Trip to Caddo

[John]

After hearing about the lake for years, I finally made the trip. The images are from an Olympus SP-550 which is a P&S camera, so take I hope that you can take that into consideration. It was a fun trip.

[JohnRushing]

I'm on Caddo at least two days a months, sometimes more unless it's to cold. Caddo has some great bass if you know where to look, white bass are pretty good too.

Did you take a boat or have a guide ? Where did you put in? Around Uncertain or on the Mooringsport side? Caddo is extremly easy to go lost on with all the channels running back up in the woods. First time I went on Caddo I didn't have a map and we got lost in the channels and came close to running out of gas. Also had fun with the low water pressure alarm going off on my boat every few minute because of lilly pads getting stuck against the water intake holes.

If you can survive the buzzard size masqitos Caddo has some great sunrise and sunset opertunities. There's also a few eagles nesting around there.

[John]

Originally Posted by JohnRushing

I'm on Caddo at least two days a months, sometimes more unless it's to cold. Caddo has some great bass if you know where to look, white bass are pretty good too.

Did you take a boat or have a guide ? Where did you put in? Around Uncertain or on the Mooringsport side? Caddo is extremly easy to go lost on with all the channels running back up in the woods. First time I went on Caddo I didn't have a map and we got lost in the channels and came close to running out of gas. Also had fun with the low water pressure alarm going off on my boat every few minute because of lilly pads getting stuck against the water intake holes.

If you can survive the buzzard size masqitos Caddo has some great sunrise and sunset opertunities. There's also a few eagles nesting around there.

I’m sorry about the delay in answering, John. I had to run up to Oklahoma this morning for something.
Yes, I arranged for a local guide. I used Billy and Dottie Carter’s guide service and it was great. It was two hours and forty dollars, and worth every penny of it. As you make frequent visits to the lake, you know that a boat and a guide are essential for those who are unfamiliar with it.
After the tour, I was invited to sit down to supper with the Carters. Believe it or not we had something called “Duck-Sketti”, which is sort of a Cajun dish. Let me tell you now, that stuff was out of this world good.
I hope to do a return at the end of May. The temperature will be warmer, but the lake will be much prettier.

[JohnRushing]

If everything works out like I hope I will be buying a pontoon barge sometime this summer. A friend has a 30ft custom built barge that he offered to sell me when I can swing the money. I actually helped weld up the pontoons about 10 years ago when he built itso it will be nice owning it. One thing is I will have to get something bigger than my Jeep Liberty to two it . It's got a small bathroom, a toliet room more or less, a gas grill and two built in 60qt ice chest so it's set up perfect for just cruising the lake. It also has plenty of open floor to handle 10+ people aith tripods and gear. When I get it I'll post on here to let everyone know and we can take a few trips to Caddo for a day long cruise. I won't charge near as much as te guides do. Everyone chips in for a few drinks, snacks, sandwiches and gas and thats it. With 10 people it should be more than maybe $10 or so for a while day, and that will be with meals and snacks! Crap ! now I want to go get it right now!

I know the Carters ! A friend of mine named Kenny McDanial has a lodge on Caddo and he's good friends with them. They're good folks, but then again just about everyone on the lake is good folk.

[John]

Originally Posted by JohnRushing

If everything works out like I hope I will be buying a pontoon barge sometime this summer. A friend has a 30ft custom built barge that he offered to sell me when I can swing the money. I actually helped weld up the pontoons about 10 years ago when he built itso it will be nice owning it. One thing is I will have to get something bigger than my Jeep Liberty to two it . It's got a small bathroom, a toliet room more or less, a gas grill and two built in 60qt ice chest so it's set up perfect for just cruising the lake. It also has plenty of open floor to handle 10+ people aith tripods and gear. When I get it I'll post on here to let everyone know and we can take a few trips to Caddo for a day long cruise. I won't charge near as much as te guides do. Everyone chips in for a few drinks, snacks, sandwiches and gas and thats it. With 10 people it should be more than maybe $10 or so for a while day, and that will be with meals and snacks! Crap ! now I want to go get it right now!

I know the Carters ! A friend of mine named Kenny McDanial has a lodge on Caddo and he's good friends with them. They're good folks, but then again just about everyone on the lake is good folk.

Count me in on the deal..J

[Wil_Bloodworth]

I grew up not far from there... and I've almost died there a couple of times. My mom lives on Lake 'O The Pines now so I don't get to Caddo much anymore. It's a target rich environment for photographers though.

- Wil

[Torrey]

The pictures don't seem to be loading...

[John]

Originally Posted by Torrey

The pictures don't seem to be loading...

Torrey, I have deleted some of those images of the album. I am trying out new imaging software, as I was dissatisfied with the first images. I think that these may be of better quality.

[JohnRushing]

John as soon as I get the barge I'll let you know. I don't know if their out yet but since it will be late summer by the time I get the barge be sure to invest in some Off or Cutter's, the masqitos on that lake come in flocks and are the size of buzzards! You can hear em coming through the woods soundng like a squad of zero's coming in for the kill.

Heck I'll even provide the food for it's maiden voyage. The meat market her in Carthage has some of the best sausage and 1/2lb hamburger patties in the world! Everyone will need to bring a lifejacket though because I don't have enough and the water patrol on Caddo likes to write tickets.

I used to know a spot where a gator hung out but haven't been in that area in a few years, she might still be around there though.

Those photos are making me want to go this weekend!

[Glassman]

Originally Posted by JohnRushing

If everything works out like I hope I will be buying a pontoon barge sometime this summer. A friend has a 30ft custom built barge that he offered to sell me when I can swing the money. I actually helped weld up the pontoons about 10 years ago when he built itso it will be nice owning it. One thing is I will have to get something bigger than my Jeep Liberty to two it . It's got a small bathroom, a toliet room more or less, a gas grill and two built in 60qt ice chest so it's set up perfect for just cruising the lake. It also has plenty of open floor to handle 10+ people aith tripods and gear. When I get it I'll post on here to let everyone know and we can take a few trips to Caddo for a day long cruise. I won't charge near as much as te guides do. Everyone chips in for a few drinks, snacks, sandwiches and gas and thats it. With 10 people it should be more than maybe $10 or so for a while day, and that will be with meals and snacks! Crap ! now I want to go get it right now!

I know the Carters ! A friend of mine named Kenny McDanial has a lodge on Caddo and he's good friends with them. They're good folks, but then again just about everyone on the lake is good folk.

That sounds like a winner to me.