How much does it cost you to catch a salmon?

[Born to be Wild]

I realize some folks spend a lot to catch salmon but then others like myself spend very little.

So to the best of your ability, how much does it cost you to put a salmon on the BBQ, in your freezer, or to give to friends or family?

Keep in mind for those of you that have purchased boats to estimate how much time you will get out of that boat, the expenses of maintaining the boat and subtract a percentage of the cost that is equivelent with other usuage of the boat when used for; sturgeon, steelhead, shad, smelt, bottom fishing, tuna fishing, water skiing and everything else you use the boat for that is not related to salmon fishing?
Do not include the cost of a vechicle that is used in towing the boat unless it was purchased for that sole purpose.

Again this is your estimated cost of catching salmon and not steelhead.

This should include gas, food, lodging, tackle, waders, ect.
Cell phones? :grin:

Thanks,
Dan

[ 12-29-2003, 07:42 PM: Message edited by: Born to be Wild ]

[Pickles]

If you consider all the hidden costs of fishing, It cost's quite a bit. Boat payment, Licensing, Gasoline, Bait, Propane, Tackle, Insurance, Loss of income from taking the day off to go fishing etc. After adding all of this up, fishing is really quite expensive. If you don't believe me just ask my wife! [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img]

[Pickles]

Oh Yes, I almost forgot last year I made over 60 Salmon Trips, and only 2 sturgeon fishing trips. Only once did I take my boat out this year that I did not go fishing!

[STGRule]

If you figure in how much each trip costs times how many trips until you actually catch something you can take home? A whole bunch of money.

[finclipped]

I think a lot of times, you forget how much the boat cost and what you spent to get a good "pull" rig. Add these things and it gets very expensive. I would guess gear, bait, gas and tackle averages $60. Add in the boat and truck to pull it and, I'm guesing over $150 (based on useful life of the boat & truck.)

[ISeeFish]

$30,000 per fish, so far.

B2bW,
Lots of variables here and it’s hard to come up with a figure. I have a 5-6 hour drive that also adds to the cost. Not counting when I lived in Ketchikan it doesn’t come up to much more than $50 though. Most of my salmon fishing gear is older and the boat paid for when I still lived in Alaska.

[Pete]

Should it include lost earnings for the time you should have been working? :grin:

[glowball]

Don't let my wife see this one. I still have her convinced that fishing isn't that expensive.

I don't work :grin:

[Dave Vedder]

I took my family clam digging last weekend. We drove roughly 300 miles round trip. Per the IRS the cost of that is something like 23 per mile. So the drive was about $70.00. We spent two nights in a cheap motel. That was $140.00. Add in clam licenses, meals, and souvenirs for the wife. Total was about %400.
Ad to that the camera she drowned and the clams came to about $45.00 each.

My honest estimate for salmon caught would be about $100 each when adding in all licenses, tackle, gas, motels, boat license, boat insurance, launch fees, moorage, bait, meals etc. For steelhead add another 50%.

[boater]

B2BW, before i put it in the freezer can i vacume pack it ?

[Flatfish]

So long as the ocean stays open for Cohos, it should be fairly cheap. Close that, and my prices double.

Mark and the dog.

[rebell]

I'm guesing in the 100 dollar range. I don't ever want to sit down and truelly figure it out, the wife would divorce me for sure! Then it would even get more expensive!!! :grin:

[Full Freezer]

New K15, a spinner, Owner Hooks, Sardines, spider wrap, herring, Marie's Scents, ice, coffee, soda, water, O'Douls, chips, cookies, coupla cigars, chap stik, gum, new batteries in lamp, gas in boat, gas for truck ($60 alone if driving to Kalama which is the closest launch for me) :shocked: , Subway sandwiches, mini pecan pies, pop tarts, beef jerky, launch fee, coffee & burgers on the way back.

I'd say I spend ALOT of $$$ to catch a Feeesh! My wife has asked me to itemize my expenses this year. I think I'm gonna be in trouble. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] :tongue:

[Born to be Wild]

Whew!

A lot more money being spent on salmon fishing than I realized!

Of course some of those expenatures aren't necessary but that wasn't the question.

And yes boater, you'de better figure in another couple dollars per fish because those food saver bags ain't cheap!

[fisheromen]

I fish from the bank in the Sandy River most of the time. Average over the last 3 years is under $10. Last year closer to $20 probably. That's not including lost work time - hey, a guy's gotta do what a guys gotta do!

[graybeard]

I just bought an $80,000 boat and a $40,000 tow rig. So far I've caught 2 salmon. Go ahead and do the math, then add another voting bracket. :grin:

[brshooter]

Don't get me thinking about this stuff. The fish market is always cheaper.
Last time I looked though, the fish market didn't have any memories to go along with the fish they sell.

When the wife and I bought our boat, we know we would never catch enough fish to justify the cost. We took a different approach and just figured that first salmon cost us 30K. Now we only have the cost of fuel, maintance, bait, etc. It's affordable now. In fact, I think fishing is cheap entertainment for the quality of time I get from it. Quality time on the river with the wife or friends is priceless.

[SafetyChain]

I'll let you know when the number stops climbing and I start catching :grin:

[Chromaflage]

That's a question that just should not be asked. :shocked: :grin:

ORS

[Streetwalker]

Priceless in comparison to the quality time spent with family & good friends!

[Cosmic Lazy Susan]

When I finally caught my first one I told my wife to prepare herself for the best meal she would ever have because it cost $50 a pound. :shocked:

Now that I tally up all the equipment and time I spent getting that first one I think $50 is way low. It was worth every cent. :grin:

Dale

[WaterDog]

The big question is: Does your wife read this board and what happens when she sees this thread. :shocked: :grin:

[Cosmic Lazy Susan]

Fortunately for me she doesn't read this board.

"What you doing Hon?", "Oh, just checking my email".

[Straydog]

I see the makings of another recession if this information gets to the wrong people in the household!!!!!! :shocked: :shocked:

[fishhog4u]

I try to maintain a $23.00 per pound ratio.
Actually if I truly added it up, im sure it would be a lot more!!!

[cully]

I've probably fished for salmon 40 times. I've brought home 3. Each trip cost on the average about 50 bucks. So that makes each salmon worth around 666.00. Don't get me wrong. I've gotten at least 50.00 worth of enjoyment out of each day. If your questions relates to how much we spend and contribute as fisherman to the economy...my answer would have to be a lot.

[fop]

Let's see now! Catching Salmon cost me my first marriage. Can I add that to the total? Can I add for pain and suffering? Lawyers fees? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

That would put me waaay ahead of Graybeard..

fop

P.S. Yes, it was worth it. :smile:

[SKP]

That's alot of money on sport salmon fising.

Ban gillnetting and commercial fishing in the Columbia! We are keeping the industry going, not the others!

SKP

[Hoosier Daddy]

I don't even want to know!!!!!

[Birdnest]

I think it needs to broken down to bankies vs boaters.

Angler #1, who jumps into his '81 F250, drives to his favorite river, wades in with his patched waders, and catches a bunch of fish.

vs

Angler #2, who jumps into his '03 F250, drives to his favorite storage yard to pick up his '03 boat, drives to his favorite gas station to fill the boat and truck, swings by the tackle shop because he needs a "few flashers and some bait, and...", pays launch fees, and hopefuly catches some fish.

Man it was painful to write out #2's scenario.

Joe

[garyk]

I think the more accurate metric here should be 'cost per trip', rather than cost-per-salmon as the question is posed.

Your costs for the day stay virtually the same whether you catch none or a 4-person limit.

(I'm still adding the numbers before I vote, but it's looking like fishing might be more accurately described as a 'vice' rather than 'hobby'. :grin: )

[Sturgeon 42]

I live 2 miles from free boat ramp, boat was bought for by my Dad, bait is bought by dad, and gas is usually bought by Me,but not always, Springers I troll from the dock, but fall chinook I have to spend 6.00 in gas round trip and get one every few trips so fall chinook costs about 12.00 more per salmon on average.... :grin: :grin: :grin:

[Jerry Dove]

Back in the ugly days when I was a working man,(oh the thought)I would get migraine headaches. Nothing I would take would help. I would take off go to the river to fish. within half hour no more headache. Put a price on that! Remember the worst day of fishing is better than the best day of work.

[Sturgeondave]

Dano,you know it would be cheaper for me if you start helping with the bill.Just jokeing. Ya it cost some hard earned money,but to me I look at the enjoyment of getting out there and enjoying the outdoors and the memories we make with our friends and family.

[rebell]

Great reply Jerry! :smile:

But since I quit guiding several years ago, my headaches have gone away. :grin:

I guess it show's that fishing is only as relaxing as you choose to make it. I for one am glad that I now fish for fun only.

More power to the people that try to make a living at it. I know for a fact, it has to be one of the most demanding job's out there.

[Empire]

I voted in the poll, but I personally don't care what it costs per fish.

I relax and enjoy the day when I get out to fish. I take in the scenery, reduce my blood pressure. I might avoid a heart atack by eating fish rather than a tasty prime rib. If I was fishing to save money on food I would certainly be broke.

[Danderson]

Wow.... That $150.00 to $175.00 per person for a good guide sounds great after reading some amounts it takes to catch a salmon. When I wasn't with a guide I would spend $80.00 to $100.00 in bait depending on how many were in the boat and how the fishing was that day. Also gas and food equals to about one fun trip with a guide all you have to do is bring lunch and get there.