TR: I hope I never have another camping experience like this again…

[burton1995]

But first the fishing….

NFOW TR from 10-10/11

 

We floated two days.  From Kelly to Sunburst Ranch on day 1 (7 miles).  Sunburst to their landing below James/PP Bridge (7 miles) on day 2.  Justin and Amy of Sunburst ran our shuttle both days.  I highly suggest camping there rather than the free camping at Patrick, but more about that later.  The weather was perfect for humans but a little less than ideal for the fish.  Sunday morning was a bit of overcast.  Water levels were normal for this time of the year or maybe a little low.  We row a blue NRS Otter raft with a fishing frame.  There was a big crew of canoers and kayakers who were camping but a few were fishing, some even with flies.

We had the most luck on stoneflies (Montana, Kauffman double beads, smaller AP nymphs).  We threw some articulated streamers and had a half dozen or so strikes (Schultzy’s s4 sculpin in tan/olive, white boogey man, and tan mike’s meal ticket) but no hook-ups.  Caught our first brown about ¾ of a mile above Sunburst.  Even landed a brown on a hopper, but there were so many leaves on the water that we gave that up quickly.  We had never floated below James bridge and there are some decent holes down there.

 

The camping sh*t show:

 

Night 1:

Stayed at Patrick.  There were some “locals” (think Duck Dynasty) about 3 campsites down, and let’s just say that he had no shame when it came to the age of the girl he was with.  Furthermore she had even less shame, and left very little to imagination as to what was going on in the tent. 

 

While my friend and I debated the age of the girl, and whether what was going on was legal a school bus pulled up.  Dude hops out with GI boots, camo pants, and a shirt with “Marines” on it.  I figured he was rolling solo and had taken out all the seats in the school bus to turn it into a camper bus. WRONG. 

“SQUADS ONE, TWO, AND THREE REPORT!”

Out comes about 25 – 30 young adults in full fatigues, and, yeah you guessed it, face paint.  My buddy and I exchange a “WTF!” glance.  The group proceeded to set up Coleman camping tents, and start fires in the rings.  They then did maneuvers ALL NIGHT!  They did night hikes, moved “HQ to a more secure location (the next campsite over)”, learned how to use night vision goggles, and used red lights so their night vision wouldn’t be affected.  When I awoke at 6:00 AM they were still up.  I slept maybe 3 or 4 hours.

Night 2:

 

We get off the water around 5:00 and head back to Patrick.  We’re in luck.  No more military/zombie apocalypse/Branch Dividians training.  Chick walks by in a tutu.  My body, jokingly, says, “Looks like she’s getting ready for her wedding.”  As we unload, two Harley’s roll in, a RAM with a demolished front end, and then…..the mother freaking DJ!  A DJ.  With Lights.  Karaoke.  It’s a wedding.  At the free campsite. Down by the River.  The Bride is in a tutu.  The Groom has a black graphic tee and a red broken-brimmed baseball hat.  Cue the tunes, “YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG!”  To top it all off they started doing karaoke.  One chick did a decent version of Janis’, “Piece of My Heart”, but Pandora’s Box had been opened.  Needless to say I didn’t sleep worth a crap.  All of this to save a few bucks a night on camping at Sunburst.  Never Again.

[MaxDrown]

HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA. Your loss is our gain. *wipes a tear* Thanks for sharing.

[Greasy B]

Never Again.

yep, I learned that lesson long ago. Heck I can't even stand private camp grounds with enforced quiet time or gravel bars with fire rings and foot prints. 

 

 

 

[fishinwrench]

That was awesome!  And something you'd have to pay a hell of a lot for in ANY campsite.  Right, Jason?

You hit a freakin' goldmine by getting it all for free.  

[ColdWaterFshr]

The commandos getting out of the school bus freak me out more than the tutu bride, but still .  . . . 

Are you sure you didn't eat some of the wrong kind of mushrooms?

[Flysmallie]

I would have packed and left when I saw the school bus.

 

Great story though!!

[SpoonDog]

what'd you sing?

[MaxDrown]

what'd you sing?

+1

[David Unnerstall]

All of that entertainment and you are complaining?

[Smallie Seeker]

I better get an invite to the next outing you go on!