation that I do that again. That entire airlines bit of getting through airports, layovers, finding your baggage, and worrying whether it is following you to say nothing of the costs. My rental car had a 26% sales tax included! I'll dream fish over the internet before I do that again!

What are you...a new kid? C'mon.

Great wet-wading weather Buck!

Sayfu, Personally, I love fishing different areas. Nothing better than camping stream side, rolling out of your tent in the morning, having a cup of coffee and explore a river or stream you've never been to.

If I make the 7 hr drive for me this Summer that my friend from Arizona wants me to make, and pull my boat...pull it to the Green River, and fish Utah's Green River water below the Dam in the "A" section of the Green, Utah dings you $20 a day for an out of state license, so $60 bucks for a license, and high gas prices. Quite a few floaters fish that section in the Summer time. Gas prices will be very high this Summer. 14 hrs. of driving, and I have it better here..better because I know my water, and it never gets old. 60 miles of river, and I float 8 miles of it generally, so I can fish a different section at anytime, and also fish the other fork that has 60 miles as well basically. New water takes time to learn. Usually the first day is exploration, and you don't get a feel for it until the 2nd day at the earliest. I've always been a homie, and know the water well that I fish. The SF is heavily fished, but I can always put in and avoid the crowds knowing what section to run. I've just been very fortunate to have lived on the WestCoast, and had the best of it for Salmon, and steelhead, and trout as well. Now I reside in some of the very best trout water in the lower 48 in SE Idaho.

KD that is pretty close to my strategy for packing as well. It would be nice to take a trip south this time of year. Hopefully you'll write about it and include fruity drinks and a recap on the local gals. And good luck for those bonefish (everyone knows you'll need it lol).

Buck, have you found any states that are dirt cheap for a college student? Or at least don't put a big dent in their accounts?

What is most impressive about this post is that you have a foot of snow. Not much of the white stuff to escape from 'round these parts. I can't help but wonder how the lack of snowpack will affect the fishes this spring and summer.

Bassman, It is best to find a spot then call and ask when the off-season rates are. Usually best to stay away from events like, Spring Break, Daytona 500, Bike Week. When things are slow, hotels usually drop their rates.

The same goes with airfare and rental cars.

My wife is a wizard when it comes to getting great rates off the internet. She also knows how to get bumped from your flight. Which is sweet because I'm usually sitting on free ticket vouchers, waiting for my next trip.

Bassman, You're preaching to the choir. Had to sell my bass boat to pay for college and worked a full-time job while going to school full-time. School is hell on your fishing time but it will payoff in the long run.

bassman06..Don't lose your focus!...Get out on that water! Called Outdoor Education with incredible carryover value! Who cares if English becomes your second language!...speak fly fish!

bassman06. Get some thick glasses brain to take your tests for you!!! Takes time on the water to learn those muskie haunts. I watch Muskie Hunter on my cable all the time. Hard for me to spend time on the books thinking about doing that figure 8 thing with that big muskie right behind my lure!!

bassman06. If I were the wildlife interviewer, I'd hire you in a minute if you told me a good, exciting muskie story that happened while skipping classes! Those classroom students that spend all of their time developing study skills are borrrring!..come a dime a doz.