Post by 31Airborne on Jun 12, 2021 16:34:01 GMT -5
So, to be sure I don't forget this, I'm putting it up front: I did not roll my kayak the entire 5-mile float. I did get spun around a couple times in whirlpools but was able to work my out of them with a lil sweat and swearing.
I made the trip out to FT Leonard Wood to see one of my Soldiers get promoted to brigadier general. He is the third (so far) among a short list of incredibly talented young men with whom I had the distinct honor to serve. I got a lil misty-eyed (like I always do) seeing those stars go on his shoulders. It's like watching my children graduate or get married - I am quite the proud dad. Naturally, I had to stay over for the promotion party the next evening so a group of others guys I'd served with arranged a short float trip, knowing I like to fish a lil bit. The Big Piney runs thru FT Leonard Wood (FLW) for about 25 miles, much of it thru little-used training areas. I'd made a handful of trips to FLW while on active duty but never took the opportunity to fish. I'm glad I took advantage of this trip. I had a blast.
It had been raining out that way in the weeks prior to my arrival so the locals doods were a bit skeptical whether we'd be able to make a safe float. Fortunately the rain subsided, the river settled down, and the water cleared up to where it was ~normal. I didn't pack a lot, knowing I'd be decisively engaged working the 'yak. I had a lone spinny pole I'd rigged w/ a lightweight T-rigged 4" stick bait. I got bit almost right away but struggled with leverage on the hooksets at first. I managed to sort thru that in short order and within a few casts had my first MO bass - a feisty 10" SM. I managed a few more shorties before hooking up on a solid 18" SM about a mile from our destination. Again, I was quite the proud dad (this time of myself). In all, our 5-mile float took about 6 hours. We did not see another 'yak until we were within sight of our destination. The only thing we heard throughout the trip was the sound of rushing water, the chirping of birds, and the occasional dammit as my float-mates managed to snag themselves. It was the most peaceful water outing I've ever had. The weather was perfect - low 80s, low humidity, and a slight breeze blowing down the river w/ us. The only thing missing was a cooler.
This experience has me thinking a bit. There are so many waters in SW VA I cannot access w/ my glas sled but could easily fish in a 'yak. I'm gonna do some more homework on this.
best, B
I made the trip out to FT Leonard Wood to see one of my Soldiers get promoted to brigadier general. He is the third (so far) among a short list of incredibly talented young men with whom I had the distinct honor to serve. I got a lil misty-eyed (like I always do) seeing those stars go on his shoulders. It's like watching my children graduate or get married - I am quite the proud dad. Naturally, I had to stay over for the promotion party the next evening so a group of others guys I'd served with arranged a short float trip, knowing I like to fish a lil bit. The Big Piney runs thru FT Leonard Wood (FLW) for about 25 miles, much of it thru little-used training areas. I'd made a handful of trips to FLW while on active duty but never took the opportunity to fish. I'm glad I took advantage of this trip. I had a blast.
It had been raining out that way in the weeks prior to my arrival so the locals doods were a bit skeptical whether we'd be able to make a safe float. Fortunately the rain subsided, the river settled down, and the water cleared up to where it was ~normal. I didn't pack a lot, knowing I'd be decisively engaged working the 'yak. I had a lone spinny pole I'd rigged w/ a lightweight T-rigged 4" stick bait. I got bit almost right away but struggled with leverage on the hooksets at first. I managed to sort thru that in short order and within a few casts had my first MO bass - a feisty 10" SM. I managed a few more shorties before hooking up on a solid 18" SM about a mile from our destination. Again, I was quite the proud dad (this time of myself). In all, our 5-mile float took about 6 hours. We did not see another 'yak until we were within sight of our destination. The only thing we heard throughout the trip was the sound of rushing water, the chirping of birds, and the occasional dammit as my float-mates managed to snag themselves. It was the most peaceful water outing I've ever had. The weather was perfect - low 80s, low humidity, and a slight breeze blowing down the river w/ us. The only thing missing was a cooler.
This experience has me thinking a bit. There are so many waters in SW VA I cannot access w/ my glas sled but could easily fish in a 'yak. I'm gonna do some more homework on this.
best, B