Spicer Kayak Camping

     Few things make a man feel like a man besides roughing it in the woods on a weekend camping trip. Throw in a pair of kayaks and setting up camp out of them after a seven mile paddle into the wilderness, and you have got yourself a weekend camping trip. The annual Miller Spicer Reservoir kayak camping trip revolves around the timing of the trout spawn that drives the lake dwelling fish up into the mouths of the snow run off creeks. Nestled back in the no motor zone of the lake, and several miles hike from the nearest road, you can be sure to have little to no neighbors besides eagles, osprey, deer, bear, and of course, fish.
     The two night, two day trip provided us with fishing, paddling, jaw dropping sights, hiking, camping, gourmet campfire food, and father and son bonding. The fishing was excellent with the rubber legged prince nymph being the hot fly of the trip. The paddling and sight seeing was incredible as you go into wilderness that is nearly untouched. A beautiful campsite by the water provides the perfect dining room to devour a mass amount of trout tacos and watch the sun set after a day of rippin lips.

                                                    Consolidating the camping gear

                                          Distributing the weight of gear evenly in the boats

                                 All the gear needed for a 2-3 day camping trip out of 2 kayaks

                                                       Making use of all available space

                                            About time to leave, ditching school for a day!

                                           Unexpected rain storm, I felt like George Clooney 

                                               in the Perfect Storm for a couple of minutes

                               Not only is this beautiful, but it made for excellent dry fly action!

                                                        Sunset after our arrival to camp

                                                             Time to unload the boats

                                        Living the good life and earning your food, priceless

                                                    

                                                                 Nothing like a fire

                                         Hiking up the mountain along side Highland Creek

                                          Still some snow above the tree line, awesome view

                                         I gained a bit of altitude on my hike, I got caught up 

                                   following a group of deer and did not realize how far I went!

FINALLY SOME FISH

                                                    A nice 20 inch spawning rainbow.

                                              The end of the first morning for the two of us.

                                                     Paddling into some flooded timber 

                                                          Approaching a load noise

                                                     Bam! Only to find a hidden waterfall

                                                Last fish of the trip, filling out our two day 

                                         possession limits. A nice fish to top off the ol' smoker

Nor Cal Roadtrip. Shelter Cove and Clear Lake

Jameson and his 35" Ling Cod

Just got back from an EPIC weekend of fishing the North Coast and Clear Lake with Drew Gregory and Jameson Redding, team pros for Jackson Kayaks. We got in late friday night after a long drive up from the SF Airport. A big group of us went in on a house, which made it nice to just roll in and crash as oppose to setting up a tent and trying to get all our gear ready. The next morning was tournament day. 190+ kayak anglers showed for the event. The weather was sunny and warm with little to no wind in the AM. After a nice paddle out to the Red Buoy we dropped line and started jigging. On the very first drop I caught a legal sized Ling Cod. The action was steady most of the day for our group. We all boated a 8-12 fish a piece. We caught everything from Ling Cod, Greenlings, Vermilions, Black Rocks, Cabs, and a China Rockfish. In the afternoon the wind picked up but by that time we were off the water with beers in hand. Despite having a great day of fishing non of us caught anything of size, therefore non of us placed in the tournament. The day before and the day after however delivered two really nice fish for our team. On Friday team member Adam Koons caught a nice 25lb Salmon, and on Sunday Jameson Redding landed a 35" Ling Cod in big seas. 

On the way home we stayed with our friend at Clear Lake. We were catching fish on frogs, Sinko's and drop shot. Biggest one was about 8lbs. 

Adams Koons and his 25lb Salmon

Drew Gregory and GS7bWinner Jim Jackson

Drew and his 21" Verm

Team Van on the beach.  

Glass on the way out. 

Bio Bill and Jameson in their Jackson Cuda 14's

Thankfully Bill brought his ice chest. 

First drop of the day. 

Getting bent! 

Weigh in startion.

Fish Carnage. 

Fish Cleaning station was packed! 

Cuda 14' on the beach. 

The after party. 

Smile for the camera! 

Jameson and his 35" Ling 

Cover Shot. 

Cuda full of fish! 

Next Day Clear Lake. Jameson's bass. 

Drew Gregory 

Terry Gowen and his 8lber.  

Great day thanks to Terry Gowen

Drew makes stand up fishing look easy. 

Love the Giant Redwoods on the way to the Coast.