NEWS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:

Transcription

1 HAZEL CREEK JUNE TRIP UPDATE NEWS AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: A. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 1. Closure of US 441 through the Smoky Mountains is not an issue for any aspect of the trip. The recent (landslide) closure of the northsouth highway through the National Park will not affect any aspect of the trip. Travel to the Cable Cove Landing departure for the main trip has always been via U.S. 129 to 28 on the South Side of Fontana Lake. 2. Reopening of 441 is now scheduled for May 15, The contract has been let and work is underway with a severe daily penalties for each day the road is not open after May 15 th. However, even if the road is not open by June 2d, our trip plans will not be affected. 3. SPECKLED TROUT MAY NOW BE KEPT AND EATEN. Apparently due to very large numbers of fish present in Hazel Creek the creel limit of five fish per day 7 or greater has been extended to include Speckled Trout, formerly a catch and release only fish. This is intended to reduce numbers to permit more larger fish to grow in the upper reaches. The limit is five per day of any combination of rainbows, browns and speckled trout. In the past we have had one or two fresh trout dinners while camping streamside along Hazel Creek and will continue to do so. 4. Departure for the Backpackers will be Clingman s Dome, which is north of the 441 road closure.our host and guide, Steve Claxton has agreed to provide and/or arrange to meet the backpackers at the Clingman s Dome departure with shuttle drivers who will shuttle our vehicles from Clingman s Dome to Cable Cove, where they will be waiting for us at the end of the trip. 5. This will enable the backpackers to stow additional gear and equipment (fishing) in their cars that will be transported by Steve to Campsite 86 for use on the second part of the trip.hence, the backpackers will be able to get pack weight down to 40 lbs for hiking in the upper reaches of Hazel creek and their camping at backcountry campsites #82 and # Campsite Reservations. A new National Park Online Reservation System will be in place by mid February, 2013, and all reservations for Hazel Creek backcountry sites will be made on- 1

2 line. Reservations for Backcountry Campsite #86 for 3 nights(the Hazel Creek HiltonThurs-Sat nights June 6-8) are arranged by Steve Claxton Smoky Mountain Adventures. Reservations for the Appalachian Trail Shelter at Siler s Bald(Sun. June 2d), for backcountry campsite #82 (Mon. Tues. June 3-4) and for backcountry campsite #83 (Wed. June 5) will be made on-line by Bill Schroeder and Dale Mowry. Note: By NP rule, these reservations cannot be made more than 30 days prior to the first night of the reservation. Therefore, Schroeder and Mowry will be making on-line reservations at midnight May 3d to lock in the Siler s Bald Shelter and backcountry #82 and #83 sites for the packers. B. PLAN OVERVIEW 1. Packers: The backpackers will plan to travel from Cincinnati to Clingmans Dome Sunday, June 2, It is a 7 hour drive from Cincinnati to Clingmans Dome. Therefore a 7:00 am departure from Cincinnati is recommended. We will be met at Clingmans by Steve Claxton and the shuttle drivers, who will transport our (not more than 2)vehicles from Clingmans Dome to Cable Cove. Carpooling is necessary to minimize the number of cars that need to be shuttled from Clingmans Dome to Cable Cove boat ramp. Ideally, two cars each with 3 packers will accommodate six packers. If we have more, two cars each with four should do it. 2. Backpackers first day (Sun. June 2d) will depart Clingmans Dome (packing everything they will need for the next four nights) on the Hike to Siler s Bald Shelter,leaving Clingmans on the Appalachian Trail not later than 4:00 pm. The hike from Clingmans to Siler s Bald Shelter,is a 5.2 mile hike. The first two miles are moderately upgrade and the remainder is down. At age 70, Schroeder averages 2 mph with a loaded pack, so this leg should easily be accomplished in 3 to 4 hours allowing 1 to 2 hours for settling, and dinner before dark (estimated to be around (9:15 pm).note: This overnight will be in the Appalachian Trail Shelter there, so it will not be necessary (in fact it is not permitted) to set up tents at Siler s Bald. Please see the Clingmans Packer Map below that shows each leg of the hike the packers will take. 2

3 3. Backpacker Second Day: (Mon. June 3d) will be a hike and fish day covering 6.5 miles from Siler s Bald Shelter to backcountry campsite #82. It is the longest leg of the hike, is nearly all down hill. The first 1½ miles is south on Welch Ridge Trail to where it intersects with Hazel Creek Trail near the Hazel Creek Cascades. The Cascades is an area of waterfalls in the upper reaches of Hazel Creek. Just below the falls are plunge pools and pocket waters that hold the Eastern Mountain Speckled Trout, indigenous to Hazel Creek and a few other streams in the Smoky Mountain National Park. There are no browns or rainbows this far up, but there are some trophy brookies. Brook trout are catch and release only. Because this is prime brook trout habitat, we will fish our way down, stopping several times from pool to pool, planning to reach campsite #82 by 7-8 pm. We also will plan to camp at #82 two nights to take full advantage of this remote fishing opportunity. Some will hike back up along the stretch to the Cascades; others will fish the waters below #82. Steve Claxton tells me that because of the remoteness of this area, we can expect to see no other people. We should have this are to ourselves for the entire two days we are there. In fact, there was formerly another backcountry campsite designated Cascades Campsite. The National Park Service abandoned that site because no one used it. We will overnight at #82 two nights. 4.Backpackers Third Day: Fish and camp up and down from #82. Sleep at #82. 5.Backpacker Fourth Day: Fish and hike 3 miles down to backcountry site #83 or 3.8 miles to #84. These two sites are only.8 miles apart. For fun we may 3

4 want to split the group, half at #83 and half at #84. That may depend on how many packers we have in the group.i have fished the waters between #84 and #83 (hiked up the six miles from #86), and have enjoyed great fishing there. Also, we are down in the rainbow and brown trout areas at these camps and may plan to have a rainbow/brown trout dinner the evening of the fourth day, if we wish to. The NPS allows brook trout, rainbows and browns to be kept (limit 5 per fisherman) over 7 and it is common to catch browns and rainbows 9 to 12 form the skillet. The limit is 5 fish per day of either or both. Brookies can now be kept and eaten for the first time in 40 years due to substantially increased numbers. 6. Backpacker Fifth Day: The fifth day we will fish up and down stream of #83 and #84 and will break camp, to hike down to #86 where we will join the rest of the Buffers for dinner there, and move into the Hazel Creek Hilton. From that time on, we will be enjoying the legendary Hazel Creek Hilton food and hospitality, and the guiding skills and advice of our host and guide Steve, and his Smoky Mountain Adventures, Thursday evening through Sunday Noon.Our additional gear and supplies will be there for us, and we will shuttle back across Lake Fontana Sunday to our cars that will be waiting at Cable Cove. 7.N.P. BUFFER FIRST DAY: The Non-Packer(N.P.) Buffers will meet Steve Claxton at Cable Cove ramp parking lot around noon Thursday, June 9 th. That will enable some to drive down early Thursday morning early. Others may drive down Wednesday and spend the night at a nearby motel such as the: TUSKEEGEE MOTEL 2511 Fontana Road, Hwy. 28 Robbinsville, NC The Tuskeegee Motel is acheap but clean and good motel option only four miles from our departure at Cable Cove Ramp. Steve will shuttle the group across Lake Fontana to the north shore where Hazel Creek flows into the lake. That group will then unload their gear, and hike a short way to campsite #86 using the large two-wheel carts to transport their gear.. The camp, kitchen, and tents will already be set up and waiting for us. Our campsite NPS #86 is right on the banks of Hazel Creek. (See map above). There is very good brown and rainbow fishing from there, all the way up to the Cascades.Last year, I caught a 19 inch brown trout within 50 of our tent at #86. Thursday afternoon here will be time for orientation pluls about five hours of Hazel Creek wade fishing before dinner, around 7:30 pm., Steve will prepare one of his legendary dinners and there will be additional time to explore and fish after dinner. Thursday at dinner, the backpacker group hiking down from campsite #83 will join us. They will be with us then on until we depart Sunday around noon. 8. N.P. BUFFER SECOND DAY: Friday begins with a legendary breakfast at 4

5 campsite #86, followed by wade fishing at locations identified by Steve. The group will spread out, likely in pairs. Each pair will have a walkie-talkie for communication with Steve and each other. Steve will visit each team and coachguide as needed. A packed lunch will be provided for those who wish to stay out on the water rather than returning to camp for a rest and lunch. Those who request individual guiding/coaching will be joined by Steve as pre-arranged in the morning or worked out via walkie-talkie communications. A legendary Smoky Mountain Dinner will be provided around 7:00 pm, with campfire storytelling or dusk fishing if desired. 9. N.P. BUFFER THIRD DAY: Saturday begins with another legendary breakfast Smoky Mountain Breakfast at campsite #86, followed by wade fishing at locations identified by Steve. The group will again spread out, likely in pairs. Each pair will have a walkie-talkie for communication with Steve and other pairs. Steve will visit the pairs and individuals and coach-guide as needed. 10. N.P. FOURTH DAY: Sunday is our last day. It begins with another legendary breakfast Smoky Mountain Breakfast at campsite #86, followed by more wade fishing. Around mid to late morning Steve will begin breaking camp and each Buffer will role up his sleep9ing bag and gather personal gear and prepare for the trip back across Lake Fontana. Around noon we will make the crossing where our cars will be waiting for the trip home. C. TRIP DATES AND ESTIMATED COSTS DATES: MAIN BUF TRIP (NON-PACKERS) JUNE 6-9 MAIN TRIP COST: (WEIGHTED BY NUMBER) $450 IF 8-10 PARTICIPANTS $500 IF 6-7 PARTICIPANTS PACKER GROUP ADDITIONAL DATES AND COSTS BACKPACKER ADD ON TRIP JUNE 3-5 COST TO PACKER PARTICIPANTS IS SHARED EXPENSES (TBD) BASED ON ACTUAL COSTS FOR FOOD, SHUTTLE, BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITE RESERVATIONS ETC. DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE BACKCOUNTRY BACKPACK ADD-ON TO THE HAZEL CREEK TRIP. NOTE HOWEVER backpackers provide all their own backpack, tent, food, dishes and water purifying equipment, fishing gear and be in condition to hike with a loaded pack (40 to 45 lbs.) up to six miles per day. Bill 5

6 Schroeder can provide up to four dinners and four (dehydrated granola) breakfasts for up to four peoplewho wish to pool dinners and breakfasts at a cost of about $10 per day per person. We also can group-share stoves and water. More on that later. D.REQUIRED GEAR: Backpackers will need their own backpacking gear and plan to pack only what is need and can be carried in their packs. Backpacking food will be either on your own, or as agreed and shared among the packers. The weight of the food for backpackers through Thursday breakfast will be distributed among the packers. Backpackers and all others will have everything provided (tents food cots mattresses) beginning Thursday noon at campsite #86. Lunchs are provided Thursday-Sunday, same as the Buffer non-packers. By request, backpackers may have the option for a small pack of additional clothes and gear brought over to #86 with the remaining Buff Group on Thursday. This may provide clean clothes, extra gear etc. for Thurs-Sunday. Non-backpackers on the Buff Trip will need only their fishing gear, clothes, waders, toiletries and a good sleeping bag. The tents, cots (with mattresses) and all food, lunches, snacks etc. are provided for Thursday through Sunday noon.backpackers who wish to continue sleeping in their own backpacktents may do so instead of switching to the super comfortable cabin tents, cots and mattresses provided by Steve Claxton, but must make that decision and advise Steve before the trip starts. E. WHO IS GOING? There is a (National Park Service) limit of 10 for the main 4-day trip at #86 and eight for the backpack add-on. We havesix or seven wanting to add the backpacking option. Therefore the backpack add-on is full. We have not asked for deposits so no one is committed yet. However, those who have expressed interest are as follows: The Hot List so far for the backpacking add-on is: Bill Schroeder Dale Mowry Steve Lilly Jeff McElravey Tom Knapke Ken Speicher Dave Hershberger However, two of these will be unable to stay for the Thurs-Sunday part. 6

7 Additional Interested: Bruce Miller Bob Gustafson Bob Mackey Joh Doscher Hence, if we have four toseven doing the backpacking add-on, but two will not remain for the Thursday Sunday, Buff Thurs-Sunday segment, needs another four or five to fill the Thurs-Sun segment. The NPS limit is 10. We can do it with fewer, but the cost will increase from $450 to $500 if we do not have a full trip. See C above for costs. E. HOLDING A SPOT - - DEPOSIT REQUIRED BY APRIL 15 TH. To hold a spot on the Hazel Creek Spring Trip (the main trip), a deposit of $200 (half the estimated cost) is required by April 15th. Please mail your check to Dale Mowry, 848 Waterbury Le, Mason, Ohio Please make out your check to Dale Mowry, and make the memorandum say simply Hazel Crk Trip Deposit. Dale will likely hold all checks until the end of the trip ten turn them over to Steve when the trip is over. If you are interested in the backpacking addon, simply tell us that by . F.BACKPACKING SHAKEDOWN OVERNIGHT We are delighted that Steve Lilly has offered to organize a shakedown trip to test our packing ability, endurance, and equipment, such as tents, stoves, water purifiers, and the like. While our Hazel Creek backpacking option is a modest trip within the abilities of most healthy and reasonably fit individuals, it is not the time to head out on your first backpack trip with new or borrowed, untested equipment. There are many challenges to backpacking a trip like this, not the least of which is figuring out how to pack what you really must have, and leaving home what you can really do without, so you can get your pack weight down to pounds. It is a constant struggle for me. For that reason, a shakedown overnight is an excellent idea. The date is projected to be April 13 th, and the plan is to go to Caesar Creek State Park in April or May where we will be able to camp at their campground (where there are flush toilets, hot showers, and several good trails for hiking, to test our abilities, endurance, and adjust our packs). I plan to participate myself and welcome anyone who is interested in backpacking to join us. This would be a good time to try it out and figure out whether or not it has a place in your fly fishing future. Steve is a very experienced, and able backpacker and a good mentor for anyone who is interested giving it a try. If you are interested in the Shakedown, Steve at:"sjlilly@fuse.net Lilly" <sjlilly@fuse.net>. 7

8 F. PREPARATION FOR THE MAIN 4 DAY HAZEL CREEK BUFF TRIP We can answer any questions you may have. However, preparation for this trip is really mainly about fishing gear, flies and sleeping gear. Think of it as much like staying in a five star hotel located on the bank of an blue ribbon trout stream. The meals are all outstanding, and the tents, cots and mattresses are comfy and all provided and set. You need only a good sleeping bag, your clothes, toiletries, waders, boots, camera and fishing gear. Please me with any questions. Bill Schroeder wschroeder@cinci.rr.com 8