squealing like a pig through the Appalachians

[oyster]

First shot here at a RR and we intend to go live.

Here's the plan...

Take one of these (2005 DRZ400s)


and one of these (2006 BMW 1200GS)


and load up the camping and fly-fishing gear in search of these


in places like this


somewhere in this area


record and report it all as we go using just this

Well, it's almost 1:00am in the morning and I'm still packing. Until tomorrow...

[klrmike]

[Pastor John]

Tons of good places to go in that area. I recall one trip in particular....

[Gadget Boy]

[oyster]

Is it still an adventure if you don't leave 'til 11am? Anyway, at long last it's time to hit the road. I've learned from my sailing days that you pick a destination, pick a date, make a list, work on the list feverishly, and when the date arrives you put the list down and cast off.





People often ask me, "how are you going to fit a fly-rod on a motorcycle?"
It's simple really...




A week in the woods for me, means a week at the beach for the wife and kids. The kids seem fine with it , not so sure about the wife . I love you babe . Hey, was that the adventure rider salute she gave me going down the driveway?



And just like that, it's time to go. To be continued...

[TurnerR]

O snap! Three of my fav things. DRZs, Trout Fishing, And Appalachian Mountains! Holler if you get near the Hiwassee River. Also some good fishing on Tellico River. Have fun and post tons of pics please!!

[sciaticnve]

I cringed as i watched you saw through that bamboo....till i saw your profile...

[flyguync]

Looking forward to more! I'm on this forum quite a bit, but found your post link on the fly fishing forum.

[Dekay]

Than fishing, riding and enjoying great views. Keep up the good work.

Dekay

[400psi]

Please contact me when you return about some of your classes. I'm very interested. Have a great time on your trip.
Thanks

[oyster]

Well, we made it back safe and sound. Turns out that the backwoods of the southern Apps. aren't much for cell service - who knew?

Oh well, let's get back up to speed. Where were we?...

Oh yes, we had just made our tentative roll-out from the home front. Now we're off, so let's see what there is to see.

My buddy Richard "Richinga" couldn't meet me until Sunday, but unwilling to waste a day of my alloted time, I set out alone. I didn't want to get too far without him, but really felt like I could use a day to decompress after all of the last minute preparations.

Is this thing on?




As quickly as possible I blasted away from my home turf. Tons to see right here in north GA, but I was out to see something new. I didn't even slow down until I was well into the Nantahala National Forest.



My first attempt at a campground was near the area I wanted to fish, and was marked on the map as "groups only by reservation". Great, I thought, they'll for sure have some vacancies since groups need reservations. Turns out they meant "groups ONLY, by reservation". Damn public school education fails me again.

Anyway, I finally remembered my old pedal bike haunt up at Tsali, and snagged one of the few remaining spots on a beautiful Sat. afternoon.




Now that I knew I wasn't going to be spending the evening trying to find a covert power-cut campsite, I turned my attention back to the reason for my trip. On the way to my first planned stream I noticed the water was down on the lower tailwater section so decided to give it a try.
Note: I'm happy to name roads, but out of respect for those whose home waters I was borrowing, I won't be posting stream names on the web.

Anyway, not much happening on the lower river. To be honest, I was also experiencing a pretty serious case of the first day out blues. Simply put, the first day outs decompression had left me feeling a bit deflated. I was still trying to put aside all of the worries of home, business, family, preparations, etc. and shift into the spirit of travel. I made a few half-hearted casts and decided to get out of the increasing cold.





At this point I realized that it was about ten hours since my last meal, so I stopped in to this awesome spot for some grub.




Good grub! The kind that sticks to your ribs and warms your innards.




After that, I made the dark twisty ride back to the campground where I sacked out. Despite the barking dogs and campers who chose to broadcast "the game" for the entire campground to hear, it took me only moments to fall asleep. After months of preparations I was here, on the road. Tomorrow Rich would be joining me and the trip would begin in earnest.

[leadoverdistance]

Wow Oyster, fancy finding a rod building, fly flingin dude like you here! Looking forward to reading more man

Very cool

[Rich-in-GA]

A truly awesome trip. No better way to spend a week than riding, camping, and fishing.



Along the BRP just South of Mt. Pisgah.


A stretch of river in Western North Carolina that holds some very large fish.

[mb90535im]

Bill is too modest. To call him a "rod builder" is a bit of an understatment. He's an American treasure when it comes to bamboo fly rods. Check this out -

http://www.oysterbamboo.com/files/carter_collage3.pdf

[oyster]

So the next day I choke down a gas station biscuit and some coffee and I'm off to the river. It's a beautiful twenty minute ride through the canyon and the new TKC80's feel GOOD on the twisties (especially compared to my old 606's!)

When I arrive at the stream Rich is already there and ready to get the party started.



The 1200 in full moto-fly-fishing dress.




The DRZ surveys the days target.




working a nice pool



Now that's what we call ALL the gear - all the time.



This little stream is pretty crowded and today, for us, it's not living up to its usual reputation. However we did get a handful of fish each and it was a good warm-up for what lay ahead.
(all fish in this post were released unharmed as always )