[phg]

As always, it was great to see everyone. We left shortly after noon on Sat. so I've had a bit of time to get rested up.

New River, high and muddy..., again....
Chasing trout on Helton.
Fishing was a bit slow, but a few were caught.
Nice floats. Only dragged bottom a couple of times.
Cooking steaks on Thursday night. What an aroma!
Blueberry cobbler
Spaghetti dinner on Friday. Great stuff.
Tunes around the campfire.
Lots of friends, some old, some new....
Lots of stories, some old, some new, some might even be true....

Two early arrivals discussing fly rods....


Setting up the cook tent






The supervisor looks satisfied


Bob and Judy back from a float


Getting supper ready




Future camp cooks in training


Anyone seen Peewee?


...and I didn't get skunked!

[22midge]

Hey just not enough time for these trips.
great weather--water conditions had some question at times
good to see all the great people that make these things happen
good food--thanks Devinsdad & help---streamer & help--phg&help
thanks to everyone for the laughs
enjoyed seeing Peddlers new toon with the flamingos & the streamers coming out of the oars
thanks Flyrod for a fishing partner
lets do it again soon.Be safe

buy a boat and park it--hope he doesnt get a plane




shared the river with a bunch of good urns






early morning



missed all those that couldnt make it & makes waiting for the next time just that much better--be safe

[JustJudy]

What a grand time we had at the "show" this weekend!
Bob and I have just returned to Columbia, dried out our gear and put it away...
Now I can reflect on the weekend.
Thanks for posting photos, Paul. I am glad you got some images of the gorgeous weather and the early birds at work on setting up camp. It is always good to see you and Judy at the gathering.
The weather was beautiful, the New River was refreshingly cool, and the fishies began to surface for me on Saturday! Our float from the camp down to Mouth of Wilson bridge was memorable, to say the least. It was fun navigating the different parts of the water, anchoring, wading, and just watching the sights and sounds of nature. It was as visually as luscious as any river float I can remember. (not to mention that I caught a number of Smallies and Red Eyes on a Wooley Bugger, a Clauser and a Miss Prissy.) We launched from camp at 10:30am and got our toons off the water at 6:30pm! Where did the time go?
I am always amazed at what delicious outdoor food we have at the hands of our talented chefs...Bob's spaghetti, Kim's blueberry cobbler, Jule's beef stew, Phil's corn muffins, Paul and Judy's Southern breakfast with grits, Joyce's wet cake...all yummy and plentiful!
How did Strawboss Kim manage our event so that we would all be treated to a full moon rising over the ridge each night as we sat around the roaring fire?
It was great to see all the old friends as well as the new acquaintances! I am looking forward to the next time we meet. 'Til then...Tight lines everyone, Justjudy

[streamer]

Well, another Show that's done too soon. They're a great opportunity to sit around the picnic tables and the campfires to renew old friendships, create new ones, fix the economy, right the wrongs, and generally cure the ills of the world. Mostly, though, we talk about 'toons, rods reels, casting, fishing, flies and fly tying. "Where'd y'all go?.....What'd y'all use?.......Did y'all float or wade?...........How many did you get?.......Any big 'urns?......." Important stuff.

We also talk about family, absent friends, and the changing of the guard. Seeing young folks like Jason, Garrett, Devin, Chandler, Colin, Ryan.....How they're all growing into fine young men and fishermen. Growing from galley slaves into the future camp cooks. About how being exposed to the principled men and women who attend these events help to shape and influence who they are becoming.

So here's my take on this year's Smallie Show:

Thanks to;
DiscoBubba for strawbossin'. Nice work, Bubba.
Devinsdad and his Galley Slaves, Colin, Ryan, Cameron for the great sketti & sausage.
PHG and Judy and their helpers for the grits, eggs and sausage on Sat. That was a great breakfast!
To Joyce, for a wet cake that was outta sight!
To Phil for the corn muffins that worked for dinner and breakfast.
Thanks to the coffee makers all weekend. Y'all saved my life.
Thanks to Scubafish, Phil, Peewee. Dean, and Row vs. Wade for the great help at Sat. night Beef Stew. Great job, y'all.
To La Trucha for his vigilant, if somewhat overzealous, building and mantenance of the campfire. "My name is Fernando, and I'm a fireaholic."
Special thanks to Bamboo10 for spending some time with Ryan (R. McStreamer) to enhance and improve his casting skills.

JT entertained us with stories 'round the campfire. Phil showed us some more of his musical talent there, too. Them geetars is a mite sensitive to the elements and the fire, ain't they Phil?

The fishing was a bit sluggish, what with the muddy water from the previous week's rain, but everyone seemed to find ways to land a few.
The official New River Slam....smallie/redeye/horny head chub.
Nice to see more ladies joining the fishing ranks this year. Just Judy and Joyce can fish, I'm here to tell ya. Maybe Damsel can come next year and round up some of the CFR women to even the odds a bit.

Teaching and learning, lying, laughing......We did all that and more. Glad you came if you did. Sorry you missed it if you didn't.

Most of all, I'm truly grateful and blessed to have spent time on the river with my best fishin' pals, Colin and Ryan. They're a joy to watch whether they're fishing in earnest, or dunking each other in the river for a cooling off session. They're the best, and I love 'em. The McStreamer Boys.

'til next year, y'all.
Streamer

[Phil]

What a great time as usual! I have been blessed to find this group of friends. Couldn't fish hard this trip due to health problems, but it didn't matter. Caught some fish, but that wasn't the important thing for me -- I have a lifetime of good fishing opportunities within 15 miles of my house. Camping and socializing with this group is what I come for anyway. Thanks to Disco Kim and others for putting this together.

Devinsdad -- incredible spaghetti Friday night.
Phg -- Man, you can cook a good camp breakfast.
Streamer -- it was an honor to help you as you cooked the beef stew from scratch. Nobody should eat this good on camping trips! I'm used to hot dogs and canned Dinty Moore beef stew.
La Trucha -- you are the fire master. Period.
JT -- Hilarious stories around the campfire
Bamboo10 -- thanks for the help and the new knot.
Lucas (Row vs Wade) -- you need to change your avatar, dude! Take my Loomis stick and slay 'em out west next week.


Other recollections --
JT giving a casting clinic, then calling Backwoods Joe over to show us some casting. Joe walked up silent and slow-moving as ever, then proceeded to cast an entire fly line and 10 feet into the backing with two false casts. Then did it again. Incredible.

Disco, Southernfly, Gary(Bamboo10), Nando, PeeWee, and others outfishing us all (as usual) on their long float trips.

Carl pimping the 'toon he borrowed from Jack Peddler with pink flamingos, foam dice, and a raccoon tail.

Spending some time around camp with the delightful two Judys, and meeting Joyce. Man, she can cook some cakes.

Watching a bunch of young boys there becoming fine fishermen and fine young men, and hearing some stories around the campfire that they will remember forever... they are the future of our sport.

Thank you all for letting me be part of this collection of characters. These trips are a high point of my life.

[Devinsdad]

Great trip..... as always, the river was muddy... as always.... the food was fantastic.... as always....grand time was had by all..... as always!!

Thanks to Disco for strawbossin and gluing all the pieces together.

Devin and I got to camp Thursday in time to set up and relax for the evening. Steaks on the grill, fried taters and onions, and blueberry cobbler...Good stuff.... Sleeping was easy as the evenings were cool with nothing but the river noise in the back ground.

Friday fished with Jule and the McStreamers on Helton Creek for trout since the New was chocolate milk. Still fish to be had, but you earned every one. Got some great tomatoes from the lady at Zydeco farms for supper. Even had a purple one.

Saturday after hearing reports of good water over in Todd, Jule and I decided to give it a shot and headed there ( via the scenic route... I made sure they saw all the dead end streets thanks to my GPS ) with the boys and Jshep in tow; whom I had already beaten earlier with my fly line. Your a good urn Joyce, sorry bout the mudd, and the bank, and the detours and .... just shoot me next time you see me

Jule left around 1:30 to get the dinner fixins... leaving all 3 boys to supervise the adults in the party and keep us out of trouble.

I discovered there is a Lochness Smallie, there were witnesses... it will reak havoc on fly rods and brush piles

The boys fished and splashed, threw rocks, played king of the boulders... foul hooked Devin, saw who could irritate the elder McStreamer the most ( it was a dead heat).... and thats just what I heard from 300 yards down stream
I only threatened to drown the whole lot of 'em ( mine included ) twice..... It was a good day Then back to camp for some good vitals from the stew master.

Other recollections:

Pokin the bear... a few times the docs say I should heal in a few weeks. Thanks as always JT

Seein Just Judy who has been gone way too long from our trips, glad you made it and thank you for your words of praise and encouragement.

Thanks to my gally slaves, the McStreamers and Gary and Carl who helped a bunch... good job guys....

PHG's sausage and eggs done to perfection... good job as always sir.

Peddler absence caused us turn on each other with the distribution of abuse and wisecracks.... it wasn't as much fun as messin with Jack


As always these things are about a day too short and there is never enough time to spend with everyone. Glad to see a good many old friends make it and meet a few new ones. One of the new folks commented they instantly felt as if they had been coming to this gathering for years. There isn't a bad apple in this bunch of characters.

a few pics:

you can always tell how much fun a kid is having by how dirty he gets..... Two showers for this one



Strawboss and friends


JustJudy just floatin and fishin



Friends-


Great Camp fires



learning the double haul



Jshep in action




Yes we caught some fish



look out Emeril



JT holding court





Keeping the cooks straight



the lone survivor



Wet Cake- AKA the breakfast of Champions.... great stuff Joyce Thanks



A neat place to stop for lunch, a tad pricey, but good food and the only game in town



Grand Eats



Many hands make light work



watch me blind my dad with this light



About over notice they look a bit worn down..... yeah right



Another one for the books thanks to Jule and the McStreamers for a fun weekend full of classic moments and one liners. Thanks to my favorite fishin buddy for some more time with his old man. Thanks to you all who come and make it what keeps us coming back. Kinda like a family reunion, except you actually like these folks.

Can't wait til the next show.....

I hear JT's runnin it


P.S. It's pronounced Lester, or Lee Chester, or was it Lee Sigh Chester Marty....???

[Discomidge]

First, thanks to DD, Streamer and phg for stepping up and feedin' this crew...also thanks to everyone that stepped up and helped the cooks and did the dirty work(cleanup). Big thanks to Drew once again for the firewood(Nintendo was like a little kid) Joyce for the awesome dessert and Phil for the muffins.

Setting up camp in the dry
Mud, but as I said...as long as it's not raining the water's clearing up
Charcoal cooked assorted meats and Bronzeback Ale homebrew
Friday, long tough day of fishing in dirty water with southernfly, nando, bambo10, Cameron and Tim...happy with the results on a tough day.
Saturday, 12 mile float high up on the Southfork with southernfly, nando, Reuben(01pilot) and Tim, woohoo clean water...it was perverted, willing smallies everywhere
Sunday, floated the confluence with bamboo10, 01pilot, Cameron, Lucas and Tim...rather dirty water, but somewhat cooperative smaillies.
Thanks to all my float partners
Great food
Great fires
Great entertainment from Mr. Lucky, thanks Phil you're a class act
Tales from JT or Johnny Lightnin or caveman or stoneman
Ceegars with backwoods Joe
Young fisherman with a passion
Great to see old friends and meet some new faces
justjudy with a smallie on a Miss Prissy
Friends that couldn't make it(ain't namin' names or I'll leave someone out)
4 days just ain't long enough
Wildlife seen, 6 deer, a fawn drinking water and bleating the whole time, muskrats, a beaver, raccoon, and to top it off a coyote





Thursday afternoon after setting up camp



Mr. Lucky had his own parking space




Spotted Jewelweed along the banks of the river, notice how the beautiful oranges of the flower compliment the orange brown water.




Wingstem and bumblebee along the river bank




Thistle




Mudpuppy fishin' the somewhat clear water on Saturday




The poor white duck that thinks he's a goose...I've seen him on this stretch or river for at least the last 3 years, guess the geese took him in as one of their own.


Can't wait 'til next year.


Kim

[Flyrod]

Don't know where to start. Would like to thank everyone for a great time. First time at a smallies show and first time fishing out of a toon on the New River. Thanks to Kim for straw bossin and Streamer, PHG,and Bob for the food. Couldn't believe the meals that we had. And don't forget Joyce's cake, had to have some for breakfast sunday morning. And a special thanks to 22midge, my fishing partner. Have really enjoyed the times and ready to go again.

[J_Thomas]

Short Byte

Thanks to Disco fer Bossin' tha Show... Good job
Damn, we got some great cooks in our group...... PHG, Streamer,DevinsDad. Wonderful grub guys .... Thank you !!

Sneaky Pete's
FlyChamp's hair at 0700 .. Scary!!
LT's fire
Redeyes
Judy's Redeye. Busted some chops on it !!!!!!!!!!
Backwoods Joe's canoe rig (Red Neck Style)
Disco,Southernfly,L . T. .. et al on a perverted bite.
Joyce's Wet Cake .................... Yep !!
Shark Boy's multiple face plants..... Splat !!
Thin Mint streamers
Row V Wade's new fly pole being tested by ten guys !!
Colin's new Rabbit streamer
Carl's Reel -- Impressive
What Spoon ???????????
Devin's Pyrotechnics !!
Phils Guitar ---- THX Cuz
Horney Heads on a floaty bug
Miss Prissy Poppers

Stone- Man

[southernfly]

That was a great time Y'all Here's my short byte
You done good Disco, thanks for puttin this whole thing together.
It was great to see everyone again and share some good times on the water.
I must have totally blacked out as I was leaving the house Thurs am. I forgot my fly rod, my pillow and all my drinks. Thanks for lending me your Winston Kim. That would have sucked to have to throw a spinning rod for 4 days.
Thanks for offering up a spare pillow you had DD...........
A bit muddy on the New but the floating was great, more float and less butt draggin.
The food was outstanding, as usual. The Sketti and salad rocked on Friday. Thanks Bob The Sat B'fast southern style was excellent, Thanks Paul. Beef stew that was a meat lovers delight. Excellent Jule. Corn muffins. Could eat them 3 times a day fo sho and the "wet cake" Joyce baked sure hit the spot on this sweet tooth.
Once the water cleared a bit the fishing got better and the catching got "perverted"
The long floats are the only way to go.
It is great fishing and breaking bread with you guys. Can hardly wait for the next one...


I believe it's pronounced Lee Sigh Chester yeah that should do it

SF