Sunday, August 4, 2013

July 28 - Aug 3

Temps cooled this week and azure blue skies returned on Wed as they managed to get the Orleans fire contained. Our late summer season was shaping up quite nicely with additional bookings coming in and minimal smoke from the Oregon fires. This was not to be as on that same Wed evening some arsonists lit multiple fires along the Salmon River roadway and, at present, we are in a smoke and fire filled war zone with the Salmon River road closed. This week's group was amazing for their kindness and understanding and, in fact, there was a ton of learning that went on despite the fact that the road closed on Thurs and we couldn't get to the Klamath. Matt, Bob, Lynn, David and Gus cheerfully put up with the late week crisis and for this we are hugely thankful. Scott Harding and Peter Kettering did a great job keeping things moving. Therese and Bri kept the killer food coming and Kristy took over all the Lodge jobs as no other staff could get here. We are so thankful for all who came this season.  p

Friday, August 2, 2013

July 21 - 27 2013

Certainly one of otter Bar's most successful weeks ever! We had a full adult class as well as a full kid's week which ran simultaneously. Lots of vehicles, shuttles and details but all went according to plan. Very enjoyable group with a wide range of skills and true passion for the sport. It was, however, very hot but this didn't seem to slow down the group at all. Good thing kayaking is such a wet sport. Great seeing Bruce Van Nice again and the Team of Nathan and Sarah Norris was a pleasure to have around. Lots of new people this week. Alex Muck brought her dad, Steve and brother Max along and I believe they pegged the fun meter! Great seeing Eric Weiss and his wife Amy (thanks for all the medical tips) and our resident biologists Paul and Sherry Barrett kept us laughing and tuned to the natural world. We also enjoyed Rachel and Jared Adams who brought a pack of kids to kids camp and I believe we owe a huge thanks to grandpa Phil Harlan for his generosity. Bob Pender and his beautiful daughter Victoria were a lovely addition and I was fascinated with his life story - sorry we didn't talk more. Regan Moore and Lynne Bruno were both delightful to have around and were a positive influence. I loved this week despite the fact that it was a major handful because the group had such a blast together. Thank you all for coming!!  p

Thursday, July 25, 2013

July 14 - 20

Great week with lots of repeats and some fun new folk as well! Stunning weather with perfect warm days and cool nights. Caryl Hart and Ione Cutter certainly styled the course with their determination and prowess. Lovely having Penny Cooper back with her welcome positive slant on life as well as Charlie Keene, although we missed his other half. We had a family of four cancel the day before the class and we were sorry not to host the diBonaventura clan.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

July 7 - 13

The wedding! In the thirty two years we have been running this place, this week stands out as one of the very best. Steve Canale and Michele d'Hemencourt decided to tie the knot here at Otter Bar. They wanted a low key event with immediate family and friends most of whom would also take a week long kayak class. To say this was a success would be profound understatement. In short, everyone had a blast at this joyous occasion and many even learned to kayak. This was a fantastic group of people and we will be talking about this week for years to come. A huge thanks to Pierre and Nancy d'Hemencourt and Tom and Alida Canale for their incredible support for this crazy idea!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

June 30 - July 6

 We only had three intrepid souls this week! Great having Ingrid for a second week and we enjoyed Torre and Guy as well. Wonderful wildlife and paddling on the Klamath. Did some diving at Leaning tree on Wed and hooked Ingrid up with some King salmon sittings. Very mellow and enjoyable week.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

June 23 - 29

 Another super fun week with fogs and rain and brilliant sunshine. We went from cool to hot and while the heat felt great it moved into a blistering heat wave just after this group departed! Very game crowd and it was fun having Dan Collins here for a second week. Brubaker gave his recently repaired shoulder a run for it's money and ripped up the K every day (can't believe the dos would allow this). Ingrid was back and will be staying on for a second week and decided to rent the entire lodge (the power of overpaid physicians). Lots of solid learning this week and we had a lot of fun with this group. Thanks for coming!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

June 16 - 22 2013

What a fun group we had this week. I believe an amazing time was had by all, especially the boss. Lovely to have Bill and Cheryl (thanks again for bringing Hanna) as well as Sal who gave us some much needed help with our beloved pets! The salmon river was low but stunning and I dove with some King salmon in the upper pool yesterday. Great to see Joanne Roux and Sam Hafez as well as Dan and Elizabeth Cochran who are very long time OB devotees. Speaking of which we enjoyed having Frank Colver who ran his electric motorcycle all over the mountains this week. The Boche family (Philip and Alex) were also here and I am so sorry we missed Adam, as well as their early AM departure on Sat. Speaking of father son combos (we had three last week) it was great seeing Kurt and Tristan back again after innumerable visits! Terry and Roy Nixon were new on the scene, as well as Beth Aldana and they were a most welcome addition. The week was coolish but stunning with lucid sky and cloud scapes galore. The food was 5 star as usual and we love having Bri and Therese turning out exceptional cuisine on a constant basis! It was a memorable week and we thank you all so much for coming.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

June 9 - 15 2013

The boss had a few plumbing melt downs this week but it was a fine group of people and a fantastic week. A large number of repeat folks with the old crony group (Francesca, Leslie, Jen and Susanne) holding court on a regular basis. It was great to see them after so many years. We also enjoyed Bruce Wear and Mike Forster as well as Rene and "Roni". Roni's smile at the end of the week was huge! Of course my old ski buddy Bill Sullivan was great to have around and while he may have skied more days than I did this year I'm certain I beat him out on "face shots". Wonderful having some new folks as well. We are still on the Salmon and while it is getting low the Salmon/Klamath combo is sublime! Great food, people, times. Thanks for coming

Monday, June 10, 2013

June 2 - 8

Cool temps and super clear water were the norm this week and then a heat wave to finish it off. We were once again on the Salmon for most of the week, although Friday found us on both the Ikes run and Dillon to Sandy Bar. The Klamath is finally in and I believe everyone loved the runs down there this week. Great seeing Heidi and Brian Oblander and their twice yearly visits are putting them solidly in the frequent flyer category! It was a pleasure seeing Bob Pippin and Mario Hernandez as well as Larry Dewell and Robert and Linda Martelli (thanks for all the almonds!). We had some new folks as well which makes us happy as we often feel that everyone who ever comes here will return! It is now Monday and the heat wave is over I am happy to report and we now have breezes off the ocean. The food just keeps getting better and a huge thanks to Brianna and Therese for being so wonderful on all levels. We have lots of spaces from late June onward so spread the word if you know anyone who wants to experience Otter Bar!  Thanks for coming   p

Monday, June 3, 2013

May 26 - June 2

By all accounts, "Old Home Week" was a ragging success! This crew certainly kept the boss on his toes as the "fix it" orders came fast and furious. Pete Peterson was in excellent form as was Henry Louderbough and Jim Mikeska. These guys have returning for many many years and I think Pete holds the record for the most visits (approx 200). While low, the rivers were in fact wonderful and highly conducive to the learning curve. Amazing to think we could teach these old farts anything but the guides were stunned at the progress the entire group made this week. Great seeing Bob and Marion Lew as well as Rob and Linda and, of course the irascible "Ferg" held court on a constant basis. We had a number of new people this week, as well, and we will be posting a "geezer "warning from now on for these unsuspecting souls. We had some cool weather and rain early in the week but things heated up towards the weekend and, from my perspective, I don't think things could have gone any better this week. Bri and Therese positively killed it in the galley and the food here somehow manages to reach new heights every year. Thanks for coming!!  P

Monday, May 27, 2013

Kristy and I just returned from a memorial for our dear old friend Roger Wishard (he and I commercial fished together in Alaska in the 70's) so we are a bit late getting this up. Apologies for not being there for the final night with this wonderful group! We had some cooler but crystaline weather this week which caused the flows to drop a bit so we were finally able to get on the Klamath. The group had a screaming blast on the Ikes run and the lower Salmon was primo as well as the runs above and below OB. Our in house wave on the property was fantastic and I have never seen it so good at these flows. We have two terrific new cooks this year (Bree and Therese) who are styling the kitchen scene big time and are now solidly in the groove! Wonderful having Tony Lunt back along with Arianne and their frien Bill. Beth ripped it this week as did David Berry and Kim Johnson. Walter Krokosz returned after many years along with his wife Terry and I believe Terry's learning curve trumped the week. Great seeing Kimberly Riggle and apparently her smile on Saturday was the best! Thank you all so much for coming! Also we would love to see your photos, Bill!  cheers  P & K

Sunday, May 19, 2013

May 12 - 18

Tons of repeats this week as well as a few new people and three guys from Brazil that spiced things up considerably. Enrique, Mario and Leonardo only stayed half the week but were truly a pleasure to have around. We had great flows and hot weather, although it cooled down considerably towards the later part of the week. Wonderful seeing Anna Moore as well as a cameo by her dirt bag dad Jack moore and side kick Lief Hansen on Margarita night. Fun to have Greg Simmons back as well as Steve Rottman, Todd Lewis, Whitney Collins and Bill Bowie! Especially of note was the return of part of the Cheney clan including Jonathan, Zina and young Carter. Carter styled the week and stunned the group with his exceptional calm under pressure. Having Merida and Maren back was fantastic and they kept us on our toes as always. Paul P spent yet another two weeks with us and we will miss him. Thanks for coming!!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

May 5 - 11 2013







Amazing first week of the season with a stellar group, great flows and the best camraderie imaginable! Cat and Tim were a major treat after doing a pass on OB last year due to an around the world trip. Great to see Maren and Paulie P back again as well as our Alaskan fishing connection. Steve Barns. Steve left his Airstream here and it is amazing how many drunk guides you can fit in there. Reem Jones styled it, as usual and it was great seeing Craig back after a number of years as well as John Marshall and Jason Morgan. Tons of repeats this week as well as a few new folks. We loved this group and thanks for putting up with our surly staff! Some great new cooks and lodge staff in the wings and while the week had a few bumps we are smooth sailing for the moment!You guys (guests and staff) all make it happen for us and it is a joyous thing!