Perfect weather for TU Chili Cook Off
It looks like the weather prognosticators are predicting great weather for the 22nd annual Trout Unlimited Chili Cook Off this weekend.
With almost no chance of rain today or Saturday and high temperatures in the low 80s teams and chili lovers should be able to wear T-shirts and shorts while sampling chili to their to their stomachs’ content.
If not registered on line, anyone wishing to compete this year can do so by just showing up at the registration tent today, paying their $50 for each recipe to be entered and picking the cook site from those still available.
By the way, there are still plenty of open sites to choose from including about ten camper/ RV sites.
This year we allowed teams to purchase additional armbands online, but we had to end that process as the logistics of getting the armbands mailed in a timely manner is now impossible.
Teams may still purchase additional armbands at check in so that their friends and guests can enjoy tonight’s festivities.
This year the entertainment will be provided by Whiskey Dixie, Gene Brigham, Gary Greene, and the Highway 100 Band.
Music will start about 10:45 a.m. and will continue until about 3 p.m. or until the announcement of winners is completed.
The winner of the hand-made cedar strip canoe will also be announced during that time. Tickets will be available for the canoe all day today as well as up until a few minutes before the drawing. Chances on the canoe are $25 each or five for $100.
Tickets can be bought at the TU cabin.
Cook teams can arrive at Ridge Ferry Park to set up for the cook off as early as 8 a.m. today. Teams must check in at the registration tent prior to going to their preselected cook site. At that time they will receive their cooks’ package and may purchase additional armbands. We will accept “walk on teams” at any time today. The registration tent will shut down about 11 p.m. today.
More about the Arkansas trip
The 31 folks from Coosa Valley TU shared four cabins at the White Hole resort in Flippin, Arkansas, and many of them used guides and rental boats available at the resort.
Most of the boats available are 21-foot flat bottom four-seat jon-type boats with jet drive outboards. These are stable crafts and allow several fishermen to fish at one time and are perfect for navigating the often swift and sometimes shallow river.
If you are not a seasoned river boater I strongly suggest using a guide.
There were a lot of trout caught during the trip with most folks averaging at least 15 trout a day to some averaging well over 30.
Rainbow and brown trout were very common as well as cutthroat and brook trout on the White River.
A group of three from Rome brought their kayaks and floated the Buffalo River for small mouth bass and others floated the North Fork of the White River below Norfork dam for trout.
One high point of the trip was by Jeremy Gilbreath who was using a worm imitation fly and caught 11 trout in 11 consecutive casts. He went on to catch over 20 more trout with few misses following that remarkable feat.
The limit for keeping trout on the White River is five trout per angler per day with only one brown over 24 inches, one cutthroat over 16 inches and one brook over 14 inches and no length limit on rainbows.
Although I do not know the actual size of the fish, I was told that Jeremy Gilbreath and Roger Barton caught the largest fish of the trip.
The Coosa Valley Chapter takes many group fishing trips throughout the year with trips to North Carolina and the Gulf of Mexico being regular destinations.
If you would like to travel with a great bunch of guys on their next trip or just learn more about the destinations, come to a TU meeting and get involved. The next meeting will be Oct. 19 at the ECO Center at Ridge Ferry Park at 6:30 p.m.
We hope to see you at the 22nd annual TU Chili Cook Off this weekend whether you are a cook or a taster.
Remember the gates open to the public at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning.