Mixed Blessings

We have sold out two of our three combo hunts at one of our lodges in Arkansas. Arkansas only has a one month rifle season for deer, and there are only three weekends when it coincides with duck season. One of the weekends will be our annual Don Dubuc Cajun Invasion Duck Hunt. We will be at the same location of last season’s Cajun Invasion. For those who went on that trip last season and want to go again, or for those who missed it last year, time is short.  We also have a weekend just for deer hunting (Arkansas opens a week before Louisiana) at that same lodge.

You may think it’s a bit early to make plans for deer hunting, but if you’re wanting to go on our Don Dubuc Cajun Invasion Deer hunt in January, it’s time to consider signing up.

We also have several opportunities available for Elk hunting in Colorado and New Mexico. This is one of those specials you will only see in the newsletter. Give us a call for details.

Finally, the fishing along the coast, both inshore and offshore, is crazy good right now. If you’ve been waiting to make that charter trip for tuna or speckled trout, now is the time!

It has been a time of joy and success around the office the last few weeks, as well as a time of loss and sadness. As you will read later in the newsletter, this will be the last Trail Tails article. We lost our office dog and my best friend, Mousse, on May 20^th.  It was a reminder, in the middle of busy days and lots of work, to take the time to appreciate the blessings you have, because they may be gone tomorrow.  Take the time to enjoy the Great Outdoors!

Rainbow Trout in the Hills of Georgia

We have added a number of locations this year that offer more than just hunting and fishing. This Georgia escape is just such a location. We will be going live with our new section, “Lagniappe”, sometime this month. Be sure to visit “Lagniappe” to see what else our lodges have to offer.

This fishing lodge is nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains along the beautiful Chestatee River, which provides some of the best trout fishing in the world.  The clear natural spring fed waters, with a waterfall and deep long runs under the shade of the trees, host the perfect conditions for holding a high concentration of quality trophy trout, including a good number in the 24” to 30” range.  The breathtaking scenery and the secluded peace of this mountain sanctuary is abundant.   Along with the great fishing, there are a number of sightseeing opportunities within a 15 or 20 minute drive.  The nearby village holds a number of restaurants, shops and boutiques, art galleries, and a winery.   

This is fly fishing only, barbless, catch and release only lodge. The river is limited to one client/group at a time to assure privacy. The river access has easy to moderate accessibility. While you are encouraged to bring your favorite fly rod and equipment, rods, waders and equipment are available at the lodge, and flies are available for purchase.

Half day trip rates start at $230 and full day trips at $340. Lake fishing and float trips are also available.  A two-bedroom cabin is available for overnight accommodations.

Call Trail Escapes for more details, including discounts for groups of up to 3 anglers.

Trail Tails

In Memoriam

It is with a heavy heart that I must report this is the last Trail Tails article. Our beloved Chocolate Lab, Mousse, who was the inspiration for this column, died unexpectedly on May 20th, 2012.

For those of you who had met her, you understand she was more than just a dog and how special she was. I know many of you feel as I do, that our dogs are a like a member of the family, just a somewhat hairy kid. So, for those of you who only knew her through the newsletter, let me tell you a little bit about her.

Mousse never met a person she didn’t like, and the feeling was mutual. Even one of our employees, who is a little intimidated by big dogs, was comfortable around her. She was loyal and protective of her people and would stare down a bear, but was a little bit scared of a thunderstorm. She was easily the smartest dog I’ve ever had, sometimes maybe just a little too smart for her own good.

She also never met a Milk Bone she didn’t like and was always up for a ride in the truck (usually in the front seat). She was a perpetual teenager, always pushing her boundaries a little and always contrite afterwards (at least for a little while).

It was easy to write the Trail Tails column each month, all you had to do was watch Mousse and put it down on paper.

She was a loyal companion and my friend. She will be missed by us all.

Dennis