Doing It Your Way

As I sit here writing this article, I am up at my hunting lease in College Station overlooking one of our duck ponds. We finally got our first good cold front this week and as an outdoorsman, being happy is an understatement. My morning has been filled with birds circling the pond, bucks running around with their nose to the ground, and a pot of beans that I’m going to babysit all day. Life is good!

When I started to ponder what to write about this month, I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about. I have been saving this idea for a few months now and the January issue is perfect for people that are wanting to set some New Year’s goals.

Earlier this year, some buddies and I traveled to Colorado to fly-fish the Conejos River. While up there, we had some bottles that had a messages written under the cap and we always read them out loud. We finally got to one that said – Be proud of doing it your own way. That saying has stuck with me ever since and I know immediately there is a lesson in that message.

So, looking back at 2024, I realize that I have truly been blessed to have been able to take some great trips. I have been to Andros for bonefish, fly-fishing in Colorado, went on a mule deer hunt in Idaho, rowed my buddies down the Green River in Utah, and poled the flats of the Chandeleur Islands. I’m proud to say that all of these adventures have been of the do-it-yourself variety. Even though some of them might not have been the most productive in terms of connecting with the quarry we were seeking, the knowledge and experience gained is invaluable.

When it comes to putting a trip together, there are several aspects of going the DIY route that I would encourage you to consider. First, and a very major consideration, would be the cost factor. I’m sure most of you work for a living, however, doing a trip on your own will not exactly break the bank. The beauty of it is that you can go as cheap or as elegant as you might wish. I’ve made some trips where I decided I was going to pitch a tent and rough it for a few days while paying only a small daily camping fee at a state park. I have also had trips where we rented a cabin on the water with a lighted pier so we could fish all night. There is basically no wrong way. You might also consider inviting a few friends to share the expense of travel, food and lodging. On top of reducing the expense of the trip you will make some great memories with your friends.

Perhaps the greatest aspect of making a DYI hunting or fishing trip is the knowledge and sense of accomplishment that can be gained from it. There is a lot of preparation that can go into taking a trip and for me it all starts on Google Maps. Once you figure out a destination, it then starts with finding the areas that you want to target. You have to find an access point, boat ramps, trails and anything else that ensures you can get to the desired area with the least amount of difficulty. Along with looking at the map you will get a good feel for the lay of the land. Once you arrive, you will have a general idea of where everything is and this will definitely ease the learning curve involved with going in blind.

As you begin to fish, I always try to start with what I already know and tactics that I have confidence in. Apply them for the first half of the day and if things don’t work out for you, you can always change and adapt. Quite often you might be forced to try new or different tactics. When you do this, you can learn a lot about a fishery and put a new set of skills in your repertoire.

Sometimes, if my budget allows, I will hire a guide for a day and pick his brain about the fishery. If you decide to go this route, the trip shouldn’t be solely about catching fish. The things that you want to learn from them are fish patterns, lure selection, presentation, and navigation. One of the main concerns to be discussed should be where not to drive your boat when you get out there on your own and how to avoid any submerged hazards such as reefs or tree stumps of which the guide might be aware. From my experience, every guide I have hired has been more than helpful when it comes to sharing information to better enable me to be successful during the days ahead.

I guess that what I’m trying to say is that a DIY trip can be incredibly rewarding. Could you catch more fish by booking a full service lodge and being guided every day? Sure. Are they going to feed you steak and lobster paired with some fancy wine? You better believe it; that’s their business and they’re good at it.

However, there is also something very special about pulling up to a shrimp boat and getting five pounds of fresh-caught shrimp, or frying up your own catch of the day back at the cabin that can’t be matched. Especially when it’s you and a few buddies hanging around the tailgate of a truck with a few cold drinks, swapping tales of the day’s adventures, the ones you caught…and maybe even the ones that got away. I urge everyone to plan a DIY adventure in the coming year. Do it with a couple of good friends and go enjoy life.