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West Branch Trip

tkhour

Just finished a River Runs Through it!
So I took my new driftboat up to the West Branch yesterday to try it out and learn some new water. Never fished it before in that the Main Stem is where I usually go. Met up with the crew at BWO's and John from Tightlines happen to be there. They were all very helpful in assisting my journey which would be from Hale Eddy to Shehawkin. To start the Hale Eddy launch is not that easy. Very steep but once I got the boat in the water it was off for the day. Started around 10am and made my way down to the White house pool. Few guys fishing so I decided to move on and made my way to the Monument pool. All I can say is what a great looking piece of water. Did not see any fish rising, couple of bugs -small olives and sulfurs. Nothing big enough to get things going. Made my way down to the lower gamelands and lit my first cigar. Cuban to be exact. Now I was in heaven, beautiful day and a nice cigar. Only thing was there was little activity. Saw two rise with nothing consistent. Fished a few more pools then got to Balls Eddy. My mistake though was getting there to early. Should have been there at 4pm or so, thats what John said but did not know the water well enough. Decided to nymph fish a few holes below Balls. Problem was that there was alot of algea and crud in the water. HAd to clean my nymphs several times. Got frustrated and switched back to dryflyfishing. Whats the deal with that? Is that common when they release water? Second cigar was lit at the campgrounds as I was taking in the sun waiting for activity.Nada. Decided to move and before I knew it, I was at 191 at 6pm with plenty of daylight left. Rookie mistake but all in all it was great to be out there. Beautiful day, scenic river, cigars and just being out on the boat I could not have asked for anything better. Then again I could have caught fish. That would have helped. Good fishing.
 
I fished the W Branch last year with the algea. I managed a 14 inch brown and a 13 inch rainbow in 2 days. Most of the time I was cleaning algea.

I will not fish it when it is like this.
 
new driftboat up to the West Branch

Best of luck with your new drift boat.

Fair winds and following seas.

Never fished it before in that the Main Stem is where I usually go.

IMHO best thing about fishing is fishing some place you've never been before.

once I got the boat in the water it was off for the day.

With anything new there is always a learning curve.

Now I was in heaven, beautiful day and a nice cigar.

and you own Clacka Craft

My mistake though was getting there to early.

Maybe you just enjoyed rowing your new boat too much...

I was at 191 at 6pm with plenty of daylight
For your first time out in your boat... not bad.

cigars and just being out on the boat I could not have asked for anything better.

Isn't that what is it all about? You bet yeah!

So if any NEFF members happen to see a low profile Clacka Craft go flying by you like he belonged in a race on the Charles River with the Havard and Yale rowing teams, and happen to observe the rower is puffing away on a stoggie....

Just give out a hearty yell...

TK !!!! SLOW ..... DOWN !!!!!!!!!!

As always, best of luck and enjoy your new boat.

AK Skim
 
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AKskim,

Thank You.
Always love your comments. Priceless. Get ready for the Salmon. I sure as heck wont run that river to quick. Be good.
 
TK,
If you have a Jeep with "Joisey" plates, I watched you try to manuvre into position to drop the boat. Of all the places you could pick for a first time launch, that was a toughy!

Rich
 
Gotta love that algae and crud!

Thanks for sharing.

I almost drove 400+ miles round trip to do that same float this past weekend.

I am glad that I stayed home and cleaned the garage, I think:confused:
 
"To start the Hale Eddy launch is not that easy."

That launch point was really an afterthought (I think) by NY DEC. When the parking area was fixed up after the flood of 2006 there was no provision to launch a drift boat. If I remember correctly there was actually a huge rock where you would back down. Then sometime in 2007 I went up and saw the rock was removed and the gravel ramp had been laid.

I have a Subarau AWD but am leary of trying to put in there. I think it is okay if your vehicle has lots of torque to get you back up the hill after you drop the boat.

At least you got to float your new boat - now next time you'll know how long the float is and you can pace yourself going down so you can spend more time in the better pools.
 
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TK,

Thanks for the report. That's good water to get to know. Sorry no fish this time, but keep it up and you will score on that drift!

Made my way down to the lower gamelands and lit my first cigar. Cuban to be exact. Now I was in heaven, beautiful day and a nice cigar.

I think you meant to say they were Dominican cigars, right? ;) It's illegal for Americans to possess Cuban cigars.

QT
 
It would be great if they would remove the other large rock on the upstream side of the ramp. would make it a lot easier
 
I'm curious, as I have never floated before. TK you put in a long ways upstream from where you ended up. Now how do you get back to your truck with the boat, especially if you're alone? How does that work? Do you row the whole way, that would be nuts no?
 
Burt,

I can get an extra day if you want to learn.... Can get the saturday too if you want to go. Think about it.

There's a shuttle service that moves your vehicle to the take out point if you need. Been told it's around 40-50 bucks.

Hllywd
 
Burtsboard,

It was actually 30 bucks. Border Water Outfitters provided the shuttle service. I tell them where Im putting in and where Im taking out and the rest is history. The truck and trailer is waiting for me when I get there. Not alot of rowing with the push of the river. Its real easy. The Main Stem has more rowing.

Quality Time:
Its illegal to distribute Cubans, not smoke one. I think thats the case. Who cares anyway. Let them lock me up. I will smoke one in jail.
 
I'm curious, as I have never floated before.
Meaning.. can I come next time.. PLEASEEeeeeeeee......

TK you put in a long ways upstream from where you ended up.
Does the river flow down hill that far?

Now how do you get back to your truck with the boat, especially if you're alone?
I can also drive.... *hint* I can help....

How does that work?
I ain't got no money for a drift boat.. can I come...can I...?

Do you row the whole way
Only up the slopes, the rest he just slides.. down the stream...


TK.... you gotta help out O'l Burt here....
 
TK.... you gotta help out O'l Burt here....

It's always good to see a man who can read (and write) between the lines. No AK I was truly curious about the workings of a float trip...now if anyone is offering one who am I to be so pompous as to decline. Glad you used to imparted detective skills to see what I really meant..they obviously didn't help you find Hllywd and I yesterday.
 
It's always good to see a man who can read (and write) between the lines. No AK I was truly curious about the workings of a float trip...now if anyone is offering one who am I to be so pompous as to decline. Glad you used to imparted detective skills to see what I really meant..they obviously didn't help you find Hllywd and I yesterday.

Burt,
I told you I thought AK sent the guy with the dogs to Harrass us by throwing Big sticks in the water 10 feet from where I was fishing.

Someone did call my phone from an 866 # today. but I was actually working both times and could not get it..

TK,
Just so you know John's trip only netted on fish.. So don't feel bad.

Burt,
more done today to finalize the float in sept. Have a spot open if you want to come.:eek:

Hllywd
 
Other than paying $30 for a shuttle you can try hitchiking back to your vehicle - this usually works if it is still daylight; you can jog back to the vehicle as this is good exercise; or you take a bike with you and chain it to a tree where you will exit then ride the bike back to the car.
 
Hi,

The bike thing works well. I like to put the boat in and drive car, tailer and bike to takeout. Then leave the car and trailer, then bike back to the boat. If you are by yourself, toss the bike in the back of the boat or lock the bike and pick it up on the way by after fishing.

Nice to get the shuttle done in daylight and not have to do it late.

Jim
 
Hi,

The bike thing works well. I like to put the boat in and drive car, tailer and bike to takeout. Then leave the car and trailer, then bike back to the boat. If you are by yourself, toss the bike in the back of the boat or lock the bike and pick it up on the way by after fishing.

Nice to get the shuttle done in daylight and not have to do it late.

Jim

Do you guys ever worry about someone taking your boat or equipment that's just sitting there.
 
Hi,

The first year I guided two guides moved my boat 100 yards downstream and out of sight. I guess it was a rite of passage or something. They laughed like crazy when I got back from the shuttle and could not find my boat.

I leave the boat with the oars still shipped and the anchor high and dry. I do not leave too much gear in the boat unattended, but I have never had any problems.

Jim
 
If I'm going to shuttle with a buddy I drop the boat and pull it up near shore and drop the anchor just to be careful and leave the oars inside the boat. I'll leave my cooler in the boat but never any gear - why look for problems.

Then when we drop my car and trailer at the takeout we already have all the rods and gear in the other vehicle. Then when we get back to the boat we just carry the rods and boat bag to the river. You can always stow some stuff in the lockable rower's box and keep your PFD's up front in the bow storage.

Last year some low life stole a cooler I had placed in the shade when I was wade fishing at Stockport and I have heard of stuff getting stolen from boats left unattended too long. That is one reason why I never float from Buck to Long Eddy because if you only go with one buddy you have to leave the boat unattended for about an hour.
 
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