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Altjaeger
04-26-2010, 10:53 PM
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I spent Saturday and Sunday on the Colorado River below Austin and the fishing was great, the catch poor.

Two fellows I have made previous trips and I met up launching about 10:00 Saturday after shuttling vehicles and loading our craft. We fished hard that day and caught only only to two fish each. Lunch varied but for me was a can of Vienna sausage, peanuts and dried apricots washed down with diet Pepsi. The rest of the trip water with lemonade flavoring was the drink of the day. Floating and fishing hard over 13 miles we pulled up about 6:00 that evening at a nice shady campsite. Kevin is very light skinned and looked like a lobster. The shade was welcome and it looked like we might be the first campers of the year there. The grass grew untrampled and the ground showed no ashes from fires for an extended period.

After setting tents and getting home set up thoughts turned to dinner. Getting out the grills and charcoal a fire was quickly burning and baked potatoes started. Out came a shrimp ring as an appetizer before starting the steaks/pork chops, German potato salad (hot) and Bush's grilling beans. My companions had pork steaks seasoned with a secret herb blend that included Mexican oregano and spiced with Cholula sauce. I had a New York Strip grilled a perfect medium rare. After savoring a fine meal that included butter, and cheese for the potatoes it was time to sit back quietly reviewing the day plus discuss future trips and destinations. Dave and I had done the Brazos last month and agree we will do at least one big trip a year in the future. Finally the faerie spread her dust and I called it a night about 10:00.

Waking late the next morning I cleaned my pans from the night before in the river and got coffee going. The other two crawled out shortly and it was not long before we were enjoying Dave's famous Southwestern breakfast burritos with eggs, sausage, pepper, onions and potatoes spiced with a dash of cholula followed be shredded cheese. Hot coffee and dried apricots completed the meal.
Unrushed we were packed and on our way about 10:00. There were no bites to be bought that day. Seems the fish had lock jaw. We hit shore shortly after noon and I was home in time to get everything cleaned up, put away and go grocery shopping with my wife.

This was the maiden voyage of the new Old Town PACK Canoe. It is 12' long, is rated for loads of 550-575 lbs and weighs only 33 lbs. I loved it. With about 300-320 lbs on board she still floated high and easily out distanced the two kayaks if I was not careful. I liked it better that either the Old Town Loon 138 or the Native Ultimate 14.5 I used Spring Break. My other kayaks each have their niche and will stay in my stable but this will be my go to camping craft.

Greywolf
04-27-2010, 04:41 AM
You boys know how to do it up right.
Gourmet grill and all!

Little canoe looks interesting.

The only light weight Old Town had a way back was the Rushton and it was something like 37-38 pounds, but it was strictly a beaver pond canoe, a real drinker.

Rivers here are starting to drop to a fishable pitch, still have to hang from a bush to fish right now.
Not bad considering that normaly the ice has not even gone out for another two weeks.
Snowing outside right now, but will be gone by the end of the week.

I might even get some fishing in before the sun gets too strong for me. Gonna try all night fishing this year.

Bill Gunn
04-27-2010, 05:49 AM
Nice trip !!

Now...... I have to go get something to eat :eating:

dave-t.
04-27-2010, 09:09 AM
I like the looks of that little Old Town. My dad and I fished out of a canoe for years and made a couple over night floats every year. His was an 18' aluminum that was well over 70lbs. Not the easiest to load up, but we fished loaded with three people out of it on a few occassions.

Nice white bass too.

Altjaeger
05-01-2010, 04:18 PM
Back in the 60's my family had a Ouchita 17' aluminum canoe weighing about 70 lbs that saw a lot of use. I had it later but gave in to my brother two years ago when I got into kayaks.