Adventures of the CarolinaKiwis.

This is an account of two months spent in Asia; with a kayak and some of the best dudes I ever shook a stick at….

"why is this Gora taking my picture"

Capt'n JJ

 

“I just dont feel the need to talk about it; I was there, I did that…hmm….”

-MacD.

MacD

Pindar

Paaji

Yea, we sleep in bus stops too!

 

"Bye India"....Stoked

Taking Flight

"Pokie Pokies"

Charger on the Kali

Bros on the Bus

Bad Decision

Quarter Century

Its not all Coconut cookies and Banana Lassi.

What we came for

True Life Karnali

THE crew

Groundhog Day

 

 

 

 

Summertime…..    In my head all the time.

Why Do they Ride for their Money?

Welcome to the N Fork Payette

Chargers on the Secesh

Miracle Mile, Secesh River

Old School Style on the Bladder Wave

New School Flair, Bladder Wave

NC Represents in the Hot Springs

SouthEast roots on the SouthFork Payette

Big Falls Seal Launch

Yayyyy America!

Crouch, ID

Girls get down on Red Fish Creek

Boat ride across Red Fish Lake

Don’t Fence Me in.

Brotha Sam and Brotha Rufus looked at me suspiciously as my gear piled up on the floor. They were wondering why I always barge into their home, bringing clutter and chaos, and then disappear a few days later never to be seen for months. Sometimes I wonder if they even know who I am or understand that I lived in their house for close to 18 years before they were even alive. They probably wonder why I don’t want to stay a while and spend my days sleeping and licking each other.

Dad and I loaded the car on Memorial Day and drove like “Bats outa Hell” to Colorful Colorado. The next day we were flying past flooded rivers in Colorado and Wyoming that are usually my “raison d’être” during a road trip like this. Not this time. We’re on a fishing mission. Its like the inverse of a kayaking trip. You still have lots of gear and drive like crazy people through the night in search of flowing water, however, there are some distinct differences. We are searching for rivers within their banks with clear water so the fish can see our bug imitations; and maybe even some crappy weather to disguise our presence on the top of their watery world.  I bit my tongue a reminded myself constantly that I really DO like fishing even thought Its not something I usually pursue in during the months of summer runoff out west.

If I am a Kayak Jedi who is just starting the his training, then my Dad is the Yoda of Fly fishing.  Much patience, understanding, and determination has he. His rod and tackle he uses with grace and honor and with much reverence, respect, and endless curiosity he holds his fishy foes. One Day I had taken a break for a nap and a Beer when I saw my dad stumbling up the path towards me. When he arrived his eyes were wide and he was still shaking. He told me that tale of the most epic Bug hatch of his life followed by the largest trout feeding frenzy he could remember. During which he came into battle with a  righteous Rainbow Trout that was 18 inches and growing, and a noble Brown trout who was two feet long, maybe longer. When I looked at him, he reminded me of myself after doing battle with a great rapid on a river somewhere wild and free.

This is the a fish I found in the waters of Silver Creek. A magical spring fed piece of water in South Central Idaho. My Dad’s fish must have made this one look like a sprat.

We found ourselves in Stanley were I would satisfy my craving for flooded rivers. Where the fish hug the bottom and hide from Boulders rolling along the bottom like bowling balls. We learned that it really is the wild west out here, encountering a Bear, Eagles, an Osprey, this Fox, and wild local Forest Service employees.

I got to do some laps on the Yankee fork and finally felt like I was in Idaho in the month of June. The water was fast and brown and I could finally connect with the fish the way I prefer; By pretending to be one myself.

We soaked in secluded hot springs and drank blue ribbon beer. It really doesn’t get any better than this.

After on more day of fishing I dropped pops off at the airport to take a flight back to the south land. I nervously made my way up to the Payettes. Where I would find flooding rivers, old friends, and endless Skies.

This is just my Interpretation of the Situation…..

One thing is for sure, there is a lot of hype about the Gragg Prong. And especially Dragstrip. You might have heard that is was a really easy rapid or you might have heard that is has broken legs. I have no comment. All I can say is that on the right day, with the right crew, and the right flow its a really special place. It may attract some Joey’s, but probably not when its running good. Eric “The Chancellor” Chance enjoyed his first time down the creek on a misty January morning.

Photo: Bryan Griesemer

This one goes out to my Homie Haaga. He used to cut trees with his chainsaw in Laurel Creek. That summer we played in the sandy pools of Trashcan Falls with Marietta. I wondered about kayaking then, but I was still quite Green. Wet behind the ears without being that wet at all. I finally got to run Trashcan in my kayak this winter and It was better than I could have imagined.

Photo: Clay Lucas

I always wondered how a kayak could fit through that slot. I found that it fit quite well, I didn’t feel a thing. I guess that’s why everyone likes kayaking so much. You think one thing but you never know untill you give it a go and let the river show you wassup.

The Laurel Fork of the Doe is also a special place. I had no clue what to expect. When I got gorged, I couldnt believe it. There are some serious vertical walls in there. This is a pic of Eli Smith just before the river constricts to about 6ft wide at Darwin’s Hole. It is appropriate that there are trees in the pic because there were trees all in that river! I even got poked in the eye! Nothing will ruin a good run like a poke in the eye just five minutes from the takeout.

We Paddled the Watauga on a cold day. Chance knows the best way to keep your face dry is by keeping your bow up! Seriously, this might be my favorite line on the Watauga. I’ll let you find it on your own. The Tauga has been running and I couldn’t be more happy to have that river In my backyard.

Mike Patterson runs the “Not Recommended” slot. Seriously, hes fired up about this line but I just wouldn’t go there.  Its been a good winter. I can’t wait to see what will happen in March!

Wintery dump

This pic is good for describing how Boone can make you feel in the winter. It gets icy, snowy, icy, cold, windy, windy and cold. You wander around leaving tracks as you go and you’re not sure where your headed. Sometimes there seems to be a light that you might be moving towards, but you get there and realize you already passed that light hours ago and your moving in circles again. If you can keep you head you might enjoy this epic wintery trek, but if you start to let the winter get at you, the journey through the coldest darkest part of the year will grow exponentially longer.

Christmas comes around and you seek haven in southern Illinois of all places. This has been a southern tradition since high school. When you can take the family life anymore and the leftover turkey is running low you call up your boys and head to Jackson falls for some Rock Climbing and Hot Dogs round the fire. I’m usually pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy fighting gravity instead of falling with it. (Just my humble, Kayaker’s interpretation.)

Memphia

Its good to run with your homies. Rufus, Sam, and Melina on patrol down by Old Man River. The one and only Big Muddy, he just keeps rollin’ along.

This is the Eye of Sauron.  It is the manifestation of the Dark Lord that brings all things wintery to Boone. It rules over Trout Lake and its evil minion geese will protect the icy waters at all costs.  I probably shouldn’t hate because we’ve been getting good water that usually arrives in the solid form before liquefying  and swelling our blessed waterways. It’s a balance of good and evil, just like everything else.

I briefly escaped wintery Boone to discover a balmy Vermont. Weird? all the locals blamed the “January thaw.” I tried to drop my knee and free my heel on these XC skis and usually ended up on my behind. Still it was fun to experience  a new way of looking at the winter.

Vermont Night Life:

Sledding. Sipping. Fire. Book. bed. Simple.

I returned to Boone to find a great suprise. There was water and plenty of it and the Linville gorge was still a short drive from home. This is what makes winter worth it. Long, Cold, Leisurely days in Heaven. Let me see if i can explain.

Who knew China was only a fader boof stroke away?

Logs moved on christmas day and we got a new, old, rapid as a present from mother nature! She also took a really cool boof about 1/10 of a mile downstream, but ill settle for the trade.

Coop in the Heart of Cathedral. No doubt, having some deep thoughts deep in the deepest gorge around. This is when you can feel right at home in the middle of winter.

Two more reasons why this place  feels like heaven.

Sunsets after full days.

Sunrises full of anticipation.

one more……

Deep Breaths on the way down.

Good Water….?

Heaven and earth are inhumane;

they view the myriad creatures as straw dogs.

-Tao Te Ching

These straw dogs got the hell out of the Linville and made our way to the Beech….. Creek that is. And then down the Taugs. Good Times and good lines.

Clay “the freshman” Lucas

Hydro.

I Pledge Allegiance to My……………. Homies Who keep It Gangster

Playa’ play on.

November is a good month.

It must be a good month if you get two moonlight runs in two days. 

Stateline falls bathed in moon rays.

It must be a good month if the green race is finally here. 

Boone Town represents. Me and the pit crew. Coop, Dave, and Cat always give inspiration. Sometimes they give shuttles, Beer, sandwiches and paddle your boat out. 

Cat’s got skillz. 

It’s a good month when you get to run the Gragg Prong on your Birthday! even if its really really low. still fun to slide down hill. 

My roomie bryan feeling good on his birthday. 

It’s a good month if you paddle the Boone Fork. 

It’s a good month when the Taugs gets all swollen and then runs for weeks at a time!

Mr. Crawdaddy is definitely having a good month.

Elkin’ leads to Forkin’

          On Saturday we woke up with a big decision to make. What to do today? We were planning on bookin’ it up to the Fork and doing some kayak rydin’ before the Race. However, in true Russell Fork Race Weekend Style; we got rained on. Natural Flow? Dam Release? Race? Elk? Linville? Watauga? Uhhh. I went to wake CooperBrew and he encouraged me to make it happen with his help of course. Soooo, I drove back to my house got another Boat and then went back to pick up cooper, then Eric Chance, then Dennis, then off to Elk Park, TN or NC or somewheres. We arrived at Elk River Falls and we were sad to see that the water was low, even though the Taugs was running around 1,500 cfs. We were Happy that the river had water in it and got fired up for our Pre-Lord of the Fork Mission. 

  Chance was real excited to get his first run down that Elk and is planning on spending as many work days as he can on the Elk; doing “research”. He is working for the Watauga Riverkeeper and they are keepin it real and representin’ for High Country waterways. The colors down in the Elk gorge were amazing Yellows and Oranges. The  warm hues were reflected on the water’s surface and make you think your riding a silky gold ribbon that flows over and around rocks.  It is, after all, Fall and one leaf fell onto The Chancellor’s helmet while we were doing the classic twisting falls portage. 

  The Chancellor is not intimidated by Waterfallz. Here he is doing “Research” on Elk River water quality. He really styled the Compression Downfall, even after watching me kinda land on my face and break my beloved paddle. Damn! After this we did a hasty paddle out and found our Hero Shuttle Men waiting at the bottom. Chance and I completed our Pre-race warm up in an hour and a half and were excited to be on time and in line for the Afternoon’s festivities!

  The Race went off without a hitch. Except that I was using a break down and there were like 35 GreenBoats out on the water. Anyway, The Corsica and I made a smooth run and only kinda pitoned once. The Fork Race is Soo Fun I dont really care what place I got. Everyone knows it’s all about the Bonfire and Moonshine anyway!

  The Fire was no disappointment this year. Everyone had a great time enjoying everyone else’s company. Wait… Not everyone. We were standing around watching some race highlights form the day when a scrum of Kentucky Teenagers erupted in front of Me and Coop. We scratched our heads and thought, “fighting..? at the Russell Fork…? Kayakers…? Noooo. About this time some poor fellow fell out of the scrum and onto his back on the ground. Another small group continued to fight their way off into the woods. WHOOAAA. This was the craziest thing I ever saw at the fork! The Cop showed up and restored peace and order as some of the belligerent  high schoolers scattered like roaches under a flashlight. This event did not phase the kayakers and the Sippin’, Gluppin’, and bonfire socializin’ continued into the wee hours. 

  The next day we made our way to the clear waters of the Russell Fork and the Chancellor continued to paddle downstream with style.

Breaks Interstate Park!

 

The Chanellor Styles it from the left side of the frame too! Coop hike in to quell his shuttle bunny angst. We did the classic fork hang out at Climax; took many pictures and soaked in the sun. Coop also found out that his Labrum is not torn!! some PT and this crazy dude is gonna be out on the water again soon. Watch out for Coop and Abby tearing up Taugs; getting that shoulder back into fighting shape!

The Chancellor goes down the middle. Probably one of my favorite moves on the Fork…espescially on race day.

This week in Boone: some more water fell from the sky! I’ve been slingin’ Mulch, Snowboard Apparel,  and sneaking in some WAH-TAU-GAhh in the evening. It’s all good in the Gorge.

This years Pumpkin is happy about something! I think he’s thinking Rain.