09/24 - Lake Powell 2011

One shouldn't underestimate the negative affects on those wishing to have a quiet time on the Lake out of Wahweep during Powellpalooza. I've always hoped that the youth exploitation promotors would bypass Lake Powell. I wasn't there last year so can't speak from experience, but from the videos and pix, and the promise of "twice as big," I'm a little concerned about the "gathering."

Maybe someone has some past experience with the 2010 version of PowellPalooza and can calm my nerves about this events interfering with my need for quiet company and places.
 
After looking at the videos and venues etc, I would want to be well "up river" by the 22nd! This will be one of the first years in a long time we have not been to Powell (at least last year we had a week on the beach--in the RV--not quite as much fun in the C Dory.

Have fun--and enjoy our favorite Oak Creek Canyon. Looks like the high water will really be a plus in some areas. We were limited by debris in the San Juan Arm 3 years ago, so it can be significant.
 
We saw not a trace of this last year. If you were to stay at Antelope Marina...or around Antelope Island...this would be an issue. We will be 50 miles up lake by the time the festivities get underway...so not to worry. However...as far as quiet company and places...well...the campfire can get a little rowdy at times!
 
We are looking forward to seeing everyone.
 
Greetings from Guttenberg.
Sharon and I and Barry and Patti on C Cakes worked on Ramon and Laura on Chiquitita for 2 days to get them to come to Powell this year.

They just added their names to the list.

Off to the Apostle Islands tomorrow for 5 days.
and then on to Powell.
 
I sure wish I could join you this year. Today, George Roach sent me a photo of our boat putting along in a bit of chop. I am envious of all who can attend...

6145396292_ec81af6411_b.jpg
 
Jo-Lee & I plan on launching the HunkyDory at Bullfrog on the 21st & then meander our way down to Oak Canyon.

Jay
 
We will be meeting Ramon and Laura in central Iowa on the 18th and both boats should be at Bullfrog on the 21st as well.
 
My plan is to be at Bullfrog on the 23rd and making my way down to the Rincon and then on to Oak on Saturday.
 
Chris - please hoist a glass to Pat & Patty and Daydream at the Oak Canyon gathering, who as you know, intended to go to Powell and only got as far as Yakima!

Jody - the most amazing thing, Baxter actually waded in the water at Rimrock Lake and started dog paddling! Still can't go to shore, do his business and swim back, but he WAS such a weenie about even going in the water, it is a start!

Tex - one of the things we will miss MOST is your awesome ceviche!
 
Pat- Tell Baxter I'm Proud of him and give him a biscuit. It's a work in progress!
 
Have a great time in a fantastic landscape. Sorry not to be there this year, but a family health issue interferes. We leave tomorrow from Colorado to head to Maine to be with family.
 
We just signed up and this will be our first time to Lake Powell. The plan so far is to put in at Bullfrog Marina get a map of the lake and find Oak Canyon. Is there anything else we should know about the gathering? From looking at the previous years pictures we will most of the time be anchored or beached in remote areas. Is there any specific aggenda or does the group decide at the rendezvous in Oak Canyon? Any information onwhat to plan for would be appreciated.

rich&judym

Sandpiper
 
I've been on a few of these and it seems like Chris, the organizer, has a knack for sensing the mood of the group and combining that with his knowledge of the lake from many previous trips. He calls the shots, but it always works out that everyone seems to like the result. That's my impression.

Pretty much the whole lake is "remote areas" unless you stay at one of the three main marinas that I know of, and two of those are directly across the lake from each other, so really there are only two areas of the lake with marinas you'd actually stay at if so inclined. Wahweap and Bullfrog/Halls. There are a couple others but they sort of don't count, for various reasons.

Look for the classic Stan Jones map. You can buy it anywhere around the lake.

http://stanjonesmaps.com/mapoflakepowell.html

And a good PDF map online here:

http://www.glencanyonnha.org/maps/GlenCanyonNRA_map.pdf

There are numbered buoys going up and down the lake, representing miles from the dam. Bullfrog's up around 96 and Oak Canyon is down around 50. There's a special marina near there (no land access) for fuel and some supplies. The group will likely start out at Oak Canyon and wander up lake, probably past Halls, and then wander back down the lake near the end of the week.

It's a great trip every year.

-Jeff
 
Because of various obligations with business and grand kids, Still Crazy will not be able to head to Lake Powell until Monday the 26th. I have no idea what "agenda" exists for the gathering, but I'm thinking we will miss all or most of it. If the group will be out on the lake after the 26th, then I suppose we'll meet some of you. We would be putting in at Bullfrog late afternoon on the 26th and staying on the lake 'till Saturday morning, Oct. 1st. Hope to see some of you one way or another. Specially someone who can teach me how to fish the stripes.
 
Potter Water,

In the past the group has gone from Oak Canyon (Sat. Night) to The Escalante River arm on Sunday. Then spend Sun. and sometimes Monday there. Usually going uplake to Forgotten Canyon by Tuesday. The lake level will dictate where camping is available. You should be able to find the group near Forgotten Canyon, on Tuesday. That's if the plan plays out like it has the past few years.

Brent
 
Thanks for the info. We are hoping to meet up with some of the Brats for a day or two at least.
 
Brent is correct. The general idea is for the group to be up the Escalante on Sunday-Monday and stopping in Halls Crossing for fuel/provisions on our way to Forgotten and Defiance House on Tuesday. That is... if the creek don't rise...which it has...some 20 feet this year compared to last. Water has not been this high in 10 years. So it is a different lake in terms of where we can go and what beaches we will see. Many beaches we have been using the last few years will be submerged...but many new beaches will be accessible. As usual, it's impossible to know specifically where we will be when. I try to get the group to the highlights of the lake over the course of the week following the rendezvous on Saturday the 24th.
As Jeff mentioned...get the Stan Jones map. Also...a good book by Michael Kelsey, Boater's Guide to Lake Powell. Both available online or at the various marinas at the lake.
You should plan on provisioning for the duration of your trip before launching. There are a few things available at the marinas...but the selection is very limited and of course the prices are not great. Hit the grocery store before you get to the lake...that way all you will need from the marinas is fuel and ice.
The group does not stay in the marinas. We will be anchored out or on the beach in remote areas. Of course if you want to stay in marinas you can...but in some cases the marina may be 50 miles from where the group will be.
Oak Canyon is at mile 51 to starboard ascending. The rendezvous will be somewhere in that big bay in front of the canyon itself. The beaches are going to be limited this year because of the high water...but hopefully we will find a spot. There is a floating restroom/dump station in the bay. If you find it and don't see the group...call on the radio, channel 68. Somebody will answer and guide you to the group.
 
Potter Water and others interested in fishing Lake Powell:

Check out Wayneswords.com, where the fisheries manager for the lake posts all kinds of good information. They actively want people to catch lots of stripers to help control the fish population in the lake.

There are different places and techniques to use, but one that's pretty easy is to go out in the deeper parts of the lake during the day and search with a fish finder to see groups of fish hanging out about 60 feet down. I use a depth indicating reel to drop a lure down that far for jigging, but there are other ways. It seems like even in the middle of the day when they might not be actively feeding, I can annoy them enough to bite...

Another way is to watch for a striper boil on the surface where the fish are herding the bait for a feeding frenzy. You can throw anything in there and they'll bite.

I also have good luck paddling around in my kayak trolling lures behind.

I'm no expert, but I find it fairly easy to catch fish at Lake Powell using basic lures like Kastmasters and Rapalas, among others.

I think Jody will be there this year, and he knows more about this than I. Maybe he'll chime in with some additions or corrections to my ramblings here.

One other thing, I would strongly recommend putting the new invisible Fluorocarbon line on your reel. I've found it makes a real difference. The hybrid Fluorocarbon coated line is less expensive than the pure stuff and it works great.

I've caught stripers, largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish and catfish there. By the way, I need someone to teach me how to deal with catfish after they're caught. I haven't learned that part yet.

-Jeff
 
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