The Joy of Friendship

July 9, 2017July 9, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

Long time friend David Tripp

“The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.” – Hubert Humphrey

David and I met in the second grade and thanks to FB we reconnected. David is a retired educator and a profound artist and writer. He now lives in Texas and when he comes to Missouri to visit family we always try to get together and chew the fat. We try to plan a fishing trip once a year and this past week we managed to get some fishing in.

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Rock of David

There is a rock formation on the Big River up river from the Leadwood Access that David wanted to see. I had sent him a picture of it some time ago and he did a plein air water color of it that I was very impressed with so I named it the Rock of David. He finally got to see it Friday with his own eyes and rumor is there will be another plein air watercolor of it in the future.

Since we went to view the Rock of David we decided to get some fishing time in. The river was low so we pulled the boat up on a gravel bar in the middle of the river and did some wading. We caught several fish, panfish, David caught some smallies and I caught a spotted bass. Some of the perch were the size of our hands. We both thought the day felt like a fall day.

It was a good day. We talked about the town of High Ridge that we grew up in. remembered classmates and wondered what happened to some of them. Discussed teachers and sports. Laughed. There was also a lot of quiet time so we could take a walk down memory lane alone. We shared war stories and discussed books. We solved all the world’s problems.

“Friendship is the fruit which the year should bear; it lends its fragrance to the flowers, and its in vain if we get only a large crop of apples without it.” – Henry David Thoreau

Big River

“Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.” – Emma Smith

It is always fun to share the beauty of this part of the river. I don’t think David was disappointed. This stretch of the river has never failed to mesmerize me every time I pass through it.

Big River

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Big River

As the sun began to sink into the western horizon I realized that this perfect day was about to come to an end. I realized how lucky I was to have a friend like David. As I watched the sun as it light seemed to make its final escape from the river the realization that the day was about to end, I realized just how we sometime overlook the importance of a good friend. To think a liberal and conservative spent the day together and didn’t kill each other. Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed the photos of the Big River. The beauty of it is stunning and it is easy to get lost in it. Remember to be kind to one another, share the love and don’t squat with your spurs on.

. .. .

Almost There

June 23, 2017 / doubledacres / 4 Comments

{Left to Right} Mark’s Grandson, David, Me and Mark

“Remember the most valuable antiques are dear old friends.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr

I thought the above quote was quite appropriate however I can’t speak for David and Mark. In the movie Wild Hogs four middle aged men hit the road for adventure on motorcycles. So I guess for three guys hitting the open river for 7 days in kayaks and canoe, I guess we would be called the Wild Yaks. Hopefully we wont hear banjos.

Some months back I had mentioned to them that I was going to do a seven day float on the river and they thought it was such a great idea that they wanted in, so on Saturday the Geritol Crew will begin a seven day journey down the beautiful Big River. I guess we should call it the Rice Krispies float because every time we get out of the boats you can hear snap, crackle, pop.

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One of the places we will pass by. I call it Rock of David, because my friend David brought it to life in water color.

I hate to say it but this float trip was brought together by Facebook. Mark, David and I graduated together and were reunited by Facebook. I will let you know how many bottles of Geritol we go through. Instead of butcher, baker and Indian Chief we have, retired teacher, bails bondsman and semi-retired horseshoer. What a combination. Well with three wild sixty-three year old men unsupervised on the river, I think the bails bondsman will be most beneficial. I just hope I don’t overdose on Geritol.

Another site we will see on the Big River

I have our trip planned to cover around 6 to 8 miles a day. I hope we reach Cherokee Landing by Monday evening. Our final destination is going to be Washington State Park south of De Soto, MO. I figure it is about a forty-five mile float. I hope to get lots of pics and fish. My wish is to some day float the whole Big River and Bourbeuse River.

“Friends…they cherish one another’s hopes. They are kind to one another’s dreams.” – Henry David Thoreau

As our time draws closer my mind wanders back to the times in school when life was so much simpler. Then my mind rockets back to the present making me realize how much different things are today. We all seem to have a little more snow on the roof. Our step doesn’t have as much spring in it as it used to have. I know some mornings I get up and notice that the “git” in my “git along” all ready got up and left without me. Our friendship has endured a long time. I am looking forward to taking a trip down memory lane this weekend, going back to a time when you all climbed into one car and dumped all your change out to get enough gas in the car to ride around all night. Life was good.

Another place on the river we will pass by.

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed it. Be kind to one another and share the love. Don’t squat with your spurs on and God Bless you one and all.

Safety First

June 10, 2017 / doubledacres / 2 Comments

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Bourbeuse River near Union, MO

My story starts on Friday, June 2, 2017. David Tripp, Mark Nelson and myself are planning a week long float on the Big River the last week in June. This float was a preview of our planned float.

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My Kayak on the Bourbeuse River

I put in on the Bourbeuse around 5 pm on June 2, planning to have a great weekend. Friday night went pretty well. I set out 10 limb lines and baited them for catfish. I set up camp on a gravel bar and then went on up river and tight line fished. I caught some nice cat and drum that night. The river was falling and very muddy so I was a little surprised that I caught anything at all. I did catch 2 channel cat on the limb lines. I ran the limb lines at 11 pm and 3 am then daybreak. I heated up some beans and weenies for breakfast about 4 am Saturday morning.

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Heating up beans and weenies on the river bank.

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Fish I caught early Saturday morning,

Saturday was like any other day on the river. I spent it bass fishing and fishing for pan fish. About dark I began baiting the limb lines that I had out, When all the lines were baited I headed to my spot that I tight line fished at night.

Dawn came and my fish basket had 6 nice channels in it that I had caught. I started working my way back down river, bass fishing as I went. I managed to get hung up and losing my hook so I tied a new one on. I had been pulled into the shallow water and instead of paddling back up and securing everything before I started through the swift water i made a bad decision to just go ahead and shoot the shallow fast water.

I had been through this spot 4 times since Friday. Water was really swift so away I went. Then all of a sudden the yak hits something, comes to a stop then the rushing water hit it in the rear, forced it side ways and over I went. I was flung head first into the water then the swift water carried me to the end of the shallow into a deep hole. The current surrounding the hole began to push me to the bottom. The water was so muddy I couldn’t see anything. I don’t know how long I had been in the river but my lungs began to hurt so i knew I had to make a decision so I relaxed and let my life jacket do its job and sure enough it started pulling me to the top so I immediately began helping it. When I broke the top I was gasping for breath,

I looked around and I saw the yak and it was heading down river pretty fast so I headed for it. Once I snagged it I had to swim it about 40 yards to the bank. Now if you have ever lifted a ten foot kayak full of water you realize at this point that Preparation H is really man’s best friend. I finally got everything rounded up and I just crashed on a gravel bar as what just happened started sinking into my mind.

I want to thank you for reading my blog. Just a reminder about safety and how important it is. Please wear your life jacket when you are on the river. Be kind to one another, Share the love and don’t squat with your spurs on. God Bless you one and all.

Rain on the River

May 14, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

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Storm clouds building.

“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.” – Roger Miller

Wow, what a night on the river. I knew that rain was in the forecast. I knew they said some storms could be severe. Did I let that stop me? Noooooooooooo. Instead I load the kayak and my fishing gear and off to the river I go. My grandpa’s response to my decision would have been,”Boy, all I have to say is you don’t have the sense God gave a turnip.” I recall the first time I heard that. I remember thinking, I never knew a turnip had any sense.

I finally get to the river and the sky doesn’t look to awful bad so I back down to unload. Well one of those people who think they are someone special and their poo poo don’t stink, you know the type, has parked where we put the yaks in. I can still get my yak in the water but it is 10 times as hard. All of this just because this snowflake doesn’t think rules apply to him, He is someone special (said as sarcastic as I can) don’t you know. Then, then, as I am about to shove off he walks up to his truck and sees me and says,”Your face is awfully red.” At which time I promptly responded by telling him it was probably due to the fact that some one special had parked where we launch yaks, and is a no parking zone, so I had to work 10 times as hard as I should have. Yep! You guessed it. Went right over his head and I don’t even think he realized it was him.

Heading up river I could see the cloud build up wasn’t looking too good so I checked the radar and no rain was showing up. I paddled to a spot on the river where I have had great luck with small mouth. I started floating back down river and started fishing. I started with a Rebel Wee Craw, Charlie Slider worm and an eighth ounce jig with a pig attached. No luck. Nothing. Nada. Nil. You know, same thing that is left after a divorce.

I came to a place in the river where there is some under water cover and is usually a producer of some nice pan fish. So I retied this time using a hook and a sinker and baited with night crawler. In no time i had caught two. Then it started to rain. Just a steady slow rain but camera time was over for the night.

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Just before the rain started.

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By now it had been raining for about 10 minutes and BAM! The spotted bass had started hitting. Looks like things are looking up. Oh yeah. I mean what is a little rain when the fish are biting, Right? Then, like it wasn’t raining on my parade all ready, there is a bright flash of light followed by a clap of thunder that made my fillings rattle. It hit a tree up on the bluff from me. Not a lot bothers me but lightning gets my undivided attention. Sooooooo i reel in my line and headed back to where the truck was parked.

I finally arrive and beach the yak and head to get the truck. Still not raining real hard yet. I start backing down to where the yak is and I am here to tell ya I can’t remember the last time I saw it rain that hard. I thought someone was hitting me with a water canon. I sit there in the truck for a few minutes and then I thought what the hell, after all it is only rain and I sure as hell ain’t gonna melt. So I got out and loaded stuff in the truck. When I got in the truck soak and I thought to myself if it wouldn’t have lightninged I WOULD have got really wet.

Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you enjoyed it. Remember to be kind to each other, share the love and don’t squat with your spurs on. God Bless you one and all.

The Beautiful Big River

May 5, 2017May 6, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

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Big River near the Leadwood Access

“The river flows at its own sweet will, but the flood is bound in the two banks. If it were not thus bound, its freedom would be wasted. “-Vinoba Bhave

One of Missouri’s scenic river ways is located in east-central Missouri. The French called it Grande Riviere, we call it Big River. The river is around 145 miles in length. It begins in Iron County near the summit of Johnson Mountain. It flows through Washington State Park’ St. Francois State Park and the Lead Belt mining district before flowing into the Meramec River.

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Big River above Washington State Park

Big River has some good fishing and some magnificent scenery. The river holds largemouth, smallmouth, spotted and rock bass. Anglers can also find longear sunfish, bluegill, channel and flathead catfish, redhorse, suckers and drum.

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Largemouth Bass

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Smallmouth Bass

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Channel Catfish

Where the Big River flows through the old Leadbelt mining area there are pipes still visible up and down the river where they were used in the mines. I am not sure what the pipe was used for but I was told they were put in to take oxygen into the mines but I don’t know for sure. The DNR claims that there is some lead contamination and to avoid eating certain fish but I have been eating them for years and I am still alive and I don’t glow in the dark.

Big ‘River above Leadwood access.

I have fished and photographed the Big River on several occasions. I have had some great success casting, tight line and limb lines. The water levels get low in the summer months and it has flooded way out of its banks twice in the last 15 months. It is relatively shallow in most places with some deep holes scattered throughout the river. I generally fish out of my kayak and pull a lot of all nighters during the summer and the peacefulness on the river at 2 am is to die for. The nights are filled with the sounds of frogs, crickets and the occasional slap of a beaver’s tail on the water. The coyotes yip and howl and once in awhile come out onto the gravel bar close enough for you to get a good look at them. This summer two of my high school buddies and myself plan to put in on the Big River and float for 7 days and see how far we get.

Big River near Mammoth access.

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” – Heraclitus

I hope you found the blog interesting. Thanks for reading. Remember to be kind to one another, share the love and don’t squat with your spurs on.

Early Morning on the Bourbeuse River

March 16, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

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Bourbeuse River near Union, MO

“In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of which comes; so with present time.” Leonardo da Vinnci

It was an early fall morning. The temperature was in the forties and the fog seemed to be dancing as it rose from off the water. As I shoved the yak off the boat ramp and out into the moving water my heart began to race with excitement. The fog was so thick that it was blocking sunlight and it was somewhat of an eerie sight. Fish had all ready began feeding and you could hear and see them hitting the top of the water. I quickly paddled upstream to a point in the river where I would turn the yak downstream and fish my way back to the boat ramp.

I reached my destination and pulled up on a gravel bar and prepped my rod and reels and chose the baits I would tie on. I slowly began my way back down the river and began casting. Around the fifth cast I felt something pick up the Charlie Slider worm and take off with it. I set the hook and the fight was on. It wasn’t very big but I was using an ultra light with 4 pound test line which made it feel like a 5 pounder.

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Small largemouth bass.

As I floated and fished my mind began to work overtime. I wondered; did Native Americans ever float this area, who was the first settlers that found this area, what is the biggest bass that was ever caught here etc.. I thought to myself how grateful I am to be able to see the beauty of the river first hand and experience the peacefulness that abounds in the early morning hours on the river.

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Bourbeuse River

As I floated around a bend in the river and eyed two deer drinking water at the end of a sand bar. I was almost close enough to touch them when they noticed me and bolted into the woods. Further down the river i came upon a beaver who wasn’t very happy with me trespassing on his part of the river. Wildlife is abundant on the river this morning.

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Bourbeuse River

As I approach the boat ramp I am overcome with some sadness as the morning float comes to an end. It was a great morning. The batteries were recharged and the mind was cleansed and the soul rejuvenated. Caught some fish and filled my mind with the beauty of the river. Life is good.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed and if you did be sure to let me know. Be kind to one another, share the love and God Bless you one and all.

A Day on the Lake

February 19, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” Henry David Thoreau

What a beautiful day in southeast Missouri! I never did hear what the high was today but it had to be in the seventies. My significant other told me I needed to go fishing this morning and I thought about it. Longest two seconds of my life. Now to decide where to go. I was torn between the river and the lake and finally decided to load the yak and head to Bismark Lake in Bismark, MO.

As I approached the boat ramp and laid an eyeball on the parking lot, I knew it wasn’t going to be a good day for fishing. I counted seventeen boat trailers. Bismark isn’t a huge lake, it only consists of 210 acres. That is when Thoreau’s quote went off in my head. It was a beautiful day, I had my camera with me and it was a great day to relax. After all, that is why I came. If the fish were biting that would just be an added bonus.

Bismark Lake

I unloaded the yak and loaded my gear into it. I headed across the lake where I had caught fish before. As I paddled across the lake I couldn’t believe all the boats on the water. I thought to myself, I wonder how many of these guys knew they really weren’t after fish. I chuckled out loud and continued my trek across the lake.

Soft shell turtle sun bathing

Well I am hear to tell you, those fish had lock jaw I tells ya! I threw everything I had at them (forgot the dynamite). I didn’t get to the lake til eleven. When I saw all of those boat trailers I knew any place I fished would have all ready been fished hard. Talk about PPing on my parade. Oh well it adds new meaning to “The early bird gets the worm.” Like my mom used to tell me,”That’ll learn you dern you.”

Bismark Lake

Even though I didn’t catch any fish it was a great day to be outside, on the lake, in the yak and spent a good half hour trying to get a pic of a beaver. He was really camera shy. Maybe he was afraid the camera would steal his soul.

Bismark Lake

Soft shell turtles

Well the time came to head back to the truck. My spirit had been recharged and my soul cleansed. I had been fishing in the back of a cove that was sheltered from the wind. As I made my way out into the main body of the lake I noticed there was some choppy water ahead. The waves would be hitting the side of the yak. Not an idea situation and the first attempt almost sent me swimming. I finally decided on another approach that would change the way the waves would hit the yak and after great effort I made it back to the ramp.

Bismark Lake

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed it and if you ever want to fish Bismark Lake I would be glad to give you a tour of the lake. Be kind to one another, share the love and God Bless you one and all.

The River

February 17, 2017 / doubledacres / 1 Comment

Big River near Leadwood, MO

Too many times we stand aside and let the waters slip away

’til what we put off ’til tomorrow has now become today

so don’t you sit upon the shoreline and say you’re satisfied

choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide…

Garth Brooks/ The River

Hello everyone! How about this weather in the midwest? It feels like May has arrived early. Very mild temps and lots of sunshine. I definitely have “River Fever”. I can hear it calling my name.

Big River near Leadwood, MO

Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper I have been drawn to the river. It is a place where I can go and relax and recharge at the same time. It is a great place for photographers and artists to attempt to capture the beauty of nature. Time spent at the river will mend a broken heart and help a person to deal with the death of a person close to them. The perfect place to meditate, clear your head, and do nothing at all. A place to take the family and enjoy time spent together.

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Smallmouth Bass caught on the Big River

I am an avid fisherman and kayaker. I love spending time on the river in my yak and fishing. Some days I even put bait on the hook. I usually fish using an ultra light rod and reel with 4 pound test line.

Bourbeuse River near Union, MO

I love the mystique of the river. When I float and fish a new section of river my mind begins to wander, what is around the bend? How deep is the water. Who has been here before me. Did early settlers use this river? etc..

My favorite time on the river is night time for sure. You aren’t living until you have been serenaded by a bunch of chirping crickets and croaking frogs with a beaver keeping time with the rhythm by slapping its tail on the water and the distant howling of the coyotes. Natures own natural choir. The stars twinkle bright and sometimes you get to see a shooting star. The river takes on a whole new life when the sun sets and darkness falls upon the river.

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Big River near Leadwood, MO

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. If you haven’g taken the time to explore the rivers I hope I have piqued your interest to do so. Be kind to one another, share the love and God Bless you one and all.

The Allure of the River

January 5, 2017January 13, 2017 / doubledacres / Leave a comment

“The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are always inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson : Excerpts From Nature

(Bourbeuse River at Union, MO)

The river awakens a reverence within me. I am mesmerized by its beauty and intrigued by the mystery the water carries with it. As the water makes its way by me I realize that same water will never pass by there again. It came from somewhere upstream. Maybe a feeder creek or even from the very beginning of the river. What has it seen? If it could talk what stories would it tell? Where has it been and where did it come from?

(Big River near DeSoto, MO)

My dream is to float the Big River and the Bourbeuse River from their beginning to their end. Just so happens both rivers empty into the Meramec River. Two of my friends, Mark Nelson and David Tripp, are planning on joining me for a week long float on the Big River. Really looking forward to it. If you have never consumed a meal cooked along the river, you have no idea what you are missing.

Thanks for reading. Be kind to one another and share the love. God Bless you one and all.