2008. A.K.A. the year we almost froze to death!

This years' event was as well planned and organized as it could have been. Everything cooperated, except the weather. For those of you who haven't been soaked by sideways rain in 35 degree weather while fishing, you just can't understand!
Most of us arrived on Friday, whether you're a local or a visitor, getting to the cabin is mandatory. The whole event starts off with everyone catching up, that little cabin probably sees more coming and going in these few days, than the rest of the year combined. Friday night tradition is Cheeseburgers from the Fort Dick Market, this year it was Tory's treat - Thanks Tory. We ate, drank, made new friends, caught up with old friends and of course starred at the river and dreamed of catching a trophy.
Saturday morning started off with Tory, Tom, Paul, Rick, Brad and myself (Brad) going to the docks to get fresh crab off of a boat. Thanks to Tom for arranging this very special treat, and to whoever ended up paying. I spent more of Saturday at the cabin and shopping for supplies, while most of the other out-of-towners explored the rivers and forests in the area. In the afternoon the entire crew and families made their way to Brian and Michelle's beautiful home. Tom handled the Tri-Tip and several of us pitched in to get the crab cooked and cleaned. We feasted! The night was filled with friends engaged in spirited conversations. Later the remaining bunch of us gathered in the dining room for a great round of sing-a-longs with Jason Costello and Rick providing the music. We sang everything that those two could think of to play - an awesome memory! Those of us staying a the cabin ended the night polishing off a bottle of Crown Royal and getting ready for the next day.
Sunday morning came early. We met at the Hiouchi cafe at 6am for breakfast and guide introductions/assignments. This place has incredible breakfast and pretty darn good sack lunches too. Carl and I were fishing together and our guide's name was Neil. We took off and headed for the river as soon as there was light in the sky. We put in at Ruby and drifted downstream, past the cabin and past 101 before we took out. Not a bite. The weather was the worst I've seen on the river. Temps in the low 30's with a driving sideways rain that absolutely froze everyone. Many fishermen called it a day early, opting to get off the water and warm up and get into dry clothes. A few of us put in further upriver for a second drift. We put in at the forks around 1:30 pm and by 2:30 we were getting snowed on. The snow was a welcome relief, it actually got warmer when it finally started snowing. We fishing in a total whiteout for a while, then it slowed down to an incredibly beautiful trip down the river. We finally took out about 4:30. There were several fish caught, but most people were skunked. Tom was top man on river with 4 fish landed with the largest being 13 lbs.
We all gathered at the cabin after putting on dry clothes. We ate ham, potatoes and bread. Plus left over crab. Again, nobody went away hungry. Later that night we had a small poker tournament and more great time with friends.
Monday morning started off just like Sunday, the cafe for breakfast. Several people dropped out of the fishing and so the guides scrambled a bit. Everything worked out, in fact Coopman ended up sitting in the front of a boat for once. It looked pretty strange to see him fishing instead of rowing. Carl and I had a new guide, Phil, and we started out the day with Phil helping Carl brush up on his casting skills. We launched at the forks, along with about 20 other boats. We fished each slot slow and thoroughly. We had an incredibly beautiful trip on the river. Seeing snow on the Redwoods was awesome. We had a bald eagle watching us just below covered bridge. We stopped at where Mill Creek flows into the Smith and we explored in the Redwoods for a while. Even though I was born in the area and grew up seeing the Redwoods, I still can't help but be amazed when I get up close to them. It is impossible to capture the scale of these trees, but there is one in the pictures that is 68 feet around at the base. We stopped for lunch under the Hiouchi bridge to get out of the rain that decided to show up. By the time we finished lunch the rain had stopped and we got back to fishing. We fished hard further and further through the drift. We were getting close to our take out point, Ruby when I finally got a bite. After about 5 minutes of fighting I got a look at the fish, and knew it was a good one. It took 22 minutes to land the fish, it ended up weighing 17.5 lbs on the Hamlet scale. The scary part was when the guide netted the fish, he tried to lift it in the boat and the handle pulled out of the net. I almost went swimming, but the quick-thinking guide grabbed the net and saved the catch. By the time we had the fish in the boat we were at Ruby and we were done fishing.
It is amazing how poor fishing conditions for 2 10-hour days in the rain, snow and cold can all
be forgotten with 1 bite.
At the Hamlet we met up with Todd and Paige first and told them of my good luck. Soon after Tory and Paul showed up and Paul got to show off his catch too. A very nice 10 lb Smith River "bullet". We headed back to the cabin where Paul and I cleaned our fish and got them in the freezer. We all quickly showered and changed and headed to Pizza King in Crescent City for the "Awards Dinner" where we enjoyed pizza and salad and beer courtesy of Todd. The awards were handed out. "Most Fish" went to Tom for his 4 fish on the first day and I won "Biggest Fish".
We said many of our good-byes and Todd, Tory, Paul and I headed back to the cabin for the last night. A few others stopped by for a little more visiting and fun.
Tuesday morning was time to pack and get on the road home. I left around 9 and drove straight into a snow storm and didn't get home until 3:30. Even being totally exhausted, I was already daydreaming about next year - The Friends - The Fishing - The Fun.

Thanks to everyone who has their hands in this, I look forward to this trip all year long!



Here are the pictures from Uncle Carl. We were in the same boat so many of pictures are similar. Anyone else that gets me their pictures to me, I'll post a slideshow of their pictures too.




Here are pictures from Paul Berkshire, definately some MUST SEE pictures here.