Rocky Top Tennessee

Live from the Smokey mountains of Reliance, Tennessee where the motto here is "if you hear a banjo playing, you better start paddling". Got in late last night with my Auburn buddy, Mike where the plan was to get up early and be on the river for a full day of fly fishing for rainbow trout. How do you do it? Park your car at the top, park a mountain bike at the bottom, get a fly rod with a lot of little fake bugs that the fish eat, put on big heavy waiters, get in a tube and go. Water is about 50 degrees and it gets real hot up here. Let me tell you that half the fun is going through the rapids. Well here is a synopsis (big word) of the day. Not a great day, in fact everything that could go wrong went wrong. Let me tell you about it. Now usually we get a guide the first day so we can scout out hot spots and get the right type of fly at the end of our line but this year we decided to do it on our own. Usually you know what that means!!!

We got up late this morning b/c we were tired, ate some grits at the local shop and bought a snickers for lunch. We forgot the lock for the bike so we decided to hide it in some bushes. (This part of the story comes into play a little later) After parking the car, we put our gear on and got in the freezing river. We didn't know what time the dam was going to release water but we found out pretty quickly as I had a near death experience. My tube was going a little out of control when I hit the log. Rushing white water was pressing against my back as it was squeezing my lungs against the log. I had created quite a commotion that some onlookers watched me slowly die while there was nothing that they could do. Water started to fill my my waiters and I saw myself drowning. I finally decided that my life was more important then the equipment so I lifted myself up onto the log. As I did that, the tube and rod luckily caught a branch and I was able to escape to safety but my float tube broke in the process. Luckily, Mike had brought another one. Dried off, got back in the water and my wet suit had torn and 50 degree water came poring in. I decided to just go with it and finish the day. We both put on many different flys with no luck. Bottom line- No fish caught but hey my motto is a bad day fishing is better then the best day at work unless there is a home vb game at the TeePee that night.

We got out of the river around 6:00 to find out that our bike had been stolen. We walked up the mountain with the gear and some lady picked us up and gave us a ride to the top. Note to kids- Don't hitch hike. Went back to camp to get ready to find some dinner since we were not able to catch it. Got into a little scuffle with some Univ. of Alabama students and then found a place that was called Southern grits. They only served chicken and dumplings but it was frog leg Friday. Oh what a joy! I am proud to say that I ate my first frog tonight for dinner and now I am writing about it listening to the crickets and watching the fire flies. After dinner, we found some guy who will take us in his glider. Not sure I want to do it but will keep you updated. Tomorrow is a new day and in my book, the glass is always half full. Tomorrow we will get at it again and go for the big one or anything that will bite is fine too!

I want to give a shout out to the Shannon and Jackie Ryan, and Amy Sprouse. They emailed me to let me know that they will be at the Alumni game on Aug. 4th. Good night!!