Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina - Kayak, Fish & Hang

**hawkerev** · 05-17-2013, 12:34

You know I've traveled all over the place, Alaska, out West, Europe and You don't get much prettier than what's right in my backyard with Lake Santeetlah. The campgrounds are first come first serve, on the water primitive campsites that is an hour and a half good paddle to get to.

Last night was my first hang outside several Backyard wood stuff just testing out equipment and make sure I'd be comfortable. My buddies were already there so I got the paddle the almost 4 miles by myself and never saw another boat or person. Set up the Hamic cooked dinner set around and smoked a couple cigars, and then off to bed. Got an awesome night sleep with a great view It was a nice clear cool moonlit night And the geese were coming into the lake so they sang us to sleep. Got a long day tomorrow with a good deal of fish, Will update all that once I get back to the house.

**richtorfla** · 05-17-2013, 13:11

Yes. Thats' a pretty place. I think a HF group did some yakking round there. Remember some of the pics.

**Pottsy** · 05-17-2013, 23:47

Looks like fun!
Good luck fishing man,
Hoping to make it to Asheville in the next few weeks, Ive had a craving for The Wedge Brewery beer

**Rain Man** · 05-20-2013, 07:49

Originally Posted by richtorfla

Yes. Thats' a pretty place. I think a HF group did some yakking round there. Remember some of the pics.

Yep. L.D. Cakes led a group there last year. My wife and I tagged along. BEAUTIFUL lake surrounded by mountains and great scenery.

Rain Man

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**hawkerev** · 05-20-2013, 18:21

Hey Rain Man did you do any fishing ?

The fishing is really good for Bass, lots of em, but no size!

**hawkerev** · 05-20-2013, 18:23

Well the 2 night Lake Santeelah trip was fantastic, awesome scenery and a great time of fishing with some friends, who are all hammock campers. Lake Santeelah is loaded with fish, bass and trout depending on your preference, I caught a dozen plus fish released on the spot, for another day.

This was my fist out of the backyard hang and the Clark TX-250 was very comfortable and enjoyable. My view was as good as they come and I set up the Vertex Tarp in porch mode, I like camping where the only sounds you hear are the sounds of nature … well minus snoring friends.

Friday afternoon the wind came up and radar revealed a big storm coming our way … my maiden weather test was coming! So I dropped the tarp low and had the hammock up tight as the wind was blowing 20 to 25 mph. We had a great dinner, some cigars and camp talk about fishing and hammocks then headed to bed about 10:00 pm, storms was supposed to hit about 2 am. At about 2:30 a steady hard rain started and the wind died to near nothing. So about 3:00 am, nature called and I was tired of stale air … I like air movement, so I raised the tarp into porch mode and let the rain, put me back to sleep. Was the 1st time I can recall when it rained camping … and I really did not care, Not a drop of rain touched me!

This morning we had breakfast in the rain consisting of pop tart, fruit and coffee, I got to break camp in the rain, not a problem all my gear goes into compressible waterproof bags, and got the Clark into the stuff sack and the tarp into the Tarp Skins from Wildness Logic (I really like these).
By the time we got to the boat landing, the rain had quit and my first hang was over … I have the fever!

Already planning on some overnight river hanging/fishing trips, we have over 180 miles of river trail in western NC … lots of fun to go!

**Dos** · 05-20-2013, 18:30

thank you for sharing.
soooo beautiful !!

**hawkerev** · 05-20-2013, 18:32

It’s a really pretty lake and camp sites, with lots of tree choices to hang from, we had 9 hammocks at our campsite with room for more.

And a few more pics of the scenery .