Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: badboi on October 01, 2019, 09:31:12 AM
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Curious,
What are clever ways to carry out your fish after you catch your limit and have to walk a KM or more...
When I go, I usually have 2-3 rods, a backpack, a net and find it cumbersome to haul the fish back to the car.
Often a garbage bag will break unless you double bag it and that is no guarantee. Large pieces of drift wood thru the gills works but is still awkward..
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It's a good problem to have! A rope or chain generally is ok for coho, but I find with Springs they are too long so I just have to carry it by the gills lest I drag it on the ground. When I know I am in for a long hike I will bring an external-frame pack, put the fish in a trash bag and put them head-down in the backpack - springs will have the tail sticking out of the top, nothing to be done about that. If your backpack carries your tackle, it could be hard to do this (I use a vest).
I've been looking for a suitably sized and shaped cooler backpack, but they don't seem to be tall enough.
Probably a soft-sided catch cooler would be a good option for you, as it could be folded and carried in your tackle backpack until you need it, then carried out with one hand full of fish - plus you can periodically set it down when it gets heavy without worrying about getting your fish dirty, etc.
Also, the old style vest with the large wrap-around back pocket has always been a popular way to carry out fish, but you better make sure it is in a good plastic bag first or your vest will really get slimed up.
As you can see, I've spent way too much time thinking about this. ;D
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We always used to keep a burlap sack or heavy cloth sack in the backpack. That way you can sling it over your back to carry fish out and you can easily spray it out with a hose, let it air dry and have it ready for the next time. Gives you more strength than garbage bags. If you are creative enough you could even tie it around the backpack so your shoulders are carrying the burden
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(http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1534/9583/products/DonkeyPackSaddle2_1024x1024.jpg)
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Hide the fish somewhere, drive back to pick up.
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We always used to keep a burlap sack or heavy cloth sack in the backpack. That way you can sling it over your back to carry fish out and you can easily spray it out with a hose, let it air dry and have it ready for the next time. Gives you more strength than garbage bags. If you are creative enough you could even tie it around the backpack so your shoulders are carrying the burden
same here. Wet burlap will also help keep your catch cool while you continue fishing.
I am sure there are better solutions than burlap. Amazon has a myriad of duffles and totes in the $30 to $60 range
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00UZP2TFE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
https://www.amazon.ca/Military-Duffel-Double-Canvas-Backpack/dp/B0787W1JXN/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=canvas+duffle+bag&qid=1569952600&sr=8-7
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Some fishermen in Oregon use a large carabiner.
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A friend from the Skeena gave me a good tip... look for a CARRY BAG used for folding camping chair ... the bigger the better... with a sling to help transport... Just keep it wet!!! You are set...
If you need more than one carry bag per fishing day trip... I really really envy you! ;-)
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A friend gave me an extra cargo net for a mini van (I believe it was a Dodge Caravan) and I've been using it to carry out springs, and the assortment for a while, I only modified it a bit by adding a shoulder strap from a old lap top bag I never use anymore, closing up half of the bag with mono so it's like a half open envelope, it's nice cause the fish sits more like a cradle position instead of the head or tail pointing straight down which tends to rip bags open. Small enough to be fitted into my sling bag but strong enough to carry out a big spring and two coho without issue.
I used to use a Vedder vest till I tried to carry back a very large spring and it ripped...
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I carry my fish out by hand, always try to minimize the use of bags which need to be disposed afterward. The fish are put in the tub once I am back at the vehicle (since I'm ten minute drive from my house, or in a cooler with ice if I am on a trip). Once fish are back at the house, they go in the kitchen, get filleted, processed, either stored in containers and the fridge if to be eaten within a few days, or vacuum packed for the freezer.
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I use a cooler since I fish out of the boat more often than not these days. If I'm walks I usually jam a stick thru the gills and carry them over my shoulder.
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I don't have that problem. I sell my catch on the spot. It's far easier to carry an extra 50$ bill back to the car than a 30-pound spring.
I then visit my friendly FN neighbor and buy 4 sockeye fillets from his food and ceremonial quota for the 50$. Problem solved. :P
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I don't have that problem. I sell my catch on the spot. It's far easier to carry an extra 50$ bill back to the car than a 30-pound spring.
I then visit my friendly FN neighbor and buy 4 sockeye fillets from his food and ceremonial quota for the 50$. Problem solved. :P
:o ;D ;D ;D ;D
That is sooo me to ;)
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I use large carabiners, fit 2 fish per carabiner. You can pick them up at any outdoor shop MEC, Canadian Tire, etc. There are even some fancy ones with padding on the sides to make it that much easier to carry.
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Stick the bottom end of your rod handle through the gills and out the mouth ;D then carry back to the vehicle like a hobo stick
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Stick the bottom end of your rod handle through the gills and out the mouth ;D then carry back to the vehicle like a hobo stick
a good length of wood found along the stream bank or in the brush can do the same. I carried 3 coho and a spring out of the Alison pool area that way some years ago.
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.......one rod ,,no net, vest not backpack and a crotch branch cut on site....
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I have been doing this for years and have not found a good answer.
For me, I have hiked out of the Nitnat and other systems on the island back in the day with limits.
Over here, it is the Chehalis Canyon and a few other locations, and often 30-40 minute hikes, with a limit of 4 fish.
Many of the methods suggested are impractical if you are going to do this on a regular basis.
Doing a long hike with the added weight of a burlap sack is not fun.
I used to do this on the Fraser in the old days of the Sockeye and spring fishing fests.
Vest with a spring, two sockeye, a burlap sack in a garbage bag is heavy.
Also, no matter how hard you try and plan, you tend to get "damp" as well.
For me, I have one of the Mustang Inflatables in an XL, with the open back pouch.
This has been best for me.
I tend to use heavy duty Costco garbage bags.
Things I have found is for one, all teeth and pointy snouts will pierce garbage bags, thus vest stinks and I have come to accept that.
The bags get fine thin rips and leak as well.
A slimy vest which later drys with crispy stains and smells is the way it is for me.
One way to solve this is one of my buddies has found a tackle shop that sells heavy duty clear plastic bags in a tube shape (long and skinny) like a fish profile. These are expensive, but work well. I do not like them, for I think the bags can hold 2 fish each efficiently. Place two sets of two fish in bags, then try to place them in a vest leads to a lot of movement and the fish sliding out.
Another buddy has a specific tote bag made by Simms for the purpose of transporting expired fish.
I am not sure if it is rubber, rubber lined, or some kind of breathable material with a liner.
The tote is the grey colour of Simms waders. To describe it, it looks like a large sleeping bag storage bad, with back pack straps and a toggled draw string at the top so you can cinch it up. It is long and tall.
Of course it stinks like fish, but this is pretty much it's intended purpose.
Finally, one other buddy has the biggest looking polyester/nylon fishing vest I have ever seen.
I myself think it is ugly and do not like the feel of the material, but the fish pouch at the back dwarfs my cotton Mustang vest and it's pouch at the back.
Works well for him, and on occasion, he can spray it off/out with a hose, or put it in the washing machine as well.
Two worse experiences I have had to date was hauling out a limit of coho out of a canyon and ropes, with 2 of the fish being 12 lbs or so. Bag shifted lots and was not fun. Other one was hiking out of the NitNat with two springs, one being 55 lbs and the other being 52 lbs. The partner had a bad back and could not pack his fish. Finally gave up on the vest and had to put a dog leash through the gills and drag the fish on the leaves and moss. We quickly had two bears following us too close for comfort, and an aggressive black lab that felt the need to protect. I am still not sure if he helped or hindered the situation.
I also should add any method that involves you packing fish in some way using hand or hands as a way to hold the fish results in trouble. If you need to grab a hold of things to help balance you, I find hands are needed. also, walking on rocks, unstable ground, etc or what-not, it only takes one tumble, and your fish are down, and either dirty, bruised, you land on them, the possibilities are endless.
Dano
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I fish with someone else and just before we are ready to leave i pretend that my back is out.
Not only do they carry my fish but also my rod and and vest too.
They even buy the coffee on the way home because i cant even reach around and get to my wallet.
Anyone wanna go fishin?
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If you've run into the old guy with the old school trapper nelson backpack that's me...Always hike to fish somewhere trying to stay away from other fishermen. Been using these packs and burlap sacks to carry fish out for 30 years...the burlap is great to keep birds and sun off your catch during the day and when its time to go home I slide the burlap sack into a large black garbage bag, put it in the pack and throw in the rest of my gear. When I get home I wash out burlap sack and garbage bag .the burlap dries quick and can be used the next day. Carrying fish out on a stick or carabiner is ok if its a quick hike but if you have to climb or descend or bushwhack a pack is the only way to go and the trapper nelson will hold more than you can carry. These backpacks come up on craigslist every so often and are cheap and bullet proof. I use spray waterproofing on mine to make it super easy to clean with a garden hose
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I said burlap but what we used wasn't burlap. It was actually more like a thick bed sheet material (three or four layers of sheets together). It was almost like something you would find jumper cables in. So, heavy duty, fish wouldn't break it and yet take the hose to it, let it air dry and it is ready for the next trip. Plus, if you get it a little wet as stated before it kept the fish nice and cool. Didn't weigh much either, maybe a pound?
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Use a retired hockey or goalie bag. Firewood on the trip in, fish on the way out. It'll last until the first time you forget to spray it out.
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Find a decent stick that's not rotten (dry drift wood is the best) and feed your fish through the gills and throw it on your shoulder and use the front of stick for leverage and the fish over your back. Leave stick by your vehicle and no bag to clean, you just have to rinse the back of your jacket.
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Blue Ikea bag, carries 4 coho nicely, and the occasional stinky spring up to the high 20s.
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River vest and fish bags - fish fit nicely in the main pouch and the big ones wrap around my lower back nicely. Can take up to four 15 pounders with ease as I recently found out during my northern bc coho trip. Even without the fish bags, the vest fabric cleans up easily.
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A friend of mine uses his Patagonia dry back pack with garbage bags as a liner. Super comfy, can walk a long way with it and fit four good sized salmon no problem.
That particular bag is not cheap but any large style back pack with a drawstring style opening (similar to a sleeping bag stuff sack) will work.
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I just tried the Ikea Big Blue Bag with my fish in a Garbage bag inside. It was perfect for my short haul 15 min walk to the car. It folds nicely into my fishing backpack.
I think I will stick to this method.
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big old vest, more that ten years maybe 15 years old. Holds two coho easy, or garbage i find or thermos of coffee so i dont leave cups everywhere, Extra cloths and on good days all of the above. My record is 70 lbs of bouncing betties in a back pack and two socks on a stick up from Scale bar. Buddy had to help me up to my feet when i put the pack on.
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My record is 70 lbs of bouncing betties in a back pack
And to think I was wondering how you picked your user name