Anyone been to Caddo Lake?

[Fireball]

A few friends of mine are making a trek there next month for a 4-hour photo tour. They say it's heaven on earth.

Any tips for great spots/things to look for specific to that lake or maybe about the tour itself?

[KJ Smith]

You should learn to use the search function.

There is an active thread on Caddo right now.

[questor]

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

You should learn to use the search function.

There is an active thread on Caddo right now.

And you should learn to be a bit nicer. It's attitudes like that that chase off new folks from the fourm. Infact there is a whole thread about attitudes and post like yours in the open forums, maybe you should read it before telling someone to learn to use the search function.

[dlanter]

Who are you taking the tour with? I would highly recommend these folks. http://www.caddooutback.com/
If possible try to get on the lake for either the early morning or late evening light. Let John (or your tour guide) know what you want to see the most (landscape, birds, flowers, etc.) and he will know the best place to go.
You're going to love it. Have fun.

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by questor

And you should learn to be a bit nicer. It's attitudes like that that chase off new folks from the fourm. Infact there is a whole thread about attitudes and post like yours in the open forums, maybe you should read it before telling someone to learn to use the search function.

Actually, you are wrong. Its the way you interpet what I said.

On top of that if she would have hit the New Post tab she could have found the current thread on this very subject.

No body wants to help someone who doesn't want to help themselves.

Now you have interfered with her topic and taken this off topic. You also have prevented her from asking how to use the search function. It could just be a case where she doesn't know how. You may have taken her opportunity to ask help.

Finally, read my last dozen post and see if I am what you think I am.

Then be Man enough to come back and apologize if you think its warranted.

[questor]

PM sent so at to not hijack this thread from the original poster.

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by questor

PM sent so at to not hijack this thread from the original poster.

Your to late for that.

You called me out here, Here is your chance to make it right.

Do you need help sending a PM?

[questor]

Fireball if you feel that I hijacked your thread you have my most humble apologies as it was not my intent.
As it was ..... pointed out there is another thread about Caddo and it can be found here.
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...d.php?t=108916

[jeffkohn]

I've done three of the private/personalized tours, with 3 different guys. Each experience was different. It's a big lake, and things like time of day and weather conditions can have a big impact on what the photographic potential will be. It's not an easy place to take pictures IMHO, but it's a really neat lake and I'm sure you'll enjoy your tour.

For best results you'll want to shoot at sunrise or sunset. Midday it's going to be tough to get decent photographs, although I suppose if it's overcast you might get some good stuff back in the small areas where the trees are denser. Since you're shooting hand-held from a boat, IS/VR is highly recommended if you have it, especially during the early/late light.

If you go for the sunrise tour, dress warmer than you think you need to. It will be much cooler out on the lake than on land, especially before the sun comes up. My first tour was a sunrise in late Nov when the temps were in the 30's before the sun came up, and I froze my butt off.

Here are the guides I've used, if anybody knows of another chime in.

http://paulkeithphoto.com/ - He doesn't explicitly list photo tours on his website right now, just fishing tours, so I'm not sure if he's still interested in doing photo tours. He had a speed boat, and we were able to cover quite a bit of area. He's a pretty experienced photographer, and was knowledgeable on when and where to go from a photographer's perspective.

http://www.caddolakephotography.com/ - This is John Winn, Dan already mentioned his website. His boat is docked at a different location from the Uncertain marina, and his tour will be more along the back-channels rather than out on the main lake. A very different experience, but definitely worthwhile.

http://www.oldportcaddo.com/ - These folks operate the pier and trading post in the state park. They do group tours, but if you give them a call you can also arrange a private tour at sunrise or sunset. I went out with Robert. He also has a smaller boat, but it's docked at the Uncertain marina and he can take you out on the main part of the lake.

[venchka]

Do you have to be in a boat? Is there any land access to some of the cypress groves?

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by venchka

Do you have to be in a boat? Is there any land access to some of the cypress groves?

Access is limited, as much of the shore is private property. There are some options, see post #15 in this thread. But I highly recommend a boat tour to get the most out of your visit.

[David Price]

Charrie - My bride and I are planning to take a tour within the next three weeks. I spoke with John Winn a couple of days ago, he says the lake is high right now but slowly returning to normal. The color is just starting to show, when it peaks it'll last about 10 days. He will take as many as 4 people on a tour but suggest you limit your tour to 2 folks if doing the photo thing (so you'll have room for your gear, snacks and drinks).

Dan and Jeff - Thanks for your replys here.

Kevin - It appears you could use some help with spelling, grammar and punctuation. Just saying.

Regards,
~dp

[KJ Smith]

Originally Posted by David Price

Kevin - It appears you could use some help with spelling, grammar and punctuation. Just saying.

I am the first one to admit that English isn't my strong suit. Most of the time thinking isn't either. You should hear me ramble in person.

That's why I joined a photography forum instead of a literary club...

But thanks for your support.

[emma is clever]

wow you guys are harsh.

[Fireball]

Didn't mean to start the exact same thread, didn't see it anywhere else. Still learning this forum and didn't know I would start a verbal war here! I've already been a part of one of those in the past when I first joined, but I've come to realize that most people are just trying to help. They just don't always say it in the nicest way and maybe they really are but it's hard to get their tone in writing?

Anyway, we are going with the Caddo Outback tour. There will be three of us in a boat from 8am to 12noon. Really looking forward to it, weather permitting! Thanks for all your help everyone.