I just might be there this year. I spent every summer as a kid in sandy and boring, but I have never been to the clave that the sandy hosts.
The Sandy River Spey 'Clave (yes, it should have a ' before the word Clave ... as it's a contraction of the world "Conclave." I know as I coined the word. True stuff.) is the Gran-Daddie of them all. It IS worth your time if you're part of the 2-hander casting world, or want to go down that road. A very expensive road I might add if you look at my stack of rods. The best of the best in equipment, and you get to choose/cast/play with as many as you want ... grass or on the river. Where else do you have $100,000 worth of rods, lines, reels where YOU can pick one up, walk down to the river and 'try before you buy?' For a historical context, I and my buddy Bob Larson came up with the original idea for one of these things. Initial idea was to do it on the Rogue River, but he had a far better idea .... whose down there in your area that's ever even seen a 2-hander? Point made and he suggested Oxbow Park on the Sandy. I'll spare you the rest of the history lesson, but if it weren't for Mark B (Flyfishusa.com) coming to our aid (contact with rod manufacturers, line makers, et. al.) it's doubtful there would have been a first let alone a continuing project. It is a truly amazing weekend. New to this bit of casting? Not to worry, you can walk up to the best 2-hander casters in the world and ask for a 'free lesson'. 10-15 minutes with that fellow will change your life .... and reduce your credit card limit by a Grand after you buy that new rod/reel/line. Preferably from Mark. Oh before I forget ... the 'entry fee' is about five bucks to get into the Park ... and more often than not, the breakfast/lunch/dinner are provided. Now how cool is that? (Bye the bye ... bring a couple of bottles of a good single malt Whisky. Don't worry about the 'weight,' they'll be going home empty.) :>)
The park is dry...Or do they make an exception for good single malts? Either way...NO Cutty Sark allowed!
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition;" We self police (for a lack of a better term). I've taken more than one set of car keys and driven a guy back to his hotel. I suspect more have ended up in the back end of a tent or a motor home. For context: Enter the KING WESTMORELAND. O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England That do no work to-day! KING. What's he that wishes so? My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin; If we are mark'd to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires. But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England. God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour As one man more methinks would share from me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man's company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is call'd the feast of Crispian. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.' Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.' Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words- Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester- Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now-a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Alex, let me know where you guys are going to be staying and me and my "ladyship" will come say hi! It was great to talk to someone who is as passionate about double guns, pointers and grouse as me.
NO PETS ALLOWED! (A heads-up for folks who haven't been to the Park before.) Many of us have pooches (etc) that we like to bring with us if we're trailer/MH/what-ever camping. Bringing 'Pets,' other than "Service Dogs," into the Oxbow is a TOTAL NO-NO. Fred
As to the first point, that 'weekend' only; as to the second point: always. Too much 'wildlife' runs around in that huge park. In the first case, we "Police" our wildlife, in the second .. most don't.
JS, I think we're at the Comfort Inn in Troutdale, so I can enjoy my single malt and cigars while I gnash my teeth at not being able to hold a rod for another three months!
Here's a link that gives you an overview of the 'Clave. There's another link, in the link, that lists the instructors, etc. And low and behold ... April Vokey (from BC) is going to be there. That should be a hoot. http://www.flyfishusa.com/spey-clave.htm
I wonder how many guys are going to step into deep water while their attention is focused on Ms Voky?:clown:
