Pain

Today was a reminder day from my bout with cancer. My head and neck on the incision side were killing me. Kind of wasted the day inside trying to releive the pain. I should have been fly fishinf or at least rowing. Wanted to watch the Vikings/Packers game but slep through it. Right now the pain has subsided some and I feel almost human.

Tomorrow night is the TU meeting. I think I will go to the board meeting, but not regular. Need to find out what they thibk of our AGFC commissioner’s e-mail statements. I will push them on including spin fishermen in their circle rather than be elitest snob fly fishers. TU is supposed to be conservation group, not fly fishing group.

Need to pick up wading boots at repair shop. Wish I could get some new ones, but Simms is always out of my size.

Tomorrow is going to be a good, no great day!!!

Float the Whole Durn Thing – Part Deux

After floating the Buffalo and King’s Rivers this year to raise money for Reel Recovery, I needed to thing of something better for 2010. After thinking of how we could raise the awareness for Reel Recovery, I first thought of floating the White River. But there are not any really big news outlets along the river. I really want to get the word out. I then decided on floating the Arkansas River as it flows through the state of Arkansas. There are many larger towns with television stations such as Fort Smith, Conway, Little Rock and Pine Bluff. I’m sure a float of around 400 miles in a drift “row” boat will get some attention. I plan to start the float on March 27, 2010 in Fort Smith on the border between Oklahoma and Arkansas and finishing at the Mississippi River about 3 weeks later.

I will be rowing alone in the Hyde, but will welcome anyone with their boat to float along. Might even have some celebrities to float portions with me. Maybe I can get the Governor to float a little bit with me as I pass through Little Rock.

Sponsors will be greatly appreciated and welcomed. I hope to carry everything I need in the boat for the whole trip. The only thing I might have to provision along the way will be water. As many know, from my cancer treatments I have no saliva glands and must drink alot of water to get my food down. I usually drink between 200-300 ounces of water per day. Won’t have to worry about dehydration!

Going in late March/early April, I hope to bypass some of the bugs and critters along the way. I plan to row at least 20-25 miles per day which should be easy. At least I hope so. I will be leaving the weekend after SowBug Roundup in Mountain Home and finish just before my 56th birthday.

I will keep everyone informed as the date gets closer and will be giving daily updates along the route, that is if I can get internet access.

Wish me luck.    Be Well!!  Fish On!!

Reel Recovery Retreat

October 23-25, 2009 were the dates of the first Reel Recovery Retreat in Arkansas. We have spent a year raising money and planning and it has finally come and gone. All of the participants and all of the volunteers proclaimed it a success. The Corps and SWPA was able to give us low water on the Norfork tailwaters, the AGFC put some extra fish in the White River for us and the weather that had been wet and nasty for the 2 weeks previously changed to the perfect fall weather – 60’s and 70’s with sunny skies for the days of the Retreat.

Zack pointing out drift to a participant

We had 15 participants attend the Retreat coming from 7 states. Many had finished their treatment, some were still in treatment and a few this was their second bout with cancer. Maryann and Ken Green were our hosts at Cedarwood Lodge on the White. (www.cedarwoodslodge.com) and they made everyone feel at home. The accommodations were first rate and the food was fantastic. I think a few of us gained weight over the weekend. Even the somewhat jaded national guys ; ) were impressed.  I think Stan will be back if just for the fried catfish.  

Friday night and fried catfish and hushpuppies

Throughout the Retreat, there were “Courageous Conversations”  where participants talked about their life before and after their cancer diagnosis. They were lead in these by Coy Theobalt. He is an awesome guy and really gets the whole thing and helps the guys through some tough stories.

Courageous Warriors in the battle with cancer

 To help the guys take their mind off cancer we do a little fly fishing. When you are on the water fly fishing it is hard to remember that you are in the battle of your life. Concentrating on a tiny fly and getting the right cast and perfect drift takes your mind to a different place. That and being in one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Having the chance to hold a fish and get your hero shot taken is an added bonus.

Toby holding Eric's rainbow trout

The participants of Reel Recovery Arkansas 2009

The whole crew - participants and river buddies

With the closing ceremony on Sunday, everyone was touched by the spirit of Reel Recovery. The participants hopefully have a means to battle their cancer on a different level and I know the buddies learned as much or more as the survivors. The were all touched by everything about the retreat. The only thing bad about the Retreat is that the guys can not come back again as a participant, but they were all invited to come back as a River Buddy. All of the buddies have volunteered for next year. We will be back to Cedarwood Lodge next year for 2010 and hopefully we can have 2 Retreats in Arkansas next year.

Be Well! Fish On!

Rain and High water

October 2009 has been a WET month. We normally get near 3 inches for the month and we are now over 10 inches. All of the reservoirs are getting full and the rivers are all high. Looks like the fall and winter will be another high water season. If you are coming down to fish our water, be ready to throw heavier rods, big streamers and fish out of a boat. My favorite kind of fly fishing. I hate to watch a bobber.

21" Brown caught on high water within a foot of bank

Our Hyde is the most stable boat for that type of fly fishing. Flat level non-slip floors and a super wide beam along with knee braces gives you the confidence to crank out some monster casts and pinpoint deliveries for the big browns and rainbows of the White River system. Most guides would say that high water and big flows are too much work for a drift boat, but it really rows easier on the big water.

Come down and see us for a fantastic fly fishing trip on our trophy trout waters.

www.justfishinguides.com

Beaver Tailwaters 10-10-09

Well we got about 6″ of rain overnight and the lakes are full again. So much for a low water Fall. Table Rock rose enough to make Beaver TW a big lake. Absolutely no flow.

Saturday I had a guide trip and about froze becuase I left my gloves in the truck. Stupid, Stupid!!! My hands were so cold I had a hard time tying knots. Couldn’t bend fingers and feel finger tips. Tough tying with 6X tippet and #18 flies. The fish weren’t very cooperative. but we did catch some rainbows and a small brown. The sun did not come out until after lunch to warm things up. All morning the wind blew out of the north, upstream of course. Had to keep rowing to hold the Hyde in place let alone going downstream. We probably should have put in at the takeout and let the wind blow us back upstream.

The hot fly was a bead head soft hackle pheasant tail. Broke one off and could not find another in the fly box and had to tie one on without a bead. It did not work, no bites at all. Found some regular bead head pheasant tails and tried those and the amazing thing the fish started biting again. Guess they likes the shiny bead.

I got violated again by a male rainbow. He spoosed all over me, my waders and the inside of the boat. I feel so used. That makes three already this Fall. Several of the bows were really colored up, bright red sides and gill covers. We did see several osprey but no eagles.

Will be fishing Beaver again on Friday and I hope they, COE, get Table Rock drawn down enough to make the tailwater at least resemble a river.

Fishing Report 07-27-09

Beaver Tailwaters: 

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the water is low in the river and the trout are very spooky. Long fine leaders, tiny indicators and small flies are working. The best are in sizes 18-22. Midges sow bugs and copper johns seem to be the best flies.     

Kings River:

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said river levels are fairly good for floating and fishing from last week’s rain. Crawdads, minnows and top-water flies are the best bets. Larger flies are picking up smallmouth and smaller flies will catch bream.  

Lake Fayetteville: 

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said bluegill and other sunfish are biting best on the south side of the lake. Small, dark woolly buggers and popping bugs have been picking up good numbers of fish. Crappie and white bass have been hitting minnow-type flies trolled through the center of the lake.  

Buffalo River – Day 6

Monday, March 30, Day 6

 

Got an early start again, 11 am shoved off – Bluebird skies.  Wind picked up later.  The river is kind of boring at this level and this area.  Stopped at Buffalo Point and tried to get water.  Construction crew working on water and electric – no water in area, gave me the run around about the water.  Came to Rush at 3pm and fished.  Kevin caught 2 nice smallies and I caught 1 medium smallie. 

 

Kevin has rowed most of the day, but he was intimidated by the first white water after Rush — huge waves 3 to 4 feet high.  Got video going through the waves.  I would like to run it again without all the stuff.  Wind picked up considerably – right in our faces, had hard time going.  We had trouble finding gravel bar to camp.  Found one at 6 pm, late day (7 hours) everything set up and cooking sinner – salmon, teriyaki noodles and sautéed mushrooms –very good if I say so myself.  Crashed in tent at 9 – got video of some ducks – don’t know what they were.  We should be off the River on Tuesday

 

Campsite

36 05.066’

92 28.841’

Buffalo River – Day 5

Sunday, March 29, Day 5

 

RACCOONS – got in cooler and stole my oatmeal, buns, snickers and who knows what else.  Sun morning boat on high ground again – guess water fell 2 to 3 feet.  At least it is on a sidewalk.  Looks like breakfast bowl tortillas this morning.  Have to check to see what else the coons took.  The morning is cold but the sun is shinning.  Kevin is snoring as I am getting dressed.  Did not eat breakfast today – saving good breakfast till later.  Ken Smith and some co-workers stopped by to say good-bye.  They wanted to see boat launch.  River was still high and muddy, but easy.

 

Sun warmed up the day except for when wind was blowing.  Ended up very nice and the float and rowing was very easy.  Got very relaxed.  Saw a raptor that looked like an immature eagle – got many photos.  Didn’t take many photos of anything today.  Saw 1 beaver.  We stopped at Gilbert to get some food for Mack/Dude but the store was closed.  Met a couple of ladies that took Kevin into town for dog food and replace the food the raccoons got.  They were extremely nice.  One of them – Brenda – grew up in Gilbert but now lives in Fayetteville.  Ruthanne lives in Springdale and works for Red Cross.  We are meeting the nicest people.  We stopped at North Maumee for pee break – very nice area with open field.  Bet the deer and turkeys are in there a lot. At South Maumee we saw a family camping and fishing. 

 

Stopped on gravel bar/island for the night.  Beautiful night – crescent moon and no clouds – lots of stars.  We had a simple dinner of bologna sandwich and homemade cookies.  Early to bed tonight – kind of tired – plus night with no rain forecast.  We are a couple of miles past South Maumee – next place we see with be Buffalo Point.  Mack is still sleeping in my tent and hogging the bed, snoring.

Buffalo River – Day 4

Saturday, March 28, Day 4

 

Rain, rain, go away.  We had just a few minutes of sun to start the day.  Lots of wind, then the clouds came back with spitting rain, wind and cold.  I rowed most the day, very high water, muddy.  Kevin rowed some when I made him.  He was shivering and I told him to row to get warm.  He was intimidated by the high water and didn’t want to row after a couple of hours. Family of otters swimming next to boat on day of high water and Kevin got some video of them.

 

 I rowed from Baker Ford to Tyler Bend in an hour.  We were averaging 5 to 8 mpg on the river.  We stopped at Tyler Bend to camp – made over 25 miles today.

 

Camped in wrong spot according to Ranger, but he was nice and didn’t ticket or make us move.  He told us the River was at 14 feet.  Very nice guy, thank you.  While we were eating, Ken Smith walked up while heading to the bathroom.  He is the one that wrote the Buffalo River Handbook – had him sign my book.  He was a very cool guy and nice to talk to.  We talked about trails and other stuff.  The river feel and stranded the boat in mud ditch – bitch to get out.  We may have wet ourselves.

 

Got cell coverage and we both talked to our sweeties.  Visitor center was already closed – don’t know if we will get internet service.  We will try tomorrow.  We’ll also get “Dude” some dog food.  Guess we’ll have to call him by his real name since we found it out, “Mack”.  He is crashed on the bed and I’ll have to move him to go to sleep – as usual.  Should get very cold tonight 30 degrees or so.  Hopefully it will not rain tomorrow or tonight – 4 nights in a row is a bit much.  I’m going to take a valium to relax my neck after moving the boat.  It was stuck in ditch when water was falling.  We had to drag the boat out of the ditch about 30 feet of mud and muck before we went to bed.

Buffalo River Day 3

Friday, March 27, Day 3

 

Last night was good sleeping until neighbors arrived, chopped wood and setup camp after midnight.  Kevin was closer and heard conversations.  Strange brew.  “Dude” has a hurt ankle today – nothing in his paw, must have stepped in a hole.  

 

Kevin rowed most of the day today and did pretty good.  No major errors, just needs some seat time in boat. Today is supposed to be rained off and on all day.   Stopped and did some photo work in small stream off bluff.  Fell down getting out of board and busted my ass! Found a cool little stream flowing into the river just below Erbie. We spend several hours there taking photos and relaxing. Fell while moving around the boat and Kevin was worried I might break something, my old age and such.

 

 

We got some fantastic shots.  It was like its own little world.  Took 100+ shots today – only took 40+ the first 2 days because of rowing.  We maintained good speed all day, water still falling and starting to clear.  Did not fish any, just enjoyed the scenery.  Made a good camp above Mt. Hersey and had really good dinner – burgers, rice pilaf, and garlic bread.  “Dude” liked it all.  Got to relax and enjoy the evening.

 

Started raining about 8:30pm and it poured.  It stopped for a few hours after both Kevin and I checked on boat.  We had to get fully dressed and awake to check boat and rope.  Moved Yak to tent area.  Tent leaked like a sieve when rain fly got loose and stretched.  Tightened it up ok, then spiders all in the tent from the rain and leaving the door open.  Killed ½ dozen spiders when rain stopped and it got cold.  “Dude” wouldn’t share sleeping bag – didn’t want to sleep in wet spot. 

 

Started raining early A.M. – 5 or so.  River came up 2 feet or so 

 

Campsite

36 05.784

92 26.011