This post tossed me back several years.
My clack is 30 years old too! It has over 40 trips down the Deschutes, but also has spent time on the Yakima and Klickitat. For years, I only floated from Trout Creek to Maupin on the Deschutes and fished for trout, usually during the salmonfly hatch or near Father's Day. I too have taken my dad and brother-in-law with me. In recent years, the focus has been on steelhead and I do multiple trips each year. This photo is from last October.
The boat looks much better in the water because not as many scratches show. It literally swallows gear; clothing dry bags go in the front, food in the front seat compartment that I converted to a cooler. Sleeping bags go in a dry bag under the rowers' seat and kitchen gear goes in the back compartment. Food, tents, cots, chairs, table, and the BBQ grill go behind the rower's seat.
Last season Tom Larimer moved into our camp as we were leaving and said he recognized "Mark's old boat." We also waved to Marty Howard as we floated by.
I too am not the strongest rower on the river. It's all about reading the water, anticipating, and adjusting.
Mark
Physical condition/health doesn't allow me much in the way of fishing at this point, but those trips with "Mr. Doggie-Dog" were seminal experiences. Amazing the ongoing conversations you can have with "Mr. Doggie-Dog." Some of the best business decisions I've ever made were with him in the boat.
Couple of phone calls from Executive Admin. Assts: 'Mr. Evans my name is and Mr. xyz needs a time out, who would you suggest for a Guide?'
'Me, or a couple of other guys I know.'
'He chose me.' Had a hell of a good time, both of us. There was 'No rank in the Corporate Food Chain in a drift boat, well the Dog.' Weeks worth of 'stuff' stuffed in the drift boat, tent on the beach, fire (and even 'SomeMores!), a couple of bottles of good Single Malt ... Ice out of the cooler was questionable. But what the hell: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Tuck him into his tent with the Dog, snuff snort (which one?), off to dreamland. Pancakes, eggs, sauges, coffee in the morning. Face over your shoulder as you pan fried a slab of fresh caught fish ... his.
'How do you think fishing will be today?' 'Well fishing will be good, catching is another subject.' Guy laughed like hell, the slap on the back so hard it almost knocked me off my feet.
Talked about "Shoes and Ships and Cabbages are Kings," and little in the way of 'business.' If it came up, he brought it up.
One comment really stuck with me: 'I was told you really are different when it comes to business, a hand shake is enough.' 'Yes Sir, if you need a contract you are dealing with someone you can't trust?' Well there was some paper work: Type of home loan, size of loan, that kind of stuff.
'What's it going to cost me to get you to move to Corporate Headquarters?'
'There is no price Sir, waving my hand slowly, "This is how I grew up, and it will be the same for my kids when I get some."
My 'Pay Cheque' damned near doubled. He understood. Several trips with him/Corporate Staff, one was a disaster ... NOT HIM!! ... well, a disaster. Guy was a total out of control drunk. :saeek::saeek::saeek:
'How did it go?' 'Please don't ask me that question.'
"Freddie, TALK TO ME!!!"
Found out, by accident, I was called "Freddie" at Corporate.
Interesting to find, short of doing something really 'illegal/seriously stupid,' you were a 'Protected Specie.' I did neither.
"You really don't care what my status is in the Corporation do you? No Sir I don't, get your plate, brakfast will be ready in a couple of minutes. Lunch stuff is over there, go make us some sandwiches. 'Dog-Dog' will want one too."
