28 replies to this topic

[Isaac Szabo]

I think you got all of them. Very cool to see all the different species represented. Again, awesome photo!

[Casper]

Day 4, June 5, Friday.  Talks, Stories, Dinner and Auction.

 

 

The day started early with several of us setting up the NANFA tables.  I was assisted throughout the day by my daughter Cyan who helped me with math, numbers and shirt sizing's.  We sold $310. worth of previous convention shirts, decals, Big Muddy playing cards and gifted Moon Pies fresh donated from my hometown's Chattanooga Bakery.

Michael set up his table for the NANFA calendars, displaying auction items and processing sales that evening and did a great job staying organized.
Behind Michael i hung up a OK banner and asked everyone to sign it as a thank you gift to Brandon.

 

 

 

The room of fishy listeners.  I counted about 50 folks throughout the day.  I believe Tom told me we had 54 registerees.  The talk that really stood out for me was the series of Pecos River trips lead by Mr. Patton.  If i was younger that would be an amazing experience.  Clear water, desert scenery, rafting, overnight camping, star filled skies.  Exploring new worlds above and below.

 

 

 

Reciting the Oath presented by California Authority James.

 

The Fish Friend Pledge

 

As a Fish Friend,

I promise to do my part,

to make sure my trash stays off the land, out of the water,

and away from animals that might think it is food.
If I see someone drop something I will pick it up for them.

I will put trash where it belongs so we can all be healthy.

 

 

 

I had considered myself a member in Good Standing until i asked James to sign my Fishy Friend card.  He certainly expresses a wary attitude.

 

 

 

Brandon preparing the Paddlefish for the banquet dinner.  It was delicious, my first opportunity to taste it.  Brandon's wife Vicky grilled a big slab for me but i was so full by that point that i decided to offer bites to folks around the room... unless they were already enjoying banana pudding and ice cream.  Not a pleasant combination i would think.  I liked it grilled and wondered what a Cajun chef could do with it blackened style.  Bizarre Andrew Zimmern was snagging Spoonbills on the big tube the other day and seemed to enjoyed them in the culinary way both fried and fresh eggs.  I forgot all about the caviar Brandon promised.  Nonetheless it was an outstanding, Oklahoma ideal banquet.

 

 

 

Thin Brian at the head of the line loading up with Fried Spoonbill & Catfish, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Baked Potatoes, Hush Puppies and all the fixin's.

 

 

 

AC Editor Konrad and MN Rep Jenny K modeling Ray Troll shirts.

 

 

After the auction and cleanup we returned to the Day's Inn and gathered alongside the pool, enjoying the cool evening air.  The King's Prince, Freddie the 4th treated me to iced Kaulua refills while i passed out jiggers of Moon Pie Moonshine.  Son of Kon huckstered live fish from plastic bags as others captured all manner of night light flying critters.  With the midnight hour approaching i retired and dreamt of clear waters for day ahead.

[trygon]

Casper,

Nice write up.  I can't wait to see the next installment.

[Casper]

Day 5, June 6, Saturday. Snorkel Team.

 

Our first stop was at Little Creek.  I had hoped for a bareskin snorkel but the morning water was very cold demanding a return to the van for my wetsuit.  It was an inviting site, promising a long snorkel session and i wanted to be comfortable and shiver free.  Captain Wolfe deposited $20. in the lockbox for our 4 vehicles.  Later as we warmed in the sun a Cherokee fella checked on our $5. per vehicle  payment status.  The locals really enjoy water activities and everywhere take advantage of it be it on private or public property.

 

 

 

Cyan on the gravel bar at the convergence of the Little and the littler side creek.  Clear and clean.  A beautiful day awaits.

 

 

 

Lots of Logperch working the gravel, their fins sporting the red margin i see back home with the Mobile Loggies.  These Okie Logperch's side markings are more fuzzy, blurred and indistinct than the sharp markings i see on the 3 species common in my home range.

 

 

 

A Red Eared Slider, just a bit annoyed and warns to bite sharply.

 

 

 

Cyan and i snorkeled and waded well upstream to a low waterfall and some old river crossing ruins.  The bedrock here had a smooth blue quality making the water color quite beautiful.  This was the upper limit of our wading, though we stayed in the pool for almost an hour exploring the depths and vegetated perimeter before drifting back downstream.

 

 

 

There were several fat Sculpins on the ledging, pattern shifted to the bland colors of the gnarly gravels.

 

 

 

Lots of Orangethroat Darters out and about, surely they realize those glutton Sculpins are Darter eaters?

 

 

 

Heading back downstream i came onto several Cardinals in fine form sparring over a Stoneroller dug ditch.  I was fortunate to get this nice photo of a premium male with fins erect.

Returning to the parking area Amy, Evan and their dog had already departed for Tennessee and with the others were still scattered about i decided to explore the small side stream feeding the wider Little.  Michael soon joined me and we looked for what could be seen.  Pushing through a log jam, and then into a lush, chilled side channel where Michael added Creek Chubs to our finds.  I think i recall Dace as well.  It was pretty, but not near as diverse as the larger system downstream

 

 

 

Aquanaut.

 

 

 

Some kind vibrant Stonefly of the yellow bumble bee variety.

 

On our way to the next site we found a 60s icon decor eating establishment in Kansas, Oklahoma.  That almost counts as another state for Cyan and i, as we were pretty  close to the border.  Excellent meal, i wish i had thought to take a picture of our lunch party.  Lots of good food shared, sampled and passed around.

 

 

Locales were gathered at the Saline Creek ( or was it Beaty? ) crossing and after a quick look and grope through the flowing pool we headed upstream to clearer water.  James, Cyan and Seth continued upstream mostly wading, playing and skipping stones as Isaac, Michael and Josh grew keen on pushing into a watercressed spring fed side channel full of Studfish, mohawked Longears, Bluegills and Bass.

 

 

 

The trio pushing in tight.  I walked to the far end of the channel and flushed the school of 20ish Studfish back to the trio blocking the outflow to the creek.  Several high males were in the pod, their eyebrows glowing in the sunlight.  As the trio of snorkelers moved ever closer, the Studfish would get nervous and set themselves to flee.  I would raise my hands, Heron like, from the high gravel berm and they would reconsider their flee option.  The guys were able to take some stunning video and images of these beautiful fish.

 

 

 

After the guys seemed to have their satisfaction I entered the channel and squeeze in amongst the trio, while pushing ever closer to the studfish, and taking this image of a pair.

 

 

 

Lauren playing the Great Blue Heron.  It's a good trick i have used several times now.  Studfish are much more wary of something above the water than within and respond directly to raised hands.

 

 

 

Intricate Moth textures.

 

 

 

Our Snorkel Team by the day's end.  Seth, Cyan, Josh, Lauren, James, Michael and Isaac.  10 immersers including Amy, Evan and myself.

 

 

 

After a long, darkening return drive, and a few detours sign documenting, we gathered among several members in the Days Inn lobby eager for a local flavor dinner. Our initial fish camp and barbeque desires were closed, but on our first day in Tahlequah Cyan and i had enjoyed a nice lunch at a 50's diner called Del Rancho.  We caravaned the few miles away and made a short turn to a hilltop of neon.  Fry Bread, Pintos, Frito Pie and Indian Tacos were phoned in directly from the table and delivered fresh.  Another quick call would get a refill, a squeeze bottle of honey and slice of pie.
From the left and headed around is Fouling James, a pleasant fella from WI, big Berg, Szabooo, GreenWoody, Wolfester, Son of Yeah and brighteyed Cyan.
Rubbing our bellies we returned to the inn's poolside and sat outside until late, our final evening with several nightbird NANFans of 2015.

The next day our 2nd leg of our journey was to commence... 3 hours east to DogPatch, USA and Rita Szabo's wonderful Buffalo River Art and Nature Lodge.  The new day's adventure continues after refreshing dreams of fish swimming through the air.

[Isaac Szabo]

Nice write-up and beautiful photos. Brings back good memories. It was a fun day. Great job on the cardinal shiner photo.

 

Oh, and the first site on that day was the confluence of the Saline and Little Saline Creeks. The second site was Beaty Creek.

[Chasmodes]

Great job on the cardinal shiner photo.

 

I couldn't agree more and also about the write up.  Stunning picture...

[FishGuyJosh]

Awesome photos and stories to go along with them! After my third convention with NANFA, I have to say I'm pretty excited to be included in some of the pictures and scenes of the trip...makes really feel like part of the NANFAn brigade!

[Casper]

Isaac: Oh, and the first site on that day was the confluence of the Saline and Little Saline Creeks. The second site was Beaty Creek.

I think my notes got crossed up and thus confused on the creek names.  I was just following the car ahead. 

 

Josh: ...makes really feel like part of the NANFAn brigade!

 

Team Snorkel.  Redeared Josh is now an official member.  The BEST way to observe our native fishes.
 

[Casper]

The adventure for Cyan, myself and Isaac did not end that last day of the OK convention as we ventured east to the natural state and more fishy critter encounters.  4 dayz worth of wonderment and satisfaction.