Lake Hennessy, 5/9/14

I caught up with the Care Taker at Hennessy yesterday, Kool guy and what I was counting on as we should be getting this done 90 days in advance.

He's going to check with the powers that be, but he's looking to keep it simple, what a relief. We'll know soon if were getting fees and permits waived, etc… etc…

 main point, it's looking good 

We do have an issue in that the parking lot is small and we don't want to take up every spot so the public can't use the facilities and I also forgot to check what parking looked like just outside the park so if anyone can enlighten me,  that would be nice.

I took a pic of the only area to set up for cooking, registration and hanging out,,,   did not get to fish,,,    but,

The PTSD retreat I was volunteering at this week actually has a "No Trespassing" pond close by and I got some time in...

Brings back many fond memories breaking the law to fish as a kid,,,   

There's a really large pull out along 128 just west of the boat launch that could accommodate a dozen or more cars if parked carefully that is definitely within walking distance of the ramp. There's one small pullout just east of the launch as well but that's a 2-3 car size spot.

There is a really big parking area where 128 and Chiles Pope Valley Road come together at the far east side of the lake that could accommodate twenty cars or so but that's a decent walk back to the launch. During the kids fishing derby when tbe launch lot is packed, people will drop their gear and boats off at the launch and then park near the 128/Chiles Road intersection and get a ride back to the launch. Maybe a shuttle setup might work if the numbers required it ?

Let me know if you like more info or pictures of the parking or anything that helps you coordinate things - I'm up there often enough anyways.

There's a really large pull out along 128 just west of the boat launch that could accommodate a dozen or more cars if parked carefully that is definitely within walking distance of the ramp. There's one small pullout just east of the launch as well but that's a 2-3 car size spot.

There is a really big parking area where 128 and Chiles Pope Valley Road come together at the far east side of the lake that could accommodate twenty cars or so but that's a decent walk back to the launch. During the kids fishing derby when tbe launch lot is packed, people will drop their gear and boats off at the launch and then park near the 128/Chiles Road intersection and get a ride back to the launch. Maybe a shuttle setup might work if the numbers required it ?

Let me know if you like more info or pictures of the parking or anything that helps you coordinate things - I'm up there often enough anyways.

Thanks,  it sounds like the the pull out just west of the ramp will be enough.  This event is not going to be a huge event as it is, so as long as we keep a few spots available to the public closets to the ramp, were good.  The caretaker did not say anything about this, I'm just thinking this is a good idea to be considerate of others wanting to use the lake. I would like this to be the start of long lasting relationship with this resource so we should put our best NCKA paddles forward…   

Thanks chattich…   

Sounds great ! That pullout to the west is pretty spacious and if you park  angled or perpendicular to the road, youll have plenty of space. Hennessey is definitely a fun, if not sometimes difficult, little lake that would be perfect for events like this. Should be a blast !

Danglin you're amazing man.  I'll be at this one, it's hard to physically get out and socialize but this sounds fun.

Danglin you're amazing man.  I'll be at this one, it's hard to physically get out and socialize but this sounds fun.

Thanks, but I'm just the ring leader for all the folks here who are amazing…

sounds like your kind of amazing yourself…  hope your there and lets us know anything we can do to help ya make that happen….

Tip of the Hat to Jon at

  Walton"s Pond in San Leandro

Just helped Nor Cal HOW with some specific baits for the Hennessy Gig…

  Thanks Jon   

Great score on the lures Don. Hope y'all have a great event. We have our big one this weekend down here in the Dallas area. We will be on Frito Lay's corporate lake once again.

I did get out with George and Jeramiah last week. Just the three of us on a private pond near all of us. We nailed a lot of bass and both George and Jeramiah got a double of five pounders. Together we got about 50 bass on a windy day. The wind made for a day when you had to reset a lot, but the bass were very cooperative and ate just about anything we threw at them.

Hey Splashdown,

sounds kool and missed ya at the conference in Texas…  you making Florida next year?

Where are we meeting Friday morning and what time should we be there?  I'm keeping my 11yo out of school that day and will bring him with me as another set of helping hands.  He was always useful when we volunteered with the North Florida chapter.

Can't wait to be a part of this.  I always looks forward to the H.O.W. Events.  I'll be bringing my big camera rig to get on the water pics of some action shots!  Hopefully the fish will cooperate for all of our Vets!

Just follow this next week for times and anything needed from volunteers. We will be finalizing details soon.

Things are rolling…

waiting to hear back on actual numbers from pathways they should give us that on Monday…  no official word on waiving park fees and stuff, but I feel the care taker is just going to keep this on the down low and just get things done…

stay tuned...

Sounds good.  Things are a go for me.  My son has no testing in school that day so he won't miss anything and my Chief notified me this morning that he's giving me the day off and not charging me a vacation day since I'm volunteering!  We'll be there bright and early and ill try and throw some good together for the lunch afterwards.

What kind of turnout are you anticipating number wise for volunteers and vets combined?  Just want to make sure to bring enough for everyone.  I'm thinking homemade blackberry pies but we'll see.

Also is anything else needed?  I have extra PFDs (various sizes of adult and children vests) and I'll make sure to bring plenty of tackle.  Do we have enough rods for everyone?  I could possible bring 4 or 5 extra spinning rods.

Just let me know what's needed!

Sounds good.  Things are a go for me.  My son has no testing in school that day so he won't miss anything and my Chief notified me this morning that he's giving me the day off and not charging me a vacation day since I'm volunteering!  We'll be there bright and early and ill try and throw some good together for the lunch afterwards.

What kind of turnout are you anticipating number wise for volunteers and vets combined?  Just want to make sure to bring enough for everyone.  I'm thinking homemade blackberry pies but we'll see.

Also is anything else needed?  I have extra PFDs (various sizes of adult and children vests) and I'll make sure to bring plenty of tackle.  Do we have enough rods for everyone?  I could possible bring 4 or 5 extra spinning rods.

Just let me know what's needed!

stay tuned to the thread, it will pick up speed next week, we do not need rising gear, but kayakjack is going to be busier than a centipede at a toe counting contest and may need help with buying stuff etc,,,

and IMPORTANT!!!

If anyone does buy stuff for the event, keep the recite clean, meaning, no personal items or cash back on the purchase and I will reimburse you at the event...

Thanks Ringking and I have a Hobie Sport your son may enjoy taking for a spin… I can say the PFD's would be a good thing to bring and extra yaks, but again, stay tuned…

see ya at the show   

Where are we meeting Friday morning and what time should we be there?  I'm keeping my 11yo out of school that day

I'll have to keep my kids out also if I'm going to make it.

Tim