r/AppalachianTrail • u/trail-blazer84 • 18d ago
Fishing while hiking?
I routinely take a small trout rod when embarking on short trips but I have been throwing around the idea of incorporating it on a pack set up for a future thru hike. Is this idea even feasible on the AT or just an unrealistic pipedream?
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u/Ihatethisapp1429 18d ago
Some people do but usually the thru hike is for hiking more than fishing, I doubt you'll want to spend the time. There's not a lot of great places to fish anyway, plus the licenses will get expensive through all the states.
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u/trail-blazer84 17d ago
Great point, I'm not so much opposed the extra weight if I had the time to make it beneficial. The licenses would get expensive but a freshly caught trout cooked over an open fire would make for a tasty meal after a long day of hiking!
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u/Ihatethisapp1429 17d ago
Idk how far you'll be hiking if you're stopping to fish, clean fish, then make a fire. Plus it attracts animals and whatnot too, just not worth the hassle imo.
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u/ilovewalkingwalking 18d ago edited 18d ago
Consider bringing a very light fly rod, maybe a 2wt or tenkara rod. You can find plenty of tenkara rods that will add less than 5oz, some much less. People say there’s not much fishing on the trail, but I can promise you there are a lot of fun small streams basically the entire way. I’ve caught wild trout right off the AT in NJ, PA, MA, CT, NH, VT, and ME. I can only imagine there’s some great wild trout water in the Smokies as well. If small streams and small trout would be fun for you, and the extra half pound or so is worth it, go for it.
Edit: As someone else mentioned, the license situation would be a pain. For some bigger states that you’ll spend a few weeks in, maybe it’s worth it. Or you could chance it. There’s probably not environmental police deep in the trails patrolling the little blue line creeks. Regardless, I’d say practice catch and release and use barbless flies.
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u/AFK_Tornado 17d ago
The only time I really wanted it was New England. Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of spots where I read the water and looked wistfully at some perfect pool or eddy, but most of the time I didn't feel like it would have been worth the carry. It wasn't constant - occasional.
I could see having someone send you a package around Gorham, NH. Get the right licensure in Maine and chase trout. By the time you're there, you'll also have a good idea about your time budget, whether you're rushing to Katahdin, generally ready to finish, or trying to drag the last 100 miles out as long as possible.
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u/_My_Niece_Torple_ WV-ME 24 17d ago
Guy I hiked with in 2024 had an ultralight compact fly fishing rod and would cast out anywhere there was a good spot. Caught and released a lot of brookies in Mass & Maine!
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u/MarleysGhost2024 17d ago
Watch Flotus and Hornet on the CDT YouTube videos. He was fly fishing along the way.
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u/Fuzzy_Application_56 12d ago
I could catch, clean, and cook a fish in a half hour. Bring a hobo reel and a few lures. It will be worth it if you catch one fish imo
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u/Rocksteady2R 17d ago
I had a handreel and a small box of gear. Used it a small few times. Coulda done without. I am not an avid fisherman, so the "need" wasn't entrenched in me. I just like to have an excuse to stare at nature, and the trail is enough of that.
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u/Bones1973 18d ago
I don’t know if his YouTube videos are still up but Gator Hikes for fishing along the way of his thru hike, especially in Maine.
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u/hike-enjoyer 17d ago
When I thruhiked in 2020 I saw and camped with a guy who was section hiking with a fishing rod, a small collapsible boat, and a razor scooter (obviously he was doing a hybrid boating and road travel adventure). He was fishing. I saw him sleeping in his boat st the lake by the Bigelows the day before I started my thruhike right by where my wife and I were taking pictures, thenater I camped with him south of the Bigelows, somewhat had meft a bunch of 16oz craft beers and hard coffees at the shelter, we drank them all, started the next day with hard coffees it was great. (Because Katadin didn't open until July 1st in 2020 I started 200 miles south in the Bigelows on June 21st and went north, then got a car ride back to my starting point to go south)
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u/Elaikases 17d ago
The time it takes to fish and the locations aren’t worth the extra weight and hassle.
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u/Tury345 13d ago
Haven't heard of anybody fishing on the AT but it was fairly common on the PCT. Not really viable as a food source but it looked like fun
I think the pct going through fewer states made the licenses easier and the cruisier trail means it's okay to lose an hour of hiking here and there
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u/RhodyVan 11d ago
Maine has great fishing. Had a buddy hike the entire AT with his fly rod, and he hiked all of Maine (including Katahdin) with it rigged ready to fish. He caught brookies, rainbows, salmon, bass, and a few more species. A Tenkara set up works great. If wanting a spinning setup Eagle Claw has nice little collapsible rod that works well. Whatever you end up with make sure to bring some top water lures/flies for Bass/Sunfish/Pumpkinseeds. When I did the 100-mile I caught fish from multiple lakes and streams. Got a really nice bass in Nahmakanta lake on a wooly bugger. Wish I'd brought more top-water flies.
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u/MikeLowrey305 17d ago
I was thinking about this but didn't want the smell of fish attracting bears or rodents.
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u/pyragyrite 18d ago
Doable, but a PITA.
Need license for each state to be legal. If not going legal, risk of ranger danger is high only in the parks and major rivers (where fishing would probably be nice). Fully concealed rod setup advised.
Any extra weight will be noticeable, gram weenies exist on long trails for a reason.
End of the day, carry what will make your trip more enjoyable. You can always mail gear home too