tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55383036924628101442024-03-05T22:53:58.444-06:00LooknfishyA blog about travel and fishinglooknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-37909305606751901802020-07-08T15:41:00.005-05:002020-07-10T17:34:07.511-05:00Two Weeks in Colorado (part 1...week 1) and videoIf you asked me in May where I would be in July, I would have looked at you and shrugged my shoulders. I had some plans and knew I had the support from my wife to leave for 14-17 days with travel but the world of Covid had restricted so many destinations I simply did not have a clue.<br />
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As May melted into June and runoff quickly ended in Southwest Colorado, I began to get a picture of the general direction I would head. The area is full of off-the-grid streams and dispersed camping areas, one could easily disappear for two weeks, no question! And that would ultimately be my plan. Leave civilization behind for the next couple of weeks.<br />
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I started combing the internet for any and all information available around Creede, Colorado. It was a point on a map that I had not considered during my travels to Colorado before, but it was close enough to the Conejos area that I felt confident enough to tackle it solo. Worst case, if it was a bust, I could relocate to the Conejos area and salvage most of this trip. <br />
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After 14.5 hours on the road, I had reached the jumping off point for this trip, Alamosa, Colorado. Effectively the point you need to decide if you're heading north or south. With the truck pointed north towards Creede the adventure would begin in 2.5 hours. <br />
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I arrived at my first location and quickly remembered the scale of traveling in Colorado. What looks like a 3 mile dirt road, which might take 30 minutes to travel, will more than likely take an hour or more. Such was the case with the first stream. It seemed easy enough from google maps. But dead fall, elevation and boulders the size of basketballs require some patience to travel. I was thankful to be in a vehicle with high clearance, 4wd and skid plates. In fact, this road would actually be one of the easier to travel and on one occasion I had to turn back after a 3 hour drive.<br />
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The stream wasn't visible from satellite maps so I wasn't really sure what to rig up first. I assumed my Orvis superfine carbon 7.5 ft 3 weight would work but I also packed a 4 weight just in case. After hiking down, I was excited to see the water was perfect for a 3 weight. Let the games begin!<br />
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The next few hours were such a good time I didn't notice the clouds forming until the rain was coming down. Funny how, browns and bows rising to dry flies will make you lose all awareness of your surroundings. I just kept searching for that next hold and trying to get flies under or near the likely spots. The rain didn't last long and the sun was out again. Mayflies and caddis were in the air and fish were actively looking for them on the surface. It was a great afternoon.<br />
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My original plan was to relocate after this stream. But the drive in and the incredible fishing made it impossible for me to leave. I set up my cot in the bed of the truck and spent the next two nights on this stream outside Creede, Colorado.<br />
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Eventually, the time came to relocate. My next stop required a 6 mile hike into a remote stream in the Weminuche Wilderness. I was delayed getting to the start by ranchers moving cattle up the forest service road. But that wasn't a big deal, I had planned to camp for two nights. <br />
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After hiking down nearly three miles and then dropping into a valley for the next three miles, I was finally close enough to hear the stream. Although, I still had not seen it and again, had no idea which rod to rig first. I brought my 3 and 4 weights on this backpacking trip and went with the 3 weight to begin.<div><br />
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After making my way to the water, I realized I really needed two 3 weights. The 4 wasn't going to help much here. The freestone stream was smallish and somewhat overgrown. Where I was camped, the water was pretty fast, with small pockets and overhanging brush. Casting had its challenges but several wild brookies and rainbows ate the size 12 dry I was drifting. About a mile up, the stream opened up more and the gradient slowed. I found a native rio cutthroat and several nice rainbows. The size and willingness of the fish increased as the day and water passed. There were several streams that emptied into this one and each had it's own flavor. Not many photographs were taken but I did GoPro the entire trip and that video is linked at the bottom of this post.<br />
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The next two days, weren't much different. The action was slower in the morning but became intense in the afternoons. Mostly, because the temperatures started near freezing and warmed to over 70 each afternoon, bringing lost of bugs out! Overall, it was an amazing experience and an adventure I'll never forget. <br />
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I hiked out and set-up my next camp in the Rio Grande National Forest for days 5 and 6. While planning this trip I knew I would be tired after hiking out so I opted for a stream that was near a road. What I read about it stated, "the stream sees some traffic but fishing is ok on the upper end." I was only planning one afternoon and one night, so I was cool with it not being super remote. I planned to wake up early and dive to a very remote stream the next morning anyway.<br />
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The fishing was actually really good. My decoder ring for Colorado shows...when someone from Colorado say's fishing is "OK". To the rest of us not from CO, WY, MT, UT or ID...it's going to be great! Atleast, I think 15-25 browns and one cutbow on dries is pretty great! Especially, since it was only a few hours in the afternoon, and easy road side access!<br />
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The next morning, I woke early! Excited about the remote stretch of water that required a 3 hour drive up a forest service road. I'll skip to the part where I was a mile up the road and it started to go straight up with giant basketball sized boulders everywhere. Eventually, I made the decision after going about a mile up to turn around. This road did not appear to go anywhere near the stream. In my research, it looked like it did but I never found any evidence or read anything that explicitly said it did. On the way down a group of OTV's and doonbuggies stopped so I could get by. I quickly waived one of them down and confirmed the road didn't lead to any stream. The only way was a hour drive around the mountain. Bummed, I headed back to where I started and regrouped.<br />
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A buddy from Denver, was driving down the next day (Friday). So I touched base with him and we made a plan to fish two streams. One was a favorite of mine, which he had never fished. One was new to us both. <br />
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Saturday started with a 2 mile hike and drop down to the stream. The fishing was super, in spite of the 20-30 mph winds. I opted for my Orvis H3f 10ft 4 weight because if the extra wind and added reach. We both lost count of the many browns and rainbows we caught on dries. Eventually the sun started to fade and we had a 3 or 4 mile hike out. <br />
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<br /><br />The next day, we loaded camp and made the 2 hour drive to the stream neither had fished. It wasn't suppose to be an adventure but with lack of information and a high sense of, "we'll figure it out" we parked and hiked down a dried up creek bed, which we knew would end at the creek.<br />
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It did not. It never really ended or changed, it simply turned into a maze with a herd of cattle sprinkled in at different points. We'd followed a path down a rabbit hole and after an hour decided to turn back. After locating a new trail and following it for an hour, we finally found water. And it looked magnificent...the 12 tents and the family having a reunion on its bank thought so too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvQt9pLan30Uxni9u2qGXJd_V7AElhgwVSGPR-AycIR4TFXOfR3B_eDlWAFaqVndWd8yEPBQvRkUogZXl-kgaocSW6e_BuzyFTP6gBRVgCxr-0OYG7rtXKPqASrzIHRsPdStSMMYCKQg/s1600/20200628_123606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvQt9pLan30Uxni9u2qGXJd_V7AElhgwVSGPR-AycIR4TFXOfR3B_eDlWAFaqVndWd8yEPBQvRkUogZXl-kgaocSW6e_BuzyFTP6gBRVgCxr-0OYG7rtXKPqASrzIHRsPdStSMMYCKQg/s640/20200628_123606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After walking another 45 minutes we found the remoteness we came here for and the brown trout were hangry! My buddy had to leave at 3pm so the outing wasn't a long one but we both decided we'd come back and explore more of this watershed. Judging from the map, we still had over 8 miles of water we never laid eyes on. Still, in that short time, we both caught and saw many browns eager to take large attractor dries. On the way out, we located a well worn trail that led right to the road we had parked on. It took maybe an hour to hike out lol! <br />
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Fly Fishing the Weminuche Wilderness - backpacking into a remote stream.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y7pdWz7giK8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y7pdWz7giK8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-55954928944935888442020-06-05T11:04:00.004-05:002020-06-05T11:09:52.374-05:00GoPro Hero 8 Black with Media Mod and Video Review After 3 years I decided to upgrade from my GoPro Hero 5 Black and purchased the newish GoPro Hero 8 Black with the new Media Mod. After reviewing it, I can say I'm super excited about my new camera set-up. If you've watched any of my YouTube videos, you're probably aware of the terrible audio that was present while I was speaking to the camera.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-dN4sQ66t_wNp4UP5pNTmrqyIfIHulpnRo08PQAM9tFpmABbdjz1UjGiay-QWgA4raAIB7DwlgRpVWxJ2I5klUAM1c4tdWdll3_7l7V-z41lhQOMpi5D-DTBe1kDw0xv1yJVBySn_X4/s1600/DSC_3546.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-dN4sQ66t_wNp4UP5pNTmrqyIfIHulpnRo08PQAM9tFpmABbdjz1UjGiay-QWgA4raAIB7DwlgRpVWxJ2I5klUAM1c4tdWdll3_7l7V-z41lhQOMpi5D-DTBe1kDw0xv1yJVBySn_X4/s640/DSC_3546.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was because the camera shook in the housing. Unfortunately, there wasn't a convenient way to change the way I held the camera so I just tried not to move much, which became a distraction. The first thing I noticed about the GoPro Hero 8 was it used two fingers to mount the camera to a grip and eliminated the need for a protective housing. It worked just as I figured. The audio is clear and crisp without the screeching noise. The new Media Mod, further enhances this with a mic that records sound from multi directions, so there's no fade or loss of sound when you look away from the camera. It's not as clear as a dedicated microphone such as a Rode Mic but it's a very nice upgrade and it includes several ports that can be used to further enhance your camera if you decide to go with additional accessories.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzHR4uZa_tKvsj5ImWlJJTPeHUP3hEdE2Sly4JUAku9k1tmTg1sXf8ImyteOjSi66kyh7CUpozWPNESJc3q8Zp0Xpk9comdW8Lvmdg2VIfgBFiDkIglnYE_K-pEX-MCPZyVHSTjxjRaE/s1600/DSC_3556.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzHR4uZa_tKvsj5ImWlJJTPeHUP3hEdE2Sly4JUAku9k1tmTg1sXf8ImyteOjSi66kyh7CUpozWPNESJc3q8Zp0Xpk9comdW8Lvmdg2VIfgBFiDkIglnYE_K-pEX-MCPZyVHSTjxjRaE/s640/DSC_3556.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GoPro Hero 8 black with Media Mod attached</td></tr>
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One of these new features is the ability to mount accessories directly to the camera via two cold show mounts. This was one of the reason's I never purchased the 3.5 mm mic adaptor and attached an external microphone in the past, There wasn't a clear place to mount it.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wZaXo5Mmu6qfmY7HYTSyuCBFADzMjk0fjVEpx_FIc8x1HN2hzrgSW2gJ3BtWcF-KXEJFtnlx_bLPPfOYZbu_gqs60aSYsR09UPj8ahS_qzKlkHdEEqu_OLKJ0OHJNzLenkxvySA1KQE/s1600/DSC_3557.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wZaXo5Mmu6qfmY7HYTSyuCBFADzMjk0fjVEpx_FIc8x1HN2hzrgSW2gJ3BtWcF-KXEJFtnlx_bLPPfOYZbu_gqs60aSYsR09UPj8ahS_qzKlkHdEEqu_OLKJ0OHJNzLenkxvySA1KQE/s640/DSC_3557.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cold shoe mounts</td></tr>
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That one flaw was pretty serious for me because I feel like, the most important part of an action camera, such as GoPro's, are their ability to be grab-and-go cameras. They should be super convenient, simple to use and compact enough to bring along on backpacking, camping, hiking and fishing trips without being a burden to carry or need special care to protect. I have a Nikon DSLR, but stopped bringing it on my trips because it doesn't fit those merits. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowaGGEzS0QMqZpdQP0-PClPNyxWs00qvmEigXHMcFJrsvSxWLFkIVuk3KuT_hQY7_2QPVMRS3FcctEmC4cY1SILutGPsfPSt0R16YfVXmjbXZvpWkj4seTeC2AK8pHgZRB9JLTNMX7ig/s1600/DSC_3560.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowaGGEzS0QMqZpdQP0-PClPNyxWs00qvmEigXHMcFJrsvSxWLFkIVuk3KuT_hQY7_2QPVMRS3FcctEmC4cY1SILutGPsfPSt0R16YfVXmjbXZvpWkj4seTeC2AK8pHgZRB9JLTNMX7ig/s640/DSC_3560.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fingers mean mounting directly to camera, no housing needed</td></tr>
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All I can say is, "WOW"! The new GoPro Hero 8 Black with Media Mod is such a huge improvment for me. The improved stabilization, high frame rates (4K up to 60fps, 2.7k up to 120fps and 1080 up to 240fps) plus the color grading right from the factory make the GoPro Hero 8 Black a must for outdoor enthusiasts looking for simple but functional options to record their adventures. Matched up with the Media Mod and you have a very serious action camera with some top shelf capabilities that can grow into many niches with the after market accessories that are available.<br />
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Check out the video for a complete review and see why I'm excited to bring this on my adventures this year.<br />
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.looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-84397280311791057442020-05-31T20:44:00.003-05:002020-05-31T20:48:20.154-05:00Fly Fishing the White River, Arkansas<div>Just got home from a super trip fly fishing the White River, Arkansas. After last years trip in April my buddy and I planned a return this May. However, the rona thing casued us to phostphone until May.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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The caddis hatch was on the down side but we found some rainbow, cutthrout and brown trout willing to eat dry flies but the nymph bite was great all day. My buddy brought his hog island, which was nice since we only had low flows until about 2 pm each day. <br />
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The Corps of Engineers would bump the flows up to about 4 or 5 units each afternoon. This provided a chance to throw streamers. Althought, we would have rather had the lower flows and nymphed...but you take what you can get. Trust me we were super happy to be fly fishing the White River and not a complaint was heard. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHFRudR_HrimTJpm4IaLtX4fuhImEjWBIkUcqnc61cB6nPbeK7uowT_8WfEOfBn7XY1kJU-r3gpowIcGNUzDeO6LIvfqa5PXdOM6ZBFTRGJnbTTSawFhRPVzBOUckhUD9Kc5nuSfhSNw/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHFRudR_HrimTJpm4IaLtX4fuhImEjWBIkUcqnc61cB6nPbeK7uowT_8WfEOfBn7XY1kJU-r3gpowIcGNUzDeO6LIvfqa5PXdOM6ZBFTRGJnbTTSawFhRPVzBOUckhUD9Kc5nuSfhSNw/w640-h360/1205578197_20200519_120956_2781139.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
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Check out the two videos below to seehow great th fishing was, inspite of it being at the end of the caddis bite. We'll be back up next year, but probably a few times before that also.<br />
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Part 1</div>
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Part 2<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y_LLE9tVUVw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_LLE9tVUVw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-69903363961755914402020-05-08T10:02:00.002-05:002020-05-08T11:38:11.575-05:00Fly Fishing the Iowa Driftless (w/ free maps) and videoHey guys wanted to put up some resource's that I have found very useful during the last few years travel to the Iowa Driftless. These are free to use and provide maps, stream type, access, and a ton of other information that is really helpful. <br />
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Links:<br />
<a href="https://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Where-to-Fish/Trout-Streams/Trout-Stream-Map" target="_blank">Iowa DNR - Trout Streams Map</a><br />
<a href="https://northeastiowarcd.org/product/trout-streams-of-winneshiek-county/" target="_blank">Winneshiek County Trout Streams Map</a><br />
<a href="https://northeastiowarcd.org/product/trout-streams-of-allamakee-county-fishing-map-guide/" target="_blank">Allamakee County Trout Streams Map</a><br />
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The first, is the Iowa Dept of Natural Resources page. They have a great website that provides a ton of information about their trout water. Definitely want to give this a look if you're traveling to the areaa.<br />
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Second are the free maps. You can download the map via, pdf link or you can grab one at the Decorah, IA visitors center or probably any visitors center in the area. I just mentioned Decorah, IA becasue I picked up mine there a few years back.<br />
These colored maps are super helpful. They are packed with stream information, parking access, type of trout (wild vs stocked) and provide a written description on the back for each stream.<br />
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-54578896104661925722020-03-18T19:27:00.000-05:002020-03-31T12:31:05.794-05:00Fly Fishing the San Juan River, New Mexico (wade and kayaking trip)The thought of traveling to the San Juan River had been on my mind for a couple of years. I made a quick trip with a friend in September during the busy season, when the water was high, but we only fished from his fly craft. I really wanted a place I could go during the winter when most destintaions aren't worth the travel. I've been following <a href="https://www.fisheadsofthesanjuan.com/?fbclid=IwAR08hIJ-pCALdsLiD8i9JNnchDgUrhMbWUMEWeF2G4P87htvDrRNEOrZI7U" target="_blank">Fisheads</a> and their fishing reports for a couple years. This year they have been talking about how great the fishing has been. Trusting in their info and after talking with them, I made the decision to book a room for 5 nights. <br />
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I'm always hesitent to trust in fishing reports, especially from lodges and guides that have a financial interest. But I can say without hesitation, Fisheads provides a trusting report. The fishing was, maybe even better than what they said.<br />
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I decided to wade the quality waters for 4 days and kayak the river one day. The weather was excellent, 30's in the morning warming into the 60's each afternoon. The skies stayed cloudy most of the day but the sun peaked in for a few hours each afternoon. It rained almost every night, which made haveing a room really nice Not to mention, the New Mexico state parks closed the parks to camping during my trip. That would have sucked!<br />
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There were very good midge and baetis hatches almost every afternoon. Earlier this year, I picked up a new <a href="https://www.orvis.com/helios-3f-fly-rods" target="_blank">Orvis H3f</a> 10' 4wt and matched it with the new <a href="https://www.scientificanglers.com/product/amplitude-infinity/" target="_blank">Scientific Anglers Amplitde Infinity </a> fly line. This setup was perfect for how I fished the Juan during my trip. I started each day nymphing the various runs but when fish started rising I'd switch to a dry fly until they stopped. The fishing was good in the morning on midge larva and emergers. The afternoon was better, but maybe because I was fishing dries and seeing the takes, which is exciting. <br />
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Day 1 started at the Texas Hole after checking into Fisheads. As you can imagine, after driving 18 hours, I wasn't there until after lunch. It was Sunday and the only day there was any sort of crowd. All the likely, good looking water, had someone posted. But that allowed me to roam some and I was able to pick up a few fish. But it got great after everyone went home around 4pm. <br />
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I spent Day 2 at Munoz day use area. I had never seen it and got a little turned around walking in but considering there was only one other truck in the parking lot, it wasn't a big deal. I knew what I was looking for, my buddy and I fished this access back in Septempber from the fly craft. When I found the river, I knew where I wanted to start. In fact, I lost 4 fish in the first 25 minutes, which was super frustrating. However, it didn't take long to find number 5 and he stayed hooked. It only got better as the day progressed. Fish were actively rising to sz 22 midges, go figure I only had sz 20's which got some eats but more refusals. I was thankful I brought my tying kit along. Later that night, I whipped up some smaller dries and emeregrs for the rest of the week.<br />
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Day 3 was spent at the dam. It was the only day I felt crowded. There was lots of good water but it seemed like that's the first access people drop in. The dam didn't really open up until it started to rain pretty heavy near lunch. Even with the crowd there was still plenty of fish willing to visit the net. But I'd not return to the dam during my trip.<br />
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Day 4 I bounced around some. Started at Texas Hole but only spent a few hours there as it began to get crowded. I really just went to throw small streamers and hoped to find a trophy fish. When that didn't materalize, I moved back to Munoz. <br />
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There was only one car in the parking area, but I recognzed it and knew where those guys would be fishing. I had run into them at the dam on day 2. They were from Utah and super friendly. I was surprised to find the spot I wanted to fish open. But later found out, they had a run in with a 30" brown the day before when it attacked a 12" rainbow one of the guys had hooked. So they started off throwing streamers hoping for one magical streamer eat. <br />
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Munoz fished better that day than the previous day. Probably because I had a better idea where fish were holding. Definitely because each night, I'd ty up a few more patterns based on what I had seen in person, rather than heard from a fishing report.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I really thought the Juan would be a perfect destination for a kayak. On day 5, I dropped it in and floated the 3 miles from, Texas Hole to Cusher. It was as awesome day. The Juan is perfect for a kayak. During normal flows, you can drift and repeat as many times as you care to paddle back up and start over. I did that a few times in Texas Hole throwing streamers before moving down.</span><br />
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The weather was nearly perfect and the fishing was excellent. I caught fish on streamers, nymphs and dries. I honestly, can't think of anything negative to say. Other than, I wish I floated it twice. Next time, I'll float Texas Hole every morning until the guides show up and then relocate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoW4nrBLuVf7kLO2alJazDdReuksfo4bC5w-5fHCk2_Mq5clz9-6A0amTnXLRUPZRxQDLiV-ivWUHGyh4ml1O7MB5gkxZv0Xuk6nfIOb4Yy3KX07fZFES_8kAjRGZXasYghkv_wMU5MY/s1600/unnamed+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoW4nrBLuVf7kLO2alJazDdReuksfo4bC5w-5fHCk2_Mq5clz9-6A0amTnXLRUPZRxQDLiV-ivWUHGyh4ml1O7MB5gkxZv0Xuk6nfIOb4Yy3KX07fZFES_8kAjRGZXasYghkv_wMU5MY/s640/unnamed+%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Day 6 was definitely the worst weather day. It rained really hard during the night. The winds were over 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. The temperature dropped as normal but didnt't heat up as quickly as it had during the beginning of the trip. As such, the bug activity wasnt very strong, which probably made it easier for the trout to find my dries among the few naturals on the water. The dry fly bite was intense but short lived. It was pretty insane from 10am to 1pm. After that it made more sense to drink a beer and take an extended lunch. It had been a fantastic day and trip over all...it was nice to relax and reflect. That pretty much ended my trip. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I still needed to pack up. The return drive was still 18 hours, plus an hour time change to eastern time. It was a long drive for sure but so worth it! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Juan will be at the top of my list for winter destination trips Where else can you catch rainbows and browns on nymphs, streamers and dries. While enjoying great weather and possibly even find a true giant. But you're guaranteed a killer time!</span><br />
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I'd open the video in YT and watch but you be u!<br />
Part 1 here:</div>
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com0Navajo Dam, NM 87419, USA36.8002832 -107.612554311.278244200000003 -148.9211483 62.3223222 -66.3039603tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-43272817429815502222020-02-10T16:22:00.000-06:002020-02-10T16:22:34.514-06:00Fly Fishing Arkansas and beyond...So it looks like 2019 rolled right into 2020 without me really noticing much of a change in my fishing lifestyle. Most of my recent adventures have been with-in 5 hours of my home, which has been great. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcFu1-FlIaEO4C2083ggqUICdrOji8hyTOJcEFRbuMAAec-8IilQlkJdqDajzF2aV74bhQl3g8FGA-viVgDoaFBgmfQ2d4_K0VyAx4ZfozD_N-ZvIixKk7Sal-30pMgGdpgc3wcF65T4/s1600/20200130_164954.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1444" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcFu1-FlIaEO4C2083ggqUICdrOji8hyTOJcEFRbuMAAec-8IilQlkJdqDajzF2aV74bhQl3g8FGA-viVgDoaFBgmfQ2d4_K0VyAx4ZfozD_N-ZvIixKk7Sal-30pMgGdpgc3wcF65T4/s640/20200130_164954.1.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LMFR bow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streamer eater from Norfork</td></tr>
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My camping trips have been during the week to the Little Red, White, Norfork and Lower Mountain Fork River in OK. The fishing has been great and the crowds have been cooperating but that's probably because I go during the week when responsible people are doing responsible things, like working.<br />
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But not me, I prefer to be irresponsible and spend my time on the water during the week and at home on the weekends. I feel good about it!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-4TAnfyVNCkzxlOHqdU2aDqYFYyVOEcdxnJy5wLuONLVC8lGk74tGj7V8M98LjnKEYzZGnESijasjaBndk9831cV9cYBbsychKwy1RYfKxM3ZTr4arNxGpjU_WYgvRnrpbRx43jC-Ys/s1600/20191220_165952.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-4TAnfyVNCkzxlOHqdU2aDqYFYyVOEcdxnJy5wLuONLVC8lGk74tGj7V8M98LjnKEYzZGnESijasjaBndk9831cV9cYBbsychKwy1RYfKxM3ZTr4arNxGpjU_WYgvRnrpbRx43jC-Ys/s640/20191220_165952.1.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LMFR bow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J6if6LXTDUNX25z0xcHnTlitr8KlczGamEmfQIQKhVXICfyr615xVe03SougIvozhQaOz3vLqDdZN40SkBihewEmj9wYonvWasV4Gpljt78x0TogOhD0ncPvnjWJHBdFzAiDX8p602M/s1600/-506093569_20200130_150404_3084914.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J6if6LXTDUNX25z0xcHnTlitr8KlczGamEmfQIQKhVXICfyr615xVe03SougIvozhQaOz3vLqDdZN40SkBihewEmj9wYonvWasV4Gpljt78x0TogOhD0ncPvnjWJHBdFzAiDX8p602M/s640/-506093569_20200130_150404_3084914.1.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dry fly</td></tr>
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With all the rains we've gotten in Arkansas lately, it has been nearly impossible to fish in the state. I'm fortunate to have a lesser known, at least nationally anyway, tailwater in Oklahoma to visit. The Lower Mountain Fork is pretty well know around the Texas, SW Arkansas parts but not many from outside that area will travel to fish it. The great thing is they release from the spillway so even on high water months when the COE is generating there is wadeable water for about 5 miles. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQqss4wgHhzoQe-9_Kh8SrULkGu_jOEgyVECDlrGRl2hvrAsqvMStPZQ0Xy-iGRGVpqXkh6b4cDSdH4VaXc1iq01M4KTyQJgGsywozgiZlt2yeHwRAVaNRj1ZJMqd177zLXdvf4aWDjA/s1600/20191204_100720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQqss4wgHhzoQe-9_Kh8SrULkGu_jOEgyVECDlrGRl2hvrAsqvMStPZQ0Xy-iGRGVpqXkh6b4cDSdH4VaXc1iq01M4KTyQJgGsywozgiZlt2yeHwRAVaNRj1ZJMqd177zLXdvf4aWDjA/s640/20191204_100720.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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You can also camp right next to the river so that's a real bonus also. But the best part is the small catch and release area that has some large, beautiful holdover bows. The river is also known for it's bug diversity and occasional dry fly fishing. Basically, you can get into something that's pretty exciting on the LMFR If you don't mind sharing the water with a few strangers.<br />
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In fact, last week after fishing bwo dries to several rising bows, I was able to sight fish a exceptional rainbow during the last hour of day light. It was truly, a cool experience and great day by any standard. <br />
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Next month, I have a trip planned to the San Juan, followed up by the White and hopefully a backpacking trip into the Great Smoky Mountains. Those are just a few to get the season kicking. Super excited about 2020 and hope you guys are also!<br />
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Latest YouTube Video from my first trip in 2020. More to follow...<br />
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Keep up with me here::<br />
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-15428769754486369592019-10-17T12:23:00.002-05:002019-10-17T12:29:49.297-05:00Colorado by Morning - A camping and fly fishing tripIt would be a 15 hour day and I'd be driving it solo this year. While the thought of driving that long hurt my brain, it meant I would be able to hit the forest service roads before the sun rose and potentially have camp set-up early mornig. This would give me enough time to hike out for a few hours and get some fishing in before the thunderstorms started at noon.<br />
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You would think after driving that distance falling to sleep would be easy. However the excitement of camping in the mountains and browns eating attractor dry flies kept me up way too late. My thoughts centered around my supplies, gear, and everything else I needed before I checked off the grid for the next few days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMBThPAsEKpveefIUM51shGZMrvorGZTJOaWkWH5K1jsWmGdEbxy1YK4R3rbpgV9Mrwoqe_tiqkXRDEt6Vbi3uPqgqf-f-Bg4ws_LjHcD7PEFbDjlG7rxCEcr0q1beeF3ociGn_u1kR8/s1600/G0060573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMBThPAsEKpveefIUM51shGZMrvorGZTJOaWkWH5K1jsWmGdEbxy1YK4R3rbpgV9Mrwoqe_tiqkXRDEt6Vbi3uPqgqf-f-Bg4ws_LjHcD7PEFbDjlG7rxCEcr0q1beeF3ociGn_u1kR8/s640/G0060573.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQC0gdkDf9r0fCjMmwQFgWB9TiwBlhCtxaLA9LTHHOsCd2EzpdFiVTgl-uXlZ8_kelIPlcdCfoEAf3unnDE9JQQWuKIUUubBMUlvEJwoRWjx2A8HcBjzxH1cgDe7xhBZj0wqoGDqrMzc8/s1600/20190731_184120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQC0gdkDf9r0fCjMmwQFgWB9TiwBlhCtxaLA9LTHHOsCd2EzpdFiVTgl-uXlZ8_kelIPlcdCfoEAf3unnDE9JQQWuKIUUubBMUlvEJwoRWjx2A8HcBjzxH1cgDe7xhBZj0wqoGDqrMzc8/s640/20190731_184120.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">very productive attractor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tying video for this fly can be found on my Facebook page:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/looknfishy/videos/1178963652264964/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/looknfishy/videos/1178963652264964/</a><br />
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Three hours later I was looking across the valley. This would be my home for the next several days. Not a sole in sight. The only sounds were from the river making its way down the mountain and the wind whispering to the trees. <br />
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The first afternoon was nearly exceptional. Fish were holding in all the expected spots and rose eagerly to my offerings. I didn't venture very far the first afternoon. Thunderstorms were forecast to begin at 1pm. If you weren't headed back when they started, it meant walking out with lightening crashing all around. I learned that lesson last year and would not repeat it again this year.<br />
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As expected, the clouds started to build around lunch signaling my departure. I made it back to camp just as the wind picked up and the rain crashed down. I made lunch and enjoyed a beer under the cover of the rain fly. Being surrounded on all sides by mountains there wasn't any real way to know how long it would last. The cell phone was only good for capturing pictures out here. A few hours passed before the rain stopped. Another 30 minutes before the sun came out. The temperature dropped 30 degrees putting a much appreciated chill in the air. The excitement of ending the day throwing dry flies to rising trout was brief. No worries, it had been a great morning and I could use some rest. <br />
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Realizing that each afternoon would be shortened by several hours, I set my alarm for 5 am each morning. The time it takes to make breakfast, coffee and pack for the afternoon is considerably shortened when you're solo adventuring. The next few days were filled with browns in the morning and rain in the afternoon. Four days went by quickly but it was time to relocate to another area, which would take the better part of the morning. Again, leaving me with just a few hours to fish.<br />
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From my new camp I had access to several streams and lakes. But the weather would dictate which day I would visit each. I stayed close on the days with a greater chance of storms but luck was on my side for a few. Later in the week, the percentages and timing allowed me to hike out a little further.<br />
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This was the only day I actually ran into another person. We stopped and talked for a minute. Not wanting to jump ahead of him or fish behind him, I stopped and had lunch. Giving him 30 minutes to get up a little further. <br />
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It was my last afternoon in Colorado and I was hopeful the weather would hold off. But like every day before, it started to build in the afternoon. I could hear the thunder in the distance rolling through the valley. I stepped on to the trail and started to hike out when I saw the guy from earlier. The storms had been really brutal and knowing he had just gotten here I made my way over to relay the information before hitting the trail hard. My truck was in sight when the weather went south quick. The winds gust to 30 mph, the rain was blinding and lightning was coming down all over. After 30 minutes, I knew I had to start driving back to Arkansas and hoped that dude made it out ok. <br />
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Here are some video clips on IG:<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B00tGP3B_1d/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/B00tGP3B_1d/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0bwGEHhGBd/">https://www.instagram.com/p/B0bwGEHhGBd/</a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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More from this and other trips can be found on my FB and IG pages...<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/looknfishy/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/looknfishy/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/looknfishy/">https://www.instagram.com/looknfishy/</a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-89876801807394504612019-05-09T09:38:00.000-05:002019-05-09T10:01:06.318-05:00White River Caddis Hatch May 2019April is always a good time to fly fish in Arkansas. The streams are usually full of water, not always a good thing, and the fish are normally hungry. The most difficult decision normally focuses on where and what species to target. Trout, carp, smallmouth bass are all high on my list. However, last May, my buddy Brad came home after incredible day fishing the caddis hatch on the White River and said we would be returning in 2019. The plan was to drive up on Tuesday and fish through Sunday, with a couple days on the White, Norfork and maybe a smallmouth float.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYnXSJOLVBWiuyZQI1CWU2u4ov9WkjGUaAJgCBGfWokBJqHz-8NN62SjhsYb_p6b5dB0vuA-eWE6bko3twR7whU6e82Xep05TJvBjQZpnDjIiORl5_bHChBHQNmRVK9bzGlsLDF7cYyw/s1600/20190501_202030.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1600" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYnXSJOLVBWiuyZQI1CWU2u4ov9WkjGUaAJgCBGfWokBJqHz-8NN62SjhsYb_p6b5dB0vuA-eWE6bko3twR7whU6e82Xep05TJvBjQZpnDjIiORl5_bHChBHQNmRVK9bzGlsLDF7cYyw/s640/20190501_202030.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The weather began to take an ugly shape and the plan quickly changed. The area was predicted to receive 5+ inches of rain over the next three to four days with the possibility of severe thunderstorms. As responsible adults, one of us anyway, we looked at moving the date. But that wasn't an option. Next we considered heading to Southeast Louisiana or even The Great Smoky Mountains. But the weather system included each of those areas as well. After talking about it, we decided to stay with the original plan but stick to the tailwaters because they would not blow out. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tying video for this caddis pupa below</td></tr>
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As luck would have it the rain and storms hit the area as predicted but we only had to fish in the rain one afternoon. Fortune was on our side and the severe storms came at night while we were in our sleeper cabin at <a href="http://copperjohnsresort.com/" target="_blank">http://copperjohnsresort.com/</a> If you're in the area and need a place to sleep without paying a fortune, Copper Johns is pretty awesome. Located just down the road from the state park and directly on the river, it gave us a quick place to dodge storms if needed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rigging up the streamer rod</td></tr>
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If you haven't seen the many Instagram and guide posts the hatch was brilliant this year. Check out my buddy Matt's guide service and see what I'm talking about, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/risingriverguides/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/risingriverguides/</a>. Tons of bugs on the water and the fish were eating great. We fished dry flies each day with some success, but with all the natural sources of protein available on the surface, it was only a fun option, not the most successful. But I will take a couple 20+ inch browns on a EHC over several nymphed up most days!<br />
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On Friday and Saturday we decided to float the Norfork. The generation schedule predicted 1-unit each morning starting around 9am. The fishing was equally great. One-unit is awesome flow for nymphing and streamer fishing which we did and got a few follows from some gnarly browns. I suspect if the rental boat hatch wasn't out in full force on Saturday atleast one of the big browns would have eaten a streamer. But when 4 dudes, throwing rapalas constantly to cut into your drift, it can be a challenge to get a fresh look! We won't be fishing the Norfork on a Saturday any time soon, lol! The rental hatch cleared at lunch the fishing got good for the rest of the afternoon.<br />
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We got up early Sunday with plans to pack and drive home. One look at the river and we changed our mind. It looked like it was raining with all the fish coming to the surface to eat caddis. So we hit the water for a few more hours, caught some fish and planned next years trip. Gonna be a long wait...<br />
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Tying video for this productive pattern...</div>
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-52297763102474353092019-01-27T20:36:00.002-06:002019-01-27T20:38:58.624-06:00Winter Rainbows - The Lower Mountain Fork RiverThis time last year, I was in the final stretches of a 310 mile kayak fishing adventure on the St Johns River (<a href="https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-1.html" target="_blank">clink here to read</a>). It was a great trip but I didn't realize it then but I missed out on one of my favorite times to chase trout. The St Johns River trip took all of January to complete and I was smart enough to not run away on any other adventures in February...so no winter tailwater trips in 2018. That would not be the case in 2019. <br />
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I have made several trips to the Lower Mountain Fork River (LMFR) in Oklahoma this year. Heavy rain in Arkansas has kept the Corps of Engineers running high water locally. But that's not an issue for the LMFR. While it's a tailwater, they have about 4 miles of trout water that is created from the spillway. So even if they are generating, there is still wade friendly water available.<br />
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There isn't a ton of water to fish and it can get crowded. So I've only gone during the middle of the week to help deal with the crowds, which usually means if I get up before the sun I get the first run through at least one of the popular areas before another angler shows up.<br />
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The fishing has been really great considering in 2015 they opened the spillway gates and destroyed the trout water. It's still recovering but it has a ton of potential. The LMFR isn't not known for its wild trout population, although there are some stream born rainbows in the river. You'll know when you catch one. They run hard and are very acrobatic. I've only caught a few but I can tell immediately. However, it is known for some of it's larger and very educated holdover bows. Being a catch and keep river, if you're a dumb trout, you'll be on a stringer quickly. The number of 17-20 inch fish I have caught has been crazy for such a short time. <br />
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The cool thing is the LMFR has a little something for everyone. One afternoon I spent a few hours sight fishing bows in the catch and release area. These fish as educated and get a fair amount of pressure so they aren't easy to fool. It's a fun challenge. <br />
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On another afternoon, during a BWO hatch I was able to catch several small rainbows on an emerger drifted behind a dry. A few even took a swipe at the dry. That's not something I get to do much in Arkansas.<br />
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Of course there are deep runs, pools and riffles to work also. All in all it's just fun to get out and wade some water in January. Especially with the lack of opportunities on some of my favorite tailwaters. I'm already lookn' forward to my next trip to the Lower Mountain Fork.<br />
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-58866478136128298962018-11-05T12:53:00.000-06:002018-11-05T19:47:43.227-06:00Gotta get away - Redfish Trip After a few weeks of watching and pleading with the weather, a trip was finally in the works. But don't get excited as many trips have been in the works this year only to get victimized by the weather. But as the days got closer the weather actually improved. I started to feel like it might really happen.<br />
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As I packed for a few days in Grand Isle, LA I called my buddy Scott who lives in New Orleans and writes the blog <a href="https://www.bayouchronicles.com/?fbclid=IwAR1p1lk4APS5GV67dT31DvV73V2Y62ktXLupb1ih1HpP092P6dhgRci22l8" target="_blank">Bayou Chronicles</a>. Aside from being an accomplished angler, Scott is a professional photographer so I always look forward to talking fish and photography with him. <br />
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I left the house at 2am with a 6 hour drive. The promise of an all day falling tide to stalk crawling redfish kept me awake as I drove through the night. If the tide charts were correct, I would have a chance to sight fish reds during the lowest point of the tide, during the middle of the day. As luck would have it, that's how the entire trip went and the fishing was insane.<br />
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I met Scott on the 2nd day and we visited an area that in his words, "could be crazy good or dead." We didn't even pack a lunch because we figured if it wasn't happening, we'd leave and try another area. The day ended up being one of the best I have ever experienced in Southeast Louisiana. We covered about 10 miles of water and caught fish until our hands blistered.<br />
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The next day, I went back to the same spot and started where I left off. Again, the redfish were stacked in the shallow marsh. The water was really stained but that didn't matter as redfish aren't hard to see when they are crawling across the flat half way out of the water. The most frustrating part was, at times the flats were not accessible, even from a kayak. You could see a redfish chasing shrimp 50 yards away but pushing through the mud wasn't happening. The tide was still falling and I had no interest in getting stuck in the marsh. But I know where they live and I'll be back to check on those belly crawlers soon. <br />
<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-1384021998938732002018-08-28T09:58:00.000-05:002018-08-28T10:00:05.798-05:00How to Catch Grass Carp on the FLY! (video)You guys have been asking for this for a while. I've written a post or two (<a href="http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2017/04/orvis-pro-tips-how-to-catch-grass-carp.html" target="_blank">Click to read<span style="color: #b00000;">)</span></a> describing what I look for and some of the mistakes I made when I started but I felt like a video would actually show what I'm talking about. So here you go, this is part 1 of a 2 part series. In part 2, I'll go over the flies I use and when I use them. Hope this helps some of you put a few in the net.<br />
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As always, this will play better if you open it in the YouTube viewer.<br />
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-83462481000096965922018-08-03T19:20:00.001-05:002018-08-03T20:14:19.088-05:00Fly Fishing Southwest Colorado - The Conejos Drainage<u><span style="color: #000120; font-size: x-small;"></span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was three miles to the lake.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A trail along the creek led to and from our
goal of catching native Rio Grande Cutthroat trout.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>All we had to do was follow the trail.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We didn’t follow the trail.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We did what guys do and improvised.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I like to call it “blazing our own path.” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It wasn’t long before we knew we needed to
find the trail.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we continued on our
journey, it would have been off a cliff, which concluded with a 50-foot fall.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we went any further there would be blood, pain,
and absolutely a broken fly rod.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We found the lake and it indeed held plenty of natives.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was a great afternoon that ended too
quickly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Suddenly, a rumble grabbed our
attention.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In the mountains, such
rumbles echo for a few seconds longer as they bounce off the cliffs.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This allows the situation to really sink
in.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The clouds were getting darker and
building but the mountains masked them until they were on top of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We had been in Colorado three days and each afternoon were
greeted with Thunderstorms.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was these
storms that made our trip possible.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A
few weeks prior the Rio Grande National Forest was closed due to the Spring
Creek fire, the 3<sup>rd </sup>largest wildfire in Colorado history.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our wives reminded us of this as we left because
they had no clue where we would be over the next week. In honesty, I had no
clue either.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I had just gotten back from
the Wisconsin Driftless area.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I was just
happy to be on another fly fishing road trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now I was wondering how long it would take us to get back to
the vehicle.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We all had the same though,
fish the creek leading to the lake on the way out and catch a few more cutty's.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Yeah that was probably a bad idea. The first
thing I ran into was, what we all considered bear scat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I had never seen any in person but every door
in the area had signs warning of black bears so we just assumed that’s what it
was. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Whatever left this gift did it while
we were at the lake.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It wasn’t on the
trail that morning.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt8qjeNj0MzXJKqBgptQ0eJvshZ0XaaXRuXoZLdhT9pM0ZaXpuMZTA_ZBf8Ce23n4EWzkNAuQJNnswFLhpy546mdnTZq6O5buMFx4rzhyphenhyphenPGusXnTaNe6OfEL9FvX1-RFTFzgKIohOywc/s1600/DSC_9241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt8qjeNj0MzXJKqBgptQ0eJvshZ0XaaXRuXoZLdhT9pM0ZaXpuMZTA_ZBf8Ce23n4EWzkNAuQJNnswFLhpy546mdnTZq6O5buMFx4rzhyphenhyphenPGusXnTaNe6OfEL9FvX1-RFTFzgKIohOywc/s640/DSC_9241.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliff that almost broke our fly rods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfo0H7bmLk0Dcf0juYtHVIF8e87xATUnVaDmw2DPrvwuKQsbPxn1YvgU_v8iT0yCYzSsGLllZB2XmuiYNjUb1KC-21JBYP55CbaOFzCp4Ag0oGBi4gqumzPnLiqXweP6CsbjJjc7Rnw0/s1600/DSC_9043.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfo0H7bmLk0Dcf0juYtHVIF8e87xATUnVaDmw2DPrvwuKQsbPxn1YvgU_v8iT0yCYzSsGLllZB2XmuiYNjUb1KC-21JBYP55CbaOFzCp4Ag0oGBi4gqumzPnLiqXweP6CsbjJjc7Rnw0/s640/DSC_9043.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then the sky started to flash and you could feel the buzz of
lightening in the air.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At 10,000 feet
you are actually in it!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The booming
thunder shook the trees.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Thankfully the
vehicle was in sight.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We threw our stuff
in and got moving down the mountain just when the hail started to fall.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then Brad said, “you’re not going to believe
this, we’re about to have a flat.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
tire sensor was saying, “the mountain ate your tire bro.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In reality, the sensor was misinformed.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As Brad opened the door, the hiss of air was
immediate, which was expected.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What none
of us expected was, “we’re going to have two flats.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Both tires on the driver side had been eaten by
the mountain. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No worries we have a spare
and some fix-a-flat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We sprang to action
like a NASCAR pit crew. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then the fix-a-flat
lost its mind.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Rather than spraying its magic
solution into the tire it just oozed all over itself. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was 7 years old…dude replace the can every
few years.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The only thing left was to
break out the air pump and fill the tire up every 15 minutes as we limped back
to camp. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF0wheFImLSlHD9eRCqITgkSUpbiniK51O4YwGejhVHIqK_vTOrYA_c73nQGPoCSViwOMmGQ4dpRPBCA1UaUSDXfE7bRxQAJWJWV-r56emxMzrmo-PFn-zY6d9IK2M0ijPWqoUKg-HAQ/s1600/DSC_8931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF0wheFImLSlHD9eRCqITgkSUpbiniK51O4YwGejhVHIqK_vTOrYA_c73nQGPoCSViwOMmGQ4dpRPBCA1UaUSDXfE7bRxQAJWJWV-r56emxMzrmo-PFn-zY6d9IK2M0ijPWqoUKg-HAQ/s640/DSC_8931.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River down below - required a hike in</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">26 days later we arrived back at the dispersed camping area
along the Conejos river.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For the first
time in a few days, I was thankful to see people walking near our camp.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We all jumped up and flash mobbed them as
they passed our camp.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It went like this
and I have no idea who said what or in what order.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“how was the, did you sit through the, been
down there long, we got caught on the, fix-a-flat.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We waited for their response.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They offered us the broken net they found on
the trail.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The next morning, we woke up bright and early expecting to
spend the day hobbling to Antonito to get the tires fixed. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We hadn’t even made it out of camp before the
psi started dropping quickly. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was going
to be a long day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then the two guys from
the night before were standing in the road waving us down.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>With big smiles on their faces and something
that looked like a can of “you just saved our vacation” in their hands.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Score, you guys rock, lets go fish!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;">The Video from the trip...</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ky4Hvri5Rds/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ky4Hvri5Rds?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;">Photo Dump from the rest of the trip. Read the captions!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA8xJTyZjvvG65Ea4DSL2cxuycxCG7SM99kl4ihNpq814wVxeFdN9znIafna6OG9CulacLn3saC-Fdw5UOgW9CJTKQJYPBoGXv3JgAlIvPCs8oUla0QgsmIGjLDBTlNfe7qSSnSVCZwg/s1600/DSC_8899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1600" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA8xJTyZjvvG65Ea4DSL2cxuycxCG7SM99kl4ihNpq814wVxeFdN9znIafna6OG9CulacLn3saC-Fdw5UOgW9CJTKQJYPBoGXv3JgAlIvPCs8oUla0QgsmIGjLDBTlNfe7qSSnSVCZwg/s640/DSC_8899.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When one guy forgets to purchase his fishing license.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTTh4s0gTCAVtwHGiiJIKp4Z1xSTpSMzB80crBD0HgHzgmEftuJY0A8JEubE9KfhCp9ndJ6xpZjxWd5-QIcIRbnAoR6t8HHrpOf5-hRWwT6Mx5ZYFIC6j8y3ATfUxP8W-vcFV2h3UB3k/s1600/DSC_9080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTTh4s0gTCAVtwHGiiJIKp4Z1xSTpSMzB80crBD0HgHzgmEftuJY0A8JEubE9KfhCp9ndJ6xpZjxWd5-QIcIRbnAoR6t8HHrpOf5-hRWwT6Mx5ZYFIC6j8y3ATfUxP8W-vcFV2h3UB3k/s640/DSC_9080.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
We threw attractor and dry with droppers all week.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenpi23eV0dcfDQMBm6XQkRahJlObAt9ZtIqQed5O-g_3F2W_H_Z80syqwVOc-fFFUJQpo9yP2AcHgYHGASELn7YS6M-8YMjRtvhzN3hP6la4BE1HXAPb3Q87YxQkmTLBTci_CR1v6zvE/s1600/DSC_9368.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenpi23eV0dcfDQMBm6XQkRahJlObAt9ZtIqQed5O-g_3F2W_H_Z80syqwVOc-fFFUJQpo9yP2AcHgYHGASELn7YS6M-8YMjRtvhzN3hP6la4BE1HXAPb3Q87YxQkmTLBTci_CR1v6zvE/s640/DSC_9368.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dispersed camping along Conejos River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6XQOq5K9-3dQivZ63lizAk20fxotXKQFTNohcypgs5NYf0vD_WpuFQqFbLmcUfKkVGj034p0ymbKK0jkJ2s84cavBw5z9ndiBZAMXzPIRPw4QtGyl2ukY77M_0f_vmJk3vx0xMhproM/s1600/DSC_9059.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6XQOq5K9-3dQivZ63lizAk20fxotXKQFTNohcypgs5NYf0vD_WpuFQqFbLmcUfKkVGj034p0ymbKK0jkJ2s84cavBw5z9ndiBZAMXzPIRPw4QtGyl2ukY77M_0f_vmJk3vx0xMhproM/s640/DSC_9059.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low water in some areas meant hiking to find pools</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hLEj5f6bKDZRRFL4BCXDbB8cMlhM0AwWgCK-vdWEwrQxl0letT6edVtqADLnWRZOEOvOno7a2pnuAaE8lbHY5RXDbkkx4tya1_foj2pC6FMPhGxYucYqEHyUCL1Wdc14FFVtW7DLr5I/s1600/DSC_9174.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hLEj5f6bKDZRRFL4BCXDbB8cMlhM0AwWgCK-vdWEwrQxl0letT6edVtqADLnWRZOEOvOno7a2pnuAaE8lbHY5RXDbkkx4tya1_foj2pC6FMPhGxYucYqEHyUCL1Wdc14FFVtW7DLr5I/s640/DSC_9174.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad and Tom getting dinner ready</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt7X2ZT7IOE2NTz82gviS8WrxvSvlDP-sKuBzQ3w3VWUPabiY4ySPSeUb0qAcsQiNzxw6Pe-uUYsmFMVulNuwKsiTXva-cUGj60h0oDBkc2NTgMTc0n3JiuGfAWuTiy7ldZ-iSnuugcI/s1600/DSC_9216.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt7X2ZT7IOE2NTz82gviS8WrxvSvlDP-sKuBzQ3w3VWUPabiY4ySPSeUb0qAcsQiNzxw6Pe-uUYsmFMVulNuwKsiTXva-cUGj60h0oDBkc2NTgMTc0n3JiuGfAWuTiy7ldZ-iSnuugcI/s640/DSC_9216.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ate well</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MosLib8mKBw_GT9v0pejEDVLfAkV4g4LFfBv-l2R0hxG5k6EoKiedzaZjyLihM7hQy8qnzFpmBBSfJl838ga5WN2ExgJzVZHushsDlZnveA-6V9NBIcQBU6wBNpo_813CRamcSjae0w/s1600/DSC_9391.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MosLib8mKBw_GT9v0pejEDVLfAkV4g4LFfBv-l2R0hxG5k6EoKiedzaZjyLihM7hQy8qnzFpmBBSfJl838ga5WN2ExgJzVZHushsDlZnveA-6V9NBIcQBU6wBNpo_813CRamcSjae0w/s640/DSC_9391.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saddle Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRT3AVBcrKrKzKfIgN9Q89YMSKT9JFEfDsADlayXowb_NLNzHnnA_9yP0CoayziqqgtQilbVkr0g3ZW3R6tX_FeevTZ1g795NZHxEuxt2s3TsDNDsg3pwu0_1pdQjVOdOYdkmDubakyY/s1600/DSC_9418.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRT3AVBcrKrKzKfIgN9Q89YMSKT9JFEfDsADlayXowb_NLNzHnnA_9yP0CoayziqqgtQilbVkr0g3ZW3R6tX_FeevTZ1g795NZHxEuxt2s3TsDNDsg3pwu0_1pdQjVOdOYdkmDubakyY/s640/DSC_9418.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saddle Creek near headwaters...this was nearly a 7 mile RT hike...we might have blazed our own path</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High altitude cutties take your breath away</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of browns</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hoppers got looks, stimi's got eats</td></tr>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-41427695963803483472018-07-09T21:30:00.001-05:002018-07-10T22:08:37.535-05:00Fly Fishing The Wisconsin DriftlessThis was one of those trips that was literally planned two weeks ago. My family and I were driving to Russellville, AR for our daughters 8U softball tournament when we realized, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">it's almost the middle of summer and we haven't planned a family vacation.</span> The last few weeks have been really hectic with practices and camps. I didn't think my wife would actually find my idea attractive but I presented her the possibility of road tripping to Wisconsin, where her and the girls would fly home. Leaving me to explore the "Driftless" area in Wisconsin. It doesn't happened very often but she actually liked one of my ideas and the plane tickets were purchased in the next 30 minutes. The plan was to start driving on June 30th and make our way to Minneapolis, MN for their flight on July 3rd. <br />
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There were no more plans from that point. We decided on our route each morning and just went where it felt right. The first stop was at <a href="https://arkansasstateparks.com/mammothspring/" target="_blank">Mammoth Springs State Park</a> in Northeast Arkansas. I couldn't remember if I had ever seen Arkansas' largest spring but I knew my girls had not. We arrived just in time for lunch out of the minivan and then walked around the park for an hour. <br />
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My wife asked our oldest daughter if she liked the waterfall, to which she replied, "it was a mill, waterfalls are natural." In spite of her informative Webster 's awareness we could tell she was having a good time. We loaded up and started driving, destination unknown, only that we would be taking the scenic route. We made a quick stop in Jefferson City, MO but decided to push on the Columbia, MO for the night. We ended the evening letting the kids swim for an hour or more.<br />
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We made it to Dubuque, IA and spent the afternoon touring the <a href="https://www.rivermuseum.com/" target="_blank">National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium</a>. After some ice cream in the historic area we loaded up and continued to Madison, WI. We ended the 2nd day of our road trip eating dinner near the Capital and more swimming at the hotel.<br />
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Tuesday we kept to our "no plan" is our plan and left Madison in a general direction of Minneapolis, MN. My wife insists on navigating with an old Rand McNally road atlas we purchased in 1998 on our very first road trip from Little Rock, AR to San Diego, CA. It's only slightly embarrassing because it's the size of a pizza box and her windows aren't tinted. However, no kidding it's still more accurate than our Garmin "recalculating" GPS unit. <br />
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Full disclosure, I had no idea what route we were taking but as we drove in to Viroqua, WI around lunch I knew where we'd stop next, the <a href="https://www.driftlessangler.com/" target="_blank">Driftless Angler</a>. I had every intention of visiting the fly shop after they flew home but couldn't drive past without stopping. I picked up a sticker and some flies in exchange for fishing intel. We were in and out of the shop in under 15 minutes! Not far from the shop was a shaded park that was perfect for lunch. After an hour we continued on our way to Minneapolis, MN, where we ended our family road trip. Their flights left at 10:30 am the following morning. I get to stay behind and fish the "Driftless".<br />
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This would be my first trip to the Wisconsin Driftless. I have made three trips to the Iowa side, <a href="http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2015/09/4-days-in-driftless_15.html" target="_blank">Click here for Iowa Trip</a>, and find it stunning. After three days I can tell you the Wisconsin side doesn't disappoint. I brought camping gear and planned to camp but with severe weather in the forecast the next day I opted for the cheap accommodations suggested while I was at the fly shop. I figured I'd camp after the storm but was almost killed by black flies (watch the video and you'll see) and decided to keep the room.<br />
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After securing my room, I ventured out to my first spring feed stream in Wisconsin. I drove past it twice before I located the small public parking area. If it weren't for the bridge that crossed the water, I would have never believed it existed. The fun begins...<br />
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In truth, the more I explored the easier it became to locate the public areas. Some of the water, like the Coon and West Fork of the Kickapoo were not difficult and they fished well. A dry-dropper rig took many fish. The browns would readily rise to the dry when the clouds were out and eat the dropper when the sun was high.<br />
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However, my favorite creek was a no-name that I stumbled across while looking for another access. I'm not 100% certain I wasn't trespassing but there was a sign and boot cleaning station beside the bridge which leads be to believe I wasn't. This stream was tiny and the only way to fish it was to stand in the cold water. The browns were everywhere and I saw several that might have been over 20". It would be a real treat to visit it again with a better approach and more options. The dry flies I had were just slightly too large. Those mature browns spooked so easily. It was super cool seeing those large predators in such a tiny creek. You know they are the real property owners and impose their will on all that trespass. They were just too intelligent for me on this trip. <br />
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And here is the video from the trip. Now time to prep for Colorado...<br />
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-16064105569478775892018-06-27T20:05:00.000-05:002018-06-27T20:05:40.106-05:00Dry Fly for Grass CarpOne of the questions I get asked most often is what fly did that grassie eat? So here's a short video of one that has always produced. It's tied on a traditional nymph hook because dry fly hooks straighten too easily or you have to really tire out the fish first, which is just hard on them. The tail will sink but the foam wings keep it on the surface. Decided to make a YouTube video so you can see it tied. It's best viewed from the YT channel and not blogger. Hope it helps put a few carp in your hands. Got several more that I'll be adding to my channel. <br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CitkuC_78AI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CitkuC_78AI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-27776488049930073402018-06-21T17:17:00.001-05:002018-06-21T21:22:08.520-05:00Buffalo National River - A family adventure.<br />
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June has been a blast. It's been a month of hanging out with family building memories on one of my favorite rivers, The Buffalo National River in Arkansas. The Ozarks are an awesome place to visit. We've made it a family tradition to return to Buffalo Point campground outside Yellville, AR since I was a boy. When I was child, we rented canoes but now we bring our own. This year the flotilla included 8 boats and ranged in age from 3-82. We floated from Dillards Ferry to Rush on Monday. The next day, the guys went fishing while most of the family stayed at camp and swam. <br />
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It was also the first time both of my girls paddled their own kayaks the entire trip. It's hard to explain the feeling but watching their confidence grow was tremendous. You can literally see them learning that they have the strength and capabilities to accomplish anything. In the beginning, they didn't venture too far but as the day progressed, I had to call out to my youngest to slow down and stay closer, which got me to thinking about another trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ooejeL-xUXXCxJ2qGrGWl4a2CgcwQwNf7SXuGbbr7RsTb-MF92rhHxGvCfM6wCO1Y_zSDtDJgu1QNx6vK_lK1TRk1skYrju1lCNVpiHqzz2aFWd7jSgLd9y8E3Q2vOJqW58fufKJDoY/s1600/DSC_5648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="1600" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ooejeL-xUXXCxJ2qGrGWl4a2CgcwQwNf7SXuGbbr7RsTb-MF92rhHxGvCfM6wCO1Y_zSDtDJgu1QNx6vK_lK1TRk1skYrju1lCNVpiHqzz2aFWd7jSgLd9y8E3Q2vOJqW58fufKJDoY/s640/DSC_5648.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course I take my BNL fishing and he catches the biggest of the day...next time it's fly only!</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, my oldest still refuses to camp on a gravel bar. She isn't scared but at this point still requires modern facilities. However, the little one was super excited about going. In fact, after I mentioned it she reminded me on a regular basis so I would not forget. <br />
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I had to take advantage of her eagerness before she had time to really think about it. My oldest was attending a week long camp with her Girl Scout troop which provided the perfect opportunity. After dropping my oldest off at camp we spent the next three days kayak camping on the Buffalo. <br />
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The first day went by pretty quickly. We didn't get on the river until after lunch. The entire float I had planned could easily be done in a day but I wanted to be sure we had time for fun and time to learn. It would take us three days to go 8 miles.<br />
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The first thing we talked about was safety. We've had the pfd conversation but I went into more detail about keeping up with her paddle, any gear she needed for the trip and especially making sure she secured her kayak when she wasn't in it. We talked about suitable locations for camping on a river including never camping at the base of a cliff and planning an escape route if needed. <br />
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We also worked on paddling skills. We would run a shoal and I would pull her kayak back to the top and have her do it again. Only this time with a goal or task in mind. And when she lost her balance and fell out of her kayak, she had to re-renter it from the water. All of this was done in between ample amounts of swimming, skipping rocks and exploring the area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGjVsqQEah7d2XL9KF19wPY0Lu6b5zCy-9L2jspLcUhTYhmI8Rr5lgUhr6A42mzAxIN7baN81XPw-pPlHJ1pjBtoQe4RaJfq55NTwXnFXs4wXntu12TyTxo4VTxiE64YRYlv4XVXuMrc/s1600/DSC_8118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGjVsqQEah7d2XL9KF19wPY0Lu6b5zCy-9L2jspLcUhTYhmI8Rr5lgUhr6A42mzAxIN7baN81XPw-pPlHJ1pjBtoQe4RaJfq55NTwXnFXs4wXntu12TyTxo4VTxiE64YRYlv4XVXuMrc/s640/DSC_8118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasn't planning on a re-entry lesson but couldn't pass up the opportunity.</td></tr>
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Again I was struck by how quickly her confidence grew. The second morning while I was breaking camp, she put on her pfd, pulled her kayak off the shore and paddled across the river to a nearby creek. That got my attention because I hadn't scouted that creek yet and tried to check new areas for snakes and wildlife before she ventured into them. <br />
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I didn't want to restrict her or make her feel any sense of danger so I just waited to see what she did. We had spoken about being aware of the surroundings, particularly where she stepped and what she grabbed so I wasn't too concerned. When she backed away from the creek and came back to camp, I knew she was making good decisions. She had something she wanted to show me so we packed up quickly and made our way to that creek.<br />
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The diminishing glow of a fading sun marked the end of our trip. The next morning we paddled the last mile. I watched as she ran the last few shoals on her own, often going before me.<br />
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I remember the last shoal very well. The channel cuts close to the rock lined bank on the right side with a tree hanging about 4ft over the water with just enough space between the branches to make it under them if you can maintain your course. At the bottom there are several large boulders that force you to cross the flow and get to the left side or crash into them. For an experienced paddler it's nothing special. But for a beginner, it could be intimidating. I ran it first to show her the way. When I turned around she was passing between the branches of the tree, crossed to the left side and shot past me before eddying out behind the boulders. Show off! <br />
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Short Video from the Trip:<br />
<a href="http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/06/short-video-ozark-smallies.html" target="_blank">http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/06/short-video-ozark-smallies.html</a><br />
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com0Buffalo National River, 170 Ranger Road, St Joe, AR 72675, USA35.979665 -92.75582610000003610.457630499999997 -134.06442010000004 61.5016995 -51.447232100000036tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-74883944441670788832018-06-09T12:17:00.001-05:002018-06-09T12:19:30.172-05:00Short Video - Ozark Smallies<div style="text-align: center;">
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Just returned from our annual family camping trip on the Buffalo River (pics coming soon) but here's a short video from a day of fishing with my uncle and brother-n-law. River smallmouth bass are so much fun to catch.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L9jkhxLltgU" width="480"></iframe></div>
looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-74321941287048157772018-05-17T14:59:00.000-05:002018-07-19T16:25:10.385-05:00Maybe Bonefish Fly Fishing in Grand Bahama<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The silvery greenish shadow appeared at my 9 o’clock and moved
to 8…7…5…before I could stop the kayak.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That
opportunity existed and vanished so quickly I wasn’t even confident whatever I
saw was a fish anymore.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There was a decent chance it was the shadow of
a plane bringing a fresh new group of tourists to Grand Bahama Island.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That was my first encounter with a maybe
bonefish.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOSow74W8qgEOb9lJMNiPJgw6zkbKgKks_6aF3kcyIobrhaBQPQiw4zLS-e-R3XniRj7gAQF6fYXP_IocuB25TuC9yaRJxaoIx19-Mp722dL_XMJFwEiHkcWmRznUO7lP8dAKlE3vW88/s1600/bonefish2.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOSow74W8qgEOb9lJMNiPJgw6zkbKgKks_6aF3kcyIobrhaBQPQiw4zLS-e-R3XniRj7gAQF6fYXP_IocuB25TuC9yaRJxaoIx19-Mp722dL_XMJFwEiHkcWmRznUO7lP8dAKlE3vW88/s640/bonefish2.1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Charles Levi Jr</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sight fishing bonefish from a kayak is something I’ve wanted
to do for a few years.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In March, some
buddies called and invited me on a kayak fishing trip to the Bahamas.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I was super excited but knew my wife would be
more like, “I dare you to go to the Bahamas without me!”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She either really loves me or really hates me
because I spent last week fishing the flats.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st Triggerfish</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The winds blew over 30 mph for the first three days but that
didn’t stop us from fishing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We were thankful
for the variety of targets that were willing to eat a fly and for the bicycles
that we used to explore the island.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Barracuda, triggers, jacks and small snapper kept us busy while we
waited out the weather.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the rougher days</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When the conditions improved we shuttled the kayaks to
nearby flats and spent the afternoons poling the incoming tide.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The bones lived up to their reputation of
being both, elusive and difficult to catch.<span style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Good thing the chase was what most of us came for because t</span></span>he flats were full of maybe bonefish.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>More than once, I convinced myself a rock, sea grass, and even a small
turtle was a bone.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shuttle to the flats from Old Bahama Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure of the name of the game but it's addicting as...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conch for the fresh conch salad served on the side of the road...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Like musky or grass carp, only the “first
timers” ask how many you caught.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Those who’ve
spent any time on the flats, know you only count the number of fish seen or how
many follows you got. </span></div>
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We relived the <span style="font-family: "calibri";">game of hide-n-seek over dinner
each night. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The small victories gave us
hope for better days.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Bones are easy to
love but easier to hate, you curse the many refusals and celebrate like it’s your 21<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
birthday when they eat, which sometimes leads to new nicknames but that’s for
another story.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbfQWcphtVXAJx_-dMrsecwhdcNJWY3DXMUDi_IDuICqoPDoym5Mn0jdMugG2Abnd9s7iSDDY-ZBXTYmx9TlmFd3tkvHlbgQGeGKJnHtKA__a6dcAeawl93hUVRpzqvk7jAJ-v-C93tk/s1600/DSC_3993.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbfQWcphtVXAJx_-dMrsecwhdcNJWY3DXMUDi_IDuICqoPDoym5Mn0jdMugG2Abnd9s7iSDDY-ZBXTYmx9TlmFd3tkvHlbgQGeGKJnHtKA__a6dcAeawl93hUVRpzqvk7jAJ-v-C93tk/s640/DSC_3993.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OBB Marina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Each evening we’d gather for dinner at<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><a href="http://www.oldbahamabay.com/home" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Old Bahama Bay Resort</span> </a> and
drink our struggles away.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>After an hour
we convinced ourselves that tomorrow would be the day we’d figure out those flats
ghosts.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>All I can say now is, I saw a
lot of maybe bonefish.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-78200833873332658002018-04-20T20:28:00.000-05:002018-04-20T20:42:12.469-05:00Orvis Guide Rendezvous 2018<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Expecting all matter of civil rebellion, the plan was to
deflect then bob and weave when necessary.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I trained for weeks preparing for the upcoming exchange.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Each morning, I brought my wife a cup of coffee.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Each evening, we watched CW type shows about queens
and kings. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I didn’t complain about the kidz
bop dance parties my wife and kids had every night.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The training was brutal, “All About That Bass”
is a terrible song on its own merit now imagine it being sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks.
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And it’s stuck on repeat in my brain!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The actual conversation wasn’t as dramatic as
what I imagined.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>All she wanted to know
was, when are you leaving and returning.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>My training was brilliant or I’m an idiot…you decide.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Either way, Orvis Guide Rendezvous (OGR) here
I come. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndjAoJlUHAubQBaerU2Qv8pD8sri_0KnJa-QoHMZqM4GASUGvgTq10BlnCuGdxQNxdlReswFVKQe0cyItWE0HpjDRFpvmdw1qv8g4NogmLLWlCY0W3n6c5qsejAo9tzVgzhVvyugoGHQ/s1600/imagejpeg_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndjAoJlUHAubQBaerU2Qv8pD8sri_0KnJa-QoHMZqM4GASUGvgTq10BlnCuGdxQNxdlReswFVKQe0cyItWE0HpjDRFpvmdw1qv8g4NogmLLWlCY0W3n6c5qsejAo9tzVgzhVvyugoGHQ/s640/imagejpeg_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate milk on the South Holston, Bluff City. Pic: Justin Powell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Over the next few weeks, I researched Asheville, NC
extensively.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, the amount of
water in the area made it nearly impossible to make a plan.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So, I decided to take everything I owned. I
left my house with camping gear, 5-10 weights, every trout to musky fly I owned
and reservations at the Red Roof Inn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Awp_YgjYxlrDth0w-vNGprUizWyO-1sqnvz8sY85PYEsUG9ji640rwWFpLASkkgx_0YNnyj1iCwVlB7VStQcPethNfFlK4KEcUVdwXSA9t_3zbQWlCXLAaRmgi33O7jlC002zwiay5Y/s1600/20180412_145633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Awp_YgjYxlrDth0w-vNGprUizWyO-1sqnvz8sY85PYEsUG9ji640rwWFpLASkkgx_0YNnyj1iCwVlB7VStQcPethNfFlK4KEcUVdwXSA9t_3zbQWlCXLAaRmgi33O7jlC002zwiay5Y/s640/20180412_145633.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jViQTRDkawlVbrBg8MZaYc61xCKjW0513Gap5BRtuaOMndu6G3Hzm7Vq2jfwhyphenhyphenXU2KPBha8KtrYek8nd36AeL4-wB_Acu7qot1CEBq-WHYKcGVHyErGk3nnMMqGSsZ15qcFb3_nuyI4/s1600/20180414_194633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jViQTRDkawlVbrBg8MZaYc61xCKjW0513Gap5BRtuaOMndu6G3Hzm7Vq2jfwhyphenhyphenXU2KPBha8KtrYek8nd36AeL4-wB_Acu7qot1CEBq-WHYKcGVHyErGk3nnMMqGSsZ15qcFb3_nuyI4/s640/20180414_194633.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swag and stickers from OGR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Here’s where it gets interesting.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s 6 am on the first morning of the OGR and
there’s a noise outside my door.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It
sounded like someone was trying to open the door, which was confusing because I
didn’t give anyone a key. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Since I’m pretty
sure it’s not my wife bringing me a cup of coffee, things are getting
weird.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then the door opens but only to
the point that the latch catches leaving just enough room to see Jameson’s ugly
mug smiling through the crack.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I
expected to see him that morning but did not expect the guy at the front desk
to give him a key card to my room.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Turns
out the dude at the front desk will give out key cards as long as you promise
not to kill anyone before 7:30 am, after his shift of course.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>True story!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLHxD2PbmKqi2tq8pa5Min6sz7U26lBV6NKpzPgDeDrRqcUCD4jLOUdkXioKs4bDrYK739tQ_hFgsHVyOis0wlFcxTFZWBPbBadvwRgPoQnCdoCU93T5IjZ_LEBvXGfjgGz5WioKex4I/s1600/20180413_194132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLHxD2PbmKqi2tq8pa5Min6sz7U26lBV6NKpzPgDeDrRqcUCD4jLOUdkXioKs4bDrYK739tQ_hFgsHVyOis0wlFcxTFZWBPbBadvwRgPoQnCdoCU93T5IjZ_LEBvXGfjgGz5WioKex4I/s640/20180413_194132.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rouse guides on the Little Red River, AR.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In comparison to thinking you’re about to be a victim of a
home invasion, the OGR was far less hair-raising.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Setting in a room with Louis Cahill from <a href="http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Gink-n-Gasoline</span></a>,
Cameron Mortenson from The <a href="http://thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The </span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Fiberglass Manifesto</span></a>, Philip Monahan from the <a href="https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Orvis Blog</span></a> and Dave Grossman from <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.southerncultureonthefly.com/" target="_blank">Southern Culture on the Fly</a></span><span style="color: purple;"> </span>was super cool.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The information
they shared about blogging was top shelf.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>It was worth driving 12 hours just to listen to them speak.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But I did come to fish.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif37__PAowzSPcAN-Jai4zAg1Ak2_XIQU2vhrALz2x84xf0xHjUpNsUcPwe5uZTMuwGhI75zBoDOmvzdRbutfzsL-ThCwdgg7pfwUZ0e9mfkSM22-Rf6G1G9jdL4uJ-5_sO_aFOONuxbY/s1600/20180415_092633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif37__PAowzSPcAN-Jai4zAg1Ak2_XIQU2vhrALz2x84xf0xHjUpNsUcPwe5uZTMuwGhI75zBoDOmvzdRbutfzsL-ThCwdgg7pfwUZ0e9mfkSM22-Rf6G1G9jdL4uJ-5_sO_aFOONuxbY/s640/20180415_092633.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still going!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPepvn4AukTAJKTwmLDekjCqDE9eeES3f9rVVII6beOC7C5t06Hgk4Jd5Zq7rYNvLsqmYO6_WZMKUD6l1aY7cUFsB8UY2mjnGMtR0veo2DaZQwx9dHtgVM2XvyV1DTQqtGRNcHc2H54PY/s1600/20180415_151748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPepvn4AukTAJKTwmLDekjCqDE9eeES3f9rVVII6beOC7C5t06Hgk4Jd5Zq7rYNvLsqmYO6_WZMKUD6l1aY7cUFsB8UY2mjnGMtR0veo2DaZQwx9dHtgVM2XvyV1DTQqtGRNcHc2H54PY/s640/20180415_151748.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin hooked up in the soup</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While walking through the parking lot on day one, I noticed
a JK Mayfly strapped to the roof of an SUV.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>I immediately knew who owned it.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>When I ran into Justin later that day, I pretty much invited myself to
any place he was fishing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Justin manages
the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.orvis.com/atlanta" target="_blank">Orvis Atlanta</a> </span>shop but previously lived in Asheville and agreed to show me
around. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Of course, the weather was
perfect up until the day we planned to fish.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>But we weren’t going to let 2-3 inches of rain or flash flooding stop
us.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the mountains to get to the South Holston</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFGeRbNW6QANQO67EHZgpj1E3ALlnqNKidbSu3rot1D-cff_N7ACpQopBWb6Tk4SaJkEn-n7NmtYgS1DQ6uo2Ko5hyO70s1qCvty8OBxmrlGv8qKR-ZHU0WEKrSTNJex2o5vetCnoniM/s1600/20180416_093555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFGeRbNW6QANQO67EHZgpj1E3ALlnqNKidbSu3rot1D-cff_N7ACpQopBWb6Tk4SaJkEn-n7NmtYgS1DQ6uo2Ko5hyO70s1qCvty8OBxmrlGv8qKR-ZHU0WEKrSTNJex2o5vetCnoniM/s640/20180416_093555.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin calling some buddies to check other water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAHOWDtGmePwCCk_hy7vREss2Y0-3kIrYkfmbFA9XmxNWE5XI-xNfcBooT6jXe-dDKUfJIgufWoLd5lvD8VHVYDzlRAsY89oAQc-jx0yin_7nTbWsa8gG6tJBCqe72Lq_5WlJg-Pe6sI/s1600/DSC_3946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAHOWDtGmePwCCk_hy7vREss2Y0-3kIrYkfmbFA9XmxNWE5XI-xNfcBooT6jXe-dDKUfJIgufWoLd5lvD8VHVYDzlRAsY89oAQc-jx0yin_7nTbWsa8gG6tJBCqe72Lq_5WlJg-Pe6sI/s640/DSC_3946.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 4 miles below the dam were pretty clean. Time to float.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We hit a few accesses in the mountains but the creeks were
chocolate milk and flowing pretty heavy.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We stuck a few bows and browns but the only eventful part of the day was
navigating the swollen creeks! <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Each step
was a mystery.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At one point, I remember stumbling
over a boulder in the soup as a branch floated into my right side.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Time to call it a day, only the day did not
end at the creek! <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zxXMu21uNg24BfnthDuWq3EWK1GqNeHs-qKLpIUrwm6O_-RiKRSsQgSAcQF1BxPU9bqG9KVXw8UKDZzufjzkXLRNkgqg4K2rc1VPqJYI8JBEADHBeltj1V-32ggeCq5k1-pgWPSYTqI/s1600/imagejpeg_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zxXMu21uNg24BfnthDuWq3EWK1GqNeHs-qKLpIUrwm6O_-RiKRSsQgSAcQF1BxPU9bqG9KVXw8UKDZzufjzkXLRNkgqg4K2rc1VPqJYI8JBEADHBeltj1V-32ggeCq5k1-pgWPSYTqI/s640/imagejpeg_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found fish...too bad the weather kept all the good cameras in dry bags. Pic Justin Powell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKx5erM5QmAKMCXv6ORhOFfRspDWB00Pim0OE2t6z8Rm8dx0h6Ea1VmIGFldWKd90-_kSsnMhTFZQFZJsEEOY3gu3oYVO96TndxEh1Bs9bvtdkOBC6dCCBOGxQcTxmqBNpaFU4QsYahA/s1600/20180416_175803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKx5erM5QmAKMCXv6ORhOFfRspDWB00Pim0OE2t6z8Rm8dx0h6Ea1VmIGFldWKd90-_kSsnMhTFZQFZJsEEOY3gu3oYVO96TndxEh1Bs9bvtdkOBC6dCCBOGxQcTxmqBNpaFU4QsYahA/s640/20180416_175803.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleet and snow plus 25 mph winds = fun!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I should have changed hotels after the key card incident.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I definitely should have moved after the 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
person knocked on the door of the room next to ours, using a distinct pattern that
I had unfortunately become familiar with during the night.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But it
wasn’t until 6 am when the sounds of running and a door slamming woke us up
that we decided it was time to go.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>An
hour later, I’m talking to Justin from the 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> floor when movement
in the SUV beside him caught my eye.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There’s
a woman in an old beat-up, black suburban giving herself a wet wipe bath right beside
him.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How does he not see her?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then the door to the room beside ours opened
and a guy who looked like he hadn’t slept for 4 days walked out.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He made his way down the stairs before
getting in the SUV with her.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They talk for
a minute before driving away.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzT07kb6Oi4fs6AVLfgC9DeEUxrq-_BbmAJnZQXUSrgpMVtPkcy0QK6AwaknKgYI1sDfDKyq2WqMarrVCWrjwPsJgtsCeR4hJyqWKSWnHwfgYdb3nQ2hBpPm7AspuWk62_cBjPy16fiQ/s1600/DSC_3961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzT07kb6Oi4fs6AVLfgC9DeEUxrq-_BbmAJnZQXUSrgpMVtPkcy0QK6AwaknKgYI1sDfDKyq2WqMarrVCWrjwPsJgtsCeR4hJyqWKSWnHwfgYdb3nQ2hBpPm7AspuWk62_cBjPy16fiQ/s640/DSC_3961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was too cold to leave anyone at the ramp to run a shuttle so we made it all fit.</td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We knew floating a tailwater was the only real option for
clean water.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We set our course for the South
Holston.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The high for the day was 40F.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It reached that mark at 10 am and like the
snow and freezing rain, fell steadily all day.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The winds gust to over 25 mph.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The conditions were brutal but we were happy to be on the water and as
far away from the Red Roof Inn as possible.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Better to die on the water from hypothermia than in a meth lab explosion
or deal gone bad.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No more budget hotels
for me!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-77703486318077539732018-02-20T13:38:00.001-06:002018-02-20T14:00:18.130-06:00St Johns River Story (final)<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Be sure to check out the other two parts first:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Part 1: </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-1.html" target="_blank">http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-1.html</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Part 2: </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";"><a href="http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-2.html" target="_blank">http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-2.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It had been over 2 weeks since we left Bart’s hunting cabin
on January 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The last week
had been less than exciting, which we appreciated.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The fishing had picked up but was still hit or
miss.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The weather was excellent for a
change.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We had spent a few nights
camping and a few days resting at a houseboat on Lake Monroe.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But now we had returned to the cabin 17 days
later and still 125 miles from the end.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The thrill of adventure and the unknown gone. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we opened the door to the cabin, the wooden
picnic table caught my eye and one of our earlier conversations replayed
instantly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We were at the table eating
dinner speculating on the duration of the trip.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The thought of finishing 310 miles in 20 days seemed hysterical
now.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It had been an adventure of
marathon proportions but we needed to go faster.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We needed to sprint to the finish line.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Om0A4DbsII6BNuYzoHRD5tB7fFPWJMx3Xj1-V544WTdYFxbdCWiA5qWEpFgsBy7zYIaC3Xdpo0Rw9AB4CzaihOrNVn3TEDC2tBja7X355fJJ6WkOlmvoQi65DsfArC8sGc9-WsdyXi0/s1600/stealth+camp+pack+up.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Om0A4DbsII6BNuYzoHRD5tB7fFPWJMx3Xj1-V544WTdYFxbdCWiA5qWEpFgsBy7zYIaC3Xdpo0Rw9AB4CzaihOrNVn3TEDC2tBja7X355fJJ6WkOlmvoQi65DsfArC8sGc9-WsdyXi0/s640/stealth+camp+pack+up.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Mostly private property after Lake Harney, camping becomes a challenge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRxFXypXKtoS7zEshJDgRRjTtSjQCRuCnPFkiT2mVbbTsca9o5nwXLxjyFU6OoYvzaXkKnOsu-hGD2pwmrHztG77RbGuBCcnGfiBNjrsKX2ycisP9UypmjvB2HyumkXqcw8fJIvk4ekQ/s1600/bart+with+americam+shad.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRxFXypXKtoS7zEshJDgRRjTtSjQCRuCnPFkiT2mVbbTsca9o5nwXLxjyFU6OoYvzaXkKnOsu-hGD2pwmrHztG77RbGuBCcnGfiBNjrsKX2ycisP9UypmjvB2HyumkXqcw8fJIvk4ekQ/s640/bart+with+americam+shad.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best days of fishing at the mouth of the Econ River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3et_di-WdyfvgoxEeMv-gF5KKcYQeu1GxDkEi2gZb7L1TxjGEZK-29obKI9lV52CYAqbg3kFjPnv-KQxpyRTiTr5kksPOb3-BKvM1Y92-NWUYNuO8O8VJgesuPGiC6yfqBvvDLHsvgxM/s1600/drew+with+hybrid+on+the+fly.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3et_di-WdyfvgoxEeMv-gF5KKcYQeu1GxDkEi2gZb7L1TxjGEZK-29obKI9lV52CYAqbg3kFjPnv-KQxpyRTiTr5kksPOb3-BKvM1Y92-NWUYNuO8O8VJgesuPGiC6yfqBvvDLHsvgxM/s640/drew+with+hybrid+on+the+fly.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great day at the Econ above Jolly Gator Fish Camp, where we stayed later that night. Pic: Bart Swab</td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The extended forecast told us we had about 10 days to get
this trip done before the weather changed for the worse.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We would be vulnerable during this portion of
the trip.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The river was a mile wide in
places and didn’t provide much shelter from the wind.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We would also be dealing with strong tides
each day and tricky currents near Jacksonville, FL.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Early in the trip, there had been days when the
water was so rough, we lost sight of each other during lake crossings.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Being anywhere near the shipping lanes or the
inlet in bad weather was not a good idea.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We had to take advantage of the favorable conditions we were
experiencing now.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_Etw1J9hXj3fNoxHx_aBxZV41_SuHySs1ptUMudSbz0A5yYeOnuBYRZWTbWFWRZu5L1RttnrrjGR75pj3DyxL09dIocGFHA91LMyfgLPm8mjYUz0kiVl514DtceOlSPh2-7UXSO_m28/s1600/boat+house+on+lake+monroe.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_Etw1J9hXj3fNoxHx_aBxZV41_SuHySs1ptUMudSbz0A5yYeOnuBYRZWTbWFWRZu5L1RttnrrjGR75pj3DyxL09dIocGFHA91LMyfgLPm8mjYUz0kiVl514DtceOlSPh2-7UXSO_m28/s640/boat+house+on+lake+monroe.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why Knot Houseboat on Lake Monroe - Great location (link at bottom)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1hTc2_WTSedjxW8VKVjmn_Cn4jLgQTJUsPR_5sOcj7PeDuex5DLmKEMpU-hT3JY_9PM7rVowWd3swKmvY_c7FiOQ4zv6I-To84wQ_4-QaAaz9Yj9YDSEVWJvj5njri-M6UwLslU0MAc/s1600/ben+under+bridge+lake+monroe.1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1hTc2_WTSedjxW8VKVjmn_Cn4jLgQTJUsPR_5sOcj7PeDuex5DLmKEMpU-hT3JY_9PM7rVowWd3swKmvY_c7FiOQ4zv6I-To84wQ_4-QaAaz9Yj9YDSEVWJvj5njri-M6UwLslU0MAc/s640/ben+under+bridge+lake+monroe.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU6qEV6BbF2f2dkBoTUmkFGV2A0_b3ADSDDYCOliPZQyLY-cuvOBjGruUKWacZKkIRHQTHfuzyztcvcmyguZS2cUP1rKqt_R1hZvx4dtrLrgH2ncG1nQ_Y2y2iPGtdrkLCt7MVxLtZQA/s1600/bart+with+hybrid.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1600" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU6qEV6BbF2f2dkBoTUmkFGV2A0_b3ADSDDYCOliPZQyLY-cuvOBjGruUKWacZKkIRHQTHfuzyztcvcmyguZS2cUP1rKqt_R1hZvx4dtrLrgH2ncG1nQ_Y2y2iPGtdrkLCt7MVxLtZQA/s640/bart+with+hybrid.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing was outstanding on Lake George. Eventually we had to leave the fish biting and cover the 10 miles remaining</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Camping wasn’t an option any longer.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The added weight of the camping gear, food and
water slowed us down too much.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We spent
the last night at Bart’s cabin figuring out the logistics to shuttle vehicles
for the remainder of our trip.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At 9pm,
Bart loaded his kayak along with most of our camping gear and drove to his home
in St. Augustine, FL.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The next morning, Ben
and I would meet him at the Palatka boat ramp to begin the final push to <a href="http://www.coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/huguenot-memorial-park.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Huguenot Memorial Park</span></a> outside Jacksonville, FL. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUPpUiuofGnjW0Bkrz6ZpqweX-VDR0JV_2WHgVMCmXDSpN0IxZoIgLHlH8URMZehIRrB22RXck5pPCHLu_H4vp75pIKDsjKNc6A583zSR2oghHBZuXP9SaT7pYYW3h59_d4tBJy-P1zA/s1600/bart+on+glass3.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUPpUiuofGnjW0Bkrz6ZpqweX-VDR0JV_2WHgVMCmXDSpN0IxZoIgLHlH8URMZehIRrB22RXck5pPCHLu_H4vp75pIKDsjKNc6A583zSR2oghHBZuXP9SaT7pYYW3h59_d4tBJy-P1zA/s640/bart+on+glass3.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Lake George - we were very fortunate to find it like this - glass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs_W5aCs0PQLJ7Dlnk2lqr_fGhY7Fkw18Bz5hPWmFw8lY6596ndC_AiD5ITNKiXn4D5QYIUpL0lSiaQRwzkPIqzCZGKIFHKqMpU1B1TLIgkJ98_jF87721KMmqnYikdKvZW0pEfp9jqk/s1600/cool+bdging+with+bart.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs_W5aCs0PQLJ7Dlnk2lqr_fGhY7Fkw18Bz5hPWmFw8lY6596ndC_AiD5ITNKiXn4D5QYIUpL0lSiaQRwzkPIqzCZGKIFHKqMpU1B1TLIgkJ98_jF87721KMmqnYikdKvZW0pEfp9jqk/s640/cool+bdging+with+bart.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Satsuma area before AirBnB</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP8g96IhMRdeSPZ9dc7_e4YTjQcG61mbB6VBhqGakTRKqC4A9IK3NzLuMGcaktDF6V0eJel49aIFSrlB3Bt7elm_kzJl-CF2XL_RPWBt4LNh9D4hwEnO3wKPMSpDsayuwfew1u1KKUOk/s1600/bart+and+ben+at+house+on+SJR.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP8g96IhMRdeSPZ9dc7_e4YTjQcG61mbB6VBhqGakTRKqC4A9IK3NzLuMGcaktDF6V0eJel49aIFSrlB3Bt7elm_kzJl-CF2XL_RPWBt4LNh9D4hwEnO3wKPMSpDsayuwfew1u1KKUOk/s640/bart+and+ben+at+house+on+SJR.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AirBnB that Ben secured was very nice and right on the river - great location (link at bottom)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was dark when we beached the kayaks at Shands Bridge Pier.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The 31-mile journey had taken 12 hours with a
few, unexpected breaks to fish. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The daily
grind left us exhausted but feeling enthusiastic about our progress.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We had covered 65 miles in 3 days.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, the mood wasn’t optimistic.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Bart had a different expression on his face,
one of concern and discomfort.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImudj8wrUT-xMp0w0_1joi94Ak1-3OXChSedBMRNpTIErFo_9ybv6d5TinomCAteNIdWEa-oY_52kvy_Nd2xaxdm6lzFJ4fbhC8Z5sgCPPC7kJ63i2l5-AZI_jM97lDGkTLqf4jBSyDQ/s1600/sunset+at+b%2526b.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImudj8wrUT-xMp0w0_1joi94Ak1-3OXChSedBMRNpTIErFo_9ybv6d5TinomCAteNIdWEa-oY_52kvy_Nd2xaxdm6lzFJ4fbhC8Z5sgCPPC7kJ63i2l5-AZI_jM97lDGkTLqf4jBSyDQ/s640/sunset+at+b%2526b.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF65DJ0TX8Qlur1gJoWNbQTzyOGx48X2A0rn3_zo2lFKXBydJmu1dlH3NG6efXlEPYJ8uMTs9i3zOokfdyuV6Nq7K808TpR3ZOrPoIm5DYLbJwWulmdKOdQq7CT61G8mU2CMLj7VIBOL8/s1600/ben+in+fog.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF65DJ0TX8Qlur1gJoWNbQTzyOGx48X2A0rn3_zo2lFKXBydJmu1dlH3NG6efXlEPYJ8uMTs9i3zOokfdyuV6Nq7K808TpR3ZOrPoIm5DYLbJwWulmdKOdQq7CT61G8mU2CMLj7VIBOL8/s640/ben+in+fog.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foggy start to the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTK10M4f2a-zUdRn3dtcA8lV9_gV0M9c1OBV4z0SRI6H-oApQgKBPAZvG3jg80xqDnpNm-79QkBeesAFTsK10c-3kV80otRmv49o4ty73a0Y6KkpigHj2Nw2TJyclyw4fx1eDtAbqn3ew/s1600/27067761_2147220212163575_4712968116523405912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="776" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTK10M4f2a-zUdRn3dtcA8lV9_gV0M9c1OBV4z0SRI6H-oApQgKBPAZvG3jg80xqDnpNm-79QkBeesAFTsK10c-3kV80otRmv49o4ty73a0Y6KkpigHj2Nw2TJyclyw4fx1eDtAbqn3ew/s640/27067761_2147220212163575_4712968116523405912_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alligator gar sight fished during our 31 mile day. I had crossed a bay and came on a shallow point. I thought it was a redfish from the swirl and cast in front of it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bart’s neck was hurting the next morning but he felt like he
could give it a go.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We checked the tidal
charts and ran the shuttle knowing our distance from this point in the trip
would be severely impacted by Bart’s ability to continue.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We parked a second vehicle at Black Creek
Marina in case we couldn’t make the 15 miles planned. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfX-xVB8nDLXrnCNLLqW2aU-zoDvuOLufAhbvdi-JDmyC3DK3yry_a3FsUC_F00zeawt49_EkWN68iZqbw4uX5rHLVcmkKEAuFJQKMLmb8p2zGDH4lA8GuYrOLd9eh9ELZnA1AbS0Pc8/s1600/redfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="615" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfX-xVB8nDLXrnCNLLqW2aU-zoDvuOLufAhbvdi-JDmyC3DK3yry_a3FsUC_F00zeawt49_EkWN68iZqbw4uX5rHLVcmkKEAuFJQKMLmb8p2zGDH4lA8GuYrOLd9eh9ELZnA1AbS0Pc8/s640/redfish.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7_BiEH4hJ0jjTG5nFz4im9ILZtc5NkKVEIEGQMF1KrM5G-gTmqxH8xNOV5WEBazX8MY01bBNWKDNqyhwxmVl5kxJCryO5K26Vswjq248-YCTj5q2fTZbGZIvJaPqDKuY-WcODqShIXA/s1600/St+Aug+paddle+start+o+fteh+morning+on+day+25.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7_BiEH4hJ0jjTG5nFz4im9ILZtc5NkKVEIEGQMF1KrM5G-gTmqxH8xNOV5WEBazX8MY01bBNWKDNqyhwxmVl5kxJCryO5K26Vswjq248-YCTj5q2fTZbGZIvJaPqDKuY-WcODqShIXA/s640/St+Aug+paddle+start+o+fteh+morning+on+day+25.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave Hernandez from St Augustine Paddle Sports ran the shuttle on our 31 mile float. Not having to drop a vehicle was super helpful- Thx Dave! (Facebook link below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unable to make the mileage and uncertain about the rest of
the trip we pulled into Black Creek Marina just before 2pm.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Bart’s injury forced him off the water early
that day and potentially ended the journey all together. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not being from the area, we discussed
different options that allowed me to finish on my own but we agreed, it was
important to complete this journey together.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>There was another option - Bart would have to complete the final 50
miles in his pedal kayak.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYrqcc3Z7XjOSSwB9fJuVbev7gZHzOXlqL5VWmjo-hOGM9jMZnwcobKkHCCg7aD4Lc8TuxyL5iIFrPGv_g1gxTJc6bEmavw1gf1vVs839XT0lOTemje9-eNuUTg3Mg9YSKQPFjnDoHgM/s1600/bird+spooking+manatee.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYrqcc3Z7XjOSSwB9fJuVbev7gZHzOXlqL5VWmjo-hOGM9jMZnwcobKkHCCg7aD4Lc8TuxyL5iIFrPGv_g1gxTJc6bEmavw1gf1vVs839XT0lOTemje9-eNuUTg3Mg9YSKQPFjnDoHgM/s640/bird+spooking+manatee.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bird got a little too close to this Manatee</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_7WtMAtBrRLoRZI4AFTZX_FkU3-SR_KmZVF6gZT65FwctHP7wISHJ-K9BVGNWPzLmk6Q9niy3jG3hjqRo_jxcdJz9s7Rux-1udMDOi_maLO7Sil7_4hsX2gFO7zEOQ2vYLA7tp2Q-lg/s1600/DSC_0579.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_7WtMAtBrRLoRZI4AFTZX_FkU3-SR_KmZVF6gZT65FwctHP7wISHJ-K9BVGNWPzLmk6Q9niy3jG3hjqRo_jxcdJz9s7Rux-1udMDOi_maLO7Sil7_4hsX2gFO7zEOQ2vYLA7tp2Q-lg/s640/DSC_0579.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Two days past before we could get on the water again.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As forecasted, the weather was beginning to
change.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The mornings started calm but
each afternoon the winds would increase to 15 mph.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Lower St Johns is very expansive after
Palatka, FL and the resulting wind-blown seas can get treacherous. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7lA25eZV5N68HIEerXUxshfpZHVLeR_3pEmhKBrfjIFLiAjrGo1w5RJZSkkPxTJA363wZUTct9G0v_khPSPsg7seSRF6U6bVjDdJVdz8eFEcoCETIJ0CaX1ZNRhdJ8T3yfWkme1AXXM/s1600/bart+on+horizon.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7lA25eZV5N68HIEerXUxshfpZHVLeR_3pEmhKBrfjIFLiAjrGo1w5RJZSkkPxTJA363wZUTct9G0v_khPSPsg7seSRF6U6bVjDdJVdz8eFEcoCETIJ0CaX1ZNRhdJ8T3yfWkme1AXXM/s640/bart+on+horizon.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big water near Palatka, FL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKrYib0PfCOI_Tw41FkUAbTteHtb6FwIg2YJnsa8QJIXFtlxJ19mKEqLwq9r8AqH_MFSByLKqU_zqTNCJcFROD4HGmYlPCocsIkYa9fFin4Rzn4wSf96dfOfaBwU_rAnUeaBWR366wng/s1600/39163917615_fbdd204df8_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKrYib0PfCOI_Tw41FkUAbTteHtb6FwIg2YJnsa8QJIXFtlxJ19mKEqLwq9r8AqH_MFSByLKqU_zqTNCJcFROD4HGmYlPCocsIkYa9fFin4Rzn4wSf96dfOfaBwU_rAnUeaBWR366wng/s640/39163917615_fbdd204df8_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just after Shands bridge pier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It happened in a matter of 15 minutes, maybe less.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We had covered 7 miles using the many boat
docks to avoid the North winds when it went completely calm.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Our planned exit for the day was on the east
bank, but we had launched on the west bank.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The idea was to move up the west side and cross the river where it was
the narrowest.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We didn’t make it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The winds shifted from the east and the
resulting seas made it impossible to continue or cross.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>#LakeWashingtoneffect was intense but it was
nothing like the swells coming from the starboard side.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We got permission to make an emergency exit
at a private landing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They asked us not
to mention them or their location.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikibfM2IrrJlZKeCEhMwdY7INjZNkwwUbYJZKG4dcmkqSsSIRuD_YL980YHSbWB1TqTFgYLr9nyPUJ9V0ICv3K182HehsMzFyLkgF3nBru3CsPplDEwrhLDKa_WfdePZQwKD5O5NHD9H8/s1600/start+to+pl.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikibfM2IrrJlZKeCEhMwdY7INjZNkwwUbYJZKG4dcmkqSsSIRuD_YL980YHSbWB1TqTFgYLr9nyPUJ9V0ICv3K182HehsMzFyLkgF3nBru3CsPplDEwrhLDKa_WfdePZQwKD5O5NHD9H8/s640/start+to+pl.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private launch that was very friendly but not an option for kayaks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO_QihXPq-R7qEDf7PFBZgtc0k60bGPykb5VSsxx3ael4OgkiNyHQE-V6MqsjxmNQIYJWZgvUeIpcqM9DMppz7tHOTi_wnOjoRL_iBW0cpRIDJYSimXdNGk-j8D4Rxf81GuBNXfr2fAc/s1600/DSC_0893.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO_QihXPq-R7qEDf7PFBZgtc0k60bGPykb5VSsxx3ael4OgkiNyHQE-V6MqsjxmNQIYJWZgvUeIpcqM9DMppz7tHOTi_wnOjoRL_iBW0cpRIDJYSimXdNGk-j8D4Rxf81GuBNXfr2fAc/s640/DSC_0893.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting docks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2l9UvMknfAxaVSBjvTEUdh6Pr1e0uzZRRuvEzb7HlIA2eP1H5Fnv1gW7T8VwOV2E7L1edqt1fXPAqxGY09_PsAij9m1sGbX0gmsW0t-nK02mOVpvt0QMdyP-kQXnQ99rA5usL_XtjABg/s1600/ben+shooting+a+dock.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1380" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2l9UvMknfAxaVSBjvTEUdh6Pr1e0uzZRRuvEzb7HlIA2eP1H5Fnv1gW7T8VwOV2E7L1edqt1fXPAqxGY09_PsAij9m1sGbX0gmsW0t-nK02mOVpvt0QMdyP-kQXnQ99rA5usL_XtjABg/s640/ben+shooting+a+dock.1.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The next morning, we crossed the river and got on the east
side before the winds made it impossible.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Again, we had plan “A” and plan “B”.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The first was to make it to Goodbys boat ramp. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If we made it there and felt good, we would
run another shuttle.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, we would
need permission from a property owner because the next public launch was 15
miles away.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, the second part of the
plan wasn’t a solid option.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The day
ended at Goodbys.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Only 30 miles remained
between us and our goal of kayaking the entire St Johns River. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV7ctJzt-k3FJgNlXTs9Si7gIqCfvXkW2UIyclA2BfV_0p2MTTeFDqd9ItKhOL1q29ks-je1gQSxndYus6ydhxxQ_cwfBQuF2xYIm3QHt_oRPzFR1s575asRRIz3lqlhxBN5MFpJGLEw/s1600/DSC_0052.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrV7ctJzt-k3FJgNlXTs9Si7gIqCfvXkW2UIyclA2BfV_0p2MTTeFDqd9ItKhOL1q29ks-je1gQSxndYus6ydhxxQ_cwfBQuF2xYIm3QHt_oRPzFR1s575asRRIz3lqlhxBN5MFpJGLEw/s640/DSC_0052.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Goodbys headed to Jax</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsbw6mAmCdN9cJs8eZlsjSfog9xpWcXwEltfHWRxyxXkEwEGNH_LMdXcNrau3XKxdQ7nQKutR1ZSyAAOpoCFW6PL_aKRg6iIK2JOs8u0MMmb5ubmQbrQMr1lIVU1YvWl08C5nmOSpFOM/s1600/bass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="615" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwsbw6mAmCdN9cJs8eZlsjSfog9xpWcXwEltfHWRxyxXkEwEGNH_LMdXcNrau3XKxdQ7nQKutR1ZSyAAOpoCFW6PL_aKRg6iIK2JOs8u0MMmb5ubmQbrQMr1lIVU1YvWl08C5nmOSpFOM/s640/bass.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eTXLJwnro67posVPSfe0CtlRuxQ786Ja7KVBgB4RNVfLPGNnp6ybTBZxZmRoQIRpX0EG5tlB5XRDhE6NhT_RWIh1toQia8EbrR2T7KR0CGq86muJG1LqPOXpTxH6NNwupQ4pV471loQ/s1600/jax+in+view.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eTXLJwnro67posVPSfe0CtlRuxQ786Ja7KVBgB4RNVfLPGNnp6ybTBZxZmRoQIRpX0EG5tlB5XRDhE6NhT_RWIh1toQia8EbrR2T7KR0CGq86muJG1LqPOXpTxH6NNwupQ4pV471loQ/s640/jax+in+view.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving into Jax</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Downtown Jacksonville was a fun ride.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We dodged the bridge pilings and ran under
the various trestles.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The current from
the falling tide was really strong.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It
would push and pull the kayak in a way that reminded me of a plane landing on a
runway with the sudden shimmy and shake that makes you grip the seat a little
tighter. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzrAoeNlUZRio5BlC3pY3Wc41ptB6Rd4ObFEOnYjifJOqou8PwaZ4Guf-M4patc2qHKJBytp1ekbcebqAW7pjBP0USLRBRYrspggQUcUploeczmEkIoVd9oM2kbTQdigVO6AHNZZsEBE/s1600/Jax+landing.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzrAoeNlUZRio5BlC3pY3Wc41ptB6Rd4ObFEOnYjifJOqou8PwaZ4Guf-M4patc2qHKJBytp1ekbcebqAW7pjBP0USLRBRYrspggQUcUploeczmEkIoVd9oM2kbTQdigVO6AHNZZsEBE/s640/Jax+landing.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The landscape changed one last time after Jacksonville marking
our final approach.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Cargo ships and
military vessels were on both sides of the St Johns River. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Once the steady drone of airboats was endless
but now the buzz of helicopters repeatedly circled overhead.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My mind started to drift and recall things previously
forgotten. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I couldn’t help but laugh at
the time Ben screamed out as an alligator exploded beside his kayak or the
morning he spilled boiling water on his tent before anyone had a cup of
coffee.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s funny now but on those
freezing mornings, Bart refused to get out of his tent until someone filled his
mug with warm coffee. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Y9v7qLhiOPyx0CkvKkV2d_DpqF-3dblZ8Raenr47bbpqo_Yujzg0NVHfZSilWXTSZC_NdWT0E5b6H7EvEWuP9Frg6h5oZ4iW4hJXZlsnTgBG4e_F_IHYgDq1b3yR5Hx_Qxx0FInwW_U/s1600/39165531765_e5c3d99f73_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Y9v7qLhiOPyx0CkvKkV2d_DpqF-3dblZ8Raenr47bbpqo_Yujzg0NVHfZSilWXTSZC_NdWT0E5b6H7EvEWuP9Frg6h5oZ4iW4hJXZlsnTgBG4e_F_IHYgDq1b3yR5Hx_Qxx0FInwW_U/s640/39165531765_e5c3d99f73_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of 310 miles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span>Then there was the
day we had to stop and reload Bart’s kayak in Lake Monroe because it was
listing to the port side badly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There was
so much to be thankful for as we hit the beach for the last time, but mostly I’m
thankful to have shared this experience with two friends who will remind me of
all the things I did that made them laugh and the great memories
we shared.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Why Knot Houseboat:</span> <span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/watertopliving/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/watertopliving/</a></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">AirB&B near Satsuma FL: </span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20590451?s=51" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20590451?s=51</span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
St Augustine Paddle Sports: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/staugustinepaddlesports/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.facebook.com/staugustinepaddlesports/</span></a></div>
looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-25743549036509664102018-02-11T16:46:00.000-06:002018-02-20T13:44:27.096-06:00St Johns River Story (part 2)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was 2 am when the ground started to shake. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I knew camping on an airboat crossing was a bad
idea and now we’re all about to get a lesson in parasailing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Then I heard Bart’s voice but was unable to
make out the words.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I wanted to shout, “man,
I told you so” but a loud roar had overtaken our camp so it was useless. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Wait, we didn’t sleep on an airboat crossing
last night.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We had a warm fire and fell
asleep to the symphony of hooting owls and other nocturnal birds. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Trying to piece it all together, I unzipped my
tent and noticed a beam of light coming from the water.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The airboat was really close.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Was it a Florida Wildlife Officer or hunters looking
for hogs at night?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Probably neither and after
a few minutes they left.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The faint drone
of airboats could be heard almost every night afterwards. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possum Bluff Shelter - we did not use but it looked friendly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st real fire on night 3.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">No shenanigans, we all agreed to this rule on day one.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This wasn’t the place to clown around, so
when Ben said, “Drew, we got a problem” he had my attention.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When I got to their kayaks, Bart looked like
he had just received his complimentary parasailing lesson.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One hand on his forehead and the other
holding a small tool or something.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I didn’t
recognize it but felt like it should be attached to the kayak.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My feeling was correct, it was a piece of the
Flex Drive and Bart should not have been holding it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Am I dreaming again?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Where’s that dang airboat when you need to
wake up? <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At some point while backing
his kayak over a log, one of the three blades on his prop snagged and broke. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We are three days away from any help and one
of the kayaks is limping.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Traffic on the water really increased as we made our way to
the Lake Poinsett Shelter. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>An
approaching airboat has a way of making you set up in your seat and
listen.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They seemed to come from no
place and be heading nowhere.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Often
appearing on the edge of the river like ghosts, coming forth from the distance
but never actually using the main channel.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The shelter was usable but far from inviting. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to clear the brush off the ramp to get inside. We also noticed alligator marks on the edge so we left a kayak on the ramp.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJfAGwUMRm_DckM0dscuWNlok2YbuO4LhfT-IxkhZqdBHy3JdygQRotbupKIiwXYDj9GhxNvszm23WWhU5_HOUWBtizjutH_RMiSFQjJgtRiKy32D_c7ZWBfDvbO2E5jMua3hKiLfdlk/s1600/DSC_0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJfAGwUMRm_DckM0dscuWNlok2YbuO4LhfT-IxkhZqdBHy3JdygQRotbupKIiwXYDj9GhxNvszm23WWhU5_HOUWBtizjutH_RMiSFQjJgtRiKy32D_c7ZWBfDvbO2E5jMua3hKiLfdlk/s640/DSC_0181.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of these inside also.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimflo42IRgv6-zWWvAlMa_86CG33BzNJRTI92GSrflJ0bCxzyXOLTfHNhs9WA0wQNZu6LO2Ojavp3PH-r55xA-TzHovgAoiVc19pTM8Li_7fYrXxlpmZcDxouL4_dKNSqrOcVj3dLQXx0/s1600/lone+cabbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimflo42IRgv6-zWWvAlMa_86CG33BzNJRTI92GSrflJ0bCxzyXOLTfHNhs9WA0wQNZu6LO2Ojavp3PH-r55xA-TzHovgAoiVc19pTM8Li_7fYrXxlpmZcDxouL4_dKNSqrOcVj3dLQXx0/s1600/lone+cabbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After talking to a guy in a boat and learning
everything in the area was underwater, we knew we’d be sharing Poinsett with at
least one rat, a family of red wasps and either one snake that shed its skin
three times or...no matter, we each get a souvenir!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The coolest part of the night was watching
the <a href="https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events/events-calendar/2018/january/rocket-launch-spacex-falcon-9-zuma" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">SpaceX Falcon 9 Zuma</span> </a>launch followed up by Ben falling out of the shelter.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He hit the ground and flipped back into the shelter
before anyone could take a step to help.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We all held our breath until Ben started laughing at himself, then we lost
it.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was one of those nervous
hysterical moments where the laughter was intensified by appreciation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We were thankful it wasn’t more serious.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Souvenir </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zYYw7BvWc8hTPVtCpZ-y7prkiq8MLSfuAy65KNX52MNdp0V_x2YuAdshtgPs3Kc2GEzVOg3DpFl-IsKUBoaEFC6z8vm3j3yGOZkV6dxt_CA_Brh2_H6LBmUammbSElbEu2JwKbx9-3o/s1600/top+of+the+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zYYw7BvWc8hTPVtCpZ-y7prkiq8MLSfuAy65KNX52MNdp0V_x2YuAdshtgPs3Kc2GEzVOg3DpFl-IsKUBoaEFC6z8vm3j3yGOZkV6dxt_CA_Brh2_H6LBmUammbSElbEu2JwKbx9-3o/s640/top+of+the+hill.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide open views just before Possum Bluff Shelter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-nkZ8vPfcG4pAW7EkBbzb_2ER5vgbRKT2ajsc2GfDiFmZ6RGyiag1lz4Fy8bXO5u0OIWCS_XrSSxVO3zOGVuxXsgO8I6KWiF1V0vCwz3GyaUXN0mrNHN787CmBHz0_lSfEbA8KXpPxE/s1600/bald+eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="1600" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-nkZ8vPfcG4pAW7EkBbzb_2ER5vgbRKT2ajsc2GfDiFmZ6RGyiag1lz4Fy8bXO5u0OIWCS_XrSSxVO3zOGVuxXsgO8I6KWiF1V0vCwz3GyaUXN0mrNHN787CmBHz0_lSfEbA8KXpPxE/s640/bald+eagle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of Bald Eagles on this stretch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimflo42IRgv6-zWWvAlMa_86CG33BzNJRTI92GSrflJ0bCxzyXOLTfHNhs9WA0wQNZu6LO2Ojavp3PH-r55xA-TzHovgAoiVc19pTM8Li_7fYrXxlpmZcDxouL4_dKNSqrOcVj3dLQXx0/s1600/lone+cabbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimflo42IRgv6-zWWvAlMa_86CG33BzNJRTI92GSrflJ0bCxzyXOLTfHNhs9WA0wQNZu6LO2Ojavp3PH-r55xA-TzHovgAoiVc19pTM8Li_7fYrXxlpmZcDxouL4_dKNSqrOcVj3dLQXx0/s640/lone+cabbage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone Cabbage fish camp and grill.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For the first time during our trip, the winds were light when
we crossed Lake Poinsett.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We fished off
and on as we made our way to the Hwy 520 bridge.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Bart’s wife was going to meet us at Lone
Cabbage that evening and bring a replacement prop for his Coosa FD.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Life was looking up; we were having a great time!<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRCTGK2rJ_TY6GMmKDv2Z2K3fZTWA5M5Qvfe4scnTnH9gD-szZAWYbljsveswGL9G2Arj5CIcqkL4kOai07Xu5g0e1DDrPogWH5leHzE449eqPm9hlH47-KWF2np1itaE6oqJWBdv95M/s1600/lone+cabbage+camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRCTGK2rJ_TY6GMmKDv2Z2K3fZTWA5M5Qvfe4scnTnH9gD-szZAWYbljsveswGL9G2Arj5CIcqkL4kOai07Xu5g0e1DDrPogWH5leHzE449eqPm9hlH47-KWF2np1itaE6oqJWBdv95M/s640/lone+cabbage+camp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind Lone Cabbage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGM2mhnzKVGh5JZ8Ga6qg0uf01v4r9q9yKBuxAbGCOdRsPw-pyTsVWCVahM-uVBP63MgGKZCXpKe7_yTuCCzj5fNvgKN9UwPt6YOS3dRzuP4IuOQGee9akIcgZ9LjIzb22SaQgZx14mQ/s1600/bart+and+ben+after+LC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGM2mhnzKVGh5JZ8Ga6qg0uf01v4r9q9yKBuxAbGCOdRsPw-pyTsVWCVahM-uVBP63MgGKZCXpKe7_yTuCCzj5fNvgKN9UwPt6YOS3dRzuP4IuOQGee9akIcgZ9LjIzb22SaQgZx14mQ/s640/bart+and+ben+after+LC.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dramatic change in the landscape after Hwy 520.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span>While Bart was fixing his FD, my wife called and
explained how the condensation pipe from our heater froze during the night and
shut off the heat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>A couple days later,
it snowed for the first time in 8 years in our small town which closed school
for three days.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At some point in the
conversation, I decided to mention how far behind we were, not my best
timing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Somehow, someway the cold front
was determined to kill me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYhf79fbmjUMX6KNdOXpalYXq6v4SP6Smr7LypgMjCfJC-kHdBa6zj3mldEzO0sDsBb-tSsaUQCpbaBi_Hpjkx_umnvh-3tCmFREm5fNi69HIyu3tf_Hl1w2P5vVi6rDW6YkiUF9PnOA/s1600/DSC_0926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYhf79fbmjUMX6KNdOXpalYXq6v4SP6Smr7LypgMjCfJC-kHdBa6zj3mldEzO0sDsBb-tSsaUQCpbaBi_Hpjkx_umnvh-3tCmFREm5fNi69HIyu3tf_Hl1w2P5vVi6rDW6YkiUF9PnOA/s640/DSC_0926.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bart and a friendly alligator.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0SqwcInmYw-l185Y77HnHXBGyhRc63U_no4oU1bhJXpcmk8jURjW_na7G-PJroo_aiuIOBER0mw58hlVIalfwQo-sPI5aLNyJ9Y5ABj1lPiK0XUsbMuaxqbxTM0KeHClp8SFTZviT1Q/s1600/gator+leaving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0SqwcInmYw-l185Y77HnHXBGyhRc63U_no4oU1bhJXpcmk8jURjW_na7G-PJroo_aiuIOBER0mw58hlVIalfwQo-sPI5aLNyJ9Y5ABj1lPiK0XUsbMuaxqbxTM0KeHClp8SFTZviT1Q/s640/gator+leaving.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alligator doing what most did, getting gone quick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The river from Hwy 520 is spectacular.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s more maze like but we were fortunate to
have optimum flow, which allowed us to cut our own path. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The alligators became a regular backdrop as well
as the cattle.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In all honestly, I watched
for them more than the reptiles.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There
were several times we looked at our phones, decided on the most direct route,
only to change it when we noticed the herds of cattle and how they reacted to
our kayaks.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They would cross the river
for no reason when we got close.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
bulls would stare, almost daring us to come a little closer.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I wasn’t going to chance getting between them
and whatever random island they wanted to be on.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaDUmu35DEWzhVmiBPJNeCY_uavz1u5OT8Ah-vpxJTCIelCpM_UieI7qgaVGSxd71vUT6hSIZ2q0o4S7eNO-FWleKw2pwoQSlghjpkXrQgw8oS1hw0bw5_VEmI7syP_Jz1ixHGYbE6jk/s1600/bart+and+cattle+crossing+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaDUmu35DEWzhVmiBPJNeCY_uavz1u5OT8Ah-vpxJTCIelCpM_UieI7qgaVGSxd71vUT6hSIZ2q0o4S7eNO-FWleKw2pwoQSlghjpkXrQgw8oS1hw0bw5_VEmI7syP_Jz1ixHGYbE6jk/s640/bart+and+cattle+crossing+river.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bart and cattle crossing river for no reason.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoB_dvaPZVpc6oo5SLYvmz0khS_bwiokLaW2U6ENVKBWfv0V9DHoQSTmK8Shf6-CuEarKxAirGgJVGHw92Fu-80F_O1kAoQfmDmgxFNOGXTfuHiWPDL8Sgg-v8rev554prokWd9jb-QY/s1600/Google+maps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1491" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoB_dvaPZVpc6oo5SLYvmz0khS_bwiokLaW2U6ENVKBWfv0V9DHoQSTmK8Shf6-CuEarKxAirGgJVGHw92Fu-80F_O1kAoQfmDmgxFNOGXTfuHiWPDL8Sgg-v8rev554prokWd9jb-QY/s640/Google+maps.jpg" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google maps was very helpful in this section</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxJjPuB3bzxfR3P3kNXPjp7sC06roJ9vla_A5BlFEFkhkuvzyIfTCEqAcM-BGo6XMFmO3Nz1Gl889KaFj7pXQRy_iM_JBswK36F2E82z-99HrwbR3kKhDhC5A_n4FTluNL2WsFJfiJ5A/s1600/bart+and+more+cattle+after+lake+poinsett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxJjPuB3bzxfR3P3kNXPjp7sC06roJ9vla_A5BlFEFkhkuvzyIfTCEqAcM-BGo6XMFmO3Nz1Gl889KaFj7pXQRy_iM_JBswK36F2E82z-99HrwbR3kKhDhC5A_n4FTluNL2WsFJfiJ5A/s640/bart+and+more+cattle+after+lake+poinsett.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wondering what they were going to do, stay or make a run for it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There was no vacancy at Catfish Hotel. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The gators near it were some of the largest we
had seen and they didn’t vacate the area.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Even when they went into the river they hung around. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Some turned and started swimming back towards
the shelter.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It also didn’t help that
the roof was missing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The forecast that
evening was for rain and it rained all night. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We were happy to make it to 7-Palms just
before it started to come down.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rgJcKkxZIUCLyBDCPbFlRt8ywVttWkseGPdoPnKoKcpXZ_oDzII7dXxBni4LUf4pAFAE4sVb7J2LXEEzBPbNyscleMbVkFM3yVraGyWG5zLOB3m_hCjiiWtMModG8mtcSqyboyj5fnY/s1600/catfish+hotel+with+ben+and+4+gators.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rgJcKkxZIUCLyBDCPbFlRt8ywVttWkseGPdoPnKoKcpXZ_oDzII7dXxBni4LUf4pAFAE4sVb7J2LXEEzBPbNyscleMbVkFM3yVraGyWG5zLOB3m_hCjiiWtMModG8mtcSqyboyj5fnY/s640/catfish+hotel+with+ben+and+4+gators.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catfish Hotel and the tenants. Rough neighborhood. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCGPwTbpkFNYFETG2d2gwMeZpUi408RtpRem75JmiAcl8KJdDDv0okAqsi5uD2-vcCk22aiL89zXGQLwtzzJC-Dj2hN9_fjNYz65OFUcQ9Yt762O4Ia1Rr8-yvQfdjq-bRur4t3q6uuA/s1600/ben+at+7+palms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCGPwTbpkFNYFETG2d2gwMeZpUi408RtpRem75JmiAcl8KJdDDv0okAqsi5uD2-vcCk22aiL89zXGQLwtzzJC-Dj2hN9_fjNYz65OFUcQ9Yt762O4Ia1Rr8-yvQfdjq-bRur4t3q6uuA/s640/ben+at+7+palms.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben arriving to 7-Palms shelter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
Part 3 here:<br />
<a href="https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-final.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-final.html</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
Part 1 here if you missed it:<br />
<a href="https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-1.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-1.html</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: blue;"></span><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-83303132614717851252018-02-06T15:01:00.000-06:002018-02-11T16:48:17.582-06:00St Johns River Story (part 1)<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Standing on the wooden dock beside the canal leading to Blue
Cypress lake, I wondered what the future held.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The St Johns River was now at our feet and the three of us would be calling
it home for the next 310 miles.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The morning
sun was starting to shine on the three Jackson Kayaks that had been
strategically placed outside our room the night before.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We drove down from Bart’s hunting cabin in
the Ocala National Forest on January 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> in preparation for our
early departure the next morning.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We had,
what we naively considered, a short 15-mile day ahead.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DMlziI9dQR-PkeFoJXdqPxumwzxp9M4Z-OCT6jzoNba-lyMPx6g7TwCUToBsxSlLjfMEW3GGlK6pbLZQk6_rQBlRO8sdG-5bEbCCIP5h-pkOOUaEFzGVfNYHDTJRohpnvEEqdEZ1SiM/s1600/28283624219_b352d14802_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DMlziI9dQR-PkeFoJXdqPxumwzxp9M4Z-OCT6jzoNba-lyMPx6g7TwCUToBsxSlLjfMEW3GGlK6pbLZQk6_rQBlRO8sdG-5bEbCCIP5h-pkOOUaEFzGVfNYHDTJRohpnvEEqdEZ1SiM/s640/28283624219_b352d14802_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bart fishing Blue Cypress Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWruQnsreGPp_yVE0UJZM0jBJ5rdBYhPBR12IvS0B51q1SUVt88CQS81EDOJ6vV36FCnxPVJgSOAnJ0rni6x6DEIOG9YeMWRIgi_-OaLqlquTPDEk9GwBT5LrrU5rAmq-ZV3fpaIstIE/s1600/night+before+start1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWruQnsreGPp_yVE0UJZM0jBJ5rdBYhPBR12IvS0B51q1SUVt88CQS81EDOJ6vV36FCnxPVJgSOAnJ0rni6x6DEIOG9YeMWRIgi_-OaLqlquTPDEk9GwBT5LrrU5rAmq-ZV3fpaIstIE/s640/night+before+start1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fishing kayaks neatly staged on the dock. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVfmf5wBqWwB2O8M_OjNJ8iUivuKL5a3qK_PoTsC3iQwbNqeDqlmHrrgUPWkw3dXc2jeYp1Ui1vY8nn1WUgKLnnqwJmYM6GxJQb1sDAUyj3yLa8l1MI3b2cQaIJZLR4B_D7msYCjnaV4/s1600/NRS+dry+bags+and+JK+kayaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVfmf5wBqWwB2O8M_OjNJ8iUivuKL5a3qK_PoTsC3iQwbNqeDqlmHrrgUPWkw3dXc2jeYp1Ui1vY8nn1WUgKLnnqwJmYM6GxJQb1sDAUyj3yLa8l1MI3b2cQaIJZLR4B_D7msYCjnaV4/s640/NRS+dry+bags+and+JK+kayaks.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading and going</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we departed the canal heading north searching for the exit
on the far side of Blue Cypress, we
could feel the bitter north winds for the first time.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The intense cold front that had crippled north
Florida was just now reaching the central part of the state.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We later learned it was the worst in 6-years
and responsible for a large fish kill, which we would become very familiar with
over the next few weeks. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0X4sLVApctObXJC02sghPc9vPevYU8yaUhw5e28g8fXxuGCMArGUTvIP7fq9dX7PSwpMsMHOIg3qbSH40aGX91PNrChq9xnV4MegtTTQgGn2Df0u7322CsNLEdDDZF4dXVsz4xoIBSQg/s1600/ben+launching+his+kayak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1600" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0X4sLVApctObXJC02sghPc9vPevYU8yaUhw5e28g8fXxuGCMArGUTvIP7fq9dX7PSwpMsMHOIg3qbSH40aGX91PNrChq9xnV4MegtTTQgGn2Df0u7322CsNLEdDDZF4dXVsz4xoIBSQg/s640/ben+launching+his+kayak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben dropping his JK Cuda HD from the dock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEApFhZ7FLLI2vRYL61pH-aGwucIolgQ37xLFzmjZQ596mLLJKfQD_9xGfyGjjP1qUqYPmoP6eILK6_1FXxfegZoSp_JEVIC41DFrl2sqtRwXi7u-KeFossTPnRbhEtoBumaC8loSgwqU/s1600/start+blue+cypress+lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEApFhZ7FLLI2vRYL61pH-aGwucIolgQ37xLFzmjZQ596mLLJKfQD_9xGfyGjjP1qUqYPmoP6eILK6_1FXxfegZoSp_JEVIC41DFrl2sqtRwXi7u-KeFossTPnRbhEtoBumaC8loSgwqU/s640/start+blue+cypress+lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Cypress Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkiB4U3EUbPdSguRsPI3cz5RDdrTWNGomikFbFEzpv2AcS-FHSQYS7DRRD7T7yJa_CDBR16hs19uJ8B_7xVGyT3c7Pd_CmApytAO82c40dw1yr7psXX8xlVALWvxWBUIf2Y8u8kN6w5U/s1600/DSC_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkiB4U3EUbPdSguRsPI3cz5RDdrTWNGomikFbFEzpv2AcS-FHSQYS7DRRD7T7yJa_CDBR16hs19uJ8B_7xVGyT3c7Pd_CmApytAO82c40dw1yr7psXX8xlVALWvxWBUIf2Y8u8kN6w5U/s640/DSC_0275.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bart getting started on the 310 fish. The canal doesn't provide many options for locating dry ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we entered the canal, the roar of an approaching airboat greeted
us to the Upper St Johns River. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We were
warned to make ourselves visible on this section of the river as the airboats
can and will go anywhere.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They don’t
require much water to navigate and aren’t expecting to see anyone else,
especially not a kayak.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That fact was later proven while talking to a
guy portaging an airboat crossing. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>His
words reminded us to stay aware of our surroundings.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“You guys are on your own out here.” <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Inwardly, I was excited about that, it was the
reason I was here.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vdIxQwPBRxLipewT4a8FHN6z4MBLAZ0icSo7h0A5yyFx2simFfy2MJ3w8FaGQbpnGEC9gXHFEpHyj5_u0fhlAeamtDa2XNqsHUCqrmQLv9ZA2831RVdUsDBX57thL8m0VPFwpi2kRFc/s1600/DSC_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vdIxQwPBRxLipewT4a8FHN6z4MBLAZ0icSo7h0A5yyFx2simFfy2MJ3w8FaGQbpnGEC9gXHFEpHyj5_u0fhlAeamtDa2XNqsHUCqrmQLv9ZA2831RVdUsDBX57thL8m0VPFwpi2kRFc/s640/DSC_0490.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portage number one. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7Uv-9K1bfGM9YU50XRMSGPg_s0ROEqRRQLZkBRIAMBHKHO08XOCXR6k2PINhgftqIhdvs2pWB8O_9n8YJqhhQiNN4qnx1OSYo70WBRUonHhiiX8ecLDh3ymnO0r-2Iq9OIFV-3tDUOA/s1600/croass+ot+own+risk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgsCLulKNb7quGOQVD1YUr4_oBusRfzCtU0KvFe1v_K5QsCR24IgT62HMdvFsyV1R9VbRqgJpoGyfFO2Zs1VPjhIYhalLCx6cFIUi_uTsGHzptEzssAL9DlTKhamkayPxIidx7bdJmEo/s1600/JK+airboat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgsCLulKNb7quGOQVD1YUr4_oBusRfzCtU0KvFe1v_K5QsCR24IgT62HMdvFsyV1R9VbRqgJpoGyfFO2Zs1VPjhIYhalLCx6cFIUi_uTsGHzptEzssAL9DlTKhamkayPxIidx7bdJmEo/s640/JK+airboat.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Politely waiting on us</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7Uv-9K1bfGM9YU50XRMSGPg_s0ROEqRRQLZkBRIAMBHKHO08XOCXR6k2PINhgftqIhdvs2pWB8O_9n8YJqhhQiNN4qnx1OSYo70WBRUonHhiiX8ecLDh3ymnO0r-2Iq9OIFV-3tDUOA/s1600/croass+ot+own+risk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bordered on the east side by flooded swamp and an elevated
levee on the west side, the St Johns didn’t provide much in the way of great
camping locations.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because of this, Bart
and Ben had spent weeks planning the nightly stops. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was after the second portage that we
noticed how far off schedule we were.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2sueRqSLmCz7l_Y9mXhfo2uvKe0HznGyvi2vv7IW9qs1qwHPhX8LSI2NO1bjoCrk6amYi5WkJ_jkIwKWHLUtKir5b6lTa6a-JLX2bc6rC9Q6e0mfgkkoP7TD3tuqRs__fNAHoQA2fTY/s1600/2nd+portage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2sueRqSLmCz7l_Y9mXhfo2uvKe0HznGyvi2vv7IW9qs1qwHPhX8LSI2NO1bjoCrk6amYi5WkJ_jkIwKWHLUtKir5b6lTa6a-JLX2bc6rC9Q6e0mfgkkoP7TD3tuqRs__fNAHoQA2fTY/s640/2nd+portage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd portage of the day to avoid those falls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpgStXlRjwQneRsOoGHk6w5A7fb7Xbg9q8IHNPq8VtYqGVmCwddNq1VNYBMgRc3unwdrwd0StIKRF05g_yYb4C-8eH__1Iq5QwciukLnbhS-KOz7To4Rm6xmt__m4tyacjIdhrKd6oUo/s1600/DSC_0423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="1600" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNpgStXlRjwQneRsOoGHk6w5A7fb7Xbg9q8IHNPq8VtYqGVmCwddNq1VNYBMgRc3unwdrwd0StIKRF05g_yYb4C-8eH__1Iq5QwciukLnbhS-KOz7To4Rm6xmt__m4tyacjIdhrKd6oUo/s640/DSC_0423.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm certain this Osprey is mocking us.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span>The
sun was setting and we were still 2-miles away from the first proposed camping
location.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Knowing we weren’t going to
make it, we discussed the idea of locating a suitable spot to camp.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>An airboat crossing wasn’t our first choice
but it was the best choice at the moment.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We left lights hanging from the kayaks and our tents to mark our
location to any airboaters that might use the crossing while we slept.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqoK8pAW2z61XybeubuudEF4Y1t7XoWrGKq35WQ00qEgA2TAuB2xikeMNaXHLJ3atfkobsbz0cBl-Jy2kX7Gv58jOYPywAgMJ5eC1Qh2GyTqb_GW-5syxoNcRLv18hmhWkJz50JHHqmU/s1600/ben+in+canal+at+end+of+day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqoK8pAW2z61XybeubuudEF4Y1t7XoWrGKq35WQ00qEgA2TAuB2xikeMNaXHLJ3atfkobsbz0cBl-Jy2kX7Gv58jOYPywAgMJ5eC1Qh2GyTqb_GW-5syxoNcRLv18hmhWkJz50JHHqmU/s640/ben+in+canal+at+end+of+day+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben searching for our camp on the first day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC8FHVHoYN673i5Ci7NWgzwmlfXTS3pCjcFW1jljNndKbc34x5-37P0x66W4llImVvOuXU1UhWcJtBDaiisc5FmRRKwF22wkbAqpiWN5NkH8teAo_Ywb3ZxcLInBEIvxn9B-HAWXjU_4/s1600/Camp+first+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC8FHVHoYN673i5Ci7NWgzwmlfXTS3pCjcFW1jljNndKbc34x5-37P0x66W4llImVvOuXU1UhWcJtBDaiisc5FmRRKwF22wkbAqpiWN5NkH8teAo_Ywb3ZxcLInBEIvxn9B-HAWXjU_4/s640/Camp+first+night.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We discussed moving but felt like no one would be out that night</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY049A8Zlljudl3EYuZpzhbeuAZxtVawHYRY6XaIJG1zJz6eB78LdB6cmfURGJTcQnnlakBIq-OMaoGVGWyhm1cSznbp9KLidveDmTF-UpB1HvDA2yPuY_FKJuDJrUHOxSUZq-dMpbkhE/s1600/camp+on+a+air+boat+crossing+at+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY049A8Zlljudl3EYuZpzhbeuAZxtVawHYRY6XaIJG1zJz6eB78LdB6cmfURGJTcQnnlakBIq-OMaoGVGWyhm1cSznbp9KLidveDmTF-UpB1HvDA2yPuY_FKJuDJrUHOxSUZq-dMpbkhE/s640/camp+on+a+air+boat+crossing+at+night.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leave the lights on.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We unzipped our frost covered tents in anticipation of our
second day off the grid.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The night had
been a cold one but the morning sun was warming our skin and lifting our spirits.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We quickly loaded the kayaks and set off for
a shelter in Little Sawgrass Lake, 16 miles away.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We knew there would be little to no dry
ground to make camp, so making the shelter was priority number one.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Fishing was a close second, especially with
lakes named “Hell-n-Blazes” in our path.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>However, those north winds would again demand our attention.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The St Johns historically flows to the North,
but it appeared to be flowing South today. We decided to push hard and make it
to the shelter.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold start to day number 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just getting started on Jan 5th and portage number 3 is in sight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHxO_kEumqQ9TG15vpZv-3diR6BSMSuldKPzJrW6_Jx7royQPqEvEp9dCtFKlJ2dcxfdK-2166gCdVpBIyWi7WffvLFIHVhoIwJNkiIVSCc0jRdKWugFhaCNou9JwKHAxpJEd2MLXNBo/s1600/Shelter+night2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHxO_kEumqQ9TG15vpZv-3diR6BSMSuldKPzJrW6_Jx7royQPqEvEp9dCtFKlJ2dcxfdK-2166gCdVpBIyWi7WffvLFIHVhoIwJNkiIVSCc0jRdKWugFhaCNou9JwKHAxpJEd2MLXNBo/s640/Shelter+night2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelter in Little Sawgrass Lake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was just as we expected, no dry ground anywhere in sight.
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It would again be a subfreezing night with
no possibility of a fire.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There wasn’t
any place to make one and we would never find dry wood anyway.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We set up tents and fished out the day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The sunset was exceptional.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It recharged our cold drained bodies and left
us feeling rejuvenated.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was an odd
feeling to have at the end of a long journey.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>But it had clearly impacted the group.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Everyone was positive and thankful to be in such a special place.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We had the view, the St Johns River and this
day to ourselves.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Only the three souls in
that shelter shared the experience.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It
was our gift from the swamp.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcyMV8wxWtJiUAD9Ys10Zn0-gkr7xich4aB98wfvYMi_MyUKG0BVSUMLX3fM9BpksQWLzUWfQtIrdTdXJ9XMJziVZKL9pIw3kgefUyDAB2qnnfX7TtcQ5iSm4OEdILIijum3tdg0ieXk/s1600/Bart+great+fishing+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcyMV8wxWtJiUAD9Ys10Zn0-gkr7xich4aB98wfvYMi_MyUKG0BVSUMLX3fM9BpksQWLzUWfQtIrdTdXJ9XMJziVZKL9pIw3kgefUyDAB2qnnfX7TtcQ5iSm4OEdILIijum3tdg0ieXk/s640/Bart+great+fishing+sunset.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bart calling it a day. The fishing has been a struggle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZAQEdWjZa-G03kuE6VXrLN7I11SvavIw_ycngsyiT3e0fQrP9hkLipMOY09xYsevdRfh1LrZYVTcJqXpqh1KuDxm5wApzrnSSsH6n707XwKhhzelTyfJ6HkFaEpLrrKWc-33AOsQDgM/s1600/gator+in+water+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZAQEdWjZa-G03kuE6VXrLN7I11SvavIw_ycngsyiT3e0fQrP9hkLipMOY09xYsevdRfh1LrZYVTcJqXpqh1KuDxm5wApzrnSSsH6n707XwKhhzelTyfJ6HkFaEpLrrKWc-33AOsQDgM/s640/gator+in+water+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The alligators were very timid and dove into the water as soon as they saw us</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The next day we broke camp early and made our way to Camp
Holly. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>While picking up some supplies, one
of the airboat drivers calmly said, “Lake Washington was going to be soupy.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He said it in the most casual tone. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One you’d use to remind a friend of a certain
speed trap.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I didn’t grasp the full
meaning of that comment until I was looking across the lake an hour later.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That was a defining moment for the group and
me particularly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_EiEaFQjUtfHbyrjMnIR8Ax31KMST4_UEGr0KgeHMMomaXcJV0DWYbhF6oX2UxpKp_Xi2Hq1uL6dasjQ6_QRBKiVbCMkgHIalvPc5oCeEQptANwmDjdSXeQdioDz-XhEPvGqD6X9w1U/s1600/DSC_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_EiEaFQjUtfHbyrjMnIR8Ax31KMST4_UEGr0KgeHMMomaXcJV0DWYbhF6oX2UxpKp_Xi2Hq1uL6dasjQ6_QRBKiVbCMkgHIalvPc5oCeEQptANwmDjdSXeQdioDz-XhEPvGqD6X9w1U/s640/DSC_0059.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp Holly - 3 day supply drop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47KTJt3ap8Vs9B69WMM_tXR_rtQlZa-KjWj3zkWRiHtpdXQtsaYexov-QWXrPrxviEBtLJ4VYXXTgHCRMv_eCT3OOHx7fXXlja-vQvrNimwZ8S9TysKJSTQN5JcKmROcdLa2WdWDuOPs/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47KTJt3ap8Vs9B69WMM_tXR_rtQlZa-KjWj3zkWRiHtpdXQtsaYexov-QWXrPrxviEBtLJ4VYXXTgHCRMv_eCT3OOHx7fXXlja-vQvrNimwZ8S9TysKJSTQN5JcKmROcdLa2WdWDuOPs/s640/DSC_0063.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bart loading his kayak with supplies at Camp Holly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvy4wKGnDa2euw6S_8BFL57HVIXkWrwhBamLk3YeETC3pQKDR-in05fAnSHlp0i48tsxJhQSnnoJ8_RHtZO4GqUqffOCC9TrIwnLZLEsQj-21WoCKpIpNByRC8jOG4XBLWp9jdJEQd5Y/s1600/DSC_0211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1600" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvy4wKGnDa2euw6S_8BFL57HVIXkWrwhBamLk3YeETC3pQKDR-in05fAnSHlp0i48tsxJhQSnnoJ8_RHtZO4GqUqffOCC9TrIwnLZLEsQj-21WoCKpIpNByRC8jOG4XBLWp9jdJEQd5Y/s640/DSC_0211.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild turkey from the UPPER SJR.</td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span>I had envisioned
covering water in the river and fishing the lakes slowly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now I knew the lakes were going to be very
challenging.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Lake Washington beat us
down, then booted us out of its establishment.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>It was so bad we coined the phrase "#lakewashingtoneffect" for every bad lake
crossing during the trip and we had several.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Later that night, I looked at the map and noted the remaining lakes and
how wide the river would get as we moved north.<span style="margin: 0px;"> The trip </span>was quickly becoming an expedition. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen11fgH4wDbXFklnKXSrlri_DgUtk4XbYZ2fM0u2IpR0hjPLyqWUbfdr0nrOKwYF2xn6TbYS0W6LE4-PKJAnL26kKCqPYx53RkV9rDmgbEjER6SHXXQgAxRJXyiIe3m6ZolTfU1ojtvs/s1600/portage+after+camp+holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphen11fgH4wDbXFklnKXSrlri_DgUtk4XbYZ2fM0u2IpR0hjPLyqWUbfdr0nrOKwYF2xn6TbYS0W6LE4-PKJAnL26kKCqPYx53RkV9rDmgbEjER6SHXXQgAxRJXyiIe3m6ZolTfU1ojtvs/s640/portage+after+camp+holly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bXkEzKxa98GwepCh22HzBlOjzqv3Fl7DyduWNxOlCljl0pFzobAoWNIPGJgYCmmCpc08Vv9k0OkJKRHUJV4wR3l7NvaDNPtYSHxKFbnBvFXe6P4X0LcUU85J9wE_BbkCBM-8VAOpOYY/s1600/air+boat+crossing+after+camp+holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bXkEzKxa98GwepCh22HzBlOjzqv3Fl7DyduWNxOlCljl0pFzobAoWNIPGJgYCmmCpc08Vv9k0OkJKRHUJV4wR3l7NvaDNPtYSHxKFbnBvFXe6P4X0LcUU85J9wE_BbkCBM-8VAOpOYY/s640/air+boat+crossing+after+camp+holly.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portage number 4 after #lakewashingtoneffect</td></tr>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was a look of exhaustion and disbelief I saw on Bart’s
face. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It had been a hard push across
Lake Washington and no one was expecting another portage.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>None the less, the river was impassible.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Thankfully, the airboat ramp on the far side
was slick and had no slope.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Sometimes it’s
the small things that lift you up when you just want to lay on the ground and take
a nap. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Unable to meet the mileage, we searched
for a camping spot along the river.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Delayed again, that’s how night number three ended.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27wpNlx4wB9h20F2VW4HEJ2w8dT_q7ythIoPDFH3KwxRGi0_bIlt00pPFNhZ7AooC2_H0-KYXzm1pUSs54zL0rwDR3zGTu6HrA3kh9jck2paIglEa5D20_p04ad7HNtNjZ0DCgm-U4qU/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27wpNlx4wB9h20F2VW4HEJ2w8dT_q7ythIoPDFH3KwxRGi0_bIlt00pPFNhZ7AooC2_H0-KYXzm1pUSs54zL0rwDR3zGTu6HrA3kh9jck2paIglEa5D20_p04ad7HNtNjZ0DCgm-U4qU/s640/DSC_0095.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Night 3 camp</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;">Part 2 here:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: calibri;"><a href="https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-2.html" target="_blank">https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2018/02/st-johns-river-story-part-2.html</a></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-81843088548599076722017-11-18T08:29:00.001-06:002017-11-18T08:30:51.240-06:00Video from Southeast Louisiana redfish tripAfter 20 hrs of waiting for the it to load to YouTube (seriously), the video is done. It covers my three days chasing redfish in the marsh with Kevin and Scott. The trip was one of the best I have taken, lots of fish and great company. Can't wait to get back down there and collaborate with Scott from Bayou Chronicles soon. Here's his latest blog post, check it and you'll understand why!<br />
<a href="https://www.bayouchronicles.com/bayou-chronicles/2017/11/17/hanging-with-the-jk-media-team-in-point-aux-chenes" target="_blank">https://www.bayouchronicles.com/bayou-chronicles/2017/11/17/hanging-with-the-jk-media-team-in-point-aux-chenes.</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the vid. Be sure to open it in YouTube and watch in 1080/60 for best viewing. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_lxqZKrcwPk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_lxqZKrcwPk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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And if you haven't read the blog post, you can check it out here:<br />
<a href="https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2017/11/going-with-flow-fly-fishing-in.html" target="_blank">https://looknfishy.blogspot.com/2017/11/going-with-flow-fly-fishing-in.html</a>looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-12842998933675868132017-11-09T12:01:00.004-06:002017-11-09T18:36:24.665-06:00Going with the Flow - Fly Fishing in Southeast Louisiana<br />
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L<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">ast weekend was a
perfect example of why I don’t make formal plans in November or December.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>My wife and her best friend planned to
take the kids to the University of Arkansas Homecoming game.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I had her blessing to go do guy stuff like hiking,
camping, wrestling alligators or whatever normal guys do when they have a
weekend free.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Me, I can only think if
one place I want to be in November.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklmG5Nx7NEbjJO6XgE1VTeCIMlPlEThDVTId7v1RBMGU49mK0eWMAnhK5I78NK_L2zvAXmIV3YpY5BvL3hQh2_2ywAUVzzYEUOOWAhP2dFCt5BjsAqWtLDXkwa-H23LmKgQ0ZSDalpGRn/s1600/when+it+won%2527t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklmG5Nx7NEbjJO6XgE1VTeCIMlPlEThDVTId7v1RBMGU49mK0eWMAnhK5I78NK_L2zvAXmIV3YpY5BvL3hQh2_2ywAUVzzYEUOOWAhP2dFCt5BjsAqWtLDXkwa-H23LmKgQ0ZSDalpGRn/s640/when+it+won%2527t.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Scott Myers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAqGyIRNL-rbAs8JJ4HST1T1yI5ejEnvLSPu9WufhCbNJOKRxoi3yyv2wUjyWN5rJDpilTBfvj4tb35qq2nhkmHdyldWURsMoIFqcwigh94NyFa0_LVq45aKp7Olkcqzh2c6hH8oInyF1/s1600/23155045_2041503749411483_562756017652812429_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAqGyIRNL-rbAs8JJ4HST1T1yI5ejEnvLSPu9WufhCbNJOKRxoi3yyv2wUjyWN5rJDpilTBfvj4tb35qq2nhkmHdyldWURsMoIFqcwigh94NyFa0_LVq45aKp7Olkcqzh2c6hH8oInyF1/s640/23155045_2041503749411483_562756017652812429_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FB post that Kevin saw.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">As the weekend got
closer, I continued to check the weather forecast.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That’s the one real deal breaker for me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The week before, I was actually driving to
Grand Isle, LA when I noticed the weather forecast changed from awesome to not
happening.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I turned around and went home.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But as of Thursday afternoon, everything was
looking almost perfect.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Seriously,
conditions like the ones I saw over the next 4 days don’t happen often and when
they do I’m the guy who will do anything to get free.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlmspaS8oxJQw_nII1CFxzZRDHi0i-A_Irgdi10IM6LDVWOxuf9Ir9F3J23Dxyjp6t9hjAaUZc9rhmGBgThyKxKnE-Nv0jvROVSsVfZK4JnevWAMyQJ4lQxmO5ty9UC6qM1g81tE4Zf0X/s1600/kevin+in+kayak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlmspaS8oxJQw_nII1CFxzZRDHi0i-A_Irgdi10IM6LDVWOxuf9Ir9F3J23Dxyjp6t9hjAaUZc9rhmGBgThyKxKnE-Nv0jvROVSsVfZK4JnevWAMyQJ4lQxmO5ty9UC6qM1g81tE4Zf0X/s640/kevin+in+kayak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin stalking the marsh looking for redfish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZIy_Kn-_pdKvFbDEckOM8uBnEuwUVBO4Y_1UMz2ydgfLGrKXWyyiHliYePRJfqJjZLc7xqk7nEM9zW7JMmf1ddNRAc3uKIczAKSJguulglEjMROSUaVNiwqcI087vjn_6ovOF65fmTXS/s1600/DSC_0032.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZIy_Kn-_pdKvFbDEckOM8uBnEuwUVBO4Y_1UMz2ydgfLGrKXWyyiHliYePRJfqJjZLc7xqk7nEM9zW7JMmf1ddNRAc3uKIczAKSJguulglEjMROSUaVNiwqcI087vjn_6ovOF65fmTXS/s640/DSC_0032.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catch and Release</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">When you’re the guy
who doesn’t plan anything, it’s hard to find other people that can tag
along.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not surprisingly, I had the next
three days to fish but they would all be solo, which isn’t a big deal to
me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>While setting in camp preparing my
gear Friday evening, a buddy saw a post I made on Facebook and reached out to me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The good thing about being the guy who never
has a plan is I’m flexible.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We exchanged
texts and after an hour, it was decided we would meet in the morning around 7am
and Kevin would take me to his super-secret, no cameras allowed, it’s gonna be
really messy combat launch to chase redfish. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNag_zmF9rmgaNLprk8lJ8t6qH4IuAFqAZxeDK3B_7p3KRQ5jjHjEUpnp-TDeXpAododDt-zifbCQewfcrGnQJtnvNU1laqgfrsgAPTgyKx-zPnsRfmOsQLO-84w2Q967Tn3VHX_OZDK6/s1600/23316812_2044536839108174_7818700920065486253_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="636" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNag_zmF9rmgaNLprk8lJ8t6qH4IuAFqAZxeDK3B_7p3KRQ5jjHjEUpnp-TDeXpAododDt-zifbCQewfcrGnQJtnvNU1laqgfrsgAPTgyKx-zPnsRfmOsQLO-84w2Q967Tn3VHX_OZDK6/s640/23316812_2044536839108174_7818700920065486253_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw this guy crawling through the mud...check out the low tide</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">The morning started as
expected, covered in mud and nearly dehydrated from combat launching two kayaks
into the neighboring marsh.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But that’s
the great thing about kayak fishing, if you’re open to a little work, access is
open to interpretation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was a little too
early for sight fishing so my fly of choice was a gurgler that I blind casted
to fishy look'n spots.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The tide was
falling slowly all day and it didn’t take long to find willing redfish.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>However, they were only enthusiastic about
the chase and only a few actually ate the fly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> W</span>atching a red trailing your top water bug is exciting
but the frustration of rejection is excruciating. It's like expecting to have a Coosa FD in June but not getting it until October.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It wasn’t long before the sun was high enough
to sight fish those heart breakers. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It’s amazing how fast time can go when you’re
catching fish and how slow it passes when you’re not. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Five hours had passed without a thought. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Kevin found me in the back of a pond and let
me know he was heading out.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I thought about
hanging around for another hour but I didn’t want to deal with that launch
solo.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqtswHlR-uUbXmj9t_Ti8zeSW7iAlK9iBckF4q4Og4ROB0h5eqCANwWtq5kDZ5po2Cxg_8DELuFap0pLWdoa3D1HcdbJJb4yde-9Oh8HpoLDaO0ehOiaaTCzdG8CSU_LMXUdWUSXCxE5n/s1600/Kayak+moon+light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqtswHlR-uUbXmj9t_Ti8zeSW7iAlK9iBckF4q4Og4ROB0h5eqCANwWtq5kDZ5po2Cxg_8DELuFap0pLWdoa3D1HcdbJJb4yde-9Oh8HpoLDaO0ehOiaaTCzdG8CSU_LMXUdWUSXCxE5n/s640/Kayak+moon+light.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon didn't hurt the fishing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mZNKrbrdZm1yu0w-lUXEDRBVu5EjKGOWDPNlAUi_CH1LpuOlYVig2Ihp1alNWaaTO4We9lIkuvSyDWy8V7KwGPRKPOpvEvyf1U8Y3E9omQZh4ol_xwOpNKV1p_i_u3FGWmjixKJEBMGY/s1600/DSCF9392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mZNKrbrdZm1yu0w-lUXEDRBVu5EjKGOWDPNlAUi_CH1LpuOlYVig2Ihp1alNWaaTO4We9lIkuvSyDWy8V7KwGPRKPOpvEvyf1U8Y3E9omQZh4ol_xwOpNKV1p_i_u3FGWmjixKJEBMGY/s640/DSCF9392.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Scott Myers</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Much like the night
before I was hanging around camp when I got a text from another buddy in New
Orleans interested in driving down and doing some fishing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Again, no plan was the plan. We agreed to get
in touch the next afternoon and work out the details.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I hung around the area on Sunday and the fishing
was pretty great.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Time had again slipped
past my recognition.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It wasn’t until my
phone started buzzing that I remembered I told Scott we would work out the
details that afternoon and it was now “that afternoon.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southeast Louisiana sunrise - no filter needed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBSve7ElVgd-HdfzUAA8N6zrgJ4zRc349cQRZupkYs8IELm2PIEt8zMaf6srf3geF8nNMufPat0tLK8NNtfs7KWyp1JCfaRvFFHRxn8C4k16TA8_MSD5Pk_buvhAPgs_3HP4_XegWXOVr/s1600/truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBSve7ElVgd-HdfzUAA8N6zrgJ4zRc349cQRZupkYs8IELm2PIEt8zMaf6srf3geF8nNMufPat0tLK8NNtfs7KWyp1JCfaRvFFHRxn8C4k16TA8_MSD5Pk_buvhAPgs_3HP4_XegWXOVr/s640/truck.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back window makes for a convenient place to carry fully rigged fly rods</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">When I checked the
dozen missed text messages, I realized the plan for tomorrow was in serious jeopardy.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Scotts motorized kayak hauler decided it
needed some special attention.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He was headed to
Grand Isle when the check engine light came on and noticed a burning smell
coming from the engine.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The last message
read was actually a picture and something about repairs costing $1,000.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At that point, I figured the trip wasn’t happening
for him.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I put my phone away and went
back to fishing.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-Lm26HV4-b_Q-Dh_uD9F6YkSpIYmdX0rCfcPGr2uwHQXcWoVndZnTdKZCcDrdRBZCWOtOpGoO6zWAvRUMKfxQl0WQGL_fc9ryANmUBwOPoLRwdV5sq_QpH6WKcHRvZTbEcESzlTOddrC/s1600/23172594_10156800896729202_3307686174318601671_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="693" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-Lm26HV4-b_Q-Dh_uD9F6YkSpIYmdX0rCfcPGr2uwHQXcWoVndZnTdKZCcDrdRBZCWOtOpGoO6zWAvRUMKfxQl0WQGL_fc9ryANmUBwOPoLRwdV5sq_QpH6WKcHRvZTbEcESzlTOddrC/s640/23172594_10156800896729202_3307686174318601671_n.jpg" width="608" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Scott Myers - car getting some TLC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkWrPekmvS53XwiRm5onwYfOy4khMpbzIpGP0UexskdCVD4MjhDcSgaXe-vq8lnZSdSTLO9OFJDY5VxD0o869wOWRFDU5drDMpPMxRxkPzTqbgqmh3OTdk9xYbD203a2VEnUO4oW9TV-5/s1600/DSC_0185.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkWrPekmvS53XwiRm5onwYfOy4khMpbzIpGP0UexskdCVD4MjhDcSgaXe-vq8lnZSdSTLO9OFJDY5VxD0o869wOWRFDU5drDMpPMxRxkPzTqbgqmh3OTdk9xYbD203a2VEnUO4oW9TV-5/s640/DSC_0185.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott made it to the marsh</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">An hour later, the
phone starts acting crazy again.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When it
starts going off like that it’s usually an emergency.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Turns out, it’s Scott and he’s got great
news.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No one’s dead and he’s still
coming down.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Less one AC belt that helps
his kayak hauler turn hot air into cold air, but who needs AC in Southeast
Louisiana?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let’s fish man!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRKqlwvDOU9B9vkMixKlocTScoyrGEjZRZG2VKJ0PWOC4jXtq5bxJoy7lY7e8HBGbGzj3DGSYse3d4HE2L7rqfsf5F3_1KypsPMwgKX5skuVki-K-zClgapOAIdEaAg3jI9gBuYD6xN_D/s1600/DSCF9384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRKqlwvDOU9B9vkMixKlocTScoyrGEjZRZG2VKJ0PWOC4jXtq5bxJoy7lY7e8HBGbGzj3DGSYse3d4HE2L7rqfsf5F3_1KypsPMwgKX5skuVki-K-zClgapOAIdEaAg3jI9gBuYD6xN_D/s640/DSCF9384.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: Scott Myers</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">The next day was
easily one of the best ever.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The conditions
were excellent and we lost count of the total number of slot redfish we sight fished.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>At one point, I was creeping down an island
talking to Scott when I saw a big red swimming at me.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The fly actually landed a little long and
snagged on some grass.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I was sure it was
going to spook when I pulled it free. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
fish was already too close for a second shot so I left it. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I could hear Scott’s voice in the background as
it closed the distance but my mind had refocused. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Time and sound became hazy but the ambush
point was clear.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When the red was in
range I pulled the fly off the grass and gave it a quick strip.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was instantly torpedoed.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It must have been the fish gods rewarding us
for sticking it out.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">I had a great time fishing fellow bloggers Kevin and Scott. You can read more about this trip and others on their blogs. Links to this trip below:</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.bayouchronicles.com/bayou-chronicles/2017/11/8/apvbfu1a77a7zwtdjaubrlxd2fg5n8" target="_blank">Bayou Chronicles - I'm Going Fishing, Dammit!</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://kevinandry.wordpress.com/2017/11/05/fall-fishing-in-southeast-louisiana/" target="_blank">Fall Fishing in Southeast Louisiana</a></span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-70198944863228039672017-10-15T15:26:00.000-05:002017-10-15T15:26:47.583-05:00Streamers in the swampMy local water is one of those places you'll never see many people. Lets not even talk about the chance of seeing another person throwing a fly. I'm sure it happens but the refuge is 65k acres and there's a few cypress trees to block the view. <br />
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But those trees and the isolation are what make it special. So much water to fish. And you never know what you'll catch. It's a maze and obstacle course, that make fly fishing from a kayak exciting. Here's a short video that better illustrates what I'm trying to explain. <br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vQw65FuakUM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vQw65FuakUM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5538303692462810144.post-4725498309985883182017-10-02T15:56:00.002-05:002017-10-02T15:56:29.805-05:00Kayak Bass Fishing<br />
It's been a awhile since I chased bass with conventional tackle. My recent knee surgery has made standing and fly fishing for extended periods of time out of the question. But I can sit and fish all day. Last week, the knee felt stronger so I was able to stand up and fish for a few hours. One day was frustrating but the other was fantastic. Here's a short video that sums up the two days. On a side not; I'm enjoying the conventional side again.<br />
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<br />looknfishyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02007478861031562900noreply@blogger.com2