Back to my dayhike creek.
This was a day! Left the car about 9:15 am. Got back about 4:30 pm. Hiked almost 5 miles. Fished 2 streams. Caught about 30 wild browns, most on dry flys. Ants, beetles, and inch worms. Biggest was about 15”. That one was on a 6’6” 2wt.
So we hiked this trail last year and I saw some fish. So this time I packed my Tenkara rod and a few things. I parked my wife and daughter by the creek to eat and I fished about an hour. Caught 4-5. Missed as many more. I’ll be back when I have more time.
This might have been the skinniest water I have fished. But I caught one and missed another on a tributary of the stream on the way out. That last fish was absolutely the smallest creek I’ve caught a decent trout on. The first 3 pics are the same fish. The last pic is my dayhike, might get to fish, setup.
Back on Hawksbill working on the re route with WildSouth. Still prepping the new trail corridor so the digging can begin. Today was clearing several downed trees and finishing clearing the corridor for the trail.
To volunteer contact Wildsouth.org
Youngest and I did Jonas Ridge to Hawksbill today. Started off cloudy but cleared up nicely. 4.5 miles or so out and back. Pretty sure we saw 2 Peregrine Falcons from Hawksbill too.
Weather kept us off this one a while back. She does not handle cold well. She had a few days off and wanted to knock this one out. All told, amazing hike. And a real butt kicker. It might have been easier as a straight out and back. But we dropped down to Buncombe Horse Trial and climbed Mt Mitchell Trail on day 2.
The white TeePee was by the trail on the way in near Cattail Peak. We broke it down and packed it out. Along with some USB fairy lights and handful of paracord from Deep gap.
Deep Gap had a small seep flowing about 100 yards down Colbert Ridge. Took forever but managed to get enough water to get us back to Buncombe Horse Trail. Also managed to summit Winter Star.
If you have something to say, this is where to go to read it and where to say it.
USDA press release
USDA fact page
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless
Online map of current roadless areas
Federal register, but I cannot get the comment link to pull up via these instructions.
streamlined comment portal listed by Carolina Climbers Coalition
Started a re route on the ridge line of Hawksbill Trail yesterday with WildSouth. Trying to get this one wrapped up for leaf season. Trying to get away from the first badly eroded section as you reach the top of the ridge.
To volunteer or donate contact WildSouth.org.
Back out with WildSouth working on the switchback again. We moved and set 2 800+ lb stones for the first 2 steps in the new stairs. This was the last half of moving the first stone. We will keep building up to the landing on the switchback. Then do some rock work to stabilize the down hill side.
The stones were moved with a rope come a long, rock bar, and pick mattock. We also made crush to set the rock on and back fill any gaps. The crush is made with a 3 lb hammer and just wailing on rocks. Making small rocks out of big rocks.
To volunteer contact WildSouth.org.
One of the upsides of getting older is reliving your childhood with the cooler gear you wished you had back then. lol.
Wee R crank baits were above my pay grade when I started fishing this stream as a kid. Grew up fishing it about a mile upstream. Friends dad would drop us off and we would fish up to their property. As an adult you realize it got us out of his hair so they could work the food plots. We were babysitting each other. And we got to fish! Win, win, win!
The largemouth was a weird surprise. And that smallmouth hammered the chatterbait. Lost a nice one that tied me around the tree I was trying to pull him out of. Not a bad way to kill a couple hours.
* Playing around with.
Darn swipe to text.
The pancakes are sold and shipped. The pocket holsters are in my Etsy store. And I’ve got an Avenger style gluing up right now. I’m happy how these turned out. First time working gator.
Staccato XC, Bodyguard 2.0, J frame, and K frame respectively.
Back out with WildSouth. Working on Bynum Bluff. We moved rocks today prepping to build steps on a switchback that has washed out. A lot of work but a good time.
To volunteer or donate contact wildsouth.org
Found a couple of these beauties in the gorge today.
Back in Linville Gorge with WildSouth. Pinch In re route is finished. And the south end gets hot in the summer. This week we moved up towards Sitting Bear to clear a couple trees and brush out the trail.
Rain started about 9 am. Thunder and lightning shortly after. Drove us off the worksite and down Devils Hole Trail to get off the ridge. Lighting moved off. Rain stayed. So we finished cutting the tree in the rain.
Pros
Cooler
Didn’t sweat much
Great company
Cons
The only thing dry was the crown of my head under my hard hat.
And footing was slick.
To volunteer contact wildsouth.org
Got this request a month or so ago. Finally agreed to give it a shot. OWB pancake holster for a Staccato XC with optic. Alligator hide full front panel. Lined front and back. So only grain side showing inside the holster. Alligator is on the pricey side of things to play with but I expect I’ll be doing more.
Already starting a second one for a S&W 4” K Frame. And getting ready to list a couple pocket holsters I made up to use the smaller sections and fill out paying for the hide.
Heard back from the customer today. He is thrilled with the holster.
The first two let me know I can do it AND I need to raise my price. lol.
The guy that runs our trail crew is giving these axes to his new crew leads. He asked me to make covers for them. I’ve made sevens others for him and other volunteers so I’m happy to make them for the paid crew as well. Decided to try using Sam Brown studs. Mostly happy with how they turned out. Probably put my makers mark under the flap next time.
They are welted under the stitch line and fit very tight. Perfect for hauling them safely into the backcountry.
Today the WildSouth Trail crew became the Trash Crew. Hiked in at Pine Gap to look into a reported trashed area/ beach party or something. We found it. Cleaned up the trash and packed it out. Made for a short but rewarding day. To volunteer check out wildsouth.org.
Then braved the crowd and hiked out to look at the falls.
The trail is roughed in now. We stopped just short of the trail so hikers do not wander onto the unfinished trail. But it comes in just uphill of the campsite. Probably take the crew a few weeks to finish the tread work and rock work.
Another day working with Wildsouth. Still on the Pinch in reroute but we are within striking distance of connecting the lower end. A little drizzle during the day and one thunder clap started us out. Rain moved in as we got to the parking lot. Got about 400’ of trail roughed in.
And put out an unattended campfire on the way home. Took 2 gallons and could have used another. Make sure those fires are out. This was just south of the wildfire last week.
To donate or volunteer contact wildsouth.org
Short hike on Blackrock but the flowers were fantastic. Trout Lily’s had gone to seed though. And only climbed up to the first overlook on Waterrock.
A good day wondering around in the Gorge finding flowers.