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Well, Barry left out a few things, and pics out, so let me try and finish this recap off. Jerry and Gary were the 1st ones to arrive. I was a little later on Friday, due to I am having a hard time adjusting to not speeding, running stop signs and stoplights, plus using my blinkers!!! What are we coming, too! Anyway, I made it, and began to unload, and set up camp. 1st thing, tent. Crap, forgot my tent poles!!! Good thing I brought the fish for the fish fry. Crap, forgot the fish!!! This is not off to a good start. Oh well, let's make the best of it, so after settling in, Jerry, Gary, and I head off to the Nolan River. I lead them on a Whitney safari jungle hike, and finally make it to the hole, where many sandies were staging. I GUESS WE ARRIVED A LITTLE LATE FOR THE MORNING BITE!!



It took a while, but we finally got a few, and several nice ones. Jerry was snagging them, and Gary put a few more on the stringer. I finally landed a really nice one, that the Mexican kid, DID NOT GIVE TO ME!!



Later, that night, she meet her maker, hot oil. Did not filet her to Barry's satisfaction, but I didn't recall any fish being spit out, or not eaten. I know, I was sloppy, but hurrying up, cause I heard the "Weed Whack-A-Rita" machine going off!!




After happy hour, that lasted longer than an hour, I readied up the Orion Cooker for some Smoked Trout Fish Tacos. Oh man were they good!!!! Nice mess of fish I brought back from Colorado.





While that was going on, Jerry was frying potatoes and the great filets that Barry brought. Yellow bass, and crappie!! Well done. Add a few more fresh caught sandies, and the fish fry was on!!




After an awesome meal, Gary brought out the cherry cobbler and ice cream. That was sweet, and delicious!!! Then, here comes the wind, and boy did it howl through the campground. We get the bonfire going, and the story telling begins!! We are all pretty beat from the day, so this night ends early. The next day, it's breakfast tacos.



Barry tops off his coffee with some "white lightning". Ought to call that stuff, " white drink that makes you go to sleep!!", cause that's what happened to Barry, after the used reel salesman comes. Hello Bud!!! Glad you made it!!!




Let the trading begin!!!



Enough of this stuff, I came to fish!!! So we all load up, and walk down the hill to the Brazos. Great conditions. Wind blowing 30mph+, sunny, and cold. Barry explains to us, that we won't catch any sandies, cause of the weather fluctuation, but we go anyway. 1st fish for me, sandie. 2nd fish, sandie, 3rd fish, sandie. Well, let's move on!!!



Everyone on the river began to catch a few fish. Jerry got into some nice gill's Jeff got a big goo, and Les was into fish, too!!! Doug and Jeff tag a few of those big red breast sunfish, along the way.





After 7 or 8 sandies, I started catching gills, and red ears.




Then, all of a sudden, I hear that familiar sound. That's right, the Weed "Whack-A-Rita" machine, and I run back to the campsite, like it was a dinner bell. And there was the bartender again, in that same posture!!!



Now it's time for the Orion Cookoff!!! I load mine up with 6 racks of St. Louis Style Ribs, and begin to smoking!!! I notice that I am the only one, who brought their cooker, so I declare myself, the 2009 Glassic Orion Cookoff Winner!!!! Man doesn't that sound glorious!!! Show me the money!! Anyway, we had a great meal that night. Ribs, mashed potatoes, corn, pork & beans, and another awesome cobbler!!!



We again crawl over to the campfire, and let the stories roll. This is always one of my favorite times, when camping. Sitting around the fire, sharing the experience with other friends. Not as nasty as the day before, cause the wind lays down. But still cold. We retire for the night, for a good snore, and start the next day off fresh, again. More breakfast tacos, load up our crap, that we all brought, and probably didn't need. You know what I am talking about. It happens every trip. At least I packed lighter than usual, but still wish I had packed my poles. Anyway, we load everything up, and decide to hit the river one more time. Best conditions of the weekend, but the fish, were still getting over the drastic weather change. Still managed some bass, gills, and others. First, we pass by this area, and are reminded of why life is so good!!!






I get a great shot of jeff, in the background of this shot. I think Jeff is giving me a thumbs up, or is that another finger, Jeff??



Well, it finally had to end, so we load back up, and head home. For those of you who came, it was a time to remember. Great to meet new friends, and talk about the sport we love. For those of you who didn't make it, you missed a good one. Can't wait for the next one. Maybe we should schedule one between here, and the fall, so more of you can come. Had a great time, and friends, keep in touch. Thanks for the kind words about the meals. I enjoyed doing it. Thanks Gary for the cobblers, and Bud, Barry & Les, thanks for all you have done to help me with the sport. Much appreciated!!!

TTYL, Russell 2009 Glassic Orion Cookoff Winner

Well after a week off from work, I went back, just so I could take today off?? Make sense, no, but oh well, took good advantage of it. Went down the familiar road to the sand bass run. You know, the walk through the Whitney Safari Jungle!!! Only tracks on the path, belong to deer, hogs, and turkey. Some quail run across the path in front of me, and the turkeys are rearing up and gobbling like crazy.



I arive at the river, and look both ways, to make sure there are no mexican kids. I do not want to be accused of buying any more fish!!! Coast is clear, so I proceed on down to the hole.





I try a spot that I figured would be loaded with sandies, with no luck. Was fishing deeper water, for holding, staged fish. I change strategies, and move back up river to the last holding spot, before the ripple, Bingo!!! 7 fish in 10 minutes!!!!






Here's proof, that the sandies were on the end of my line!! No, it was not a snag!!



I look both ways, ensuring there are no Mexican kids, ANYWHERE!!!!




I continue to fill my stringer up. I catch another one, and reach for my stringer, and what the hell!!! No stringre. That sucks. Now I'm pissed!!! I keep fishing after looking for a long time. I look at at the log jam in front of me, you know the one that is full of snakes!! Could it be in there??



Bingo, there's my stringer, minus 2 sandies. Oh well, caught some more to fill it up!!



I caught the fish on a new fly, I tied. It has a magic head on it. Really makes the fly wobble.



I decide to load it up, and head to Fat Alberts in Cleburne, for a big burger. Pass some springtime flowersd along the way, as I head home!!




Get to Cleburne, and Fat Alberts has closed. One less great place for a burger. Oh well, may live longer, but doubtful. Still a great day to catch fish, and have the river all to myself. That rarely happens.

TTYL, Russell 2009 Glassic Orion Cookoff Champion