This is a great area to camp, fish, and hike. It is only about 40 miles from Trackrock and lies at an elevation of about 3500 ft. which makes it cooler. We made a reservation this time and stayed on site 12, which is large and private. The other section is mostly open, with visibility to other sites. There are no hookups here, so running a generator is necessary to keep the batteries charged. We caught some fish, and one rainbow Joan caught was about 9 inches, which for here is a good sized fish. We used mostly a size 12 green dry fly with a yellow foam parachute that John ties, but Joan's bigger fish succumbed to a yellow foam nymph that John also ties. One nite our new friends, Sonny and Shirley, brought over a yummy gumbo and shared it with us, which was followed with a nice chat around the fire.
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/StandingIndianNRAAug1217
Michigan (June 24-July 18)
Fox Inn Campground - We left after chapel service at 11AM and arrived here, south of Knoxville about 3:15PM after driving 148 miles. We have a level pull-thru site and the prices are reasonable. This portion on the drive is the trickiest due to the hills and curves. It is quite warm here. The pool looks inviting.
Monday, June 25 - We got off to an early start this AM after breakfast at Shoney's. We arrived at Whispering Hills RV Campground about noon after 165 miles. There is a nice breeze and full sun. They have improved many sites, but the roads are still quite chopped up. Kentucky law requires that we would need to have fishing licenses to fish the lake here even though it is on private property. It would cost us $20 for one day, so we will wait until we are in Indiana.
Tuesday - We are now near St. Paul, Indiana at Thorntree Lake Campground. There are not many here, despite being quite nice. It is about 15 degrees cooler than yesterday, and there is a nice lake we can fish for $5 each. Joan had a large bass break off and John caught a couple small bream when we fished in the afternoon.
Wednesday - It was about 200 miles this morning to get here. Potawotomie is our favorite stop along the way. This place is huge, with many permanent sites, but they are all very well maintained and spacious with nice gardens. There are three connected lakes and a clean beach. The facilities are older, but very clean. We fished a small creek that flows out of the lake and each caught a few large bluegill on small hoppers. A young fellow was using a small plastic worm and caught two very nice bass. It is going to be 102 tomorrow, so we are not sad to be moving further north. It will only be 95 in Evart tomorrow.
Thursday - Our last stretch was about 171 miles. We took SR 66 which was very pretty. We have a site on the river, which is heavily used by tubers. We don't know yet how the fishing will be here. The river is quite shallow with the lack of rain here. It is also very warm, so fishing will probably be very early or late in the day.
Friday - We went over to John's boys house and visited with the soon to be bride and groom (Brett & Nellie), Brian, and the other friends and relatives. We came back to the campground and Margaret, Jeff, Jake & Josh came over to visit before the rehearsal and dinner. They all got their feet wet at the kayak launch and the boys enjoyed finding crayfish with a new friend they made there. After they left, John had noticed a bass earlier come over to an area where there were minnows, and snatch one. So he took his fly rod which was still rigged with a black wooly bugger and worked the area. The bass came from behind a rock and missed, but a second cast hooked him. The two pound smallmouth put up a great fight, but eventually let himself be landed. We were under a tight schedule, so filleting was not an option. In the evening we enjoyed the pastor take Brett & Nellie through their vows, then had an excellent dinner provided by church friends.
Saturday - It was a very nice wedding. Everyone looked so nice all dressed up. The ceremony went without a hitch, and the reception dinner was excellent. May God richly bless Brett and Nellie Willis. Seeing them so happy was a great birthday present for John.
Sunday - We drove over to the McDonalds in Reed City and said goodbye to the grand-kids. Jacob has a playoff baseball game and 4PM and Joshua starts all-star games on Monday. Kathy, trevor, Allison, and Brian came over and visited. We sat and watched the river and were greeted by a bald eagle that perched in a tree across the river. We also swam/waded in the river to stay cool. We really enjoyed their visit.
Monday - Laundry morning, then relax. After dinner, we put our swim suites and waded the river armed with 6 wt. fly rods and wooly buggers. Joan started things off with a nice small mouth bass. It looked to be keeper sized, but we had no way to measure it. John put it along his fly rod and sized it to the label for later measurement. John followed with a spotted bass of identical length and a smaller small mouth. Later measurement with a ruler showed they were both keepers at 14.25 in. A fun evening anyway with folks in campsites on the shore cheering us on.
Tuesday - T. Storms in the night and showers in the morning. No road dust now. We went on an explore and found a couple places to launch kayaks. We tried to find places to wade Middle Branch River, which has excellent trout water, but places were infested with deer flies. We will stick to the Muskegon for now. We stopped at the Iron Skillet for lunch and both of us had Gyros. They were quite good.
Wednesday, July 4 - God Bless America. Happy Birthday.
Thursday - Stayed close to A/C. Hot!
Friday - Ditto!
Saturday - Cooler this morning. We can actually sit out and enjoy the river without sweating.
Sunday - We started out early this morning to beat the rush to dump our waste and drove the 90 miles to Grayling. The East Branch of the AuSable is very small and not very fishable here in the campground, so we drove to the main river and checked out some spots to try in the morning. On the way back, we stopped in town at Bear's Den and had pizza. The campground has a lot less activity than the one we came from, and so far we like it and the area around here much better.
Monday - We decided to put in at Keystone on the AuSable stretch known as the "Holy Water". This area is flies only and catch & release. There were two others here, and the went upstream, so we headed down. We walked down about 1/4 mile and headed back. There was no noticeable hatch going on, so we used attracted patterns. John caught a creek chub, then Joan caught a small rainbow. The river here is beautiful, and fishing awesome, but catching was not happening. On the way back we stopped at another area and there was a TU group conducting a kids fish camp. Next, we stopped at Gates AuSable Lodge Fly Shop, which is an Orvis Shop and got some advice. The owner thought we might so better on the South Branch. He gave us directions and suggested a few flies, which we bought. That we figure is a reasonable cost for information. We really like this area better than where we were last week, plus the weather so far is much cooler.
Tuesday - We followed the directions we got yesterday and began fishing on the South Branch of the AuSable on the Mason Tract by Chase Bridge. Joan was using a #18 Blue Wing Olive and John a Griffin's Gnat of the same size. We both did about the same, each with three to hand and each having one larger fish. Joan's was a rainbow while John's was a brookie. This area is also fly fish only and catch and release. We also did some more exploring and checked out an area where we are planning on going in the morning.
Wednesday - We first tried the South Branch near the 72 bridge, but after 30 minutes, gave that up. We went back to Chase Bridge on S. Branch and hiked a mile on a foot path and fished our way back. We saw many fish but only managed a couple of small ones. The water is now above 70 deg., and stressful for trout, so we have decided to try some lakes in the area for bass/bream.
Thursday - We needed an explore day and a break from wading. We checked out a couple of local lakes. Lake Wakeley is a 20 acre walk in lake on National Forest land that has primitive camping and catch-and-release fishing for bass, bluegill, and pike. It is a beautiful setting and provides loon sarenades. We also checked out Kneff Lake, which also has primitive camping and a beautiful beach. Unlike Wakeley, there is no kayak access.
Friday - We caught a few trout back at Chase Bridge, by walking downstream about 100 yards and working back. In the evening, we had plans to wheel the kayaks into Wakeley Lake, but at 7pm it was still too hot, so we wet waded by Gates Lodge, but nothing was rising.
Saturday - We met Rachael Moffet's parents Ernie and Par, who live near Gaylord, for breakfast and had a great time visiting. We also needed to restock supplies for the trip back, so we stopped at Walmart. On the way back to the campground, it poured, and it also stormed in the afternoon. The rain is very welcome here, as it has been extremely dry.
Sunday, July 15 - We are on our way back down to Trackrock and have pulled in for the night at Potawotomie. It has not rained here and is much warmer than yesterday, but there is a nice breeze. We drove about 225 miles today, with mostly light traffic.
Monday - We skipped a stop and drove 317 miles to Whispering Hills campground just north of Lexington, Ky. It is hot here, but there are warnings out for tomorrow in this area. We will be hitting the pool after dinner this evening.
Tuesday - Back at Fox Inn Campground after driving 184 miles. We've got some storms rolling thru. We have decided that tomorrow we will take the longer, but easier route.
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/MichiganJune24July18
Monday, June 25 - We got off to an early start this AM after breakfast at Shoney's. We arrived at Whispering Hills RV Campground about noon after 165 miles. There is a nice breeze and full sun. They have improved many sites, but the roads are still quite chopped up. Kentucky law requires that we would need to have fishing licenses to fish the lake here even though it is on private property. It would cost us $20 for one day, so we will wait until we are in Indiana.
Tuesday - We are now near St. Paul, Indiana at Thorntree Lake Campground. There are not many here, despite being quite nice. It is about 15 degrees cooler than yesterday, and there is a nice lake we can fish for $5 each. Joan had a large bass break off and John caught a couple small bream when we fished in the afternoon.
Wednesday - It was about 200 miles this morning to get here. Potawotomie is our favorite stop along the way. This place is huge, with many permanent sites, but they are all very well maintained and spacious with nice gardens. There are three connected lakes and a clean beach. The facilities are older, but very clean. We fished a small creek that flows out of the lake and each caught a few large bluegill on small hoppers. A young fellow was using a small plastic worm and caught two very nice bass. It is going to be 102 tomorrow, so we are not sad to be moving further north. It will only be 95 in Evart tomorrow.
Thursday - Our last stretch was about 171 miles. We took SR 66 which was very pretty. We have a site on the river, which is heavily used by tubers. We don't know yet how the fishing will be here. The river is quite shallow with the lack of rain here. It is also very warm, so fishing will probably be very early or late in the day.
Friday - We went over to John's boys house and visited with the soon to be bride and groom (Brett & Nellie), Brian, and the other friends and relatives. We came back to the campground and Margaret, Jeff, Jake & Josh came over to visit before the rehearsal and dinner. They all got their feet wet at the kayak launch and the boys enjoyed finding crayfish with a new friend they made there. After they left, John had noticed a bass earlier come over to an area where there were minnows, and snatch one. So he took his fly rod which was still rigged with a black wooly bugger and worked the area. The bass came from behind a rock and missed, but a second cast hooked him. The two pound smallmouth put up a great fight, but eventually let himself be landed. We were under a tight schedule, so filleting was not an option. In the evening we enjoyed the pastor take Brett & Nellie through their vows, then had an excellent dinner provided by church friends.
Saturday - It was a very nice wedding. Everyone looked so nice all dressed up. The ceremony went without a hitch, and the reception dinner was excellent. May God richly bless Brett and Nellie Willis. Seeing them so happy was a great birthday present for John.
Sunday - We drove over to the McDonalds in Reed City and said goodbye to the grand-kids. Jacob has a playoff baseball game and 4PM and Joshua starts all-star games on Monday. Kathy, trevor, Allison, and Brian came over and visited. We sat and watched the river and were greeted by a bald eagle that perched in a tree across the river. We also swam/waded in the river to stay cool. We really enjoyed their visit.
Monday - Laundry morning, then relax. After dinner, we put our swim suites and waded the river armed with 6 wt. fly rods and wooly buggers. Joan started things off with a nice small mouth bass. It looked to be keeper sized, but we had no way to measure it. John put it along his fly rod and sized it to the label for later measurement. John followed with a spotted bass of identical length and a smaller small mouth. Later measurement with a ruler showed they were both keepers at 14.25 in. A fun evening anyway with folks in campsites on the shore cheering us on.
Tuesday - T. Storms in the night and showers in the morning. No road dust now. We went on an explore and found a couple places to launch kayaks. We tried to find places to wade Middle Branch River, which has excellent trout water, but places were infested with deer flies. We will stick to the Muskegon for now. We stopped at the Iron Skillet for lunch and both of us had Gyros. They were quite good.
Wednesday, July 4 - God Bless America. Happy Birthday.
Thursday - Stayed close to A/C. Hot!
Friday - Ditto!
Saturday - Cooler this morning. We can actually sit out and enjoy the river without sweating.
Sunday - We started out early this morning to beat the rush to dump our waste and drove the 90 miles to Grayling. The East Branch of the AuSable is very small and not very fishable here in the campground, so we drove to the main river and checked out some spots to try in the morning. On the way back, we stopped in town at Bear's Den and had pizza. The campground has a lot less activity than the one we came from, and so far we like it and the area around here much better.
Monday - We decided to put in at Keystone on the AuSable stretch known as the "Holy Water". This area is flies only and catch & release. There were two others here, and the went upstream, so we headed down. We walked down about 1/4 mile and headed back. There was no noticeable hatch going on, so we used attracted patterns. John caught a creek chub, then Joan caught a small rainbow. The river here is beautiful, and fishing awesome, but catching was not happening. On the way back we stopped at another area and there was a TU group conducting a kids fish camp. Next, we stopped at Gates AuSable Lodge Fly Shop, which is an Orvis Shop and got some advice. The owner thought we might so better on the South Branch. He gave us directions and suggested a few flies, which we bought. That we figure is a reasonable cost for information. We really like this area better than where we were last week, plus the weather so far is much cooler.
Tuesday - We followed the directions we got yesterday and began fishing on the South Branch of the AuSable on the Mason Tract by Chase Bridge. Joan was using a #18 Blue Wing Olive and John a Griffin's Gnat of the same size. We both did about the same, each with three to hand and each having one larger fish. Joan's was a rainbow while John's was a brookie. This area is also fly fish only and catch and release. We also did some more exploring and checked out an area where we are planning on going in the morning.
Wednesday - We first tried the South Branch near the 72 bridge, but after 30 minutes, gave that up. We went back to Chase Bridge on S. Branch and hiked a mile on a foot path and fished our way back. We saw many fish but only managed a couple of small ones. The water is now above 70 deg., and stressful for trout, so we have decided to try some lakes in the area for bass/bream.
Thursday - We needed an explore day and a break from wading. We checked out a couple of local lakes. Lake Wakeley is a 20 acre walk in lake on National Forest land that has primitive camping and catch-and-release fishing for bass, bluegill, and pike. It is a beautiful setting and provides loon sarenades. We also checked out Kneff Lake, which also has primitive camping and a beautiful beach. Unlike Wakeley, there is no kayak access.
Friday - We caught a few trout back at Chase Bridge, by walking downstream about 100 yards and working back. In the evening, we had plans to wheel the kayaks into Wakeley Lake, but at 7pm it was still too hot, so we wet waded by Gates Lodge, but nothing was rising.
Saturday - We met Rachael Moffet's parents Ernie and Par, who live near Gaylord, for breakfast and had a great time visiting. We also needed to restock supplies for the trip back, so we stopped at Walmart. On the way back to the campground, it poured, and it also stormed in the afternoon. The rain is very welcome here, as it has been extremely dry.
Sunday, July 15 - We are on our way back down to Trackrock and have pulled in for the night at Potawotomie. It has not rained here and is much warmer than yesterday, but there is a nice breeze. We drove about 225 miles today, with mostly light traffic.
Monday - We skipped a stop and drove 317 miles to Whispering Hills campground just north of Lexington, Ky. It is hot here, but there are warnings out for tomorrow in this area. We will be hitting the pool after dinner this evening.
Tuesday - Back at Fox Inn Campground after driving 184 miles. We've got some storms rolling thru. We have decided that tomorrow we will take the longer, but easier route.
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/MichiganJune24July18
Trout Unlimited Creek Restoration (June 15)
Today, four from our TU Chapter joined 31 members from several other chapters on a small brook trout stream in the Cooper Creek WMA to install structures that will provide fish places to hide and reproduce. Workers from the US Forest Service provided equipment and guidance. This is the fifth time we have assisted with this important work. Burgers and dogs for lunch were provided by the Blue Ridge Chapter.
View pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/TroutUnlimitedCreekRestorationJune16
View Videos:
Carrying Tree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Driving Rebar to Anchor Log to Stream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
View pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/TroutUnlimitedCreekRestorationJune16
View Videos:
Carrying Tree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Driving Rebar to Anchor Log to Stream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Smoky Mt. Nat. Pk. (May 13-17)
Sunday - The drive was about 135 miles and beautiful. The roads are very curvy, making it difficult to make good time, so it took us nearly four hours to get here. We met three of our Trout Unlimited friends who had just gotten here and were setting up in a site a stones throw from ours. We walked over to the bridge and were able to spot several trout hiding behind a large boulder. It was getting late, so we opted to wait until tomorrow to fish. Instead, our friends, Clay, Ray (brothers), and John started a fire and invited us to join them. We alternated between sitting around the fire and under the awning as the rain dictated. It rained most of the way here and has been raining off and on all evening and into the night.
Monday - We slept great (man it gets dark here), arose early, ate breakfast, and took a coffee walk. Late morning we headed up Little River above the campground and fished the pools and runs we could get to for a few hours. The river was running fast and did not allow any of us to catch anything. Just as we got back to camp, the sky opened again and poured. We had dinner and went down by the bridge where we had seen fish yesterday. The big rock where they had been hiding was barely visible now. We all had some action, but Joan was the only one to actually produce a fish, a nice rainbow. Afterwards, we enjoyed a fire at our friends.
Tuesday - The rain seems to have mostly let up. We met up with the rest of the group, but decided the five of us would continue to fish together and not split up and go with them. We figured we would head up Jakes Creek which is also above the campground. This area is possibly the most beautiful area we have ever fished. Joan caught three, all rainbows and lost two. John caught one and missed two. A #14 yellow foam caddis was the best producer. We had dinner, checked in with the other group and got fishing reports (most were very good), then took a nice walk around the campground before the evening rain began.
Wednesday - Sunny today and no rain. Thank you Lord. We decided today we (Ray) would drive over past Sugarlands, towards Clingman's Dome on Hwy 441 and fish Walker Camp Prong. We pulled off two places past where the road loops. The three walked upstream and we walked back downstream.The bluffs were high for quite a ways, but we finally found a place to enter. This area proved too difficult for us due to the very large boulders and deep, fast water. We were getting frustrated and concerned, so we decided to climb out and try back a little closer to the truck. We found a spot where we could climb down and get in where the going was much more navigable. We each caught one small rainbow, then just before we were ready to get out, John landed a very nice rainbow. There were many visitors to the park who enjoyed watching us fish and taking our pictures. Maybe we will be famous. In the evening, we sat by a fire with the guys in the group area and shared fish stories.
Thursday - We took a final coffee walk, had breakfast, packed, and said so long to our friends. We had a great time despite less than ideal conditions. This is truly a wonderful place. God has richly blessed us to allow us to be able to spend time here in his awesome creation.
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/SmokyMtNatPkMay1317
Monday - We slept great (man it gets dark here), arose early, ate breakfast, and took a coffee walk. Late morning we headed up Little River above the campground and fished the pools and runs we could get to for a few hours. The river was running fast and did not allow any of us to catch anything. Just as we got back to camp, the sky opened again and poured. We had dinner and went down by the bridge where we had seen fish yesterday. The big rock where they had been hiding was barely visible now. We all had some action, but Joan was the only one to actually produce a fish, a nice rainbow. Afterwards, we enjoyed a fire at our friends.
Tuesday - The rain seems to have mostly let up. We met up with the rest of the group, but decided the five of us would continue to fish together and not split up and go with them. We figured we would head up Jakes Creek which is also above the campground. This area is possibly the most beautiful area we have ever fished. Joan caught three, all rainbows and lost two. John caught one and missed two. A #14 yellow foam caddis was the best producer. We had dinner, checked in with the other group and got fishing reports (most were very good), then took a nice walk around the campground before the evening rain began.
Wednesday - Sunny today and no rain. Thank you Lord. We decided today we (Ray) would drive over past Sugarlands, towards Clingman's Dome on Hwy 441 and fish Walker Camp Prong. We pulled off two places past where the road loops. The three walked upstream and we walked back downstream.The bluffs were high for quite a ways, but we finally found a place to enter. This area proved too difficult for us due to the very large boulders and deep, fast water. We were getting frustrated and concerned, so we decided to climb out and try back a little closer to the truck. We found a spot where we could climb down and get in where the going was much more navigable. We each caught one small rainbow, then just before we were ready to get out, John landed a very nice rainbow. There were many visitors to the park who enjoyed watching us fish and taking our pictures. Maybe we will be famous. In the evening, we sat by a fire with the guys in the group area and shared fish stories.
Thursday - We took a final coffee walk, had breakfast, packed, and said so long to our friends. We had a great time despite less than ideal conditions. This is truly a wonderful place. God has richly blessed us to allow us to be able to spend time here in his awesome creation.
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/SmokyMtNatPkMay1317
Special Need Kid's Day at the Hatchery (May 9)
This is an event that we have done for the last three years that we love. We and our chapter of Trout Unlimited assist at the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery with two hundred children with developmental challenges catch trout. Since many are in wheelchairs, they would not be able to negotiate the stream, so the are allowed to fish directly in the hatchery runs. The each can catch and keep eight fish. There challenges vary, but hearing them squeal and laugh when they catch a fish is very heart warming.
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/SpecialNeedsKidSDay
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/SpecialNeedsKidSDay
Vet's Day at the Hatchery (May 8)
Today several from our Chapter of Trout Unlimited helped at the Chatahoochee National Fish Hatchery near Sutches, welcome Veterans in the area fish in the stream than runs alongside the Hatchery. The stream is well stocked with good sized trout before the event. We were impressed with how helpful and friendly all the Vets were with each other. After we all had hotdogs for lunch we both fished for awhile and caught plenty of trout for dinner, which was delicious.
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/VeteranSDayMay8
View Pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/114754015214438395393/VeteranSDayMay8
Cotton Hill COE, Ft Gaines (March 25-April 1)
The campground is near Ft. Gaines, Ga. We have no I-phone service, but have Verizon Air Card access. We have a nice site a little ways from the water. This is spring break for Georgia kids, so sites are not easy to get. We got set up and had dinner, then fished awhile until dark. Joan caught a nice bass from shore, but John lost a nice bass. It was a gorgeous evening.
Monday - We had pancakes for breakfast (John cooks these), then worked the shoreline starting over at the Pine Island Loop. The beach is in this area, which attracts a louder crowd, but there are sites we could easily do. We found out that we get AT&T reception over there, so we may try it next time. It is really a pretty loop with a great view. John caught the only fish, a nice bream, but the hike and scenery were great. We had delicious pork chops on the grill for dinner. Our loop was nearly empty after folks left this morning, but got nearly full by sunset.
Tuesday - Walmart run. Gas was $3.63 there in Eufala, Al.
Wednesday - We launched the kayaks a few sites down from us and paddled past Pine Island beach to another couple of islands. We started off slow, but Joan started the action between the islands, by a drop off. She caught a nice bream, then soon another. John caught one, then hooked a keeper sized bass that fought hard, then shook the hook when it jumped. Drat! We each caught a few more bream and were getting ready to quit, when John said he was going to make one last cast. He hooked something really big, that he soon suspected was a large channel catfish, because it never came to the surface like a bass or bream would do. It took several minutes and really pulled on the 4wt fly rod and light tippet, but finally succumbed. We put her in our new mesh bag and brought her home for dinner. She provided two very nice fillets, which John cooked in cast iron over a charcoal fire. We were both using micro-Clouser Minnow flies that John tied. It was another beautiful day on the water.
Thursday - We launched again and headed over to the marina at the state park on the other side of the bay. We fished from here along the shoreline, but came up empty. We saw a very large male alligator who was in full mating mode and doing his vibration in the water which attracts any females in the area. This time of year gators get very territorial, so we gave him a wide berth. We fished the channel near the campground and John managed one nice bream. This was all for the day and checking with other fisherman yielded similar results.
Friday - We drove over to East Bank COE day use area and fished from shore. We were having no success, until we went over to a dock and Joan hooked a very large bass (about 3lbs). She got it to the dock, but we had no way to lift it up onto the dock without breaking her light tippet, so we lost it. We went out to dinner with folks we met here in the campground. We vowed we would not return to Bagby State Park for their seafood buffet, since we got a terrible meal there three years ago, but were assured by our friends that they have been and the food was very good. They were right. Also, John found out that Daniel had actually attended the basic electronics class John taught at Lowry AFB near Denver in the 60s. Small world.
Saturday - Storms came through in the night and all morning. It is very wet here.
Monday - We had pancakes for breakfast (John cooks these), then worked the shoreline starting over at the Pine Island Loop. The beach is in this area, which attracts a louder crowd, but there are sites we could easily do. We found out that we get AT&T reception over there, so we may try it next time. It is really a pretty loop with a great view. John caught the only fish, a nice bream, but the hike and scenery were great. We had delicious pork chops on the grill for dinner. Our loop was nearly empty after folks left this morning, but got nearly full by sunset.
Tuesday - Walmart run. Gas was $3.63 there in Eufala, Al.
Wednesday - We launched the kayaks a few sites down from us and paddled past Pine Island beach to another couple of islands. We started off slow, but Joan started the action between the islands, by a drop off. She caught a nice bream, then soon another. John caught one, then hooked a keeper sized bass that fought hard, then shook the hook when it jumped. Drat! We each caught a few more bream and were getting ready to quit, when John said he was going to make one last cast. He hooked something really big, that he soon suspected was a large channel catfish, because it never came to the surface like a bass or bream would do. It took several minutes and really pulled on the 4wt fly rod and light tippet, but finally succumbed. We put her in our new mesh bag and brought her home for dinner. She provided two very nice fillets, which John cooked in cast iron over a charcoal fire. We were both using micro-Clouser Minnow flies that John tied. It was another beautiful day on the water.
Thursday - We launched again and headed over to the marina at the state park on the other side of the bay. We fished from here along the shoreline, but came up empty. We saw a very large male alligator who was in full mating mode and doing his vibration in the water which attracts any females in the area. This time of year gators get very territorial, so we gave him a wide berth. We fished the channel near the campground and John managed one nice bream. This was all for the day and checking with other fisherman yielded similar results.
Friday - We drove over to East Bank COE day use area and fished from shore. We were having no success, until we went over to a dock and Joan hooked a very large bass (about 3lbs). She got it to the dock, but we had no way to lift it up onto the dock without breaking her light tippet, so we lost it. We went out to dinner with folks we met here in the campground. We vowed we would not return to Bagby State Park for their seafood buffet, since we got a terrible meal there three years ago, but were assured by our friends that they have been and the food was very good. They were right. Also, John found out that Daniel had actually attended the basic electronics class John taught at Lowry AFB near Denver in the 60s. Small world.
Saturday - Storms came through in the night and all morning. It is very wet here.
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