sgb1950
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Thanks Ken. will save me loading the tractor. Baker
Others volunteers for this project. I don’t know if Jimbo saw my post above. If any of you see this and have a 4wd truck, please post here. Thanks,
Baker
Jimbo, Considering the possibility of wet roads on the Ingram ranch I am making the offer to bring my 4WD Kubota tractor to haul gravel out to a safe parking spot for trucks. I have a pallet fork mounted and we could put the big black tub we normally use on it. I would then load the tractor and tub back on the trailer and drive it to Maricopa. We could also use the tractor to take the tub down the culvert to unload. I know this sounds extreme but my PU is only 2wd with road tires and the gravel bar road would be a pain to get towed from. If any of the other volunteers has a 4wd pu , that would eliminate the need. Your call, Hefe.
BTW , remember you have the gravel sifter.
Baker
Bruce, Sounds like an excellent plan. One can secure float tube or kayak with a bicycle cable and even do paddle or fins by drilling holes in the blades for cable or lock shank. I have a small, locking foot locker which could be chained to a tree at put in when the yak is dropped. It could hold life jacket and other “cheap to replace” items leaving only rod, flies etc. to be biked back to truck.
I love working “wet” but am getting older and not as cold tolerant as I once was. I guess that could be addressed by “get out and warm up” stops. I have multiple sets of waders but find the only ones that work for me tubing/paddling are Neoprenes which fit higher, tighter and provide some flotation. I will try do a pack test as you described and let you know how it goes.
One thing that still concerns me right now is that I am not familiar with the Guad. at these flow rates. I have very little white water experience, ( took a class years ago that didn’t provide experience over Class 2), and am not sure how my canoe or SOT yak would fare. I have been through the “Tubers Loop”, downstream of Maricopa, many times but just can’t visualize what it would be like now.
I was fishing the L&L office rapids, among other spots, yesterday and it was moving pretty quickly. These flows actually make it easier for the guide boats because they don’t have to hit a channel as required most times. We tried several of our favorite GRTU spots and just couldn’t where we wanted to wading.
Thanks for the post, I’ll keep an eye out for more and will post any success I have on the forum. Baker
Bruce, I have considered the bicycle/motorcycle one man shuttle solution. I have a Yamaha XT250 I used for one man shuttle backpacking in Colorado and it worked well with a 4WD truck and nothing but a backpack to carry. I haven’t tried it on the Guad. because of the following issues I haven’t figured out:
The amount gear that would need to be carried back to put-in or secured down stream for pick-up later. I made a bundle of my deflated float tube, rod, waders and associated gear and, as you can imagine, it was large. In my opinion too large to carry on a bike. Even if I was willing to wear the waders, ( that would amuse the locals 😉 ), it was just too much. Additionally, River Road is NOT a quiet USFS back road. I have seen trailer-pulling touring cyclers on River Road and suspect few will do it twice.
Leaving gear at take-out to retrieve later requires securing it while you are gone. I got my old Hobie yak stolen from Whitewater because I forgot the securing cable. In my opinion, only L&L has a situation suitable for leaving a locking container while you return to put-in.
I know that these issues can be resolved, depending on the individual. I have a bad case of “Keep It Simple Stupid”.
I researched the paid shuttle situation a few years back and have found it to be uncertain and ever changing. Now, with many more guides on the river, it could be an option.
I agree with Jerry H that this forum, and other social media, can be a tool for finding fishing partners. I will request, just as a fellow LAP, that those using open social media, keep location and other GRTU LAP information to yourselves. Too Much Information has caused problems in the past and is why most of us no longer disclose location information.
Baker
Jerry, I have made that post several times over the years without any takers. If you are interested, send me a message.
Baker
I have the original “U Boats” and have used them from the spillway to Maricopa and from Maricopa to L&L. For me, low flows are the most problem because of the awkward fin issue; having to get out, remove fins, portage low spots, and re-fin. A bruised tailbone is a possibility when the water is down. Even at 100 cfm , going up stream is not something these craft were designed for, but I can “hold my ground” and shuttle at 300 cfs. I don’t use the fins for motivation much, just positioning, usually floating with my back to the current and rotating left or right. If you point your legs 45 degrees river right and gently kick, you will traverse river left , still moving downstream, pretty quickly.
I can’t agree with the “legs hanging down” issue. In the open style “U” boats,(no crossbar), my normal position is almost like being in a recliner with center of gravity below water level. When I see or feel an obstruction, I just pull my knees up to my chest, as I was taught in swift water rescue. I don’t use the apron and always wear a life jacket. I have never been in anything close to a dangerous situation but part if that is knowing what is ahead; i.e. when approaching Horseshoe Falls, be river left and ready to portage. That being said; I would NOT suggest using one right now at 735 cfs. If you get caught in the current at, for instance, the rapids above L&L office, you could,( will probably), have problems.
I have kayaked, canoed and floated most of the “GRTU” sections of the river, including several long upstream paddles and returning to start. For me, the biggest overall issue is the logistics of finding a suitable fishing partner so you can leave vehicles at both put in and take out and dragging a canoe or kayak up the “ramps” available.
If you do decide try try tubing, don’t forget a small anchor or at least a “limb grabber” for getting out to wade. I did chase down and return a runaway rental tube once.
If you can afford it, a guide is a REALLY easy option.
Hope this helps, enjoy
Baker
10-4 Can be there any of those days
Baker
If you mean Seasonal Lease dates, 11/1/2018-3/31/2019 unless noted otherwise. The information is on the Map download. Map password is same as entry codes.
It’s already up to 494cfs. You can keep an eye on lake level and flows at the GRTU home page- “flow”
I will start with suggesting using a drop shot rig; if you are not familiar with it, YouTube Kelly Galloup or Slide Inn.com. He does an excellent video on how and why. My catch rate went way up using this . You KNOW your fly is near the bottom with this rig and any touch on the fly is easy to see. You will quickly learn the difference between tapping bottom and a take. It also drastically reduces fly loss.
For specifics I will add, I use straight 4X for the upper sections and drop to 5X for the shot section; if you hang up the 5X breaks first. I use only size B (.31g) shot. If I need more weight I just add a second. Keep the weight as light as possible and still make contact with the bottom.
For flys, my upper is usually a Squirmy worm or Girdle Bug on a short dropper,something to grab attention. I have a post on the fly tying section about EZ Squirmys. You can produce these cheap and easy, even without a vice. I have them in all colors for different light conditions but your tans are an excellent start. Your red San Juans may work but trout love that Squirmy movement.
Lower fly is going to be a #14-16 Nymph, I like the original Whitlock Red Fox Squirrel Nymph,(RFSN) which I tie myself but I agree with Alex,( which I assume is Alex A.), any “buggy looking”nymph in the 14-16 will do. ( If I remember correctly, Alex made the comment on the old forum ” fur on a hook properly presented”). Color selection can be kept to “light or dark” .I like unweighted flys on dropper loops when using a suspender/indicator rig; better movement-less hang up.
There are a lot of experienced GRTU members that swear by swinging bead-heads like your Wooly Buggers and I have caught fish on them, mainly in the spring . Your #20-22’s will work under a dry, again I think best in warmer conditions.
Hope this helps and remember to enjoy regardless of catch.
Baker
msp355, I know it wasn’t intended for me, but thanks for the amazon link, stronger than the Carson Clip-Flips I have been using. I ordered the + 6, to match the 6X I’m using for dropper loops. 😉
Baker
Jimbo, FYI My Striper trip with guide got bumped back to Jan. 8 so ….. Hoping for no conflict.
Baker
TPWD has issued a mercury contamination warning for Stripers and other predator fish on the Guadalupe. After talking with one of their Biologists, I don’t worry about eating the 18″-24″ fish that I normally catch. Obviously, the larger the fish, the more accumulation of heavy metals is possible.
As far as C&R is concerned, I’ll stay out of that one. This topic has been around for a long time and opinions vary widely. The one thing we , as GRTU members, must do is follow all laws and regulations. Catching, killing and throwing back is not something any of us should do.
Baker
Today first of the season. Too old and short for 750 CFM.
SYOTR soon
