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TR: My cabin in the hills of Caroline (final installment w/fish picture)
Friday:
My last day, and since I've caught fish everywhere I've been except for B*g Sn*wb*rd (and since I'm a stubborn *******), I decided to give it another try. The knee was holding up fine, so the plan was to hike up to the lower falls and fish that area. Passed three flyfishers on the way. One was the toothless guy from Deliverance (and packing a pistol), and the others looked fairly normal. They must have thought I knew something abou the area, because they asked me where the best fishing was. (I told them it was below Junction ;-). We exchanged pleasnatries and I continued on, keeping an eye on my back until I was out of gunshot range. ;-) Up to S*ss*fr*ss in about 55 minutes, and in another 20 heard what sounded like a real waterfall. I found a really obvious path down to the water, and slid my way down, coming out at the top of a nice falls and just below two pretty pools and another smaller falls. (http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/snowbirdfalls01.jpg) Without giving too much more detail (Jeffy already knows where this is, I'm sure ... and Wayno too), I fished the lower pool and despite screwing up a couple of casts (immediate drag in the eddies), I was fortunate enough to have a nice brown (12"+) jump all over my offering. He was a bulldog, but was kind enough to pose for a photo: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/brown.jpg I fished the next pool with no luck and thought about scaling the falls, but figured I'd wait and do that when there's someone with me to scrape my remains up off the rocks below. (Do you guys just go up the face of the rocks on the left there or what?) Returned to the car, drank the best beer I've ever had, scoped out the Little Sn*b*rd a bit and was back at the house to pack up for my flight out on Saturday. On my way out on Saturday I snapped one last shot: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/cove.jpg Thanks to all who gave me advice, and tolerated my dumb questions. It was the fishing trip of a lifetime for this old liberrian, and I hope to do it again soon. :-) It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. Chuck Vance |
Conan The Librarian wrote:
snip It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. Wow. That was great. Thanks for taking the time, Chuck. -- TL, Tim ------------------------ http://css.sbcma.com/timj |
"Conan The Librarian" wrote (snip) I was fortunate enough to have a nice brown (12"+) jump all over my offering. He was a bulldog, but was kind enough to pose for a photo: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/brown.jpg nice! that's about as big a fish as one can expect that high on snowbird. I fished the next pool with no luck and thought about scaling the falls, but figured I'd wait and do that when there's someone with me to scrape my remains up off the rocks below. (Do you guys just go up the face of the rocks on the left there or what?) i *think* that's what we used to do. it's been more than ten years since i've been up that high. It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. thanks for those thoughts. i would enjoy helping you out, next time around. yfitons wayno (and hellfire, the boy didn't even see the best of it...) |
Wayne Harrison wrote:
"Conan The Librarian" wrote I fished the next pool with no luck and thought about scaling the falls, but figured I'd wait and do that when there's someone with me to scrape my remains up off the rocks below. (Do you guys just go up the face of the rocks on the left there or what?) i *think* that's what we used to do. it's been more than ten years since i've been up that high. I've never even considered it. I go back up to the trail and hike above Big Falls until the trail branches, the west branch goes up a hill towards Middle Falls and the east branch crosses Snowbird to three campsites, the second of which has the remains of an old bridge across Snowbird. I take the east branch, wade in just above the old bridge and fish up from there. All native brookies above Big Falls. -- Ken Fortenberry |
Conan The Librarian wrote:
Friday: My last day, ... snip Returned to the car, drank the best beer I've ever had, ... Oh well, I guess it takes longer than five days to work your way up to a Budweiser. ;-) It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. You said that exactly right. Thanks for the TR. -- Ken Fortenberry |
On 6/27/05 12:20 PM, in article , "Conan The
Librarian" wrote: Friday: My last day snip Nicely done set of reports, my bookish brother! Bill |
Conan The Librarian wrote:
Friday: My last day, snip Question: Did you keep a daily journal? With the level of detail in this report, either you have an amazingly fine memory, or you kept a written record. I've never done the journaling thing, but have considered it several times. -- TL, Tim ------------------------ http://css.sbcma.com/timj |
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On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 11:20:34 -0500, Conan The Librarian
wrote: I fished the next pool with no luck and thought about scaling the falls, but figured I'd wait and do that when there's someone with me to scrape my remains up off the rocks below. (Do you guys just go up the face of the rocks on the left there or what?) If you just keep going on the trail you will end up right next to the water above Big Falls. I've seen the path you dropped in on but haven't ever fished down there, I'll have to try it next time. -- Charlie... http://www.chocphoto.com |
Wayne Harrison wrote:
"Conan The Librarian" wrote http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/brown.jpg nice! that's about as big a fish as one can expect that high on snowbird. Thanks. I was surprised myself. I figured I had buggered up any chance of getting a fish from that pool with my first casts. But thankfully I had started at the tailout, so the pool was evidently big enough so I didn't scare him off. (And he took maybe 15' from shore.) It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. thanks for those thoughts. i would enjoy helping you out, next time around. I would enjoy that too. (And you *did* help me out, even if I didn't take all your advice. See below. :-) yfitons wayno (and hellfire, the boy didn't even see the best of it...) Yeah, I know. I was planning to do Hazel on Thursday, before I bunged my knee up. I just didn't feel confident enough to be totally dependent on someone else for my transportation in case I had problems with the knee. Maybe next time you can show me the good spots. :-) Chuck Vance |
Ken Fortenberry wrote:
Conan The Librarian wrote: My last day, ... snip Returned to the car, drank the best beer I've ever had, ... Oh well, I guess it takes longer than five days to work your way up to a Budweiser. ;-) Heh. What's really funny is even though I'm known as the DYBS of ROFF, I was drinking Busch beer on the trip. You know, Bud's poor cousin. :-) It's my favorite hot-weather domestic beer. Seriously. (Uh, oh ... does this mean my title is in danger?) It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. You said that exactly right. Thanks for the TR. You're welcome. I thought of your exploits in that area a couple of times while I was hiking/fishing. I may not be foolish enough to do Forney ;-) but there were a couple of times I was wondering what-the-hell I was doing out there all by myself. And then I would see the next lovely pool or run and get over it. :-) Chuck Vance |
Tim J. wrote:
Question: Did you keep a daily journal? With the level of detail in this report, either you have an amazingly fine memory, or you kept a written record. I've never done the journaling thing, but have considered it several times. What I did was sit down back at the cabin each evening and jot down notes from the day's adventures. Since I was there by myself, I didn't have anyone else with which to talk over the day's events. Writing about it was a great way to unwind, as well as help me see what I was doing well on the water, help me plan for the next day, etc. Chuck Vance (and yes, I know ... I went into an excruciating level of detail, but you should see the stuff I *didn't* include ;-) |
William Claspy wrote:
That's the beauty of LC classes. It's already got one :-) Well, most of one. SH688.U6 -and we'll make ourselves up a cutter number- V456 2005 Done! Bill (waiting for a cataloger out there to correct me :-) You rang? :-) Let's see ... SH688 ... angling for trout by region or country ... OK ... .U6 for United Snakes ... good ... V456 for Vance .... not so good ... should be more like V363. Chuck Vance (but overall not a bad job for a public-service type ;-) |
Conan The Librarian wrote:
Tim J. wrote: Question: Did you keep a daily journal? With the level of detail in this report, either you have an amazingly fine memory, or you kept a written record. I've never done the journaling thing, but have considered it several times. What I did was sit down back at the cabin each evening and jot down notes from the day's adventures. Since I was there by myself, I didn't have anyone else with which to talk over the day's events. Writing about it was a great way to unwind, as well as help me see what I was doing well on the water, help me plan for the next day, etc. Chuck Vance (and yes, I know ... I went into an excruciating level of detail, but you should see the stuff I *didn't* include ;-) Excrutiating my ass. That was wonderful. -- TL, Tim ------------------------ http://css.sbcma.com/timj |
Tim J. wrote:
Conan The Librarian wrote: Tim J. wrote: ...excruciating... Excrutiating .... I *hate* it when I misspell a word someone just spelled for me. :( -- TL, Tim ------------------------ http://css.sbcma.com/timj |
Conan The Librarian wrote: Thanks to all who gave me advice, and tolerated my dumb questions. It was the fishing trip of a lifetime for this old liberrian, and I hope to do it again soon. :-) It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. Thanks for the great series of trip reports. All you missed in Texas was the heat. I can't wait till I next get to spend another week in this area. It is well worth driving a couple of days each way to spend some time in that very special area. Big Dale |
"Conan The Librarian" wrote in message ... Friday: My last day, and since I've caught fish everywhere I've been except for B*g Sn*wb*rd (and since I'm a stubborn *******), I decided to give it another try. The knee was holding up fine, so the plan was to hike up to the lower falls and fish that area. Chuck Vance Thanks Chuck! A wonderful read w/pics to boot. Who could ask for anything more? I hope to post a TR and pics of an evening fish tomorrow. One of the Bass fishers from work wants me to take him trout fishin' after work tomorrow, so maybe I can convert him and there will be one less guy in the shop callin' me a pussy-fisherman. Take care of the knees. Mark |
Conan The Librarian wrote:
Friday: My last day, and since I've caught fish everywhere I've been except for B*g Sn*wb*rd (and since I'm a stubborn *******), I decided to give it another try. The knee was holding up fine, so the plan was to hike up to the lower falls and fish that area. Passed three flyfishers on the way. One was the toothless guy from Deliverance (and packing a pistol), and the others looked fairly normal. They must have thought I knew something abou the area, because they asked me where the best fishing was. (I told them it was below Junction ;-). We exchanged pleasnatries and I continued on, keeping an eye on my back until I was out of gunshot range. ;-) Up to S*ss*fr*ss in about 55 minutes, and in another 20 heard what sounded like a real waterfall. I found a really obvious path down to the water, and slid my way down, coming out at the top of a nice falls and just below two pretty pools and another smaller falls. (http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/snowbirdfalls01.jpg) Without giving too much more detail (Jeffy already knows where this is, I'm sure ... and Wayno too), I fished the lower pool and despite screwing up a couple of casts (immediate drag in the eddies), I was fortunate enough to have a nice brown (12"+) jump all over my offering. He was a bulldog, but was kind enough to pose for a photo: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/brown.jpg I fished the next pool with no luck and thought about scaling the falls, but figured I'd wait and do that when there's someone with me to scrape my remains up off the rocks below. (Do you guys just go up the face of the rocks on the left there or what?) Returned to the car, drank the best beer I've ever had, scoped out the Little Sn*b*rd a bit and was back at the house to pack up for my flight out on Saturday. On my way out on Saturday I snapped one last shot: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/cove.jpg Thanks to all who gave me advice, and tolerated my dumb questions. It was the fishing trip of a lifetime for this old liberrian, and I hope to do it again soon. :-) It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. Chuck Vance thanks for the fine story and photos chuck! you did right good on your first visit...better than most. it's a fine and wondrous place, and it'll be near bout the same on your next visit. (btw, you climb up the left side of the lower falls...and, wait til you see middle falls) jeff |
Ken Fortenberry wrote:
I've never even considered it. um... actually, you did. at the first roff clave ever, while pj and peter fished below us, you and i entered snowbird at the big pool at the bottom of lower falls, fished it a bit, then we climbed above the falls on the rocks at the left. |
Jeff Miller wrote:
Ken Fortenberry wrote: I've never even considered it. um... actually, you did. at the first roff clave ever, ... we climbed above the falls on the rocks at the left. OK, I stand corrected. That should have read: When sober, I've never even considered it. -- Ken Fortenberry |
"Conan The Librarian" wrote in message
... Friday: //snip// What a serial! Wonderful TR! Thanks much. I don't know why, but every time I get on those streams by myself I worry about banging up my legs or spraining an ankle. Also, it can get pretty tough at dark - you can find yourself in the middle of a canyon with rhodos and laurel on both sides and no way to get out except to bushwhack through the jungle. And that assumes you know where you are and where you're going! Last fall on Sassafras I felt like it was time to get out. I thought I knew there was a trail uphill from the creek, toward the ridge top. Spent probably half an hour pulling myself hand-over-hand up the hill only to find no trail and no sign of one, so had to slide all the way back down and make my way back down the creek in the gathering dusk. The images are marvelous - especially those of the mountains. There's a lush sensuousness there that you just can't find in any other mountains. Thanks for taking the time to post. By the way, there are some very nice fish in BS, especially if you slide/roll/crawl down the slopes into one of those inaccessible canyons. I spent probably three hours last fall casting to a trout that must have been 18 inches (got a pitcher of 'im!). While working the pool I noticed a humongous yellowjacket nest on a vertical wall of rock about four feet away from me, head-high. Fortunately, we negotiated a live-and-let-live arrangement and they didn't bother me. But the next day there was a spin fisherman standing in that very spot throwing hardware into the pool. Hmmm . .. . ethical dilemma. Do I tell the guy about the bees? Do I ignore him? Or do I fling a rock at the nest? (I guess that's a trilemma?) Bob |
Charlie Choc wrote:
If you just keep going on the trail you will end up right next to the water above Big Falls. I've seen the path you dropped in on but haven't ever fished down there, I'll have to try it next time. It puts you right above one set of falls and below another. The good news is that it gives you two nice pools to fish. The bad news is that then you're left to either scale the upper falls or work your way back down to the pool below the lower one. Neither one looked particularly easy, but my attitude may have been influenced by the fact that I was alone and had a sore knee. :-} One thing I didn't do was check to see if there was an easier way down on the opposite side of the creek. I'll have to remember to try that next time. :-) Chuck Vance |
Jeff Miller wrote:
thanks for the fine story and photos chuck! You're welcome, Jeff. And thanks for all your good advice. Which reminds me of something I forgot to include in my TR. (Yeah, I know ... how could I have left *anything* out? ;-) I wound up approaching likely looking water by being as stealthy as I could, and when I got into decent position, I would wait a bit before casting. I'd take a cig break or take some photos; resting the pool for 5 minutes or so before even making my first cast. I didn't do it consciously at first, but I caught my biggest 'bow that way and then did it intentionally after that. I don't know if it made any difference to the fish, but it made me slow down a bit so I could get a good long look at the water and plan my cast instead of just flailing away. you did right good on your first visit...better than most. it's a fine and wondrous place, and it'll be near bout the same on your next visit. (btw, you climb up the left side of the lower falls...and, wait til you see middle falls) Is the lower falls actually a whole set of mini-falls, or was it just the two that I saw from where I got down to the water? (I came in with a large falls below me and the one in my photo above.) I'm just wondering because the falls that was above where I came in didn't look like it had a lot in the way of foot or handholds. I look forward to exploring some of that water with you in the future, Jeff. Chuck Vance |
Bob Patton wrote:
Last fall on Sassafras I felt like it was time to get out. I thought I knew there was a trail uphill from the creek, toward the ridge top. Spent probably half an hour pulling myself hand-over-hand up the hill only to find no trail and no sign of one, so had to slide all the way back down and make my way back down the creek in the gathering dusk. That reminds me ... I passed the S*ss*fr*ss Trail on my second time out there, and it seemed a long way from the creek. :-) Do folks use that trail for accessing the creek, or do you just rock-hop. I didn't know the trail was there when I hit the creek, and I wound up just crawling and wading my way up. The images are marvelous - especially those of the mountains. There's a lush sensuousness there that you just can't find in any other mountains. Thanks for taking the time to post. Thanks for taking the time to read the whole thing. :-) "Lush sensuousness" is an apt description. By the way, there are some very nice fish in BS, especially if you slide/roll/crawl down the slopes into one of those inaccessible canyons. I spent probably three hours last fall casting to a trout that must have been 18 inches (got a pitcher of 'im!). While working the pool I noticed a humongous yellowjacket nest on a vertical wall of rock about four feet away from me, head-high. Fortunately, we negotiated a live-and-let-live arrangement and they didn't bother me. But the next day there was a spin fisherman standing in that very spot throwing hardware into the pool. Hmmm . . . ethical dilemma. Do I tell the guy about the bees? Do I ignore him? Or do I fling a rock at the nest? (I guess that's a trilemma?) Check to see if he's packing and if not, throw the rock. If he is packing, warn him about the yellowjackets. :-) Chuck Vance |
On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 06:53:14 -0500, Conan The Librarian
wrote: One thing I didn't do was check to see if there was an easier way down on the opposite side of the creek. I'll have to remember to try that next time. :-) Above Big Falls the access is a *lot* easier and the brookies were very cooperative when I was there last. -- Charlie... http://www.chocphoto.com |
Conan The Librarian wrote:
Do folks use that trail for accessing the creek, or do you just rock-hop. That trail goes to a waterfall quite a ways upstream of the confluence with Snowbird. The trail doesn't get close to the creek until it reaches the falls. You can hike to the falls, scramble downstream then fish back to the falls, but that's a lot of work for 6" fish. -- Ken Fortenberry |
"Conan The Librarian" wrote in message ... Friday: My last day, and since I've caught fish everywhere I've been except for B*g Sn*wb*rd (and since I'm a stubborn *******), I decided to give it another try. The knee was holding up fine, so the plan was to hike up to the lower falls and fish that area. Passed three flyfishers on the way. One was the toothless guy from Deliverance (and packing a pistol), and the others looked fairly normal. They must have thought I knew something abou the area, because they asked me where the best fishing was. (I told them it was below Junction ;-). We exchanged pleasnatries and I continued on, keeping an eye on my back until I was out of gunshot range. ;-) Up to S*ss*fr*ss in about 55 minutes, and in another 20 heard what sounded like a real waterfall. I found a really obvious path down to the water, and slid my way down, coming out at the top of a nice falls and just below two pretty pools and another smaller falls. (http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/snowbirdfalls01.jpg) Without giving too much more detail (Jeffy already knows where this is, I'm sure ... and Wayno too), I fished the lower pool and despite screwing up a couple of casts (immediate drag in the eddies), I was fortunate enough to have a nice brown (12"+) jump all over my offering. He was a bulldog, but was kind enough to pose for a photo: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/brown.jpg I fished the next pool with no luck and thought about scaling the falls, but figured I'd wait and do that when there's someone with me to scrape my remains up off the rocks below. (Do you guys just go up the face of the rocks on the left there or what?) Returned to the car, drank the best beer I've ever had, scoped out the Little Sn*b*rd a bit and was back at the house to pack up for my flight out on Saturday. On my way out on Saturday I snapped one last shot: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~cv01/cove.jpg Thanks to all who gave me advice, and tolerated my dumb questions. It was the fishing trip of a lifetime for this old liberrian, and I hope to do it again soon. :-) It's beautiful country with lovely, strong fish, and I hope to explore much more of it. Great recount Mr Vance, thanks for sharing. I'm glad you enjoyed our little mountainous region, come on back, anytime. (And just a hint, it's not the Deliverance-looking folks you really need to worry about here... ;-) Seriously though, we do have legal CCPs available here (Concealed Carry Permits) so seeing someone "strapped", especially a sportsman, isn't really that big of call for concern. Well, that is if you aren't in Durham at the time...but you didn't hear that from me... Chuck Vance |
Conan The Librarian wrote: Is the lower falls actually a whole set of mini-falls, or was it just the two that I saw from where I got down to the water? (I came in with a large falls below me and the one in my photo above.) I'm just wondering because the falls that was above where I came in didn't look like it had a lot in the way of foot or handholds. lower falls or big falls is actually below the cascade mini-falls shown in your photo, i think. the lower falls is a single large one about 20-30 feet high, with the major falls over on the right side (looking upstream). there is a big pool at the bottom of the falls. forty did a good job of fishing it in 1999...and Middleton has a nice description of it and his meeting with arby mcd. in "On the Spine of Time". over to the left are the rocks and ledges you scramble and pull yourself up and over. nice water at the top too. foot or handholds??? um, well, ....hahahahahahah!!! I look forward to exploring some of that water with you in the future, Jeff. perhaps in october? ...although i'm thinking of going to my 30-year class reunion in Miami that month to see the Tar Heels and Hurricanes play a bit of football.... jeff Chuck Vance |
Jeff wrote:
lower falls or big falls is actually below the cascade mini-falls shown in your photo, i think. the lower falls is a single large one about 20-30 feet high, with the major falls over on the right side (looking upstream). there is a big pool at the bottom of the falls. forty did a good job of fishing it in 1999...and Middleton has a nice description of it and his meeting with arby mcd. in "On the Spine of Time". over to the left are the rocks and ledges you scramble and pull yourself up and over. nice water at the top too. foot or handholds??? um, well, ...hahahahahahah!!! Yeah, OK ... silly me. :-) Thanks for the description. I came in at the head of big falls then. And that pool at the base of it did look awfully inviting. If I hadn't caught that nice brown from the pool above it I would have definitely looked for a way down to it. Maybe next time. I look forward to exploring some of that water with you in the future, Jeff. perhaps in october? ...although i'm thinking of going to my 30-year class reunion in Miami that month to see the Tar Heels and Hurricanes play a bit of football.... I'm thinking this year is out of the question for me. We're going to have a lot of expenses in August as the youngest SWMBO'ette is going off to school then. So it'll probably be next year before I go on any more major trips. But the next time I go, I'm hoping to get either/both you and Wayno to meet up with me for a bit. I still have to do Hazel, Noland, etc. Thanks again for all your valuable advice. I almost felt like I had already been to some of the spots I fished, and had a good idea of where to start fishing when I got to the water. Chuck Vance |
Conan The Librarian wrote:
Jeff wrote: lower falls or big falls is actually below the cascade mini-falls shown in your photo, i think. the lower falls is a single large one about 20-30 feet high, with the major falls over on the right side (looking upstream). there is a big pool at the bottom of the falls. forty did a good job of fishing it in 1999...and Middleton has a nice description of it and his meeting with arby mcd. in "On the Spine of Time". over to the left are the rocks and ledges you scramble and pull yourself up and over. nice water at the top too. foot or handholds??? um, well, ...hahahahahahah!!! Yeah, OK ... silly me. :-) Thanks for the description. I came in at the head of big falls then. And that pool at the base of it did look awfully inviting. If I hadn't caught that nice brown from the pool above it I would have definitely looked for a way down to it. Maybe next time. I look forward to exploring some of that water with you in the future, Jeff. perhaps in october? ...although i'm thinking of going to my 30-year class reunion in Miami that month to see the Tar Heels and Hurricanes play a bit of football.... I'm thinking this year is out of the question for me. We're going to have a lot of expenses in August as the youngest SWMBO'ette is going off to school then. So it'll probably be next year before I go on any more major trips. But the next time I go, I'm hoping to get either/both you and Wayno to meet up with me for a bit. I still have to do Hazel, Noland, etc. Thanks again for all your valuable advice. I almost felt like I had already been to some of the spots I fished, and had a good idea of where to start fishing when I got to the water. Chuck Vance my current idea for next year (hell, i'm still workin on ideas for this year) is to spend more time in my home waters - mountain and sea - so, let me know your plans as soon as you can. april/may and october are always good times for graham county. the middle of summer is hit or miss, but there is never a bad month to be up there. jeff |
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