IMPORTANT gathering update!

[oyster]

Just heard from Ken at High Meadows. Unfortunately they have really been hurt by the low water and high temps. Current conditions and predictions lead him to predict that High Meadows will NOT be open for fishing in time for our get-together.

The afternoon activities, 5pm at my place, are still on. There WILL still be free BBQ, beverages, workshop tours, rod casting, socializing, bamboo show-and-tell, etc. You can http://www.mapquest.com/ my address:

8650 Anchor on Lanier Ct.
Gainesville, GA 30506

for directions from your location.

If anyone has a good idea for an alternate fishing location for the morning, now's the time to be a hero!

Bill O.

_______________
www.oysterbamboo.com

[fishnpreacher]

Good News, Bad News

Good news is we saved $75.00
Bad news is we don't get to play in the pigpen with grass rods.
I may go to the Tallulah River or maybe Smith Creek. Possibly still be a few fish left over from the OAD.
If anybody has a suggestion, lets hear it.

[Buck Henry]

Regrettable, but understandable news. I would think most all natural streams should be off limits right now as the fish are doing everything they can to survive the drought and heat.

The Hooch tailwater at the dam could not be too aweful far from Bill's place. Maybe a short float from the Dam down to ??? in the morning, followed by the gathering at Bill's that afternoon at 5:00 pm?

PS: for those signed up, don't let the fact that the High Meadows fishing trip is off stop you from coming to Bill's place. An afternoon of good food and fellowship at one of the world's premier cane rod builder's shop is a rare opportunity indeed. And I can tell you first hand, Mrs. Oyster knows how to cook!

[Gatorbyte]

I'd be up for a float down the Hooch.

[cucarachafly]

Well, with this news, I'll likely head up to the Toccoa during the a.m. and head on over to Bill's place to be there by 5:00. It's probably about a 1.5 hour drive (does that seem about right, Bill?) so leaving about 3:00 or 3:30 will give plenty of time to fish and get to Bill's by 5:00. I'll provide breakfast if anyone wants to meet at our place on the Toccoa. Just a thought if you don't want to do a float. Just a thought. Kick it around and let me know.

[artistryinnature]

I'd be up for the Toccoa.

Mickey

[HoWink]

I have a place just down the road along the river from Cucarachafly. I'd be happy to have some folks put in at my place so we can spread people out and not make it a "combat fishing" experience. I can also lay on some drinks and such.

I'll coordinate with Cucarachafly (whom I haven't met yet) and work out some details.

[cucarachafly]

Sounds like a winner. I can spread out 8 or 9 people rather easily without being on top of each other and even allow a little room to move. Howard, how many you think you can handle? How many would be interested in doing this?

[Buck Henry]

Sounds like the Toccoa is shaping up to be our Plan B! One other option for those with float tubes is a float from Howink's place down to Curtis Switch. If we put in early, we could be down at the bridge and ready to head over to Bill's by early afternoon. Steepcreek and I floated this stretch two weeks ago, putting in a bit down river from Howard's place and had a great outing

[Gatorbyte]

Toccoa sounds good too. I've got a new Buck's Bags just aching to get wet. Decision, decisions.

[cucarachafly]

OK, so looks like we've got a plan. HoWink and I have talked and here's the deal. We are going to meet at my place around 8:00 or whenever you can get there. Have a little breakfast, nothing fancy but something to hold us over to we eat Bill's BBQ, split up and fish. HoWink is only 5 minutes or less from our place. Two good sections of private, wadeable waters so we all won't be on top of each other. We would like to have a count, though. Some of you know how to get there but still confirm if you're coming. If you need directions I will PM or email them to you. Just post or send me a PM if you need directions. Fish a while then head on over to Bill's. I'll have directions to his place. No lunch provided- save it for the BBQ. But we will have some soft drinks and maybe some snacks. (Don't want to fill up and not eat Bill's BBQ!)

Several float options available, too. From my place to HoWinks, the dam to our place, HoWinks to Curtis Switch. Transportation could even be arranged as well.

[clintb]

Toccoa
Good for me too.

I got a...
new(ish), ebay special, made in china...
pontoon I would like to put in.

Does anyone have an extra pfd, I could borrow for the day?
I'm still shopping for a pfd and can't make up my mind.

can't wait,:nervs:

clintb

[Buck Henry]

Buck's in, and Steepcreek (Todd) will be coming with me also. We will probably opt for the float from Howards place down to CS.

[cascapedia]

I'll provide breakfast if anyone wants to meet at our place on the Toccoa. Just a thought if you don't want to do a float. Just a thought. Kick it around and let me know.

Jeff, your are definitely a "First Class Host", and if I may, I would love to share some time, swinging cane, in your stretch of the river. Don't have a personal floating craft, so wading is perfect. Would definitely love to meet Howink also. Count me in to start the list.

Dan

[kayakerguy]

Anybody want to do a trip in a big boat? Dan, how about your boat? You could fit a couple people in yours and I can fit a couple in mine. We could do a float from Jeff's to Curtis.
Mark

[HoWink]

As everyone looks at options and makes plans, let's keep ole TVA in mind. Their release schedule may impact our plans. I watch the "Predicted" releases on their website, which gives their forecast for the next two days -- always subject to change.

With luck, though, we should have a grand day, with all of us spread over a good deal of water.

Thanks to Cucarachafly (and Bill Oyster, of course) for keeping this all on track.

[cascapedia]

Anybody want to do a trip in a big boat? Dan, how about your boat? You could fit a couple people in yours and I can fit a couple in mine. We could do a float from Jeff's to Curtis.
Mark

Hey Mark,

Not really in the mood for a boat trip. Several reasons, don't really want three people and Bamboo that close together, and if it's my boat, I usually end up on the oars, ( less fishing ), and I was hoping to spend some quality time with our consumate host, Jeff, and maybe learn some of his secrets, or possibly snag one of those Gatorbyte BWO emergers, I've been hearing so much about. And then I'm stuck towing this boat around, you understand Mark -- don't you? :indif:

Dan

[kayakerguy]

don't really want three people and Bamboo that close together,
Wuss.:rolleyes:
Seriously, I understand. I just thought it might be an option.
Mark

[cascapedia]

Wuss.:rolleyes:


Careful big guy --- I've got plenty of graphite I won't mind spanking you with :yikes:

Dan :D

[fishnpreacher]

Sorry, but I won't be able to make it to the Toccoa. I wish I could, but its a bit far to travel. I'll be at Bill's for the festivities. I've got the Boo raffle rod ready. It may not be an Oyster, but it will make somebody a good second or loaner rod.
See y'all at the Gathering!!

[cucarachafly]

OK, so it looks like right now we have the following that will meet at the Toccoa to fish a little before heading over to Bill's. If you plan on coming to Blue Ridge and not on the list please don't forget to sign up here:

Buck Henry
artistyinnature
HoWink
Steepcreek
Dawgbit f/k/a Gatorbyte
clintb
Cascapedia
Kayakerguy

Again, the plan is to meet at my place for a little breakfast, a little fishing between our place and HoWink's and help with transportation for those that want to do a float trip then head on over to Bill's in early pm. As HoWink said, we may have to change plans again depending on the good ol' TVA, but the release schedule has been pretty consistent lately starting late in the afternoon on weekends. Hopefully that will continue. Don't forget to PM me if you need directions.

[Gatorbyte]

Sounds great. Maybe we can carpool as well. I may be "living in a van down by the river", but I'm in the Sugar Hill/Buford area or the Marietta/Woodstock area. It all depends where that van ends up. It's all very complicated.

Jeff:

Anything "bugwise" been coming off lately or is it all subsurface?

GB

[rainbowlover]

but does anybody mind a newbie coming along ( to see the toccoa for the first time)? i aint got a boo or anything and i know its the boo meet and greet but does anybody mind carpooling or whatever. please pm if ya do

if not i understand

landon

[cucarachafly]

but does anybody mind a newbie coming along ( to see the toccoa for the first time)? i aint got a boo or anything and i know its the boo meet and greet but does anybody mind carpooling or whatever. please pm if ya do

if not i understand

landon

Landon
Between Buck Henry and a couple of those other guys, I'm sure you can claim a boo rod yours for a day and come on along. I'm in Canton and would love to give you a ride but my wife and I will likely go up on Friday and spend the night, but I'd bet one of the others can plan to meet you. Would you be able to go over to Bill Oyster's later in the afternoon in Gainsville?

[clintb]

Hey GatorBite,

Didn't Wayne Williams live in a van down by the river?.. If you don't know or remember who that was, don't ask, it's a bad joke.

I may be looking for a ride, I can't get a confirmation on my other ride posibility.

I'm in Woodstock so if you end up by any rivers near there please let me know.

There is a river, the "little river," just down the street from my house, but I don't think you want the police knocking on you window in the middle of the night... and I can't attest to what kinda fish you might catch there except catfish.

If you can give me a ride,... Rather than risking loosing my ride to the clutches of the police for vagrancy... You are more than welcome to sleep on my pull-out couch, I don't think my wife would mind.

Another possibility would be to leave on Friday afternoon and get a hotel up in blue ridge. I will gladly pay for the room.... that way we don't loose a moments opportunity to fish... yippee.

clintb

PS... how do you get on the internet in your van by the river?

[rainbowlover]

Landon
Between Buck Henry and a couple of those other guys, I'm sure you can claim a boo rod yours for a day and come on along. I'm in Canton and would love to give you a ride but my wife and I will likely go up on Friday and spend the night, but I'd bet one of the others can plan to meet you. Would you be able to go over to Bill Oyster's later in the afternoon in Gainsville?

lets hope so. im always itchin for some fisin:) :cross: there sure are some nice guys on here so hopefully i can get a ride

landon

[watkins]

Put me on the list to 1.eat breakfast,2.fish a while,3.enjoy the company of fine folks,and last but not least show off new cane. All this is contingent on whether we decide to leave for Ark. or Montana early. If you need the spot for some one else to fish, thats ok also. TRW

[Buck Henry]

Well, I got good news and bad news concerning the boo gathering. The good news is that my Dad will be coming with me to Bill's place late Saturday for the food and festivities. The bad news is that the only way I can make this happen is to miss the fishing on the Toccoa that morning.

My mom's health is not good and thus it is not wise for her to be left alone all day, so the only way Dad can come along with me is if I just do the evening thing at Bill's place. He really needs a break and I know he will get a kick out of seeing Bill's shop and hanging out with you guys.

So if'n you were one of the folks that was kind of hoping to catch a ride with me to the Toccoa, I apologize if this puts you in a bind and hope you understand.

See everyone at Bill's place Saturday!

[rainbowlover]

i just talked to clintb and he's going to let me tag along. thanks Mr. Clint for that. Looking foreward to seeing you guys. (anybody have a loaner boo or something i can borrow, to make it more official?)

landon

[cucarachafly]

Looks like TVA is going to cooperate Saturday with scheduled generation not starting until 3:00 pm- just about the time we need to be leaving heading to Bill's anyway. Still need to check in the morning though because we all know they have changed their mind before.:cross:

Landon- I think there is an extra bamboo rod at the cabin that we can call yours for a day.

Coffee, juice and biscuits should be ready by 8:00 am.

[rainbowlover]

Sorry guys but ClintB had to bail at literally the last minute. So now im Rideless.:bang: Anybody have to come up 575 to blueridge mind me tagging along. please pm if so.

[Robert Hicks]

BTW,
How was the gathering....no photos or reports yet...kind of odd. I couldn't make it due to work...but my heart was there. Any photos or reports would be great. ;)

[kayakerguy]

BTW,
How was the gathering....no photos or reports yet...kind of odd. I couldn't make it due to work...but my heart was there. Any photos or reports would be great. ;)
Robert, I'm still working on that. I've been away from the editing studio, but I will get on it soon. Afterall, it's hockey season, and that takes up a lot of time lately.:cheers:
Mark