Need a boat or two for Ministry

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nimrod777

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Jun 2, 2005
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I know from my deer hunting forum that this irritates folks like me, but here I'm gonna do it anyway: paste in a post made in another area simply to get it some read time! Hope it don't upset the boat, but here 'tis---

Hey guys; I'm not one of the regulars here, but I do like to pop on over from TNDeer, one of my usual haunts, to see your reports of success and near-success from time to time. Also brushing elbows with one Mr. Simms has caused me not only to shower more frequently, but to keep my nose into the business of the CFFs.

I'm the youth minister at Hickory Valley Christian Church, where I've been just about ten years now. I'm putting together a retreat for youth ministers from across the state. The idea is to have a REAL retreat, not just a place you send them to have someone lecture them on what they should do better. I'm planning two days for six guys of nothing but recreation and down-time. They have no idea what's in store, and I hope to push them out of their normal schedules into some new horizons. We're going to do some shooting one afternoon, perhaps have a chef come teach us to cook something new for dinner, perhaps even head up the mountain to sit back and watch the sun go down from a few lounge chairs.

It occurs to me that perhaps an early morning or evening fishing trip, just a couple hours, might be something these particular guys have never done. I have a good solid jon boat that I can put two guys in, maybe three, but that would leave three guys. Knowing the comraderie on here, and the type of folks that some of you are, I'm just throwing this out on the chance that one or two of you would enjoy ministering to the ministers for a change. These six guys are all level-headed men in their mid-thirties, cream of the crop kind of guys. Another boat or even two would make this happen. Perhaps it would even provide a meal! Ahhhh... a fish fry, with boat captains invited, of course!

A lack of response on this won't upset things in the least, so don't feel obligated or anything. I just figured I'd not pre-decide that it couldn't happen, and toss some bread out on the water. The dates for the retreat are on a Monday and Tuesday, September 24-25th (not a lot of weekends off for these guys!).

Thanks in advance for taking a look. Feel free to email me at keithbud @ comcast.net if you have any questions, want more details.
 
Well, if it was left to me, I'd probably fish around the Chickamauga Dam in hopes of tying the guys into a decent cat. I know the fellas in question from working with them a bit, but don't take many of them as outdoorsmen. I figure a good 5 lber on the line would put some adrenaline into their systems. And a 20#er?? Fireworks, man, fireworks! Make for a good dinner, too.

I know a bit about drifting for them below the dam, haven't tried up above (I have a boat, but it was out of commission for an embarrasingly long time). We're located on Shallowford Road, but anywhere in the area would be fine. I just want to hook these guys up, no pun intended, and get some pics of them with something on the other end of their lines.
 
I don't know much about catfishing...but I might be able to take them bass fishing on the river. The bite should be picking up quite a bit and with that many guys, you'd be able to keep a nice mess of spots for dinner. emoHungry
 
I'm a pretty versatile fisherman with a little bit of tackle and equipment, but I've not river fished for bass down here. If it's a simple method, I'm sure it would be great. In fact, we could put maybe the more saavy guys on bass, and the other guys on drifting cats. Might be fun to mix it up, have a little boat vs. boat competition?

Or if you show me what approach is working, I can mirror what you're doing on my boat and we just go for spots the whole way. I'd be game!
 
I would love to do it but I just took my boat in for repairs today. I should hear back in the next couple of day as to how long it might be in the shop but I do have Monday the 24th off so it's a possibility. I will plan to get back with you if it's possible for me.
 
Thank you fellas! It's good for the heart to get responses like those and so quickly. I just heard from two today that can't make it, so unless I go searching, we may be down to a very manageable 5 guys total. Would make it easier to equip them, as I've got several spinning rods. It's late now but I will attempt to contact those who requested it tomorrow.

Aw dang, now I'm starting to get enthused! I wonder if it's actually possible to only fish for two hours?


... doubt it!
 
Hey man, this is your buddy Toby you know from Greenwood. I'd be glad to provide you with a boat. I"ve never fished down here, but I"d like to give it a try. I"ve got rods and reels and tackle for everyone. If you need me, I'm available. Let's get together soon and do lunch and catch up.
 
fishinpreacher - 9/11/2007 8:13 AM Hey man, this is your buddy Toby you know from Greenwood. I'd be glad to provide you with a boat. I"ve never fished down here, but I"d like to give it a try. I"ve got rods and reels and tackle for everyone. If you need me, I'm available. Let's get together soon and do lunch and catch up.
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Wow, that is great seeing the CFF get old friends back together! So glad you joined us Toby!</p>
 
I may could work something out. Leave work a little early or something. My boat would be kind of tight with 2 extra people in it though.
 
Wow, I've had such a great response in such a short time, I can't help but grinning at the possibilities of putting these guys onto some fish with some of ya'll! So far I've talked, emailed, or PM'ed with two bass fishermen, one fella who says "Have pontoon, will travel", and of course Cathooker (I'm afraid to ask what he fishes for, but if he's using cats for bait, I'm thinkin pit bulls...), so it looks like all the makings of a true event. I'm not sure what we should fish for, exactly. If I can find out how experienced the guys are, that will help. I know some fishing techniques are trickier than others.

I reckon everything at this point is gonna depend upon weather for scheduling, and for a few, some work schedules, understandably. I'm gonna try and make sure our youth ministry guys can stay over on Tuesday night in case that's the best fishing option. Otherwise we may be more limited to fishing sometime Monday or on Tuesday early.

I'd say at this point we may have all the boat space needed, but if someone is really interested in the project, wants to minister to the ministers, or simply likes the idea of a group fishing event, I wouldn't turn you away. I've rarely been able to fish within trash talking distance of anyone else, but surely I'd adapt.

Thanks to all; I really respect the camaraderie I see on this site. Hope to meet you on the water!
 
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