looks like the Hood River, White Salmon, Snohomish, and a whole bunch of others. looks like fun 
Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"
- Thread starter Solace in Solitude
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- Thread starter
- #282
Its always fun! Even when the road is covered by a rock slide or a mud slide - Conejos County is good about quickly getting the road reopened.
Chungas Revenge
SILVER Star
Danny,
You have more than one MUD member in awe of the trout streams in your neck of the woods...How about inviting us "children of a lesser God" out west to fish...? I'll reciprocate when we have the WV TLC club up and operational...Heck ,I'll even have "Fred" look at your tub!!
- Thread starter
- #284
Well, the Conejos River is not exactly my 'neck of the woods'... takes us a couple of days to get there... but, there are closer trout streams and lakes in Utah and closer NV trout lakes and trout streams with small (almost planter size) trout, about 3 hours north of Vegas...
We've lived here for almost 3 years and I've been trying much of the time to get to the point where I can take extended trips and try fishing everything I find. I've had luck on some of the lakes and some of the streams... but, there are so many more that I haven't gotten to.
These last two weeks with my son-in-law was supposed to be one of those 'fish small streams' for me... but my arm prevented me trying.
The Conejos River road is often closed (snow) until July 1st... the campgrounds open July 1st. Campgrounds close after Labor Day and the road is generally closed by early October.
While the Conejos River offers real opportunities to catch nice fish, it can also be extremely difficult and frustrating to catch fish... as guides will tell you... the fish are 'smart' and spook easily.
My son-in-law worked for the Forest Service, in New Mexico, in summers, while pursuing his Masters. He fished last snow fall to first snow fall one year and the fish behave completely differently, from one time to the next. We've had many days that we caught very few, if any... and days that presented quite a few really nice fish.
Our annual Conejos trip is a family tradition and we've had our two reservations at the Lake Fork campground (the Lake Fork in the Rio Grande National Forest) since they became available (180 days prior to our reservations for Jul 20-Jul 31). It takes me an hour to pull my trailer up the 18 miles of FR250, from Hwy 17 to Lake Fork.
You are certainly welcome to come out during the period we are there... but, you would need your own campsites... they have first-come, first-serve campsites that don't require reservations and you can probably still get reservations for some of the campsites. And they have some free 'dispersed' campsites, that are first-come, first-serve, as well.
There are also some cabins for rent in Platoro, CO (top of the forest service road) - I think Platoro is 11.5k' and a few on Hwy 17 (between Antonito, CO and Chama, NM.
There is generally a lot of open fishing space on the river, especially during Mon-Fri, some is easy to get to, some not so easy. I've never fished the Platoro Reservoir (highest man-made reservoir in the country), but have been told the fishing can be great.
What I'm really hoping to do... by next year (seems like I'm always looking to next year) is have 44 running strong (banking on this rebuild!)
so I can spend the majority of the tolerable weather on streams and/or lakes (I have an inflatable pontoon), in NV, ID, WY, CO and UT... maybe New Mexico as well... Rio Castillo (sp?) is beautiful (in north-central NM), especially when you get into Valle Vidal, but like the Conejos, it doesn't open until Jul 1st (Elk breeding grounds). The fishing can be tough (Rio Grande Cutthroat, very quick), they suck a lot of water out of the river for irrigation and it can be flowing great, or almost not flowing at all.
While I'm basically a loner, except my dogs are always with me), I would welcome the company on such a trip... if you can't make the whole trip, we could meet up somewhere and travel in tandem. There are obviously logistics to work out beforehand.
We've lived here for almost 3 years and I've been trying much of the time to get to the point where I can take extended trips and try fishing everything I find. I've had luck on some of the lakes and some of the streams... but, there are so many more that I haven't gotten to.
These last two weeks with my son-in-law was supposed to be one of those 'fish small streams' for me... but my arm prevented me trying.
The Conejos River road is often closed (snow) until July 1st... the campgrounds open July 1st. Campgrounds close after Labor Day and the road is generally closed by early October.
While the Conejos River offers real opportunities to catch nice fish, it can also be extremely difficult and frustrating to catch fish... as guides will tell you... the fish are 'smart' and spook easily.
My son-in-law worked for the Forest Service, in New Mexico, in summers, while pursuing his Masters. He fished last snow fall to first snow fall one year and the fish behave completely differently, from one time to the next. We've had many days that we caught very few, if any... and days that presented quite a few really nice fish.
Our annual Conejos trip is a family tradition and we've had our two reservations at the Lake Fork campground (the Lake Fork in the Rio Grande National Forest) since they became available (180 days prior to our reservations for Jul 20-Jul 31). It takes me an hour to pull my trailer up the 18 miles of FR250, from Hwy 17 to Lake Fork.
You are certainly welcome to come out during the period we are there... but, you would need your own campsites... they have first-come, first-serve campsites that don't require reservations and you can probably still get reservations for some of the campsites. And they have some free 'dispersed' campsites, that are first-come, first-serve, as well.
There are also some cabins for rent in Platoro, CO (top of the forest service road) - I think Platoro is 11.5k' and a few on Hwy 17 (between Antonito, CO and Chama, NM.
There is generally a lot of open fishing space on the river, especially during Mon-Fri, some is easy to get to, some not so easy. I've never fished the Platoro Reservoir (highest man-made reservoir in the country), but have been told the fishing can be great.
What I'm really hoping to do... by next year (seems like I'm always looking to next year) is have 44 running strong (banking on this rebuild!)
so I can spend the majority of the tolerable weather on streams and/or lakes (I have an inflatable pontoon), in NV, ID, WY, CO and UT... maybe New Mexico as well... Rio Castillo (sp?) is beautiful (in north-central NM), especially when you get into Valle Vidal, but like the Conejos, it doesn't open until Jul 1st (Elk breeding grounds). The fishing can be tough (Rio Grande Cutthroat, very quick), they suck a lot of water out of the river for irrigation and it can be flowing great, or almost not flowing at all.
While I'm basically a loner, except my dogs are always with me), I would welcome the company on such a trip... if you can't make the whole trip, we could meet up somewhere and travel in tandem. There are obviously logistics to work out beforehand.
that'd be a kick
- Thread starter
- #287
Maybe you are still young enough to learn to fly fish with your left arm
I'm actually not bad left handed, Eric. But, unless my arm is fully healed, it may be difficult to net my fish. I'm going to physical therapy for my hips ad back, so they are going to help me get my tricep strength back. I think it's gonna be fine.
Thanks!
GA Architect
SILVER Star
For your pending fishing trip.....Be sure to get you one of these, just for a back up! 
Be sure to add Oregon, specifically the Metolius River, to your dream itinerary as it's going to be about the same travel distance as Idaho. Get an Oregon map, look for Redmond, Bend, and Sisters. They form a triangle, about 20 miles per side, just north and west of the center of the state. From Sisters, about 15 miles northwest, the Metolius River starts and runs north through the Metolius basin for about 10 miles. Here's a short Wikipedia blurb on the headwaters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metolius_Springs . The river is restricted strictly to fly fishing and equipment from the headwaters down to Lower Bridge Campground.
If you hadn't already guessed, the Metolius basin is one of my favorite areas. It is about 100 miles away from home, so it isn't extremely far away for me. If you ever get a chance to try flyfishing the Metolius I'd consider it an honor to be your tour guide. I can't help much with fishing as I don't have flyfishing equipment, and usually use "fishing" as an excuse to get out into the outdoors (hmmm, wonder whats around that corner in the road? Let's go see!!).
Don
- Thread starter
- #290
That's a VERY kind offer, Don... I'd love to take you up on it! Oregon's on my list now! I hope to get there!
I have extra fly fishing equipment. Do you fly fish?
I do appreciate the offer. I have never done any flyfishing, so I may not know which end of the rod to hold. As of April I now have the Pioneer hunting and fishing license which is FREE for the rest of my life.
I could go on and on about the Metolius area. Headwaters of the Metolius, Camp Sherman (store, cabins, resort of sorts, private houses, bridge over river often with BIG trout swimming there), fish hatchery, many campgrounds along river and a few away from river, three creeks dumping into the Metolius, headwaters of Jack Creek, Jack Lake, Round Lake, and the list goes on and on.
My favorites are looking for fish from the bridge at Camp Sherman, the fish hatchery, AND the areas that are away from the resorts.
Don
I could go on and on about the Metolius area. Headwaters of the Metolius, Camp Sherman (store, cabins, resort of sorts, private houses, bridge over river often with BIG trout swimming there), fish hatchery, many campgrounds along river and a few away from river, three creeks dumping into the Metolius, headwaters of Jack Creek, Jack Lake, Round Lake, and the list goes on and on.
My favorites are looking for fish from the bridge at Camp Sherman, the fish hatchery, AND the areas that are away from the resorts.
Don
- Thread starter
- #292
Sounds beautiful Don!!
- Thread starter
- #293
44 followed me home this morning...
Her engine is a long block and has gone to the rebuilder
Here she is, sans heart
The rebuild will take 4-6 weeks, including time time spent, working her way up a waiting list.
I reinstalled my tow bar and brought her home so that I can spend, at least, some of that time cleaning up the engine compartment and doing some stuff I have been trying to get to inside the cab.
Meantime, Chester has grown quite a bit and Gunner has spent much of his time working Chester with an 8 lb medicine ball. This picture was taken after Chester wore Gunner out... Chester has claimed the medicine ball and has Gunner has passed out!!
Her engine is a long block and has gone to the rebuilder
Here she is, sans heart
The rebuild will take 4-6 weeks, including time time spent, working her way up a waiting list.
I reinstalled my tow bar and brought her home so that I can spend, at least, some of that time cleaning up the engine compartment and doing some stuff I have been trying to get to inside the cab.
Meantime, Chester has grown quite a bit and Gunner has spent much of his time working Chester with an 8 lb medicine ball. This picture was taken after Chester wore Gunner out... Chester has claimed the medicine ball and has Gunner has passed out!!
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Good progress! As I looked at your first two pics, then scrolled down to the third, my first thought was prefect time for cleaning the empty engine bay. Then, as I scrolled down to what you wrote I found you had already beat me, and also plan to use this motorless time to do some other work on 44. I like your way of thinking!
That pic of Chester and Gunner looks very typical. The teenager has way more energy.
Don
That pic of Chester and Gunner looks very typical. The teenager has way more energy.
Don
- Thread starter
- #295
Thanks Don!
Gunner loves playing with Chester... but he's almost my age... it would be like me trying to keep up with a 2 year old... full time!!
- Thread starter
- #296
Well... I miss driving 44... so, today, I planned how I could remove the driver's side floor pan and install pedals from a recumbent bike. I can add a sprocket to the right-rear wheel and run a long bike drive chain. 
I've got it all worked out, but decided to wait for my engine rebuild to be complete.
Instead, I bought a second 2" hitch receiver from @Barn find and cut the length down about 1.5", so I could mount it to the rear bumper, without interfering with my Aux Tank. Rather than drop my Aux Tank to mount the hitch receiver, I ran the bolts from the inside of the bumper, after slathering their heads with JB-Weld. I was able to easily do this, using a telescoping magnet. Once I had the bolts in the holes, I screwed the nuts down tight and waited for the JB-Weld to set up. This way, I can easily remove and remount the hitch, should I need to drop the aux tank, for any reason.
Now, I can use my cargo basket and portable 9k winchon either the front or back. I'll probably set up tail lights and, maybe, license plate mount/lights... but, only after I decide I need them.
These are the best pictures I could get, without pushing 44 out of the garage. I bought this ATV cargo basket to use on my son-in-law's 4runner, while he was here. $39.99, on sale, at Harbor Freight - 300 lb limit. We carried two 5-gal gas cans and one 5-gal water can everywhere we went.
I've got it all worked out, but decided to wait for my engine rebuild to be complete.
Instead, I bought a second 2" hitch receiver from @Barn find and cut the length down about 1.5", so I could mount it to the rear bumper, without interfering with my Aux Tank. Rather than drop my Aux Tank to mount the hitch receiver, I ran the bolts from the inside of the bumper, after slathering their heads with JB-Weld. I was able to easily do this, using a telescoping magnet. Once I had the bolts in the holes, I screwed the nuts down tight and waited for the JB-Weld to set up. This way, I can easily remove and remount the hitch, should I need to drop the aux tank, for any reason.
Now, I can use my cargo basket and portable 9k winchon either the front or back. I'll probably set up tail lights and, maybe, license plate mount/lights... but, only after I decide I need them.
These are the best pictures I could get, without pushing 44 out of the garage. I bought this ATV cargo basket to use on my son-in-law's 4runner, while he was here. $39.99, on sale, at Harbor Freight - 300 lb limit. We carried two 5-gal gas cans and one 5-gal water can everywhere we went.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
I run the exact same carrier
I have a carrier exactly like that as well.... useful little things
78fj40mg
TLCA #23510
I have the exact same carrier, it's very versatile, use it on my lawn tractor, my Rhino and cruiser. Excellent write up Danny!
- Thread starter
- #300
Chester is growing up... he's 6.5 mos now and almost as big as Gunner (9.5 yrs)
Eating ice to keep cool
Working out
Eating ice to keep cool
Working out
