[Pictureman]

I'm constantly amazed at what a great group of folks are on this forum. This past weekend I had the opportunity to meet a few more in person. I had an outstanding time hanging out with all of the folks who made it out this time around.

phg--Thanks for all of the hard work that you put into the weekend. I know it takes a lot.

Flychamps & JustJudy--It was great to meet you both. JustJudy is as sweet a person as you could ever hope to meet. Oh, yeah, you're nice too, Flychamps.

Phil--My man. You had a rocky start, but you rallied well! I'm glad I finally got to meet you after having lived just miles apart for so long. Thanks for the CD. It's great!

Billres--Great to see you again. I enjoy hearing your stories and your big laugh.

Smokey--Great to meet you. I'm dead serious about the spring ride to Eagle. I'll pay for half the gas. Let's do it!

Shmoo-daddy--Good to meet you. I snuck some of your wine while you weren't looking because Phil drank all the Jack. (Just kidding, Phil.)

Overbrook--You're a trip, man. I wanted to come over and learn to tie some flies from the Master, but I didn't think I could handle your insults.

Pcole--A special thanks to you my friend. I really appreciate your letting me pile up on the futon for free. Thanks, also, for the turkey. It was cooked to perfection.

ZZdruid (AKA OMWAS)--What can I say? We tried. We certainly covered lots of water. At least now we know that we cannot trust that piece of crap GPS thingey you've got. Maybe next time we'll just wait until it gets dark and navigate our way out using the stars. I'm kidding of course. You're one tough old fart!

If I missed anyone, I apologize. Thanks to all for letting me hang out with the group this weekend. I'm ready to do it again.

[Phil]

Pictureman, I forgot to thank you for paying for our breakfast at Big Boy's on Sunday morning. I was hung over, tired, and needed to eat.

Eggs, 4 pancakes, 8 slices of bacon, 2 sausage patties, 3 sausage links, biscuits and sausage gravy, homefried potatoes, and diet Coke did the trick.

You insisted on picking up the tab. ZZDruid was drinking coffee with honey and massive amounts of sugar and creamers. I saw him drive over a huge curb on his way out of the parking lot. His truck jumped at least a foot in the air, and camping/fishing stuff was flying everywhere. It all landed neatly in the back of his truck, however -- the sign of a good packing job. I almost choked on my after-breakfast cigarette, I was laughing so hard.

I didn't pass by any Interstate rest stops on the way home, so had to clinch my butt-cheeks for a few hours when the cholesterol bomb finally hit...

[puddlejockey]

Wow I'm glad ya'll had such a great time!
It sounds like a heck of a trip....hopefully I can get to know some folks and make next years' trip

I have one question, though....
If it was 20 degrees out, why was the beer warm? lol

[overbrook]

Pictureman...You shoulda come over! I usually take it easy on the new guys...but you shoulda seen the haystacks Pcole was building on a hook! Besides...you coulda just come over and made fun of him too...I coulda used a little back-up since everyone else was trying to be "nice"

Shmoodaddy....We'll have to get together like we talked....but no wine! Me and Smokey thought we were gonna get up Sunday and hear music....and find you curled up under one of the park benches!

Phil....you were the only one in the group who recognized that I am truly #1 Hey Dude...I wanna snuff two of those CD's too...one for me and one for my sister-in-law...who I know would truly appreciate it.....I'll P.M. when I have "something to trade"

Billres....when time permits....I'll make a set of signature flies for you and Croaker for ya'lls next trout adventure.

Again...ya'll that did'nt make it missed a good one!

Lets see more pics!

[overbrook]

Originally Posted by puddlejockey

I have one question, though....
If it was 20 degrees out, why was the beer warm? lol

Cause Shmoodaddy was huggin em' all night long like a dog huddles thier puppies.....The only way I got one was to throw a left over turkey leg over in the bushes to draw his attention away!

[Phil]

Originally Posted by overbrook

Cause Shmoodaddy was huggin em' all night long like a dog huddles thier puppies.....The only way I got one was to throw a left over turkey leg over in the bushes to draw his attention away!

So YOU'RE the one that stole the last turkey leg! Oh, well. If you were using it for bait to get to Smoky's beer, I guess that's ok.

[zzdruid]

I'm thinking of writting a series of books:

Trilogy of the Treks :
TROUT AND BEYOND, WAY BEYOND

at least 20 + miles on Fri and Sat. NOt bad for 58.

Pictureman and I saw some of the best looking water I have ever seen and walked thru most of it without being able to fish. On Sat we covered 1.5 miles in the water in ~5 hours to make sure we could get back to the trail in time to get out with some daylight. Fri was lots of fishing time but next to no fish.

For those of us who are not competent with land navigation , contour intervals, map scale, topography interpretation, and Golbal Positioning Data sources .... well you better stay with your betters

The fellowship was outstanding and the turkey ( not the one I was with) was very very good. Thanks for the room and meal Paul.

We need much more 'bottle neck slide' music Phil, and more of Mr. Daniels. Phg needs to bring tools with him for tent removal duties. Billres needs nothing, he's retired .


Pictureman will be ok when he gets some age on him, I'm sticking with him....... for now.

[pcole]

overbrook, HAYSTACKS come on man more like moutains right ? lol

paul

[smokey]

Here are a few more Pics Enjoy.

[JustJudy]

This was a great beginning for me on the Nantahala Saturday morning!



Another beautiful fishie on the stream...This was a day that dreams are made of!




Here are the fellows around the "campfire" Saturday night.



The fried turkey was golden brown and very tasty! I was impressed with the result, Paul!



Here we are trying to stay warm, and enjoying the comradery of being left-behind!





Could my nose be red because of that delicious clear stuff someone brought to share?




The evening was not complete without some "good vibes" from Phil...He reminds us of what musical talent is! Thanks for sharing your gift!




Thanks for the memories, All you Lords of Fishes, All you Knights of the Campfires!! See you soon!!

Tight lines......
JustJudy