So Clider and I decided that after last years success traveling to Portland for the end of the season hunt that we should return. It was good. This year would be even better. We loaded the trusty Pathfinder and his stinky fat dog and headed out after work for the 6 hour drive to P-Town. We were pleasantly surprised to see a brand new Dodge in Fred Gs driveway and the KFTK weekend was on.
Day 1: Cliders Day.
Knowing full well we would be rained on I suggested that Clider bring all his waterproof gear. He let me know that he had none that would work well, and for that he would pay. We got to the mighty Columbia River and there was only 1 other truck in the parking lot, no problem. The long walk out was fun for Waylon and Peat who were having a grand time being dogs running around growling and humping. The rest of us knew better because we had 'water up' and a slog through knee deep water to the blind that Cliffy and Fred built for the occasion. Of course the only other hunter was in our spot. Dick.
We settled into a spot and Fred and Cliffy built a $6 blind while Clider and I threw blocks. It started to rain. Not ducks but rain. We did have some shots but no duck fell that day. What did fall was the patchwork of Fred's wader boot and the semi-waterproofness of Clider's jacket. He was clearly soaked to the bone and half frozen as we pulled up and headed for home. Also, Cliffy left after only a 1/2 flask, to go to a job interview. We will forever now show for job interviews wearing camo and smelling like wikki. Cliffy, you are an inspiration!
Day 2: Bob D's Day.
With a mighty hangover, trembling legs and a fine pack full of everything, I was having a hard time keeping up to the blistering pace set by the rest of the team. I should have stopped and taken a rest after the first section of the walk but carried on as not slow our mission to get to 'The X'. The water had come up during the night and we slogged another 20 minutes through knee-to-waist deep water to the blind we should have had the day before. It was knee deep too, and at that point I had to shed my pack and pant like a dog just to regain my breath. Apparently I was showing all the signs of another heart attack and people were worried. They set the blocks and built a dry blind while I recovered and had a little 'alone time' with the toilet paper roll. It was on.
No ducks were coming in until Clider and Fred G took a walk and that's when Cliify and I blasted the sky, missing the only great chance we had that day. By this time I was the only one with a dry pair of waders. The walk out was somber.
Day 3: Cliffy's Day.
Sauvies Island was on the menu for day 3 and we had plans to sleep in and get a great blind that had been cilli'n ducks all morning. Showing up at 10am worked out well until Cliffy pulled a typical H7HT blunder. The warden at the window, who has a need for paperwork, noticed that Cliffy had inadvertently left his 2016 duck stamp at home. Let's just say that Cliffy was not happy. Some time later we were all set and looking at a field of flooded corn that had many ducks flying around. Good thing we were all enjoying the day because no real ducks wanted to land in our perfect spread.
In typical Sauvies fashion the guys across from us skyblasted a duck and Clider gave them a good ole' fashion cheer. We watched as he waded around and looked for his duck. Peat slept in the mud.
Reading this post you might think that the KFTK weekend was a bust. Nothing could be further from the truth. Once again Clider and I spent no less that 12 hours in a truck that smelled of wet mud, farts, feet and filthy dog. Cliffy and Fred made us feel like kings in their hood cooking delicious food, and we had a great time looking at pintails and geese flying around in their natural habitat, the sky. I'm heading out tomorrow for one more chance at greatness.
GBCH
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