Team Bridgeport in Bridgeport

 It was our 17th year to gather in the eastern sierras, but this year was unlike any other. Instead of avoiding the crowd, we decided to be there for the towns biggest weekend, July 4th. Instead of having reservations at our usual campsites, which were under reconstruction, we decided to look for sites when we got there. I was nervous about this but the Polarcat showed up early and nabbed a unreserved, double size site that housed everyone.
unbelievable really.
We spent more time hitting local shops, and more time at Rhinos Bar and Grill.
We did the arts and crafts fair,explored the towns historical sights, and participated in the annual mud volleyball tourney,raising money for local highschool sports.
we didnt go to the rodeo.
Even with all of the distractions we managed alot of time on the water.
Weapons of choice were the usual Thomas Bouyant or Panther Martin and trolling a Kokanee colored trophy stick.
We didnt find the giant brownies we were hunting for but still caught alot of bows and a nice mix of smalls browns and brooks. Weather, wind specifically, was a big factor and made fishing the lakes tough.
That being the case, we spent more time in the streams. awesome.
We also participated in the Bridgeport Fish Enhancement tourney.
We decided not to take fish to the scales but Polarcat ended up a big winner at the raffle. He also retained his title as "Coach" and keeps the sweatshirt, until next year.

We were up there 12 days and with everyone helping with documentation we came home with hundreds of photos. I tried to throw together shots that captured the adventure but they arent in any specific order.

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It really was a fantastic year. Photos show that some of the Team spawnlings are at the age when they can start to pick up the craft. They proved to be made of sturdy stock and will no doubt be ready for bigger adventures with us next year.

The mud volleyball tournament was an adventure in itself. uhg
We were down a player (KW, you were missed) and it was on day 11, so fatigue was a bit of a factor for us. Most teams were carrying 9 players and subing out alot and none of them were over 40 teams like us. uhg again
There were 20 teams and it went ALL day.
In the end we lost in the finals 15-13 in game 3.
The winners were a local team that had won it last year. It was great to see all the local support out there screaming for them and when they beat us, it was a big deal. perfect
I think we were just happy it was over and we could go back to work the following week uninjured.
The "real" big winner was the guy who lost his wedding ring out in the mud pit and The Kraken found it! was true jedi shizzle.
hope the visuals are enjoyed
 

T,

Looks like I missed a good time….sorry to leave you short-handed on the v-ball court, although with my passing skills you were probably better off.

I’d kind of forgotten how pretty Bridgeport is.  Great pix!

KW

Out-fricken-standing Terry.  Can you bottle some of that up and send it my way?

-Allen

KW
by the end of the day it felt like passing a basketball full of sand.
we missed you on the water more than the tournament.
hopefully you can make it next year.

Allen
your another one with the skill set we couldve used but with the risk of injury and missing a day of fishing I doubt we will do the tourney again any year soon.
maybe the annual rubber duck race down the east walker river.

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