20, 21, & 22 April 2023
in Townsend TN
{and if you don’t yet have a room reservation, STOP READING NOW, call them and ask for Karen … tell her you're with The Bash}
'quiet back doorstep' of Great Smoky Mountains National Park~
But first, this all-too-familiar, but sadly necessary disclaimer:
… please carefully review your health status before leaving home in April,
… DON’T ATTEND if you are sick,
… and out of an abundance of caution and respect for yourself and your friends:
- If you have been to the BASH in the past, you will recognize the signature BASH mantra of:
............................ Friends, Food, Fishing & Fine Vintage Tackle.
- If you are considering a first-time BASH visit, and need a little push, just consider this:
BambooBash is like a live, 3-day version of the best parts of the Classic Fly Rod Forum, including:
……- all the genuine comradery the Forum members are known for, with fly-fishing expertise gladly shared,
……- a sometimes-almost-giddy full emersion experience in vintage rods, reels and tackle, with like-minded fools afficiandos
……- some great food probably NOT on your doctor's 'recommended' list, and
……- plenty of fishing time on the cherished waters of the Smokies in all their glorious spring bloom.
Featuring:
…The Casting Lawn…For the entire (3-day) BASH duration there will be an impressive amount of Cane in evidence, strung and generously shared for test casting on the expanded Casting Lawn at Docks. This is one of those Great Opportunities we often mention here on CFRF to experience different cane rod actions, complete with all manner of support tackle, and certainly No Shortage of independent, non-commercial opinions from your peers about their use, abilities and worth. Bring your vintage tackle and share the experience!
…The LineLab will be back, and is now curated by LineBoss Doug T. to hold more than -35!- different modern fly lines, mostly 4 to 7 weights, all spooled on venerable Medalists, and just waiting for your test casts on the Casting Lawn! Have a question about the right line for Your new rod?? Bring it and test out lines on the Lawn! The LineLab is a BASH feature not available ANYWHERE else!
.….So here's the so-called ‘Schedule’ for BambooBash23:
April 20 (Thur)
…. We will officially kick off the festivities with the storied Bamboo Grill-out at GSMNPs Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. The Bottoms are located ~20 scenic minutes east of Townsend in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the banks of the Little River (GPS: Little River Gorge Rd x Wears Cove Gap Rd). Right around 1pm we'll start gathering at the Bottoms's lower end (look for the BASH sign) to share the ambiance only the Little River can provide, chow down on Really Fine Picnic Fare, trade fishing stories with old & new friends and commence the Great Smoky Tackle Swap. Bring tackle you have outgrown, under-use or just want to pass on/sell to other Bashers. Prepare To Dicker!
…As usual, the food will be stellar, and again highlighted by the famous Grilled Specialties of the vaunted 'R&R Deli' team (aka: good 'ole Rich & Ray). NOTICE: Due to popular demand, the whole menu, ‘soup-to-nuts’, will again be catered through the skilled efforts of R&R Deli.
To cover this year’s extra expenses, a BashBox cash donation, say $10 each, will be requested. ANOTHER NOTE: Please feel free to bring your prideful dessert or side-dish-to-share if the mood strikes you ((hint-hint Vern!!)).
April 21 (Fri)
…. The focus on Friday will turn to the Casting Lawn at Docks, which has been moved to the MUCH more expansive greenspace behind the old motel rooms. (This year with UPGRADED shade shelters!) The Lawn area now accommodates twice as many casters and allows for improved safety and security for our cherished tackle. The Line Lab’s wide selection of line/reel combos will be available for Flyline Performance Comparisons on the Lawn, surely generating much spirited discussion. And word has it that several regional rod builders are bringing newly completed examples of the craft, including small stream rods, new tapers and some distance Tournament-styled rods.
…. And ever mindful of ‘good PUBLIC health practices’, we will again make a hand cleaning station with non-alcohol-based sanitizers available near the Casting Lawn for the BASH duration.
April 22 (Sat)
.....Starting at 10am on Saturday, this year’s feature TackleTalk program will be offered outside under the covered Pavilion at Docks with a presentation by a very special guest speaker: Matt Kulp, the longtime Supervisory Fishery Biologist for Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Matt was instrumental in the restoration of native Brook Trout to Lynn Camp Prong in the Little River/Middle Fork drainage. Managing important invasive aquatic issues like Didymo and coordinating day-to-day water quality data on Park watersheds are in his everyday job duties. Have questions about access or enforcement? Matt can update us in person at Docks on Saturday. Like most of our history with TackleTalk speakers, I’m especially looking forward to a lively Q&A session following his talk.
……As you may have gathered, we are staging pretty much all Bash-scheduled activity in outdoor venues (like the Docks Pavilion) as much as possible. Keep this in mind when considering your gear & clothing choices. Past seasonal weather has really emphasized the BASH Golden Rule:
........ 'Mother Nature Bats Last'. ..........So, need seasonal advice? Little River Outfitters, our BASH 'hometown fly shop', just down the street from Docks, has up-to-the-minute river conditions, daily fishing reports, local weather forecasts & gear.
We do this not as a crusade to resurrect the past,
but rather to serve as today’s respectful caretaker of cane fishing history,
while promoting its use, advancing its future and enjoying each other's company.
This thread will remain pinned and act as the clearing house for all BASH23 matters.
Feel free to post your comments and questions here!
Paul
Traverse City MI