On the Road in a Fish Taco

Kerouac nailed the illuminating capacity of crisscrossing America in On the Road, where the writer’s pseudonymous Sal Paradise trawls the landscape for adventure against a backdrop of jazz, poetry, and good drugs.

More than 50 years later, the book’s “Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me…” message is still kicking. The U.S. Travel Association says most leisure trips still involve two hands on the wheel—as opposed to enduring hours of strangers and crying babies 30,000 feet in the air. And although the end goal remains largely intact—to see and discover—on the road, over the decades, our chariots have evolved.

Tweaked to meet the demands of getting from point A to points anywhere with a choice river in the foreground, the flyfishing whip is no exception. Here, Texas-based photographer Matt Jones shares his getaway mainstay: the Fish Taco.

Year, make, and model?

2013 Toyota Tacoma – TRD Sport

Why a Tacoma?

I’ve always been a Toyota guy. I have had my eye on a few overland Tacoma builds over the years, which inspired me to get one.

Aftermarket ad-ons/accessories?

As of now, I only have an upgraded suspension (3″ lift), an add-a-leaf package in rear, and 33″ tires. Basically, I just wanted to boost the ground clearance a bit for more aggressive trails. My plans are to fully equip the Tacoma for overland adventures that will allow me to live off the grid for at least a week: Roof rack, more suspension upgrades, compressor, air locker, batteries, solar panels, water system, and more… all things that will allow me to go super remote.

Stickers vs. wraps?

No stickers on my truck, but typically I’m a pretty random sticker placement kinda guy. Right now my truck is sponsored by Tailwaters Fly Fishing and I designed a wrap that would showcase my logo and Tailwaters logo, in addition to some images. It’s a conversation starter… I get stopped in the parking lot at least twice a week and am questioned about flyfishing.

How do you pack and organize for a typical road trip?

I custom built a platform that fits in the truck bed. This not only has storage underneath, with compartments, but it’s carpeted on top so that I can sleep when on the road. It’s great for exploring until sundown, and then waking up for sunrise imagery. Usually all my photography gear goes with me, along with video gear and lighting equipment. You never know who you’ll meet on the road, or photograph for that matter; Better to be prepared with everything. Sometimes I’ll bring my road bike, and this next trip, both dogs are riding along.

Mileage?

Total mileage is 57,454. I bought the truck brand new two years ago.

Where have you been?

Other than home, I’ve traveled primarily to Colorado and Utah—exploring a ton of off-road trails and backcountry roads.

Does your truck have nickname?

I named it the Fish Taco. Tacomas inherently are called “tacos” and mine has fish all over it, so… Fish Taco was born. Plus, my all time favorite food is fish tacos.

You have ten days to hit the open road, where are you going?

I’d head straight to Yosemite, explore there for a few days and then work my way down the west coast of California. I’ve never seen that part of the country and I know that it’d be a great adventure.