Hemphill Bald and Cataloochie Area

“Sorry to hear it HPM. That's almost enough to make me pick another weekend. Unfortunately it's the only weekend I see available.”

“I understand completely.
Timing is everything and time is hard to come by.”

“RRG
Red River Gorge, Kentucky
Daniel Boone National Forest ?
Laurel Creek Trail - ?
last edited: 1/07/08 8:00:35 AM”

“Yep, the TT mothers day trip
http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1280.php
last edited: 1/07/08 7:58:23 AM”

“I had to change my status to a maybe.I'll know more as it gets closer.Thats Mothers Day weekend right?If it is I'm surely out.”

“It is Mothers Day weekend. I would rather not be out of town that weekend, but I just plan on asking for forgiveness later if I have too.”

“Mother's Day Weekend was the only weekend I had available to schedule.. and wife has agreed to let me backpack that weekend.. so yeah -- I've always been a go.”

“She probably will enjoy the peace and quiet!!! LOL

So the trip is still on?”

“Yes it is, sign up if you haven't already!”

“Of course it is on. Crazygurl -- let me know your arrival time, and we will pick you up at The Swag if you want. Mocs123 -- Looking forward to hiking again with ya. The views on top of the bald should be nice! And ya hafta luv May weather. :)”

“Well...May is still a long ways off but as far as I know I'll be there!”

“Dee -- It's only 12 weeks.. and getting closer all the time.
last edited: 2/14/08 12:14:49 PM”

“NC just re-instated the burn ban. Hopefully we will get more rain and it will get lifted.

Oh, yeah. You'd best call the Swag and ask really nicely about parking. From their site:
"In order to assure privacy and a restful atmosphere for our guests, The Swag is closed to people who do not have room or meal reservations."
last edited: 2/14/08 12:26:58 PM”

“I've already talked to them.. super nice lady.. I told her what our plans were, and she told me just to remind her.. but yeah.. not a problem..
last edited: 2/14/08 12:49:47 PM”

“Coolio.”

“hehehehe HPM said coolio....hehehe”

“Looking forward to it TD”

“There's some decent fishing supposedly at CS41 and CS40.

Is anyone considering bringing along some equipment?.. I don't own those type of rigs, but I'd help cook up whatever we either catch or /hog/ out of there.”

“yo Town Dawg......I may just do that!”

“Just bring your solar panels, a few feet of wire and a couple pieces of metal to anchor to the bottom of the creek.

If we can amp up the power, we will "float" our dinner out of the water.”

“Nope..I only have those for extended trips , but I will bring my $ 1,400.00 sattelite phone IRIDIUM so you can call home to check in. I may also bring along my new 44 magnum Black Hawak Pistol...I just recieved my concealed weapons permit so I can take it to fish with,,,,hehehe You can set on the banks talkin on the Sattelite phone....and make some of that HOT CHILI.. you weenie...
last edited: 2/26/08 3:30:55 PM”

“According to NPS.

"No fireworks or weapons, including firearms, bows and arrows and slingshots, are allowed in the park. Hunting is strictly prohibited."”

“No Bo
Jeez, my hiking stick, a Bo, is a weapon. What, o what am I to do? Maybe if I stop at Sugarland Visitors Center, and ask, they will give me a permit. But it will be difficult to conceal. Maybe I can add a piece of wood to one end and claim that it is a paddle!
last edited: 2/26/08 7:00:41 PM”

“chili/ Humm I never knew that..All my years with law enforcement and I never knew that....GOOBER”

“Chili/ Are you definetly going on this trip?
I have something for you I found at the campground in Hot Springs.”

“If I am not in Wisconsin by then, I am going.”

“me and karo went trout fishing a few times.. but unless u bring some stuff frigy.. my only option will be trying to hog out something.. ; we won't practice catch and release.. but let's keep it legal ehh?..”

“I am always legal...are you?”

“yup.”

“So you never told me, Fridge -- do you have trout fishing EQ?”

“I have read through the posts and was wondering if a final decision had been made on the dates of this trip?”

“yes.. the trip is set in stone. Mother's Day weekend.. May 9-11.. we will meet up at Mile High Campground that Friday afternoon/night.. depending on when you can get in.. and leave out Saturday morning.. get back to our cars Sunday afternoon.”

“trapper -- this is CH, right? I was thinking you told me that, but wasn't sure.”

“It's CH. The trip is on my calender, and I am looking forward to it. There have been no trips for the past year, and I need to get out on the trail!!!”

“Good deal. Look forward to hiking with you again.”

“I am considering this trip. I need to get one in before we start back at work full steam. I have been off work for a year and we are scheduled to work only 1-2 days a week till June. I would like to go and do more fishing and less hiking. TD, could I meet ya'll at a campsite and fish from there? Also I have a flyrod you can use if you want, even if I don't get to go on this trip.”

“heya karo.. well as you can see from the map.. there are shorter ways into CS 40 and CS41.. both are supposed to be good trout fishing areas..

you could always meet us inbound.. but you should come up friday afternoon.. and just do the trip with us..”

“I'll think about it. The offer is still on for use of one of my packable flyrods.”

“I def want it karo.. we will have to figure out a place for me to meet ya though.”

“I'm out for this trip.
I had actually promised my former neighbors that we would go on a fishing trip that weekend. If something comes up and I can't make that trip I will reconsider. I really wanted to go to the Smokies before we ramped back up at work.”

“Call me and I will find a way to get that packable flyrod to ya. I will send you some flies and extra tippet so you will be set up. Maybe we can meet on Friday on your way over there either in Nashvegas or you are welcome to stop by my house. Then you can get right on 840 and miss all of Nashville.”

“chilling.. 4am.. about to go to the gym.. hope all is good -w ya.

I will let y'all do your own Friday night reservations.. (I'll have at least two spots though already)..

Backpacking reservations. I need to prolly call them in for CS40 and 41. I know I am at 40 Sat night. I can set the party for however many.. I'm assuming trapper and mocs123.. so I will call in a party of four.

Some mentioned going on to CS41. Whoever all that was, make yourself known again.

Some of y'all I know.. some I have never met. Should be a great backpack journey. Most everyone has my cell number by now. Holla.”

“I am staying at 40 tonight and 41 tomorrow night.

Neither one need reservations.”

“That's what I was thinking, but had not had a chance to check. They still want a backpacking permit, but not necessary to call in and reserve?”

“Hey chili.. I have a favor to ask?.. since you are "staying at 40 tonight and 41 tomorrow night" -- would you determine if the streams look promising enough for me to consider bringing Karo's packable flyrod?

Cooking some trout would be awesome, if there actually appear to be some in the stream..”

“Hey chili.. how was your weekend?.. Did you get to go to 40 and 41?”

“According to Smoky Mountains Fishing Guide: Rough Fork, once known as Ugly Ck. offers good fishing for rainbow trout.
...the Big Hemlock backcountry campsite (NPS #40) is an excellent fishing camp.

Caldwell Fork has a fork called McKee Branch which leads to the Caldwell Fork backcountry campsite (NPS# 41). Anglers will find this section particularly suited for the use of hopper flies during summer. The trail continues alongside Caldwell Fork to Double Branch which offers questionable fishing. Then the trail becomes the Big Popular trail and then leaves the stream for the last time to climb a small ridge, later terminating on the Rough Fork trail.

Ian Rutter's book: GSMNP Angler's Companion also states that Rough Ck. has plenty of Rainbows with Brown Trout near the lower stretches.”

“Made it to 40.

Nice site in the midst of a rhododenderon patch. I didn't do any fishing but there were a couple other people there that had fishing gear.

Like most other sites, firewood is a problem within 300 yards of camp.”

“I would definitely pack my flyrod. But you are the one carrying it, not me.
One thing to remember is the trout are very shy in the park. Don't just stand up and cast, they will spook for sure. You have to wear drab colors almost camo and sneak up on them by hiding behind rocks, bushes etc. Those rocks and bushes are what you catch most of the time tho, I should know.”

“Short roll casts with a short fly rod.”