Behind every guide trip is the preparation, planning, and partnerships that make it all work.
Category: Photos, Fishing Reports, and Songs.
East Bound and Down – Smoker Bandit Oars
Smoker Oars have been 100% Made in USA since 1921. Over the years, Smoker Oars has made the toughest oars on the planet from solid Northern White Ash. Smoker Oars were part of the US Marine Corp and Navy Seal secret missions leading to the success of World War II. Smoker Oars were the first oars down the Grand Canyon. Here at Smoker Oars, we’re proud to launch the lightest weight yet incredibly durable Smoker Bandit series for modern day combat fishing in high performance drift boats.
The Smoker Bandit and Smoker Bandit Shoal continue the legacy of the highest quality, rugged and now lightweight professional grade oars for our global network of professional fishing guides. Our professional anglers row over 1,000 strokers per river mile sweeping the river for the perfect catch. The proprietary blend of carbon twill reinforced with tough fiberglass make for the perfect flex and feel on every stroke.
The Smoker Bandit blades are handcrafted with the toughest materials known to whitewater.
Lengths are available from 8″ up to 10’ at 6″ increments.
For the longest life and best performance, we recommend packaging these beauties with the legendary Cobra Oar Locks. The Cobra Oar locks give the highest range of motion while protecting the shaft in extreme conditions.
For more information or to order your own set, contact Team Sawyer below via email, or call (541) 535-3606
zac@paddlesandoars.com
aaron@paddlesandoars.com
derek@paddlesandoars.com
Opening the Gates
23 stitches. That’s how many were needed to patch-up one of our oarsman/solo boat trip members before we even left the launch, and coincidentally the same years of marriage my wife and I were celebrating. He slipped getting out of his truck and onto the trailer his left shin went, kicking in our WFA plan. We evacuated him to Craig’s ER with the help of the NPS Ranger. These are the reasons why you train, prepare, and punt when needed. So we punted.
Well past 10 am, our launch finally went at 4:30 pm after a terrible night of mosquitos. Yes, a full-body net would have been a great idea. The sand and cart system (take some WD40 for the rollers) was better than hauling rafts and gear, but not the easiest. Great experiences like these take some hardships, however. First night at Wade & Curtis turned out to be a prescient decision. A wonderful evening and opportunity to regroup and talk about the next day – a big travel and rapid day down to Rippling Brook II.
We read and ran everything but scouted Hell’s Half Mile, and at 2000 +/- cfs the river pretty much pushed me right and away from Lucifer but close enough to earn it’s rating. We camped at RBII knowing that we had some play time and a beautiful spot to SUP, enjoy a casual morning, and push towards Limestone. Not the camp I chose but that’s how it ended up. At 10:45, a commercial trip pulled into the RBII and announced “This is our site tonight” and immediately began off-loading and setting up tables. One of the guides moved towards our groover spot when I asked them to wait as we had until noon. It was not what we expected and the commercial trip clients were just as surprised. The Outfitter has already responded to my request to provide feedback. The right thing to do would have been to pull in downstream, leave your unpacking until we left, and graciously share this beautiful canyon.
Limestone was a decent camp, but it gave us a long day to Island Park in the direct sun but fun read and run rapids all along the way. A Red Fox burgled a bag of peanuts left out at night, and we spotted the beginning of the Dollar Ridge fire directly to the west. We used the refuse containers at Rainbow Park and met some day users there. Thank you to the NPS for providing and taking care of our public lands. The Takeout at Split Mountain came with great SUP opportunities.
Great wildlife viewing along with an overall great trip – Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, a Moose above Rainbow Park, raptors, beaver, and of course mosquitos but the launch at Gates was the worst. FYI no fires or fire pans allowed, complete ban. Propane fuel only.
If you have the opportunity, this is a river trip and experience you want in your bucket list.
The Feel Of Water
A week ago, I was covered in sawdust, industrial-strength adhesives and varnishes, using power tools, wearing ear, eye, and breathing protection. Why? To understand the process by which hand-crafted oars for drift boats, rafts, kayaks, SUP’s, and canoes are made. Sawyer Paddles and Oars, since 1967, has been at it in Oregon for 50 years.
From raw materials, craftsmen cut and shape Ash and Douglas Fir (with other proprietary materials) to make the tools that those that make their lives (and fun!) on the water depend upon. I’ve used Sawyer Oars on my Streamtech Boats for many years now, and the magic of the products came to light when I got to actually make them myself.
I’ve always been a believer that the right combinations of people, services/goods, reliable products, and purpose-built tools are of great value. Put them in the right order, and magic happens. At Sawyer, an employee-owned company supporting families and river rats everywhere, there are great people. They hand-make great products that are purpose built.
All the reasons I needed to join the team, and with this we start a journey together in discovering The Feel Of Water.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Sawyer Stories - Tales of Oar locks, Eddies, and The Feel Of Water 