What is your once in a lifetime dream trip – Hunting or Fishing

Bucket list stuff, some I’ve gone on without luck for myself which keeps it on list…

Rainy sturgeon

Missouri paddlefish

Southern crappie

Pool 4 flathead

Appalachian smallmouth

Southern largemouth 10#+

Blue cats

Red river cats

Greenbacks

Columbia River eyes

Saltwater fish just don’t intrigue me rn nor ever have. Rather be on the beach getting jiggy w a mojito. Overseas stuff I’ve been talking with some fellas on biking thru countries, not a word of fishing involved. Guess priorities change w other fun hobbies. Fortunate enough to have most my list within grasp here in the states which should keep me busy for awhile

Huge Canadian lake trout up shallow in the fall, Texas teener largemouth, and massive NZ brown trout would be on my bucket list. I don’t hunt, so nothing calls me in that regard.

Amazon peacock bass are mentioned frequently. A good buddy of mine did it about 10 years ago. I passed on the trip due to the cost and the hassle factor. Reflecting on the trip later, his reports of a $9K price tag, several required immunization shots, travel snafu’s, unsanitary conditions, tough fishing, and stiffling heat and humidity had me feeling I made the right decision.

I’m gearing up for the Great Loop that’s called the Adventure of a Lifetime, I guess. Some fishing involved but that’s not what the trip is about.

Traveling down the Mississippi to the Ohio, then over to the Tennessee River to the Tom Bigbie which will plop us out into Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Stick around Florida for a few months and hope to connect with a crazy Idoer down there.
In the spring it will be up the East Coast until I see the Hudson River.
I’m not sure of our exact route from there to the Great Lakes due to height restrictions.

Hugging the East side of Lake Michigan until I can see Chicago, then down the Cal-Sag to the IL waterway and cross our wake at Grafton IL. From there it’s just a few days back up the Mississippi and settle in Red Wing again.

Lot’s of things can change, but the target date is Sept 1st 2025. Planning on about a year trip. I’m looking ahead, excited, nervous and stressed all at the same time.

BK – that is outstanding! My Dad and Uncle went from Coville Park in Redwing To the Florida Keys via the Mississippi/Bigbie in a 25′ Larson Cabin Cruiser back in 2001 after my dad retired. They trailered the boat back home. It was a trip of a lifetime for them, but what you’re describing is so much more – I hope you get to do it and it all works out. What type of craft are you taking?

Brian Klawitter wrote:

I’m gearing up for the Great Loop that’s called the Adventure of a Lifetime, I guess. Some fishing involved but that’s not what the trip is about.

Traveling down the Mississippi to the Ohio, then over to the Tennessee River to the Tom Bigbie which will plop us out into Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Stick around Florida for a few months and hope to connect with a crazy Idoer down there.
In the spring it will be up the East Coast until I see the Hudson River.
I’m not sure of our exact route from there to the Great Lakes due to height restrictions.

Hugging the East side of Lake Michigan until I can see Chicago, then down the Cal-Sag to the IL waterway and cross our wake at Grafton IL. From there it’s just a few days back up the Mississippi and settle in Red Wing again.

Lot’s of things can change, but the target date is Sept 1st 2025. Planning on about a year trip. I’m looking ahead, excited, nervous and stressed all at the same time.

That sounds like an adventure for sure. You will need to do daily updates along the way on that trip for sure. I’m sure lots here would love to follow along with you on that trip.

LOL! A fishing site that has a report of a tuna boat cruise??

It’s a 39′ Carver. Just got back from the 5th and final practice run down to Grafton (close to St Louis) and back. As they say, everything on a yacht is broken, just don’t know when.

From what I’ve seen so far, the beauty of the river is incredible and they say the Canadian passage far exceeds Pools 6, 5 and 5a.

My dream trip is quiting my job and traveling one fall for pheasants in a bunch of places west of the Mississippi. And camping.

BrianF wrote:

Amazon peacock bass are mentioned frequently. A good buddy of mine did it about 10 years ago. I passed on the trip due to the cost and the hassle factor. Reflecting on the trip later, his reports of a $9K price tag, several required immunization shots, travel snafu’s, unsanitary conditions, tough fishing, and stiffling heat and humidity had me feeling I made the right decision.

Ya I hear and read some real mixed reports on Amazon Peacock Bass Trips. That trip would require lots of research 1st. The location and heat would not be for everyone – That’s for sure.

A new one I’ve added to my bucket list is a trip to either Scott Lake Lodge right on the border of Saskatchewan and the NW territories or to Wollaston Lake lodge in NE Saskatchewan for BIG PIKE and BIG Lake Trout. Both are remote locations but with high end accommodations, Food, and Guides. May have to turn that one into a retirement gift to myself.

BK that trip sounds amazing and please do share updates of your journey when you do go! I’ve always wanted to try this but just need to get the right vessel for it.

For me I would love to do a long Pheasant trip out west just not sure where yet and also a Canadian fly in fishing trip would be fun too.

fishthumper wrote:

A new one I’ve added to my bucket list is a trip to either Scott Lake Lodge right on the border of Saskatchewan and the NW territories or to Wollaston Lake lodge in NE Saskatchewan for BIG PIKE and BIG Lake Trout. Both are remote locations but with high end accommodations, Food, and Guides. May have to turn that one into a retirement gift to myself.

Friend of mine & his son did Wollaston. From what he said it’s fantastic.

fishthumper wrote:

A new one I’ve added to my bucket list is a trip to either Scott Lake Lodge right on the border of Saskatchewan and the NW territories or to Wollaston Lake lodge in NE Saskatchewan for BIG PIKE and BIG Lake Trout. Both are remote locations but with high end accommodations, Food, and Guides. May have to turn that one into a retirement gift to myself.

FIL did North Star Lodge on Knee Lake in Manitoba for several years. Travel to Winnipeg, they provide flights to the Lodge. High end both accommodations and price, great fishing. He brought home Manitoba Master Angler awards for pike several years running. Hoping to get there with my son.

Not to be morbid but………..

We all have somebody we know who passed early in life. It’s always unbelievable that it happened to them. But it could also happen to us. Plan that bucket list now, don’t wait because we never know.

Dutchboy wrote:

Not to be morbid but………..

We all have somebody we know who passed early in life. It’s always unbelievable that it happened to them. But it could also happen to us. Plan that bucket list now, don’t wait because we never know.

100% agree. I always say ” You can always make more money, But you can’t get more time ” when that internal clock runs out, its over !!!

Dutchboy wrote:

Friend of mine & his son did Wollaston. From what he said it’s fantastic.

My fishing buddy and his Daughter did Wollaston lake lodge in July 2022. They both said it was Great. Both caught a fair # of Pike over 40″ and both caught some Monster lake Trout.

Dutchboy wrote:

Not to be morbid but………..

We all have somebody we know who passed early in life. It’s always unbelievable that it happened to them. But it could also happen to us. Plan that bucket list now, don’t wait because we never know.

Absolutely agree. Had a heart attack and bypass surgery in April. Recovering well but hitting the bucket list now. Working with my kid to get on his schedule for late June/July for a Knee Lake trip. He provides transport to Winnipeg (works for Delta), I float the remainder of the bills. May also hit San Diego for Yellowtail tuna, have a nephew out there who is the same age as my son. Again, if kid picks up transportation I pay for the fishing.

LOTW August 3-5 this year with my Son, Best Friend from High School and his son. My buddy has health issues and we aren’t getting any younger. My buddy”s son is moving away to college and my son lives away from home, so any chance too get away and enjoy the company of people you love and appreciate is a great trip for me. The older I get the more I enjoy the little things in life that involve the people I love and admire.

Funny this thread got started again. I got the opportunity to take my dad to Alberta for a bull moose hunt in 2022. It was super short notice, but we brought home about 1200 lbs of awesome meat!
I always wanted to do a “western” hunt so I kinda did my “once” already.
That said, I still want to go to Alaska, hunting or fishing.

Brian Klawitter wrote:

I’m gearing up for the Great Loop that’s called the Adventure of a Lifetime, I guess. Some fishing involved but that’s not what the trip is about.

Traveling down the Mississippi to the Ohio, then over to the Tennessee River to the Tom Bigbie which will plop us out into Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Stick around Florida for a few months and hope to connect with a crazy Idoer down there.
In the spring it will be up the East Coast until I see the Hudson River.
I’m not sure of our exact route from there to the Great Lakes due to height restrictions.

Hugging the East side of Lake Michigan until I can see Chicago, then down the Cal-Sag to the IL waterway and cross our wake at Grafton IL. From there it’s just a few days back up the Mississippi and settle in Red Wing again.

Lot’s of things can change, but the target date is Sept 1st 2025. Planning on about a year trip. I’m looking ahead, excited, nervous and stressed all at the same time.

I had a coworker just retire a couple months ago who is beginning this trip soon.

May walleye opener on vermilion with my own son, just like when I was a kid. Not much to do now but wait another 10 months or so, I think at 4 the boy will be ready to roll and roll.

Hunting – never hunted for anything in my life but wild boar hunting in Texas sounds quite interesting to me. I need to take a hunter’s safety class in preparation of this adventure.
Fishing – Alaska for coastal fishing of Halibut. Photos of a friend’s trip there this year has smiles on everyone!

Have a cousin-in-law that ‘commercially’ fishes salmon in Alaska. They have a claim on a stretch just outside of Anchorage. Its just 2 guys and they use some sort of sustainable netting method. Plan to join them next summer for a week to see what that is like.

My ideas are fairly local.

Giant walleyes on Winnipeg
Big Lakers through the ice
Numbers of walleyes in Canada
Can’t remember the lake but been on IDO before. Huge perch through the ice

If I ever get to Alaska, it probably won’t be for fishing but to take in the sights.

Being able to take the boat around the state for a month sounds awesome but unlikely.

Hard Water Fan wrote:

Can’t remember the lake but been on IDO before. Huge perch through the ice

Cascade Lake in Idaho possibly. I’d like to fish there as well.

Hard Water Fan wrote:

My ideas are fairly local.

If I ever get to Alaska, it probably won’t be for fishing but to take in the sights.

We got in from Alaska about 1:30 this morning. Ten days.

We had a halibut charter booked but the coastal weather went sour with high winds, heavy rains and ugly seas so it was canceled. We were notified of that cancelation as we pulled into the parking area of the charter service…. after driving 5-1/2 hours. The next earliest trip was in August so….

Glaciers were a super good visit. Moose were the most common wildlife and we saw quite a few during evening drives on roads away from population hubs. Honestly we didn’t have to go far to see moose, but most were distance sightings except this one in the picture. I got within 25-30 feet before the wind gave me up.

I’d go again in a heartbeat as long as it was just Ma and I. Her sister and hubby were with us, and the sister was a putz. Her idea of wildlife was theme parks with animals behind fences. At the last such tourist trap I sat on a bench with binoculars and glassed the surrounding mountain slopes and found 4 adult mountain sheep. I watched for over an hour as they crossed from one area to another. Beautiful animals and such as treasure to find them. One was a ram with a nice curl. I had quite the crowd around me, all with binoculars. Someone asked me how I noticed them, and I just said I didn’t come to Alaska to look at animals behind fences, so I busied myself with looking beyond the wire. I told everyone there that you won’t really see wild animals if you don’t take time to look for them where they live.

The mountains themselves are a treasure to take in. I have lung disease, so climbing was pretty much out of the question, but we found several trails that I could do and we walked for miles on them.

Our nephew and his wife have lived there for several years and he says he still hasn’t even scratched what there is to see and do. I’d like to be able to go back and do some more of my own scratching.

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Sounds like a wonderful trip!