Phew, what a week. Final coordination for
the Paddlefest today which was the
culmanation of a two year stint as Paddle
Trails Coordinator for Berkeley County.
1001 and one things to take care of. On
Wednesday I took a reporter and photographer
out for a full day of paddling. Yesterday,
Charlestons Post and Courier had a quarter
page article, Front Page, above the fold,
about my paddle trails programs complete
with picture of me kayaking through one of
my fishing holes.G Today, amid severe
weather and tornado watches, we held the
paddlefest. Good turn out, lots of paddle
sports vendors, food, live music, nature
walks, birds of prey, the Orvis Rep giving
demonstrations, jump castle and story lady
for the little guys, family canoe tours of
the park, and the local radio station live
on scene. I tried to keep my distance from
them but they finally corralled me and
interviewed me on the radio for 20 minutes.
Later in the day, numerous folks came up and
said they heard me on the radio and wanted
to talk to me about paddling. I had a
round table discussion scheduled this
afternoon and spent it showing slides of
all 23 paddle trails totaling 175 miles to
a packed room. Lots of back and forth with
other paddlers and a lot of interested
beginners. Many phone numbers exchanged and
lots of invites to paddle and fish.
The vendors tell me they sold more kayaks,
canoes, and associated gear than they ever
did in their brick and morter shops in a
single day.G We wrapped it all up with
a drawing for a nice kayak and gear and
made a young man very happy. Before he
left, Dee, the Orvis rep fine tuned my
double haul. Hands on really does make a
big difference.G The weather held till
near the end. Afterwards, we recapped the
days events over appropriate adult beverages
and the program and todays kickoff were
declared a resounding success.G I now
join the ranks of the retired and assume a
full time position as a recreational fly
fisherman. I’ll do my level best to do a
good job at it. Just had to share today
with my friends.G Warm regards, Jim
Congratulations Jim. It’s a fine thing you have done - no one knows how far it will go.
You are the man!
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
Congratulations, Jim!!!
Fantastic. You’ve done a good good thing.
Now go out, bother some gills, nap in the boat, and drill holes in more flip flops.
Well done.
Jim! My thumb is waving in the breeze.
Lew
Mr. Hatch,
I know we don’t know each other, but I would certainly like to extend my congratulations and wish you the very best.
My toast: May you always get what you want, and may you always want what you get. Enjoy
Steve (Rookie)
All that and a fine tuned double haul…good for you.
Jim, You have all the fun…
[img]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif[/img] [img]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif[/img] [img]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif[/img]
There’s almost nothin’ wrong with the first lie, it’s the weight of all the others holdin’ it up that gets ya’! - Tim
Jim
Your buddy Garret said to tell you he is very proud of you. He also said I should tell you he sold the most bunnies at school. 58 at 5$ a pop. Not bad for a 6 year old.
We are all proud of what you have done and what you are doing keep up the fishing it never gets old. Garret said to come to the next fish-in. He wants to fish with you.
Harold
Thanks FolksG
Harold, ask Garret what he thinks of selling
Pigs. We can work out a deal and get a
jump on his college tuition.G Warm
regards, Jim
Jim,
Congratulations and well done! The investment you’ve made in the lives of so many is immeasurable. Best wishes, and days filled with peace.
Thanks Jim. Nice going. Congrats on being free!
Jim
Good for you! Now take some time off and just go fishing. S
Every fly fisherman has an unreasonable view of fly rods, and I am no different. Thomas McGuane from The Longest Silence.
Congratulations!!! (wow, big word lol)
Spelling and Grammar not subject to judgement… 