Labor Day Campin'

[TWiles]

Hit the high country near home with the girls for some tent camping with our friends' family at their camper site.  Lots of chilling and hanging with the young'uns...

Followed this pretty lady as she ran for 7 miles along the river...training for a December run.  Scoped out some nice spots to try this fall and winter once the water clears, and the 'skis get active.







Nice signs to see:



Lounging:






I managed to sneak off with the Badfisher to surf down a couple miles of nice rapids into some gorgeous, fishy water.  I spent a couple hours trying for Muskies without much luck in the heat of the day...but I know some of this water is worthwhile for a revisit later.






I finally gave in and tried for some brown bass, an soon tied into this nice smallie...MAN, did he fight.  This brute pulled the paddleboard a good haul over some rock ledges before I finally got him in.



It almost made me regret passing up all the other smallie holes chasing Muskies....almost.

Made my way downstream, and even managed to get a stranded tourist back to his raft with his family by towing him in the SUP.

Man, I love summer...but I can't wait for that cooler fall weather, though.

Hope you guys had a great Labor Day weekend.

[gaspergou]

Looks like a nice way to spend the weekend, and some pretty water! Nice smallmouth, too!

The wife did a long SUP paddle on Saturday while I took care of a few chores at home. I sneaked out for a couple hours yesterday on that river we fished last time you were in town. Found an easier ramp, too. Flows were perfect, a storm cell came through, there should have been fish busting everywhere... zilch. 
 

[Steve H]

Nice TR Travis and looks like a great weekend out with the family and on the water.

Did some good stuff around the house and prepping for an upcoming trip. I am ready for Fall as well.

[TWiles]

Thanks guys.  Dave, we'll have to redeem your trip and find those AWOL stripers.

Took a hike on Labor Day with the ladies and some friends.  Found some impressive brookie water and caught a couple salamanders. Love the Blue Ridge mountains.