Lake Fontana Campsite #78 Question

[Carlito]

Thanks for the heads up and the pix, Duck. I decided to go ahead and pack both since I had plenty of room in my pack when I finished packing everything else. We had anticipated the need for a long rope or anchor, but thanks for the friendly reminder!

I am not the captain of this trip, and my buddy who is driving seems pretty keen to camp on the island at #78, so that's where we'll be hanging out tonight at least (assuming we are the first to arrive). We'll be prepared to migrate if necessary though.

Trout fishing isn't the primary objective on this trip, but we were planning to do some lake fishing and possibly venture out for some trout fishing as well. I know it's a long way to most of the good streams from where we are camping, but it would be a scenic cruise regardless.

Elkins, what can I say. Busted. The google lead me astray. Too bad you won't be able to join us. We gotta plan another backpacking trip in soon and get the ladies back out in the woods.

[Grannyknot]

Carl, I am sure Garrett remembers this from a previous adventure I went on with him, but be sure to pull the jon boat a good ways up the bank and pull the plug (for draining purposes). We are supposed to get some rain.

Last time I island camped with him we bailed water out of the boat for a good hour after a night-long monsoon.

If you remember, ask him about my puddle-pillow.

[duckypaddler]

If so I believe you may have an "adventure" to confess.

[flyman]

Be sure you have some way to secure your food and toiletry items, or anything that is scented for that matter . Last time we camped at that site there were hundreds of squirrels running arond everywhere. They chewed on everything, they even climbed the rope we used to hang our food and chewed thru it. Then they chewed thru the bag and took a bite out of almost everything in the bag. They must have been starving because they would come right up to you and start eating any food you had dropped while you were eating. I'm talking about running back and forth across you shoes! We also saw about 20 of them swimming in the lake the couple days we were there. I think they were trying to get to another food source. I was almost scared to go to sleep. Does anyone know if they make a squirrel repellent?

[Jim Casada]

Originally Posted by flyman

Be sure you have some way to secure your food and toiletry items, or anything that is scented for that matter . Last time we camped at that site there were hundreds of squirrels running arond everywhere. They chewed on everything, they even climbed the rope we used to hang our food and chewed thru it. Then they chewed thru the bag and took a bite out of almost everything in the bag. They must have been starving because they would come right up to you and start eating any food you had dropped while you were eating. I'm talking about running back and forth across you shoes! We also saw about 20 of them swimming in the lake the couple days we were there. I think they were trying to get to another food source. I was almost scared to go to sleep. Does anyone know if they make a squirrel repellent?

Flyman--What you experienced was a starvation migration. It happens once every couple of decadess, usually when a year with a heavy mast crop is followed by a near total failure of nuts. I saw it twice during my youth and on one occasion Fontana Lake was literally teeming with bushytails. Bears also migrated in a big way that year. Of course bears and bushytails were starving. This year's mast crop appears to be fair-to-middlin' or maybe a bit better, so I don't expect the island will be home to many squirrels.
Jim Casada

[Carlito]

Originally Posted by duckypaddler

If so I believe you may have an "adventure" to confess.

We got on the road Friday afternoon shortly before 4:00 and made it to the Cable Cove boat ramp with plenty of time to motor over to our campsite before dark. We were surprised that the rain held out all evening, and we had a very pleasant Friday night by the campfire enjoying the cool breeze and cold beers.

As you can imagine, we got dumped on all day Saturday. We didn't drag the boat up the bank and pull the plug, so Garrett used the top to the Coleman lantern box to bail the jon boat to keep it from sinking. By the end of the day, it had rained intermittently for about 2 hours and poured non-stop for 6.5 hrs! Luckily, we brought several tarps and plenty of beverages, so we just hunkered down, fixed a pot of chili, and enjoyed the weather

Sunday we woke up to a beautiful sunrise and clear skies. We motored over to Eagle and Hazle Creeks to fish, but water levels were WAY WAY up. I tried fishing for a while, but it was evident that I wasn't going to catch much and I wasn't very interested in drowning.

Regardless, we had an awesome trip. Yet another case in which good friends and preparation triumphed over nasty weather!

Also, FYI, I slept in the hammock (very happily!) and pitched my tent's rainfly for a sheltered storage area.

[pineman19]

Originally Posted by flyman

Be sure you have some way to secure your food and toiletry items, or anything that is scented for that matter . Last time we camped at that site there were hundreds of squirrels running arond everywhere. They chewed on everything, they even climbed the rope we used to hang our food and chewed thru it. Then they chewed thru the bag and took a bite out of almost everything in the bag. They must have been starving because they would come right up to you and start eating any food you had dropped while you were eating. I'm talking about running back and forth across you shoes! We also saw about 20 of them swimming in the lake the couple days we were there. I think they were trying to get to another food source. I was almost scared to go to sleep. Does anyone know if they make a squirrel repellent?

I think they make it in a 22 caliber

[pinksanjuan]

How did the trip turn out?