To be used as a general guide for the Driftless Area fishing vehicle.
I spent my first couple years driving a gas guzzling Ford F-150 to the creek, it did the job and was in some cases ideal. Fishing til dark, making camp quickly, crashing in the bed of the truck under the protection of the topper so I could wake early and fish another day through. In other aspects that vehicle was very impractical bordering on almost immoral. Poor gas mileage is a deal breaker, period. I’m taking this moment to pay respects to the new Driftless Fishing Ride that will soon (getting a new radiator) carry me to the creek countless times and continue it’s gloried past. This ride came care of a good friend and has seen it’s share of steep grade gravel roads, carried many a full creel back home and always been
reliable. For me the fishing ride must contain a handful of attributes, others are ideal but not deal breakers. Things like good gas mileage make driving over an hour and passing up incredible water along the way to get to someplace less often visited more tolerable and acceptable in my mind. Bumper stickers, worn like badges of honor let those around you get a glimpse of what your all about. The DFR is another piece of gear that gets dirty, scratched, maybe a bit abused but ultimately loved and well used, not like most people’s cell phone, replaced in two years when something more fashionable comes along. No, the DFR is your best
friend, it takes you to the land of relaxation, clean air, quiet, nature and perhaps above all (but not really)…trout.
Required Driftless Fishing Ride Attributes:
- 30mpg+
- Over 100k miles (less issue with driving on gravel roads/general damage from driving to the creek)
- Trunk loaded at all times with necessary fishing gear for the current season
- Road and MN Trout Stream Maps present at all times
- Must get MPR radio stations
- All flies that meet a George must be lodged in the ceiling for posterity’s sake
- Must be reliable but if I got stuck on a MN Trout stream it wouldn’t ruin my day much
Ideal Driftless Fishing Ride Attributes:
- Is a Subaru (perhaps the next one)
- Has AWD (perhaps the next one)
- Coffee maker mounted in the center console
- Possesses a Mounted Rod Holder
- Current State Parks Pass mounted in the lower right corner of the windshield
- Plastered with Good Things/Trout/Fly Fishing Bumper Stickers
- Has enough room to sleep in
- Has enough room to gear up inside if it’s ~5degrees outside
