Tailwater Tribe

Recently I participated in my first kayak race, a twelve-mile experience called "Battle On The Bayou."  It was sponsored by South Coast Paddling Company in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.  This neat shop is owned and operated by Melissa Johnson.  Melissa is quite the operator and always has something going on for us water-minded people, including kayak fishing seminars and trips!  I must say that the "Battle" was a challenge for me as I am a rank novice to the world of kayaking.  My wife bought me my Native Ultimate 12 for a surprise birthday present, knowing I had a serious kayak jones on.  The first time I rolled it out to the beach and got in the water, I was instantly hooked!  Since then, I had taken it out to Deer Island a few times for some fly fishing, which is only a mere 1.6 miles round trip to and from the Biloxi Schooner pier.  Besides, when you're fly-fishing, you spend more time casting than you do paddling, so I was ill-prepared for the "Battle.

Jed Hollan is a true hero. He managed the Little Red Fly Shop in Heber Springs, AR for several years, but sadly, this Arkansas landmark is no longer in business. This shop was one of the good ones, located on the banks of the Little Red River at the Swinging Bridge Access. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped in to say hello to Jed and his wife Pam and they always greeted me with a smile. They had great gear, great coffee, and great conversation. Jed had an "open vice" policy and was always willing to show you how to tie any pattern pertinent to the Little Red River.  In addition to being an expert on local entomology, Jed was alway willing to show novice or veteran alike how to tie knots, or how to tighten up the loop on your double haul.  Bottom line:  Jed Hollan was an educator, a man more interested in making a legacy by passing on the wonderful passion of fly fishing than making a buck.  The Little Red Fly Shop was heavily involved in community philanthro

Thanks to the Spring River Fly Shop in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas for giving me the sticker you see above. You guys are great! This bumper sticker was inspiration for this post. For those of you novice tribesmen unfamiliar with tailwater protocol, when the powerhouse starts releasing water from the dam, they blow a siren to alert the poor, hapless wade tribesmen below to make a quick exit or risk being washed down the river... Frustration Central: The Flash Mart in Marion, Arkansas A typical tribesman trek from Gulfport, Mississippi to Arkansas involves precise planning. I will check the SWPA (Southwest Power Association) website several times during the week to get a feel for what they are doing with the water. I also subscribe to Scott Branyon's Ozark Fly Flinger website.http://www.flyflinger.com/. Scott is one of the most knowledgeable people around regarding the upper White River system and even gives video river reports and predictions for the upcoming week on his s

I'm blogging! For some of you more "tech-savvy" individuals, this would be no big deal, but for me, taking this step is huge. I guess the first question I have to ask myself is, "why am I blogging?" To this, I can only say that I am a voice crying out in the wilderness. How so? To begin to answer this extremely complex question let's begin at the beginning...a lifelong mistake that occured at the tender, naive age of eight. I wasn't trying to get into trouble, just waiting around for my dad to pick up something at the Western Auto Store when I walked over to the sporting goods section and spied a bamboo fly rod. Funny looking thing with the reel seat at the very end. Much different, longer and much more seductive than the 5' Zebco 202spincasting outfit that I had received for my 7th birthday. In a word, I was intrigued. To make a long story short, I saved every cent I could lay my hands on and bought my first fly rod at age 8. This started a