Wednesday, February 25, 2015

...I just have to out run you!

Here is SE Arkansas we're experiencing a rare phenomenon.  White stuff is falling from the sky. We don't get snow in the Delta very often.  As such, the roads are deemed unsafe for travel and the local schools have been out since Monday afternoon.  Today I decided to read to the girls for a little while.  I gave up reading nursery rhymes and children's books a few years ago to focus on serious educational material.  After a few minutes, I found exactly what I was look'n for, a book about fly fishing tailwaters.  This won't be a book review, so hang in there a second longer.  Starting in chapter 1 - The West...blah, blah, blah...they made it through one tailwater before getting bored.  Me, I guess I got distracted also b/c I found myself thinking about the possibility of combining my 2 passions, running marathons and fly fishing.  My attention shifted to finding destination's that offered the opportunity to do both on the same trip.  I decided to keep with in the frame work of the book and began in the West.  Below is a list of marathons close to tailwaters featured in the book, "50 Best Tailwaters to Fly Fish".




Ogden Marathon, May 16th, 2015, Ogden, UT.
Recommended for 1st time marathoners.  Mostly a descending point-to-point course.  A shuttle carries you to the start and you run back to the finish in the downtown area.  Either finish or sleep in the mountains!  This would be a great choice for any runner wanting to complete a race and be close to several featured TW's.
Provo River (UT)
Green River (UT)
Few hours - Henry's Fork of the Snake River (ID) and South Fork of the Snake River (ID)



St. George Marathon, October 3rd, 2015, St. George, UT.
Fast, descending point-to-point course.  Runner's World rated it as one of four "Marathons to build a vacation around".  Very popular and limited to 7800 runners, registration is by lottery.  Runners register in April, and hope they're selected in May for the 2015 race (gotta love the lottery).  *2 hours from Las Vegas!
TW's in the near vicinity:
2.5 hour drive to Lees Ferry, (AZ).
4 hour drive to the upper TW's in Utah.




City of Trees Marathon, October 11th, 2015, Boise, ID.
If you're one of those trying to run a marathon in all 50 states (me), this is probably a good choice. TW's in the area:
1.5 hrs to Owyhee River (OR) - Easy road side access all along the river from what I read.
4-5 hours to Henry's Fork of the Snake River (ID) and South Fork of the Snake River (ID).




Portland Marathon, October 4th, 2015, Portland, OR.
Considered one of the best marathons in the West and top 10 road races in the US.  Also recommended for 1st time marathoners.
Besides the race you'll need to find time to fish this TW.
Deschutes River (OR) - enough said.
Many other rivers/streams near Portland.

I realize this information isn't relevant to most or ANY of my fishing buddies.  But I'll leave you with this thought.  If you're fishing with me and a bear suddenly appears - I don't have to out run the bear...










12 comments:

  1. Sounds like a plan, Drew, for all younger fella's. Us ol' Geezers wouldn't get very far if we had to rely on running somewhere. Sometimes we can walk to our destination, but, driving is where it starts and ends for most of us. That being said, if I were younger, I would think this would be a great plan of action!

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    1. Ha, probably so. But I have been humbled by a few "ol' geeezers" on race day. Maybe this post is better at providing dates/times where there will be large crowds, road closures, traffic jams, and no vacancy's in these area's...so you could avoid these TW's on race weekends.

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  2. Drew
    Hang in there Spring is just around the corner, we had snow here yesterday and last night around 8 inches off our deck now. As for the marathon, mine will occur in the gym on the treadmill. I admire individuals like you for taking to the outdoors and staying healthy. I know your children will reap the benefits of your outdoor activities as well. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Thx Bill. I'm not sure I do it for the health benefits...probably a little more self preservation at this point. We're a family full of women/girls...some getting close to becoming teenagers = the beginning of loitering boys! Last weekend, a boy wanted me to tell my daughter, he said "hi"...I need to go run now!

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  3. It's nice to read something else besides fishing once in a while.

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    1. Thx! I'm hoping to run and fish this weekend. Gonna check on the white's while I'm in LR...so who knows what I'll post next.

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  4. Have fun doing what you love because you can't always do it forever. Hi Yo Silver...away.

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    1. Solid advice Howard. It's my reverse retirement plan.

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  5. Drew methinks your crazy but... How about this, think cross country skying and target shooting like I don't know say the Olympics!
    From the starting line you run trails (like the one already in place along popular trout streams. Come to a pool and you have to assemble a four piece rod make two casts into a floating target in the pool. disassemble the rod before running to the next pool and preforming a similar task. Between pools you could install mud pits and/or climbing obstetrical.
    Just have to come up with a good name for it. What do you think? :)

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    1. Kevin, that sounds awesome. Count me in. And you have to wear waders...we'll get simms, orvis, redington and whoever else to loan us their products to test under extreme stream side conditions. Any wader that was still leak free after completing the course would an instant best seller! How about "A Fly Challenge"?

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  6. I love the approach of combining two passions; however, I will leave the marathon running to you! Hats off to ya but I will take a car, bike, trike, skateboard or other means of transportation and meet you at the finish line! I loved the post and connecting races near quality tail waters! Good Stuff!

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    1. Thx man. Running isn't for everyone...but it helps when you're sitting around the camp fire with your buddies and someone say's there's a hatch coming off over there. Or worse, someone say's there's only 1 beer left in the cooler. RACE ON!!

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