HOW October 8th, Del Valle

Parking Fee - $ARM
Fishing Fee - $LEG
Kayak Inspection Fee - $DONT ASK

just kidding..almost
$6/car
$2 for kayaks ($4 boat launch/trailer fee)
$5 fishing fee
$3 kayak inspection fee
= $16

That's pretty close, actually $3 for kayaks, so $17 Bucks to yak fish at Del Valle...

 probably won't know till next week on our passes on fees...  the wheels of bureaucracy move slow and steady....

 Rapala said they receive 100s of donation request a month and therefor, after

  " Serious consideration; " they are unable to honor my request for some lures...

Ya know... if they just said  " No..." and we can not donate to all organizations... fine.

 But ya mean to tell me, that after seriously considering whether or not you can donate to wounded solderers who defend your right to be free and enjoy the way of life that ya Obviously take for granted,,,

you can still say no?    It was not a form letter either...  at least they did that much...

 sorry, just hit me a little wrong the way that wrung out...  I am going to echo these sentiments back to them just for my own therapy ...

 Professionaly of course....  

I shouldn't be upset by this too much. What I'm learning is there are a ton of organizations out there that are beating bushes constantly for " Free Stuff "... and some of these people are Professional WoodPeckers that is for sure....

I'm learning and I'm not going to pollute this post with some Good News that I have....

Good News!!!

 I have not only 1 pontoon boat, or 2 pontoon boats....

 But 3 pontoon boats!!!!        

we will be able to use these as we see fit, but I think the main idea is to shuttle the serious fisher people to where the fish are...

 Thank You Del Valle Marina...  They are on Board Big Time as well as Kim down at

 Sunrise Mountain sports, went with him down to the rental kiosk today to see how there sale went and they blew out alot of boats... still Great sales going on with 30% off new yaks too...

about 10 tandems, Malibu, cobra triples, a couple of outfitters, a hobie here and there as well as trident, many Sit ins...

I think we are going to need to bring a few extra yaks...  I don't want anyone going crazy to find yaks and drive everywhere to pick up yaks and stuff. If you have a extra yak, and it's not too much trouble to bring, and will pass Quagga Mussel,  which is tough, then bring it.

we should be just fine with paddles and pfds from Sunrise, but I would like to take it up a notch on the fishing kayaks for the vets who really want to give this a " Hoo Ra!!! " Try...

 I should have some very detailed info soon on how where going to make this work.

What do I need to do for the inspection? Just make sure it is dry?

clean and dry inside and out

What do I need to do for the inspection? Just make sure it is dry?

 I will be scanning the Quagga brochure and posting up soon...

it's pretty detailed, life vest too, ropes gear, nothing wet....  and another thing....

The inspection station is down by the launch ramp, we will be arriving that morning with between 30 to 40 kayaks...  one person doing inspections  

So glad I stopped and talk with them today, they are going to prepare for this and it's up to us to do our best to make it easy for them...

Dry, and have things open and easy to inspect, and as fishermen are arriving with
their boats that have nothing to do with us, get them to the front of the line, were not in a hurry, were there for the Vets. and if someone does not pass, no big deal and don't get upset, there will be plenty of other kayaks, power boats, and lots to do...

and for those who will " Hopefully " be able to camp the night before, if you don't get your yak inspected on that Thursday, you won't be able to put your boat in the water till you get it inspected the next day.

We really want to Respect their rules as to have more events in the future...

and I can also say that

The staff I talked to today was Very excited about the Event    

we'll go over this more as we get close with the scanned brochure....

Hey Master Chef KayakJack    

So The Beach View Picnic area looks pretty good for our situation, close to the parking lot, about a 100 yards to the Sunrise Kayak Rental Center, 4 picnic tables right there, and best of all,

a pretty good size BQ... I don't think we will need the commercial one from Valley Ford.

We can supplement by bringing a few more or use some of the other smaller ones around,

What do you think...  Dog added for scale....    

Thanks for the update and pics Don. That helps put things in perspective. I don't think that thing is big enough to cook for 100. I am thinking we should still bring the trailer from valley ford. I gotta pour a hell of a lot of concrete today in napa. I will talk with you more later.

Good News!!!

 I have not only 1 pontoon boat, or 2 pontoon boats....

 But 3 pontoon boats!!!!        

we will be able to use these as we see fit, but I think the main idea is to shuttle the serious fisher people to where the fish are...

Don -

Since the water temp is going to be over 65 degrees, it is probably going to be a soaking bait day so I wouldn't worry about the rapalas. If the bite is up at the dam we could use the pontoon boats as mother ships and pull the yaks up to the dam, daisy chained. Last weekend all the boats were up at the dam. At the dam, you can fish from shore or from a boat, but most I see up there soaking bait are on the shore so not having enough kayaks shouldn't be a problem. Heron bay can be bait fished fished from a boat on the anchor.

Scott

question on the inspection. What if my yak and vest have stains, do they trip on that?

question on the inspection. What if my yak and vest have stains, do they trip on that?

They might...  They can be as picky as they want to be.  But, when they checked mine, they just reached in and squeezed it to see if it was wet, since it was packed in my crate.  But if all else fails just ask to borrow one of their life jackets for the day.

They don't care about stains, IMO. It is about moisture, mud, sand, and organic debris. Scrub it down, let it dry then vacumn any debris and you should be fine.

Never had the question of stains come up at the inspection otherwise I would have never made it through. If you follow what Great Bass 2 suggested you'll be just fine.

Super bummed....not going to be able to make it. 

Have a skeleton crew at work right now, and can't find anybody to cover for me on the 8th.

Really disappointed, but I know you all are going to do a great job for these Vets...

Don, let me know if any of my gear can be of use...

I can bring it over to zisco or Porky to bring up...I got two yak set ups (yak/seat/paddle), a pfd, and two spinning setups.

Sorry Don...I have been scrambling around, hoping I could find a way to swing it, but it is just not happening.
 

I wish you all the best of luck and am super proud of what you all are doing.

Sincerely,

Jim

Oh Man....  That is a loss....   

sure hope ya can pull a miracle last second, but don't sweat it...

Really hope something changes on that...

  You where a rock for me at the last one and thank you...

 see ya at the next one if ya can't make this...

Oh Man....  That is a loss....   

sure hope ya can pull a miracle last second, but don't sweat it...

Really hope something changes on that...

  You where a rock for me at the last one and thank you...

 see ya at the next one if ya can't make this...

I'll keep doing my best to see if I can pull it Don, but I didn't want to have you counting on me and then having to flake at the last second...

If something changes I will be there for sure and will pitch in wherever needed!!
 
Sincerely,

Jim