It's great to see the McKenzie Wooden Boat Festival posted in this most recent issue of WoodenBoat Magazine, page 103, including the parade from Finn Rock to Eagle Rock. You started a great thing, Randy. Kudos to you and all others who help make the event happen. Randy, Sandy, Rick et al -- send up a smoke signal if you need any help this year.
Yes the show is again on McKenzie River opening day of trout season on April 28th.
I'll need all the help I can get. It's very comforting to know that the regulars like Cascade Family Flyfishers, and others, like you Roger, know how and where to set up. Rick Newman has been a big help in the past and Greg Hatten has herded boats at the launch of the morning float. And of course many members of the McKenzie River Guides Association are a HUGE help.
This year the McKenzie River Trust will be there with some educational material on river management and I'm hoping all of our old friends are there as well. I think the two Keith Steele re-enactment boats will be there. I'll be leaving the Grand Canyon and the boat on April 1st at a bit more than the half way mark. Greg and the rest of the Washington Wooden Boats Afloat group will be coming off the Colorado about a week and a half later so it's a little dicey on if they make it back to Oregon before the 28th. I guess that depends on how well rested they are.
It's going to be a great show this year. I hope to see a bunch of you there.
Randy, as always you can count on me to be there. Bring on the tasks, I am happy to do anything needed. Friday night dinner, whatever. My boat is progressing and I am committing myself publicly to have it ready to go and to float the McKenzie with it.