Rapid River part III
 

Although I call the Rapid River my "home" waters, it takes me about 3
1/2 hours to get there. It's a boring drive, one that I have made
innumerable times. However, for my third trip to Lakewood this year I
brought Joanne. She made the driving time pass very quickly by playing
a Father's Day gift, the cd "Songs of the Civil War." Of course,
knowing Joanne, there had to be a narrative. Before each song she read
the album's narrative about that song. Very interesting stuff. The
album is an eclectic collection of artists from Hoyt Axton to the U.S.
Military Academy Band, with several Negro spiritual pieces by the group
Sweet Honey in the Rock. One piece and its narrative was of particular
interest. Paradoxically, "Dixie's Land", better known by its Southern
anthem "Dixie" was written by a damn Yankee in New York, of all places.
It was not only played at Jefferson Davis' inauguration, but also at
Lincoln's, and Lincoln had it played after Lee's surrender to Grant.
Like I said, "interesting stuff".

The cd lasted all the way to South Arm thanks to the pauses for
Joanne's narrative and our discussion of it. Whit was there with the
new boat to ferry us to Lakewood. As usual when I arrive, a rain storm
was setting it and it would be pouring by the time we got to our cabin.
We sat on the porch and watched and listened to the storm. There is
something about a rustic primitive cabin in the woods during a thunder
storm. Its good for the soul. Joanne and I have been at some of the
best hotels of the world in London, Paris, Davos Switzerland, Rio, New
York, etc, but none can compare to the peacefulness, the secure feeling
you get while witnessing a loud and boisterous thunderstorm at one of
Lakewood's camps.

Fishing remained good. Big fish, both salmon and brook trout, were
being taken at the dam and down-river at Pond in the River. Even Lower
Dam was coughing up some big brookies, mostly on dries and itty-bitty
nymphs. A particular brook trout that I have haunted for a couple of
years resides in what I call "The Aquarium" at the wingdam. If he sees
you he'll never take your fly, and unless it is an itty-bitty thing, he
will turn up his nose. I put on a size 22 soft hackle pt (no pt
involved in the tying of it - just brown thread and very small wire for
its rib). I stood back and got just the tip of my 9 foot 6 weight near
the hole and let the fly wash into his water. When the leader moved I
set the hook. He was on, and he took his normal route -- straight into
the deepest part of the Wingdam Pool. There is no stopping this
freight train. He's going to go where he wants to and if you give him
the slightest bit of resistance, he'll break you off and discard you
like yesterday's newspaper. His usual trick is to make this franticly
strong run into the deep of the pool and then play like the shark in
"Jaws" by coming back at you as fast as he can. If you try to reel him
in, you will lose. If you strip line like crazy, you will probably
lose, but it is the only thing you can do. You have *got* to get all
the line in without even an inch of slack, because when he turns and
runs back into the pool, he'll use that slack line to break you off.
Which he did.

Landing this fish is not part of the game. Just hooking him puts you
in a very special group of fishermen - not many do it. I've landed him
twice in the past three years - last year he was my best ever and folks
estimated his size at 6+ pounds. He's even bigger this year. At
dinner that night, I "estimated" his size at 9 pounds. Of course he
was probably closer to 7 or a bigger 6+, but hey, whatcha gonna do?
d;o)

Because of my health I doubt I will be seeing much of the down-river
haunts on the Rapid. I made it back to my bike that afternoon, but
could go no farther. A friend passed by and informed Whit that I
needed help. He and Joanne came down to get me (the second time in
two years!). I happily fished Middle Dam for the rest of the week,
still managing to land some wonderful fish. Whit has offered me use of
the old unregistered camp pick-up to get me down-river. We'll see.
But until then, I will limit my fishing to the dam. Easy in - easy
out. And the fishing is good.

What else does a sick old man need besides great fishing, a wonderful
wife, and a rocking chair on a cabin's porch. Maybe a see-through?
With an olive. d;o)

Dave

Rapid River part III
 

On Jun 25, 4:50*pm, D. LaCourse wrote:
Although I call the Rapid River my "home" waters, it takes me about 3
1/2 hours to get there. *It's a boring drive, one that I have made
innumerable times. *However, for my third trip to Lakewood this year I
brought Joanne. *She made the driving time pass very quickly by playing
a Father's Day gift, the cd "Songs of the Civil War." *Of course,
knowing Joanne, there had to be a narrative. *Before each song she read
the album's narrative about that song. *Very interesting stuff. *The
album is an eclectic collection of artists from Hoyt Axton to the U.S.
Military Academy Band, with several Negro spiritual pieces by the group
Sweet Honey in the Rock. *One piece and its narrative was of particular
interest. *Paradoxically, "Dixie's Land", better known by its Southern
anthem "Dixie" was written by a damn Yankee in New York, of all places.
*It was not only played at Jefferson Davis' inauguration, but also at
Lincoln's, and Lincoln had it played after Lee's surrender to Grant. *
Like I said, "interesting stuff".

The cd lasted all the way to South Arm thanks to the pauses for
Joanne's narrative and our discussion of it. *Whit was there with the
new boat to ferry us to Lakewood. *As usual when I arrive, a rain storm
was setting it and it would be pouring by the time we got to our cabin.
*We sat on the porch and watched and listened to the storm. *There is
something about a rustic primitive cabin in the woods during a thunder
storm. *Its good for the soul. *Joanne and I have been at some of the
best hotels of the world in London, Paris, Davos Switzerland, Rio, New
York, etc, but none can compare to the peacefulness, the secure feeling
you get while witnessing a loud and boisterous thunderstorm at one of
Lakewood's camps.

Fishing remained good. *Big fish, both salmon and brook trout, were
being taken at the dam and down-river at Pond in the River. *Even Lower
Dam was coughing up some big brookies, mostly on dries and itty-bitty
nymphs. *A particular brook trout that I have haunted for a couple of
years resides in what I call "The Aquarium" at the wingdam. *If he sees
you he'll never take your fly, and unless it is an itty-bitty thing, he
will turn up his nose. *I put on a size 22 soft hackle pt (no pt
involved in the tying of it - just brown thread and very small wire for
its rib). *I stood back and got just the tip of my 9 foot 6 weight near
the hole and let the fly wash into his water. *When the leader moved I
set the hook. *He was on, and he took his normal route -- straight into
the deepest part of the Wingdam Pool. *There is no stopping this
freight train. *He's going to go where he wants to and if you give him
the slightest bit of resistance, he'll break you off and discard you
like yesterday's newspaper. *His usual trick is to make this franticly
strong run into the deep of the pool and then play like the shark in
"Jaws" by coming back at you as fast as he can. *If you try to reel him
in, you will lose. *If you strip line like crazy, you will probably
lose, but it is the only thing you can do. *You have *got* to get all
the line in without even an inch of slack, because when he turns and
runs back into the pool, he'll use that slack line to break you off. *
Which he did.

Landing this fish is not part of the game. *Just hooking him puts you
in a very special group of fishermen - not many do it. *I've landed him
twice in the past three years - last year he was my best ever and folks
estimated his size at 6+ pounds. *He's even bigger this year. *At
dinner that night, I "estimated" his size at 9 pounds. *Of course he
was probably closer to 7 or a bigger 6+, but hey, whatcha gonna do? *
d;o)

Because of my health I doubt I will be seeing much of the down-river
haunts on the Rapid. *I made it back to my bike that afternoon, but
could go no farther. *A friend passed by and informed Whit that I
needed help. * He and Joanne came down to get me (the second time in
two years!). *I happily fished Middle Dam for the rest of the week,
still managing to land some wonderful fish. *Whit has offered me use of
the old unregistered camp pick-up to get me down-river. *We'll see. *
But until then, I will limit my fishing to the dam. *Easy in - easy
out. *And the fishing is good.

What else does a sick old man need besides great fishing, a wonderful
wife, and a rocking chair on a cabin's porch. *Maybe a see-through? *
With an olive. *d;o)

Dave

One: The "aquarium" at the wing dam is one of the most incredible
spots I've ever seen. You can stand there over 3 to 5 five plus pound
trout that sit there at your feet (litterally, in 4 feet of water
right below you), they will only take protozoa size flies.
Two: Get one of these and keep it up there http://www.segway.com/individual/models/x2.php
It will get you back and forth and can handle those trails. I want
you to be able to keep posting these reports.
Frank Reid

Rapid River part III
 

On Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:46:45 -0700 (PDT), Frank Reid © 2010
wrote:

On Jun 25, 4:50*pm, D. LaCourse wrote:
Although I call the Rapid River my "home" waters, it takes me about 3
1/2 hours to get there. *It's a boring drive, one that I have made
innumerable times. *However, for my third trip to Lakewood this year I
brought Joanne. *She made the driving time pass very quickly by playing
a Father's Day gift, the cd "Songs of the Civil War." *Of course,
knowing Joanne, there had to be a narrative. *Before each song she read
the album's narrative about that song. *Very interesting stuff. *The
album is an eclectic collection of artists from Hoyt Axton to the U.S.
Military Academy Band, with several Negro spiritual pieces by the group
Sweet Honey in the Rock. *One piece and its narrative was of particular
interest. *Paradoxically, "Dixie's Land", better known by its Southern
anthem "Dixie" was written by a damn Yankee in New York, of all places.
*It was not only played at Jefferson Davis' inauguration, but also at
Lincoln's, and Lincoln had it played after Lee's surrender to Grant. *
Like I said, "interesting stuff".

The cd lasted all the way to South Arm thanks to the pauses for
Joanne's narrative and our discussion of it. *Whit was there with the
new boat to ferry us to Lakewood. *As usual when I arrive, a rain storm
was setting it and it would be pouring by the time we got to our cabin.
*We sat on the porch and watched and listened to the storm. *There is
something about a rustic primitive cabin in the woods during a thunder
storm. *Its good for the soul. *Joanne and I have been at some of the
best hotels of the world in London, Paris, Davos Switzerland, Rio, New
York, etc, but none can compare to the peacefulness, the secure feeling
you get while witnessing a loud and boisterous thunderstorm at one of
Lakewood's camps.

Fishing remained good. *Big fish, both salmon and brook trout, were
being taken at the dam and down-river at Pond in the River. *Even Lower
Dam was coughing up some big brookies, mostly on dries and itty-bitty
nymphs. *A particular brook trout that I have haunted for a couple of
years resides in what I call "The Aquarium" at the wingdam. *If he sees
you he'll never take your fly, and unless it is an itty-bitty thing, he
will turn up his nose. *I put on a size 22 soft hackle pt (no pt
involved in the tying of it - just brown thread and very small wire for
its rib). *I stood back and got just the tip of my 9 foot 6 weight near
the hole and let the fly wash into his water. *When the leader moved I
set the hook. *He was on, and he took his normal route -- straight into
the deepest part of the Wingdam Pool. *There is no stopping this
freight train. *He's going to go where he wants to and if you give him
the slightest bit of resistance, he'll break you off and discard you
like yesterday's newspaper. *His usual trick is to make this franticly
strong run into the deep of the pool and then play like the shark in
"Jaws" by coming back at you as fast as he can. *If you try to reel him
in, you will lose. *If you strip line like crazy, you will probably
lose, but it is the only thing you can do. *You have *got* to get all
the line in without even an inch of slack, because when he turns and
runs back into the pool, he'll use that slack line to break you off. *
Which he did.

Landing this fish is not part of the game. *Just hooking him puts you
in a very special group of fishermen - not many do it. *I've landed him
twice in the past three years - last year he was my best ever and folks
estimated his size at 6+ pounds. *He's even bigger this year. *At
dinner that night, I "estimated" his size at 9 pounds. *Of course he
was probably closer to 7 or a bigger 6+, but hey, whatcha gonna do? *
d;o)

Because of my health I doubt I will be seeing much of the down-river
haunts on the Rapid. *I made it back to my bike that afternoon, but
could go no farther. *A friend passed by and informed Whit that I
needed help. * He and Joanne came down to get me (the second time in
two years!). *I happily fished Middle Dam for the rest of the week,
still managing to land some wonderful fish. *Whit has offered me use of
the old unregistered camp pick-up to get me down-river. *We'll see. *
But until then, I will limit my fishing to the dam. *Easy in - easy
out. *And the fishing is good.

What else does a sick old man need besides great fishing, a wonderful
wife, and a rocking chair on a cabin's porch. *Maybe a see-through? *
With an olive. *d;o)

Dave

One: The "aquarium" at the wing dam is one of the most incredible
spots I've ever seen. You can stand there over 3 to 5 five plus pound
trout that sit there at your feet (litterally, in 4 feet of water
right below you), they will only take protozoa size flies.
Two: Get one of these and keep it up there http://www.segway.com/individual/models/x2.php
It will get you back and forth and can handle those trails. I want
you to be able to keep posting these reports.
Frank Reid


I agree, even about the Segway. I really enjoy your reports.

GeoC

Rapid River part III
 

On 2010-06-25 22:46:45 -0400, Frank Reid � 2010 said:


One: The "aquarium" at the wing dam is one of the most incredible
spots I've ever seen. You can stand there over 3 to 5 five plus pound
trout that sit there at your feet (litterally, in 4 feet of water
right below you), they will only take protozoa size flies.
Two: Get one of these and keep it up there http://www.segway.com/individua
l/models/x2.php
It will get you back and forth and can handle those trails. I want
you to be able to keep posting these reports.
Frank Reid

Well thank you, Frank. God willing, I will spend as much time as
possible at Lakewood and the Rapid, and will include trip reports.

Joanne is heading south next week, so I will head north for my fourth
week. Fishing is still good and there is plenty of water to keep the
temps down.

LOL. If I had one of those Segway thingies I doubt I'd fish very much.
They look like a lot of fun. I'll fish the dam mostly, with the
occasional trip down river by pick-up.

Dave

Rapid River part III
 

On 2010-06-26 06:04:42 -0400, georgecleveland said:


I agree, even about the Segway. I really enjoy your reports.

GeoC

Thank you, George. I hope to continue. On a brighter note: I have
just started sleep apnea therapy with the newest machine available.
The difference in how I feel is amazing. I have more stamina and naps
during the day have now become optional instead of a requirement.

Also, on Monday I will get shots in my left hip for the pain. I have
terrible hip pain, but they are not bad enough to require replacement.
I can not imagine how much pain one must endure before replacement
therapy. Hopefully the shots will allow me better mobilization.

Dave

Rapid River part III
 

David,
Thanks for the reports, they're always interesting. Sorry to hear about
your health issues, and hope the various treatments keep you moving and
fishing.
Tom

Rapid River part III
 

On 2010-06-26 09:05:57 -0400, "Tom Littleton" said:

David,
Thanks for the reports, they're always interesting. Sorry to hear about
your health issues, and hope the various treatments keep you moving and
fishing.
Tom

You left out "and fighting with liberals." d;o)

Thanks, Tom. I really would like to do Penns one more time
before...... well, you know.

Dave

Rapid River part III
 

On Jun 26, 7:00*am, D. LaCourse wrote:
On 2010-06-25 22:46:45 -0400, Frank Reid 2010 said:



One: The "aquarium" at the wing dam is one of the most incredible
spots I've ever seen. *You can stand there over 3 to 5 five plus pound
trout that sit there at your feet (litterally, in 4 feet of water
right below you), they will only take protozoa size flies.
Two: Get one of these and keep it up there *http://www.segway.com/individua
l/models/x2.php
It will get you back and forth and can handle those trails. *I want
you to be able to keep posting these reports.
Frank Reid

Well thank you, Frank. *God willing, I will spend as much time as
possible at Lakewood and the Rapid, and will include trip reports.

Joanne is heading south next week, so I will head north for my fourth
week. *Fishing is still good and there is plenty of water to keep the
temps down.

LOL. *If I had one of those Segway thingies I doubt I'd fish very much.
*They look like a lot of fun. *I'll fish the dam mostly, with the
occasional trip down river by pick-up.

Dave

Just think. You could zip down to the water with a small cooler to
hold some ice and a beverage or two. It will handle the trail from
the wingdam pool up to the second dam.
They are VERY easy to drive and REALLY fun.
Frank Reid

Rapid River part III
 

"D. LaCourse" wrote in message
news:2010062517502816807-davplac@aolcom...
Although I call the Rapid River my "home" waters, it takes me about 3 1/2
hours to get there. It's a boring drive, one that I have made innumerable
times. However, for my third trip to Lakewood this year I brought Joanne.
(snip)
What else does a sick old man need besides great fishing, a wonderful
wife, and a rocking chair on a cabin's porch. Maybe a see-through? With
an olive. d;o)

Dave

just really good stuff, louie. sorry to hear about your health. i've
just been diagnosed with "peripheal neuropea"(sp?), specific to feet and
lower legs. can't walk more than about 250 yds. the hip pain i had been
enduring was greatly reduced by prednisone, but you have to be very cautious
with the damn stuff. i had to undergo withdrawal therapy that was far worse
than the hip pain.
i'd go with something motorized, but the nc parks and the national
properties won't allow them.
that's all right, by god. i've got kick ass memories. :)

yfitons
wayno

Rapid River part III
 

Wayne Harrison wrote:
snip
i've
just been diagnosed with "peripheal neuropea"(sp?), specific to feet and
lower legs. can't walk more than about 250 yds. the hip pain i had been
enduring was greatly reduced by prednisone, but you have to be very cautious
with the damn stuff. i had to undergo withdrawal therapy that was far worse
than the hip pain. ...

Sorry to hear about your health issues. You're the old
stallion who was rode hard and put up wet. Bless your
heart.

They had me on that prednisone **** for a couple of
years. I ballooned up to 242 lbs. and looked like the
goddamn Pillsbury Doughboy. I told them that carrying
around that much weight was gonna kill me quicker than
the damn disease it was meant to cure and made them
taper me off of it. I'm down to 215 now, still doing
the rest of the chemo cocktail minus the prednisone
and I've been in partial remission for the last six
months. (knock on wood)

If I get down that way I'll dump you in a wheelbarrow
and push you up Hazel Creek myself. You just tell me
where you want to fish and I'll dump you right there. ;-)

--
Ken Fortenberry

Rapid River part III
 

On 2010-06-28 11:40:25 -0400, "Wayne Harrison" said:

that's all right, by god. i've got kick ass memories. :)

yfitons
wayno

Don't we all? For your neuropathy -- I take a couple of neurontin
pills a day to stop the pain. I have it all the way from my toes to
mid-way up my leg. That's why I'm constantly pulling a Reid.

And get your scrawny ass up to Lakewood with me. With all your money,
counselor, you can affort two or three weeks.

yyf
Dave

Rapid River part III
 

"D. LaCourse" wrote in message
news:2010062818125116807-davplac@aolcom...
On 2010-06-28 11:40:25 -0400, "Wayne Harrison" said:

that's all right, by god. i've got kick ass memories. :)

yfitons
wayno

Don't we all? For your neuropathy -- I take a couple of neurontin pills a
day to stop the pain. I have it all the way from my toes to mid-way up my
leg. That's why I'm constantly pulling a Reid.

And get your scrawny ass up to Lakewood with me. With all your money,
counselor, you can affort two or three weeks.

yyf
Dave

careful, now--you might have your requests responded to earlier than you
think...

yfitons
wayno

Rapid River part III
 

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
...

If I get down that way I'll dump you in a wheelbarrow
and push you up Hazel Creek myself. You just tell me
where you want to fish and I'll dump you right there. ;-)

you're on, chief. but the temps for the last 30 days would have killed
both of us...

yfitons
wayno

Rapid River part III
 

On 2010-06-28 13:46:21 -0400, "Tim J."
said:

D. LaCourse typed:
snip
I have
terrible hip pain, but they are not bad enough to require replacement.
I can not imagine how much pain one must endure before replacement
therapy.

About that much. :)

Hopefully the shots will allow me better mobilization.

Good luck with the shots. Once they only give you a day or so of relief, get
the replacement. I've not spoken with anyone who regrets it, and the recoup
isn't long. I'm really glad I had it done.

Tim, I can not believe what relief the shot has given me. It's
amazing, really. I had trouble with a shoulder a few years ago (my
casting arm) and had a cortisone shot. It helped alot and much of my
mobility came back. It has remained relatively well since. But this
hip thingy.... I was at the point were it was almost too difficult to
walk, but now the pain is all gone and I again have mobility in that
leg.

I went on CPAP theropy about a week ago and it too has shown remarkable
resuts. No more morning and afternoon naps, and I awake each morning
feeling 10 years younger. I can't wait to get to Lakewood on the 4th
and put all this new painless walking and refound energy to work. I
should be able to fish the entire day instead of a 1/2 routine of
fishing/napping.

Dave (who is finding it takes a tough sob to grow old)

Rapid River part III
 

On 1-Jul-2010, D. LaCourse wrote:

Tim, I can not believe what relief the shot has given me. It's
amazing, really. I had trouble with a shoulder a few years ago (my
casting arm) and had a cortisone shot. It helped alot and much of my
mobility came back. It has remained relatively well since. But this
hip thingy.... I was at the point were it was almost too difficult to
walk, but now the pain is all gone and I again have mobility in that
leg.

I went on CPAP theropy about a week ago and it too has shown remarkable
resuts. No more morning and afternoon naps, and I awake each morning
feeling 10 years younger. I can't wait to get to Lakewood on the 4th
and put all this new painless walking and refound energy to work. I
should be able to fish the entire day instead of a 1/2 routine of
fishing/napping.

Dave (who is finding it takes a tough sob to grow old)

I definitely agree w your last line.

I too have neuropathty in my feet
I take Gabarpentin and some other meds...

I truly wish for you pain free and successful fishing in a gorgeous area -
youir "home waters"

Fred

Rapid River part III
 

D. LaCourse wrote:
Although I call the Rapid River my "home" waters, it takes me about 3
1/2 hours to get there.... etc.

Wonderful report, Dave. Take care of yourself. Lot of fish left to catch.

Congratulations to you and Jo on your anniversary. Give her my best
(along with the usual expressions of sympathy....) ;-)

- JR

Rapid River part III
 

I'm glad I dropped in to ROFF to see what the summer has brought. Great
trip report.

Randy
Scappoose, Oregon