Nantahala Frostbite Trout Fishing, Camping Excursion

[Grizzz]

OK guys and gals. It is almost here. The weekend of the 5 & 6 of February will be the trip of the winter. No matter how cold or snowing, we are going. Who out there is game. Once again, we will be camping at Brookside Campgrounds. I will be calling Cathy to reserve our usual side. Lets see who the real trout fishermen are.

Hooch, are you going? Would like to get together with you to cook dinner for Saturday Night. I am planning on having everyone chip in some money when there to help cover the cost.

Please respond back if you can go so we can start to get a count for dinner.

Hope to see you all up there.

The Grizz

[Lady Jane]

Grizz, I'll be there. I get my same camp site..I called it! If you need me to bring food I will. Let me know.

Bet Owl won't go...some excuse like he has to work...

Is Catalog Man coming?

[Grizzz]

Last thing I heard, Cat Man is coming.

[jeffg]

Cant make this one. Will be in the smokies though that month...gotta check out a couple rumors......

[betzel]

jeffg,
was this a rumor that was discussed (semi-secretively around the camp fire???
http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

I got a book about the GSMNP and was wondering if you have fished Big Creek or Raven Fork. Also how is the fishing is up there in late March? I was just wondering if a trip over spring break would be productive. thanks

[preston91]

Grizz;
Can't make it to this one but I got a kitchen pass for a weeklong trip whenever I want in march/april. Around the time for the spring fling. Want to make it back to the Nantahala. Hope to see ya then.

Paul

[jeffg]

Betzel,
Big Creek is a blast to fish. It is nothing but plunge pools, boulder climbing and not many other fisherman. It can be a chore to fish, just because you have to do some boulder climbing to get around. It has a real steep gradient, one of the steepest in the park. Also, it fish all dries onthat one. Cuz the fish have exactly 1 second to look and decided. IT is fun, but you will not catch manyh fish over 8 inches.

Ravens Fork is a blast too. On the reservation it has some monsters, and up in the park it can become rather remote, and it is recommended taking someone with you into the Park section.
ON the reservation it is a beauiful stream, with the slickest rocks(besides Abrahms) in the park. You will bite it if you are not careful(then again Griz waded it in Teva's and wool socks!!) Best fishing in my opinion is the first bridge(job corps bridge area on the reservation) and then above the Trout Ponds at the KOA campground.

Rumors, are rumors until proven with truth. I am looking for the truth.

[HoochRat]

Between working and moving daughter back to Georgia. I am thinking of moving up there and living with Eric.

I will be there. Keep me plugged into head count. Will cook! Something!

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Joe Carnahan aka. HoochRat :)

[NiteOwl]

LJ be right. But I will ask. Let you know soon. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

Owlierooooo

[HoochRat]

I just got home at 6:30p.m. and went outside and put the tent up. Temp is 31.2 here and I though I would camp out and watch the moon tonight. Kind of a shake down camp out for the up coming He Man/Woman Camping Trip...

Flyrod, where is my Scotch??? By the way ole boy, you back from the Gulf Coast..

BTW: jeffg.... is your trip still on for later in the month of Feb. I am game...

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Joe Carnahan aka. HoochRat http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by HoochRat (edited 01-20-2000).]

[Grizzz]

Don't know what the weather will be like for this trip, but I am almost certain that there will be snow this weekend and I am heading to the river. If anyone wants to meet up there, I am probably going to stay at Nelson's Cabins.

Frostbite here I come.
The Grizz

[NGTO]

I will be heading up to the smokies too... same rumor http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

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Trout Now!

[Grizzz]

So are you guys going to look for those steelies. Please let me know if you find them. Sure wish I could join you.

The Grizz

[NiteOwl]

I too heard that someone is going looking for a river with plenty of steel bridges. The famous Steelie(bridge) River. Seems the locals don't share which river it is that's full of 3 pound browns and big brookies, but it has lots of old, steel bridges. Ahhh a mystery river, indeed.


Owl

[Grizzz]

Alright all. So far there is 7 brave souls that are going to try fishing. I have not gotten a solid count, so how about letting me know again if you are coming. Hey BeeDub and Flyrod, are you out there. Have not heard anything from you. Flyrod, we need you. You have the wood for the fire. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

I will be cooking a fried turkey for Sat night and HoochRat is going to be putting together something which I know will be great.

So let me know if you are coming and will brave the cold.

The Grizz

[Lady Jane]

Grizz, Rob needs directions to the Nantahala for your little get together..Could you email him with them..I don't think he'd want to come to SC to start his trek and I don't know how to get there from Atlanta. I thought I had the directions but I can't seem to find them. See you there if I don't get snowed under in PA...if I make it to PA...

[Grizzz]

Well the trip is still on. After all the weather we have had the last two weekends, this could really be a Frostbite Excursion. Saturday night I will be frying a turkey for dinner. Hey Hooch, what will you be bringing. So far I have about 10 wild people that are going. Hope some more of you will show.

The Grizz

[superchub]

Griz..still trying to swing it..I'll let you know..it will probably be a last minute go.
SC

[BeeDub]

I'm in. See you there, amigos!

[tomtom]

Greetings,

For someone new to NGTO would you elaborate on the trip being planned. Are you really camping in tents or are some bringing RV's or staying in cabins? What about times and such? Cost to each person?...etc.

I'm intersted ingoing but need a little more info.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

[Grizzz]

Tom,

OK, here are some of the particulars. Most of us will be camping. I have a popup camper but most will be in tents. There is power at the campsite and some have used it to run ceramic heaters in their tents. Price to camp is $5/night per person without power, $6/night per person with power. There are some cabins close by that rent for $45/night if that is more your style. They are not fancy but very clean. The name of the establishment is Nelson's Hideaway Cabins and Campground in Topton, NC.

I will be leaving Friday afternoon and hope to get up there by around 5:00.Fishing will be Saturday and Sunday. Friday night dinner is on your own. Saturday Night I will be frying a turkey and hopefully HoochRat will be bringing some of his wonderous cajun fare. (Nobody been missing their cat lately?) We usually just all pitch in and pay a little to help defray the cost. If any of you out there want to bring a little something to share, that would be great. I have a 12# turkey but it looks like we may have a few more people then I had planned on.

As to the fishing, we will be fishing the Nantahala River in NC. This is a delayed harvest stream, meaning that it is catch and release only this time of year. You can catch browns, rainbows, and some nice brook trout in this stream. The easiest place to get your license is at the Walmart in Murphy, NC on your way up.

I hope this answers most of your questions. We would be glad to have you join us. Just make sure you bring your sense of humor with you as these can be a strange bunch of guys. And gals, LJ. But we always seem to have a good time.

Also, has anyone seen or heard from Flyrod lately. We need him to come. He has the wood for the fire. If anyone else has some wood they can bring it would be great.

The Grizz

[HoochRat]

Rabbit Sauce Piquante is what the Rat will cook...

Heading up on Friday also. Had enough of the city. As for FlyRod, last time I heard from him was at New Years. He was heading to Gulf Coast???? Rod you out there????

I have one fishing friend coming for Saturday and Sunday. I have another friend, camper only that might be there Saturday night for happy hour. That places our head count over 10. My dish should feed 10 heavy eaters. No desert this time. Some one bring cake...

Griz, will e-mail you separate. We need to talk.

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Joe Carnahan aka. HoochRat :)

[NiteOwl]

Don't know my schedule yet, but if I'm off, I may drive up on Sat. and hide out in a cabin. Won't know for a few more days yet.However, I don't drive in ice and snow and sleet and such......and I suggest you all be careful if you do. You cannot fish or post if your dead. ( Really? huh. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif )

[tomtom]

Thanks for the info. Being the pampered person I am I'll probably go the cabin route IF I can get things arranged. May end up having to go up on Saturday or Sunday only. May the fishing gods smile down on my planning efforts!

Tom C.

[tomtom]

Oh no!!! I can't believe it!!! I got home last night and was telling my wife about the fishing trip while looking out the back door. All of a sudden a tree that must have been weakened in the last storm fell on my fence!!! Guess when the only time is that I can get to removing the tree and fixing the fence? Oh, unhappy day!!!!

Maybe I can pretend it's a new landscaping style I'm trying. Yeah, that sounds good...Yeah, and the smashed fence is to allow more air to circulate in the backyard so the plants can grow better..yeah that sounds good too...and if I just leave it alone for a month or two my neighbor will be so aggravated by it he'll remove the tree and fix the fence!!
And then again, my wife has heard similar 'fishing excuses' before and won't buy it for a minute.

Still going to try to figure a way to go, but for now you'll have to....boo,hoo...boo,hoo...count me out.

Tom C.

[betzel]

Grizz,
My mom talked to flyrod monday. Supposedly he is doing well and has been doing warmwater fishing. Thats all i know, I told her that next time she sees him to tell him that some people online are looking for him.

i'll keep you posted if i hear anything else.

betzel

[creek crawler]

Could someone please provide directions to this campground by post or e-mail, from the gainsville area. I dont know yet about this weekend but it sounds like a good place to try.
thanks, good luck.

[Grizzz]

Creek Crawler,

Take 129 up through Cleveland. When in runs into 19 take it north through Blairsville. You will enter NC and keep going on 19 north through Murphy and Andrews. After going through Andrews, Topton will be up the road. The campground is Brookside Campground on the left.

The Grizz

[HoochRat]

For even better directions. Check the 10-5-1999 posting for Next NGTO Trip. Griz explains in even greater detail.

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Joe Carnahan aka. HoochRat :)

[Pecheur]

Grizz,
What time do you expect to be breaking camp Sunday morn? It looks as though I may have a yard pass for the whole day Sunday and I'd like to rendez-vous before y'all head for the water. It can be difficult to meet-up with folks once everyone is spread-out and fishin. Please advise.

Manger, dormir, aller a la peche.

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"There is value in any experience that exercises those ethical restraints collectively called sportsmanship."
- A. Leopold

[Alex Williams]

I cant make it either....anniversary....3 years and still counting. I am in a win-win situation though she fly fishes also and it has become tradition to fly fish on our anniversary together. YA--HOO for me. Maybe next trip. Keep me posted on how it goes and who the HE-Man/Woman of the year is.

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Tight lines
Alex Williams
Williams Custom Flies

[BeeDub]

tomtom - Tree, schmee. Take care of that tree this afternoon and get yourself up to the river this weekend. We need someone who can lend an air of respectability to the group. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

C'mon, Alex. What better way to celebrate an anniversary with a flyfishing sweetie!

[HoochRat]

Everyone coming, Please bring a few sticks of FIRE WOOD.

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Joe Carnahan aka. HoochRat :)

[Lady Jane]

Grizz and Hooch...I am bringing my baby girl with me to observe the male species in their natural habitat, so add her to the number please. She's a cutie pie, just remember she just turned 15, ok? Her daddy's got a big shot gun. Feel free to rag the daylights out of her..she can give it back with great finesse...She learned from the best, ya know?We're bringing something for desert.

[Grizzz]

Pecheur,

I am sure I will not be leaving the campground before 8am. But if you miss us, look for my Black and Silver Tahoe.

The Grizz

[BeeDub]

Grizz wrote earlier, "If any of you out there want to bring a little something to share, that would be great."

I plan to make "A Skewer Runs Through It Cajun Kabobs." O.K. Apologies to HoochRat. There's nothing cajun about 'em, but my offspring came up with the name and I liked it.

Bring your favorite antacid.