Wheelin and Reelin

Diesel's been killin me and my townie beater got lent out, kept for over a year and returned broken....awesomeness.  So I wound up scouring craigs for a new gas saving beater and decided that a 4 cylie, 2wd toyota truck with 22re power was in order.  lol, from my experience on craigslist I've determined that there's two types of toyota owners:

The PROUD, characterized by comically high asking prices on their vehicles......worst case I seen was an unregistered late 80's with body damage and an 8K asking price. Just for kicks I shot the guy an email to see what could possibly justify the price tag, apparently his rig gets 30mpg and he's already got a couple buyers on the line......OK buddy.  I should have trolled him for more kookery.

The Brutal, used their toyotas as work trucks and beat the living tar out of them.  Legit sellers but sold at too good to be true prices, mile long list of repairs imminent.

Anyway, I satisfied 2 out of my 3 requirements and settled on something with 4 wheel capabilities, reasonable compromise    Now that I have a smaller truck capable of rompin around on light trails I'm starting to kick around the idea of a little ohv fishing.  I know we have folks here who get up into the mountains for offroad fun......Jeff, I'm lookin at you .....so what are my options as far as common newbie bunny slopeish trails with a lake at the end of the trail?  Anyone game for a ncka mountain lake hook-up?     

     

Right on dude, a few years back when I was looking for a new truck I ran into the EXACT same Toyota owners you described, which led me to buy my Nissan.  The Nissan is a cool truck, but it has a HORRIBLE turning radius.  Anyhow, if you ever have extra room on one of these backcounty lake trips and are looking for a camp chef, hit me up!  If your not, its all good, just be sure to take plenty of pictures and post up the adventure online! 

My other truck is a 2500 extended cab with a long bed.......lol, turning radiuses don't get much worse than that, I can't even make some 90 degree turns down smaller streets when I'm towing my boat.  I had a couple friends suggest that the little nissan pick-ups are equally bulletproof, woulda pulled the trigger on one that I looked at but the deal was just not there.  Once I find a doable destination I'm hoping we can get a couple other rigs together....I'll put you on the list.

   

I would be into it, but my off-roader is slowly becoming consumed by the forest, just no money to get it repaired & keep it up. Shoulda bought a toyota instead of a ford back...um...25 years ago

Leave the rig at home, bring a mt bike.


I'm looking at Brewer lake near fresno....I went there when I was a kid but I don't remember much about the ride in.  Trail guides seem to be all over the map, some say super easy others moderate to difficult. Anyone got the dope on this lake? 

if you want the best in mountain biking = go here! I've made 5 trips in 5 years back when I thought I was "invincible". I look back now and I must say that this is one of the craziest things I've done in life.

THere are a couple of small lakes in the area as well. And the MTB trails cross several rives and streams on the way down.

(I DO NOT recommend this trail for beginners)



http://www.yubaexpeditions.com/
http://www.downievilleoutfitters.com/

Bowman Lake!

Plenty of dirt to drive, killer lake to fish from shore or Yak. Deosnt get crowded.

You will love this place! Were headed up there soon.



Another good place for driving around in the dirt is out of Truckee, Stampede, Boca and Prosser reservoirs.

Great fishing at all 3 lakes. All connected by dirt roads, the back side of Boca and Stampede can be a lot of fun wheeling around, to get to great fishing. Again by yak or shore.

We just got back from camping at Prosser, its FULL and the yaking and fishing was great.

Going back on Aug 12th, and will be hitting all 3 lakes by way of dirt in the 4runner.

Great area, tons to explore.

One of the coolest places I 4wd up was up by hat creek. Miles of dirt roads and plenty of places to fish...I'm down my 4runner is ready!

Thanks for the heads up Porky, thats the kinda intel I'm looking for. 

Andy, I'll give you heads up when I'm ready, I'm lookin at a fall trip bro.

If you guys want to venture any farther north I'd be down, especially if we can combine it w/ a little buck hunting (B-zone, 7 Lakes Basin perhaps?).

I will wheel anywhere most people will go. And then I'll go further. My 600+k mile Toy has been places most people won't even walk to. I'd be down for some wheeling and fishin. Post it up sometime.

   Theres a small lake up above Bowman, Weaver lake, I remember taking my 94' 1500 gasser dodge up to it from our camp at bowman.

Yeah man, Weaver above Bowman is killer, so many lakes in that area.... Great fishing.

Art, I think you will really enjoy the area.

Let me know when you go, may join you with my 4runner and yak as well...

Hummmmmmmm    A 4X4 only hookup???  Sounds like fun