Blue River Classic Come join the fun. Tournament, lunch and auction. Hope to see you there. I’m the short fat guy that sounds like cornbread

TD, I just checked out the homepage. Are you spearheading this event? The contact email belongs to a guy named Barry that I met years ago when I fished up there. I have never been much of an event-goer, but I may have to make an exception for this one.

My split cane rods were tested and perfected in the eddy-waters just above the Presbyterian Falls where folks used to get baptized. I also caught my PB smallmouth up at the turnaround point for the stocking truck. It was at least a four pounder. I caught it on a green & brown woollybugger. I had lugged a float tube in, and that fish turned me in circles for what seemed like 15 minutes or more.

Mr. Rhyne and I were poking around there together that day.

JR

Dang good looking website there!
The Barry you refer to is Barry Schrader. And the tournament (was/is it this one?) was once in memory or honor of his wife as I recall.
Barry was one of my first interviews on my YouTube Channel way way way back.

I remember Barry well. He and his dog that used to predict the fishing forecast. Yes. The award ceremony, as I remember, honored his wife. Like I previously mentioned, I never attended the Trout Derby, but I would read about them on Barry’s blog.

My thing was fishing the area in solitude with my latest split cane fly rod creation. I have many fond memories of the nature there. The huge granite outcroppings, the coolest looking dragonflies… bright blue or red abdomens… coyotes running through my campground one night and howling just yards from my tent… and the huge water moccasin I almost stepped on right after I landing the biggest smallmouth bass I’ve ever had the pleasure of catching.

It’s been so very long ago. I need to go back to the river that Barry Schrader called his ‘Mistress’. I need to catch up on some memories.

JR

JR, sure hope you can make it. I guess the last time I got to say hello in person was several years ago at LMF trout camp. The Lady Blue has been low and slow the last couple of years from the hot and dry summers we’ve had in this area but she’s still beautiful as ever. Yes this is still Barry’s baby with some help from a few others. I have been fortunate enough to be included in the group and have tied the flies for the tournament for a few years now. Last year the Classic raised around $12,000 (don’t remember the exact number). I believe I am correct in saying that the money we raise gets to stay at the Blue and the federal funds that are matched 3 to 1 are used throughout the state.