4000 mile road trip from San Diego to Canada and back..

[jlrray-SMB]

Planning a small trip from San Diego to Alberta, Canada to British Columbia, Canada down through norcal and back down to mammoth and down to San Diego. Most of the places I'm going to visit I will be fly fishing, but I'm looking to see if anyone has any good places to visit or important service areas or shops that I will need to know about. Looking for all info.

J

 

[billwilson-THOR]

Have a GREAT trip!!
will be tons of info here for you

Suggestion:

Gather info here and "edit" one of your posts
to catagorize and list the suggestions

that would be usefull to us all

best

bw

 

[daveb-SMB]

Here is a link to a nice spot. Leavitt lake off 108 Ever been there? I have seen fly fishermen there; best to wade out close to the shelf or have a means to float the water. You've probably been to the sport shop in bridgeport. The Closest dealership is in Sonora and I've had a good experiance with them when I broke down one time. Used Vic's Towing Inc. They are a recovery company.
Sonora, CA 95370
209-532-4523 [thumb:xirtqfji]3194[/thumb:xirtqfji]

 

[scatter-SMB]

You won't be getting into Leavitt Lake this time of year without snowshoes. Sonora pass is closed too.

 

[daveb-SMB]

Yeah I should have asked when he is planning the trip...figured next spring/summer because he is fly fishing. Most of the fishing is closed for the season except for certain lakes and streams.

 

[scatter-SMB]

I've been wanting to go back to Leavitt for the past few years. Seems every time we get in the area it's winter or too early in the spring. We lived in Sonora many moons ago and spent a LOT of time at Leavitt. Must have caught hundreds of fish there over the years. Looking at your photos, I'm just going to have to put it on the must do part of the calendar. Thanks for the push....

 

[daveb-SMB]

Yes, it's a great spot and super fishing. Any SMB'er who wants to meet up there just give a holler. I'll try to meet up. I'll try to think up some other spots once jlrray says when he is planning to go!

 

[jlrray-SMB]

I can't believe I forgot to put that in there... I will be taking a month off in July 2011. I'm designing it so that people can meet me on certain legs for the trip. I plan on taping the whole trip inside and outside. I've done a rough sketch on google maps to outline the general route. Starts in San Diego and ends back here (hopefully). Initially I was going to go a bit east first, but I may head towards northern california first, then oregon, washington, B.C., Alberta, then to Idaho / Montana then cut back down...

On a side note, I would love to meet up there. I'm in that area a fairly good amount, however I've never been to that lake. I'll take a look for sure.

I've been on fly tying overdrive, but I suppose I better start looking at where I'm gonna go and then call my friends to see if i can crash in their driveway if I get in trouble

Joe

 

[BroncoHauler-SMB]

Even though I'm anal-retentive when it comes to planning, yes I'm an engineer, for vacations I much prefer the take-it-as-it-comes approach. I'd recommend allowing some slack time in your schedule to take advantage of areas that catch your interest.

No matter what though, it beats sitting behind a desk like I'll probably be doing.


Herb

 

[jlrray-SMB]

OH you know it... I've allocated 1 month, but I'm only hard coding in 2 weeks. Being by myself, I'd like to get the milestones recorded so my wife knows where I am if I uh fail to call her back.

J

 

[blupaddler-SMB]

Ha! I knew I would find you on here eventually...
:b5:


One month is really quick. Do you have certain spots that you want to see?

The Lost Coast, Usal Road. That's a great trip, although conditions change drastically after any rains. Coming from the south you enter north of Fort Bragg and you can go all the way to Ferndale. Great drive. Although I couldn't comment on sportsmobile clearances since I drove a Landcruiser through there last time...
:a3:

Oregon has some of the best state parks around for camping. Especially when it comes to location, cleanliness, and price.

Eastern Oregon has a BUNCH of areas to explore. They have actually mapped out a road that goes from the CA/OR border to the OR/WA border. I have the maps for this route if you want to borrow them some time.

Good luck!
:a1:



Robb

 

[daveb-SMB]

Ya, USAL if you've never been there plus I'm sure you just read Charlies post. I added Wolf Creek/Silver Creek Road to my site which isn't tough but is a very scenic route close to Leavitt. Eagle Meadow road is a cool in and out drive in the same area but no fishing to speak of. You've probably fished the Stanislaus. It's stocked with plants as a rule and a bazillion fishing it unless you walk off trail. I really like Laurel Lakes by Mammoth as well, but never fished it and it's kind of a drive as you might know.

[thumb:2u6bgrbq]359[/thumb:2u6bgrbq]

Post where you plan to be.....maybe some of us can meet up.

 

[jlrray-SMB]

Robb-

You think you can get the van ready for this trip? Lets take em out and get the heck out of SoCal. Of course, everyone here is always welcome too...

So far the course hasn't changed much and I'm pretty much winging it. The main route will probably be from San Diego to Norcal, to BC to Calgary and Fernie, then down to Montana and who knows.

Joe

 

[Roonie-KEY]

I used to fly fish the St Joe river all the time right out of St Regis Idaho off I-90. I have done a few in MT too but mainly the Joe river. They have good fishing but your best bet might be Montana.

Also I have fly fished the Yakima river out of Yakima WA a lot too. Great fishing in both the above locations.