I was asking about the trip and John forwarded an email from the owner. I asked permission to post it, so here it is for all to enjoy. How would it be?
<Email sent to John at Mt. Logan - from the owner of the truck>
John,
As you know, the around-the-world portion of the project is a search for the best fly fishing destinations. The advantage of driving around the world is that I’ll be able to spend as much or as little time in the countries along the route. In addition to traveling to some of the most recognized destinations world-wide, traveling by vehicle will allow me to fish all the unknown spots along the way as well.
The trip will begin in June 2006 with a 1,900 mile float trip down the Yukon River in Canada and Alaska. This will be accomplished in a custom-built dory (a river-going version of the vehicle) that I designed and built 4 years ago for a similar adventure. That trip was terminated after 1,200 miles due to weather and insufficient river flows.
While I’m on the Yukon, the vehicle and trailer will be shipped to Sydney, Australia. I will meet up with it there and begin a 15,000 mile clockwise circumvention of the country. What Australia lacks in freshwater fishing, they more than make up for with salt water. Among the species I’ll pursue are sharks, marlin and tuna.
Next the vehicle will travel to New Zealand where I will spend 3 months hitting all the best fishing spots. I’ve been to NZ before, and I can say with total confidence that there is more than enough fishing to fill 3 months of time. It’s a truly spectacular country.
Next the vehicle will be shipped to Vladivostok, Russia. I’ll pick it up there and begin a 25,000 mile drive across the Asian and European continents. First I’ll travel north along the East border of China to Yakutsk. From there I’ll head southwest to Mongolia to fish for the elusive taimen, the largest salmonoid in the world. After Mongolia, I’ll re-enter Russia and drive west to the Kola Peninsula (with many side trips, of course) which borders Finland. The Kola is home to some of the best salmon fishing. Then I’ll drive into Finland, Norway and Sweden. Crossing into mainland Europe, I’ll pass through Gemany and the Netherlands before dropping the vehicle off in Antwerp, Belgium for shipment to Buenos Aires. While it’s in route, I’ll travel to South Africa to fish for tigerfish.
After the rendezvous in Buenos Aires, I’ll travel south to Tierra del Fuego (the southernmost tip of South America), before beginning a 30,000 mile drive north to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. I’ll be fishing and passing through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colomia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico before entering the United States. In the U.S. I’ll hit a few of my favorite fishing spots before continuing onto Canada and finally Alaska.
The trip should take about 2 years and cover around 75,000 miles. I will visit and fish at least 25 different countries for over 100 different species of fish. However, to say that this is just a long fishing trip would be inaccurate and impossible. Fishing is a common thread that runs through the fabric of time and cultures. I intend on immersing myself in the traditions and customs of each of the communities that I visit so that I may better understand the people and cultures that compose our world.
I will be attending the World Fly Fishing Expo in Denver on September 8-10 to develop the media and fishing manufacturer contacts. There is a plethora of fly fishing publications that will have interest in the expedition and I have no doubt that I’ll be able to secure a couple of agreements to provide content.
In addition to 3rd party exposure, the trip will be documented to the smallest detail on my website
www.flyfishingtheworld.net. The website will be updated regularly with text, pictures and video. Of course, the vehicle will be featured prominently in all correspondence as it is the means by which all of this adventure and travel is made possible.
I am certain that an undertaking of this magnitude has never been attempted before. From the building of the purpose-specific vehicle to the Baja 1000 race and the around-the-world adventure, everyone directly or indirectly involved in this project with come away with more than a few stories to tell.
Give me a call if you have any questions and need more detail.
Thanks!
Dan
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