Pen Fishing Pole: 2009

Our annual family camping reunion was this weekend and although it was just as rip roaring as usual, unknown to us it was soon to be the last. We learned more than we wanted. Posted......."Due to the recent state wide cut backs, many parks and campgrounds will be closed indefinitely". A list had been comprised and Palomar was at the top. That's not good! This week may be the last week Palomar Mountain campground is open, it's on schedule and more than likely to close around September 18th 2009.

What a travesty! .... Will they ever get it right?... Who has their fingers in this?...

"Palomar Mountain State Park features spectacular views of the Pacific, camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing (trout and bass) in Doane Pond. Coniferous forests cover most of the 1,862 acres and contrast the dry lowlands surrounding the mountain. This is one of the few Southern California areas with a Sierra Nevada-like atmosphere".

Palomar campgrounds has been around about a century and with a fiberglass pole in hand, kids of the kids have been fishing the lakes and streams throughout the area. If you've ever camped in southern California, you already know Palomar Mountain and what it brings to everyone visiting or camping overnight. Palomar is not only an excellent park for camping but is famous world wide for it's observatory. It's the best park in Southern California and one of the best in the country for observing planets, stars, meteors and anything else in the night sky. Surrounded by giant old growth pines, rugged mountains and lush valleys, makes the park prime for any adventurer of any calliper. Palomar campgrounds are one of our favorite local spots, their clean, safe and offer fishing at the local "Doane Pond". Kids and adults both love fishing and hiking and camping there. In the winter snow abounds and winter fun is everywhere, it's beautiful and easy to drive to.

For man, many years, the month of September marked our family camping reunion at Palomar Mountain. The arrangements were made, we packed our fish rods, dome tents, camp stoves and portable chairs and away we went. It is close to every ones homes, down in the suburbs of San Diego and is less than a hour away. The drive up mountain is always exciting and the views outrageous, especially at night. During the day you can see all the way to the pacific ocean, not many mountains afford that type diversity. Fishing with a fiberglass rod or fish pen, worm or floating bait at Doane Pond is relaxing and fun, the kids can't get enough in. Back at camp everyone grabs a camp stool and mingle around the camp fire telling great stories of epithet till late in the evening then retire to the dome tent to dream the night away.

The serene environment of Palomar is most unique, with it's lush forest peaking high in the sky to it's teaming wildlife roaming the hill sides, Palomar is an experience comparable only to the High Sierras. The fishing with our fiberglass rod or fish pen and the memories will live on but the Palomar experiences may never again be seen. It will be a sad day when they close Palomar campgrounds. Now our final family reunion at Palomar may pass and anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to indulge may not have that chance. Preserves such as this must be kept open, its part of our heritage and provides experiences and camaraderie like nothing else. Maybe we'll just throw the dome tent up in the backyard, jump on a camp stool, blow up a kiddy pool, break out the fish pen and act like were in the woods.

With great anticipation the trip up the mountain excited us once again, but when we arrived at the campground we were shocked to find out of the likely closing of the park and relished our possible final days there but Its not too late to fight for our parks! A coordinated effort would help the cause, what can you do? You can do your part to call your representative, congressman, tell them how valuable it is to maintain Palomar Campgrounds an historic park, an adventure to be experienced.

For a decade, I lived in Mammoth Lakes of the High Sierras, California. I've literally hiked from north to south and east to west, from the lower Yosemite valley to the San Jaquin river valley to lake Dorothy to Owens river and beyond and enjoyed every adventure the crazy new day brought. Packing and trout fishing in America are a couple of my favorite activities, weather it's by foot, horse, or cycle, it's all good. Sometimes I take a lot of gear sometimes a little depending on the situation. There are however a few items I always take weather I'm on a day hike or weeks in the back county, that"s my Coleman fish pen,

camouflage hammock, hat and a knife with tools. My Coleman fish pen is amazing it's a real pocket fisherman very compact. I actually first discovered the Coleman fish pen when I was on a local backpacking trip with a good friend. I was so impressed with this pocket fisherman, I got my own, now I take it everywhere, my pen fisherman is compact, lightweight and the Coleman fish pen f is excellent for trout fishing in America, camping, hiking, packing or off a boat in a lake.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

"One Deep Breath and Our Adventure Began".... it was mid-September, ground zero... the Valley at Yosemite National Park, Jill, Mick and I started on one of our many adventures, it was planned to spend about two weeks in the back country. That meant bringing a lot of provisions. When packing for this type of trip it's critical you have the essentials because what you bring is about all you can depend. It's also necessary to pack light as possible as even an extra ounce is noticed, so my light weight Coleman fish pen became indispensable. The sky was crystal blue,the air was crisp and the sweet smell of pine awakened our senses . At around 6:00am we checked our gear and with one deep breath we were on our way. We quickly hiked out of valley then ascended nearly straight up the 2,425'of Yosemite Falls, it was rugged and took us all day this was only the beginning of our journey and trout fishing in america. Once atop we headed in a south east direction, paths are well marked and hiking much easier once the summit was made. In the beginning it was strenuous hiking and our packs felt like boulders on our backs but a few days out we hardly notices our packs. We hiked for days and days and around every corner the different terrains, cool waters, sights, smells and feelings, I'll never forget. Natures blissful beauty now surrounded us at all times, we plunged in and became a part of every crashing waterfall,

trickling emerald green stream, crystal clear blue lake, every giant pine all the wildlife and everything in between.
Around six days out we decide to hike only by landmarks and compass and took off over uncharted terrain, to this day I highly recommend for those capable, to experience this form of free style backpacking as it forces a reliance on your senses, your knowledge and exhales an unparalleled accomplishment and freedom from deep within. Being deep within the confines of the park we encountered many obstacles we weren't accustom to dealing with, so our dedication and need to succeed them became not just factors but necessities to overcome. I believe this type of exploration helps mold our beings, our thought processes and decisions for future endeavors. We depended on each other, our instincts and our equipment. I must admit when equipment becomes the major factor in survival your cherish it, I cherish my Coleman fish pen and my pocket fisherman became an important tool. At about day ten, as planned food was running low, but no worries because were only a few days away form our destination, upper Tuolumne meadows, and back to civilization. Fishing had now become a major factor in supplying us the nourishment to produce the type of energy needed to forge on. I found a perfect lake with a cascading waterfall and ounce I put my Coleman fish pen into action, catching fish became - easy as pie. We were truly trout fishing in America now There's nothing quite like savoring over a native trout and we caught our supply, of course with the help of my pocket fisherman. I relied on my instincts then and today, now my instincts guide me to always make great decision.

Packing with a pocket fisherman was a great decision and I'll always have my Coleman fish pen on me. The ingenious Coleman fish pen will collapse to 8" and the pocket fisherman fits in a compact pen case that tucks in your pocket, backpack, glove compartment or briefcase so anytime fishing in America, the opportunity comes I'll be ready!

The mighty pocket fisherman is sensitive and strong, strong enough to catch large fish. When fishing in the sierras you'll find a special fishing spot and sometimes it's not so clear so it's hard to maneuver in the bush, the pen fishing pole is so controllable, it makes it easy to hit that special spot, the casting reel is engineered to perform reliably and conveniently and has an awesome brass finish. This super strong telescoping composite Coleman fish pen extends to 40-1/2", came with a starter tackle kit and a pouch to hold the entire pocket fisherman system in. Without it on our adventure, it would have been very difficult, I think it is a great packing asset to have!

I've always loved trout fishing in America, and it's even better with a Coleman fish pen, now I'm always prepared to fish. The high sierras have some of the best lakes, streams and rivers in the world for trout fishing in America and to catch native fish. Native fish like perch, golden trout, rainbow trout, large mouth bass and huge German Brown trout are like no other and unlike stockies these fish have an unforgettable flavor, once you have one you'll pack anywhere to catch one. I've caught native trout in nearly every lake, river and stream I've come accross and with my pocket fisherman, I've survived catching fish in the back country. For a special treat get to the high country and if your lucky you may catch an infamous golden trout. Make the time, It's easy, just take off and within an hour or two or day or two, hike to a great lake or waterfall where you can pull out a coleman fish pen and land beautiful fish. Fishing in America, I've fished many different terrains with many types of rods but the Coleman fish pen is my favorite especially when weight and room matter or weather your rock climbing, packing, biking, jumping or bouldering. I won't lug a three piece pole to the back country again and can't imagine anyone else doing so, not when a pocket fisherman is so convenient. With a Coleman fish pen and reel combination you'll hit the spot!

Enaging in the extraordinary and unknown is nourishment for our minds, bodies and souls. We naturally crave the unknown, it's the opening door upon which we grow and expand, become creative, bold, strong, trusting and insightful. I've found that releasing my intuition, challenging the unknown, and being a part of the extraordinary lead me to achieve "peace of mind", the pinnacle of all our lives. Someday, maybe we'll meet, maybe in the back country and have a shout. I'll definitely have my Coleman fish pen ready. I've found a reliable, trustworthy source to purchase wilderness gear of this type at camouflage hammock , wilderness knife , fishing pole >,

Pen Fishing Pole

Monday, September 14, 2009

Save Palomar

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Hiking and Fishing the High Sierras

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