2011 Jackal Tee

The 2011 Jackal Shirt is now available! Place your order now to have it in time for Flat Creek!

This year’s design is the worst design for a shirt there has ever been. It’s very creepy, and people ask me why I would do that. I tell them you get more attention burning down the barn than carrying out the trash.

I had a lot of ideas floating around in my head this season, but felt most inspired by the fact that Paul was getting married this year. I felt the need to commemorate this big time in his life. So obviously I decided do draw him with a Jackal Hawk in one hand, and his own head in the other. This is a way of wishing him the best of luck, and to bring luck to the rest of the hoard this year. This was also inspired by the latest Ray Wylie Hubbard album cover, which is all about getting noticed. Through that attention comes existence. In reality the shirt is about existence, and the living that comes from our adventures.

Expanding the River Menu

I was working on expanding my river food repertoire yesterday, was so happy with the results that I felt compelled to blog about it.

The Scotch egg will be found in my canoe this season, and I look forward to sharing them with my fellow river warriors. I was enjoying some scotch eggs at a bar with a tall dark beer and realized how perfect they would be on the water. I rushed home and fired up the skillet. For those who are not familiar with the tasty treat, it is a hard-boiled egg encased in sausage, breaded and fried until golden brown. These little gut blasters are good hot or cold, and will surely be a good source of fuel for some serious river fury. Once on the water a more appropriate name may be needed for these morsels such as “skank eggs”, other ideas are welcome. I’m going to whip up some Jackal Tamales from some practice now.

First Float

The first float of the year is always a gamble, with trying to hit the weather just right and getting on the right stretch of water.  Through pure luck or divine inspiration the Jackals were able to pick the perfect day to spend on Shoal creek.  We were able to hit the water by 12 and had an amazing afternoon of sunshine and water.  The five man crew had a great time as can be seen by the new pics up on the photo page and the video of the MotorBoater and Jackalski running the dam.  The video really doesn't do the trip justice because it was too cold to wade into the water and shoot if from much closer.  This video took place after all three boats had "semi-successfully" ran the Ritchey Dam, but the elder Jackals took on more water than they wanted and felt like another run was the only way to redeem themselves.  As you will see we were probably all lucky we made it through the first time unscathed.  If you listen closely you can hear John Prine bringing us home on the trip and Luke throwing up after sprinting after loose beer cans.  All in all it was a great trip with a rock star finish.

The Floating Update

You might already be aware but I want to be sure that everyone knows about the date change for the Flat Creek float trip in May.  There were several conflicts with the original date that we had picked out, so at the last meeting of the Jackals it was decided that we should move the float up one week.  We will be floating on the 14th and 15th so be sure to make that change on your calendar.  I have heard of several boat teams who are planning on making the trip so this might be our largest group yet.  We are all really excited about the first two day trip of the season so lets go all out.  There will be the traditional Man Barn gathering the night before for all who can make it so we hope to see you there.

A Jackal Celebration

He is the Anton Chigurh of the Jackal Hoard.  Usually one of the most laid back in the group he doesn't show too much emotion or get crazy and loud, (unless whiskey tea is involved) but you know that under that cowboy hat sits a hardened killing machine.  While he has yet to show this dark side you can sense it brewing behind the aviators that hide his eyes.  He is the Kansas City Jackal, aka KCP.

As one of the founding members of the jackal hoard he has been over every inch of water with the Jackals and is considered by all to be an irreplaceable part of our river war machine.  I for one have loved the stories and insight that he has brought on our trips and consider him as a brother.  Which is why it brings me great joy to announce that our next trip will be in his honor as we begin the 2011 floating season.  This April he will be getting married and it is only fitting that we celebrate with a southwest Missouri bachelor float and Man Barn celebration.  Anyone who enjoys an amazing float and one a hell of a throw down should gather for this monumental occasion on March 12th.

We will be gathering at the Man Barn Saturday morning and floating the Walleye to Ritchey Bridge run.  This is one of the sweetest Shoal Creek runs for an early season float and clocks in at about 10.0 miles of easy water.  After the float we will regroup at the Man Barn where we will cook large pieces of animal flesh and celebrate a milestone for one of our greatest members.  All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you on the water.  Feel free to contact one of us if you need any more information.

McDonald County Paddlefest Sept. 10

Just contacted the McDonald County Chamber of Commerce and they have confirmed that Paddlefest will be the weekend following Labor Day. I hope once again the Jackals will have a strong presence and now that we know well in advance there should be no excuses for attendance and physical performance. Training begins now! Victory will once again be ours!

I'm Ready for the River

Its been a long winter already and today's 75 degree temperatures have brought the desire of the river to the front of my mind.  Its always been one of my favorite parts of a river trip, loading up the truck with the bear necessities required for a successful float, and now its even easier than before.  The last season made me aware of some key pieces of equipment that I needed before I got back in the canoe for another float.  So I spent my winter months building and modifying in anticipation of 2011.

I started out working on the Tomahawk, the most treasured piece of my float gear.  When the "hawk" turned out better than I had anticipated I decided I needed a better way to carry it with me.  That is what got me thinking about how I could modify the Power Packer, my river box..  I installed some straps inside the lid with some snaps for quick deployment.  When that seemed to work out so well I decided that I ought to add some 'security' for the GPS unit.  I ordered a RAM mount from Cabelas that keeps in iron grip around the GPS while keeping it in the perfect position for navigation.  This will hopefully prevent a repeat of last years mistake on the spring river float.

One of my Christmas presents will see a lot of use on the water this season.  I received a vintage 10.5 inch cast iron skillet from grandpa Breeze that cooks like a dream.  However, for the best use on a gravel bar campfire I decided we needed a lightweight grill that can stand up to Jackal use and be packed away quickly.  I built the grill out of .25 inch round bar and a couple of small pieces of angle iron.  Weighing in at 4.5 pounds I felt like this grill will be perfect.

The cast iron that gets used on the river are some of my most prized possessions.  That got me thinking that I needed to build something to protect the dutch oven and skillet.  I built the box so that the cast iron can survive the beating that we give all the equipment that is brought on our trips.

While in the shop I decided to try  my hand at blacksmithing by putting together a lid lifter for the dutch oven with a decorative twist and some tie downs for the top of the box.  The final step was putting some latches on the box to keep my prized possessions safely stored inside and to add a little style to the front.  Overall I had a great time in the shop thinking about how great all of this is going to be when we shove off on our next float.

The Jackal Winter

Whenever I tell someone I'm part of a floating society most people think that we go on a couple of float trips in the summer, come up with a t-shirt, and that's as far as it goes. This belief couldn't be further from the truth. One doesn't just decide that they want to go on a kick ass float trip by getting in the truck, driving to the creek, and pointing their boat downstream. While this has resulted some good times, the real trips are a product of long winters of longing for the water and figuring out just how you are going to top last year. There is so much more than deciding which rivers we are going to take. The anticipation that builds during the off season is what creates the energy that the Jackals bring on the water.

The Man-Barn is a wellspring of ideas for summer float trips. Aside from what the newest Jackal attire is going to look like, one of the favorites has been determining what weapon we will bring. Last year the blade was featured as the centerpiece of the float trips with machetes and a folding saw being the Jackal favorites. Through serious consideration it was decided that the tomahawk should be the Jackal symbol for 2011. A Native American weapon for striking fear into the enemy and versatile tool, it was a natural fit. During the planning process the Jackals decided that these should be a product of their own two hands. In December the plan was put into motion and blanks were cut out so that each Jackal could shape them to their desired specifications. In January the hoard gathered once again and heat treated the tomahawks in a cinder block forge constructed outside the Man-Barn. Recently I was able to put the finishing touch on two tomahawks by wrapping the handles and putting the final edge on the blade. I took a picture and posted it here to share our handiwork with the readers. We have big plans for the 2011 float season and hope that everyone has a chance to make it on some trips with us, whether you have a tomahawk or not.

Float Schedule 2011



The final stretch on Spring River

As winter settles upon us the cold weather and short days keep us inside, causing River Jackals to think about swift water and warm nights on the river. This year the Jackal faithful have big plans for the summer of 2011 with the addition of two new rivers to the repertoire. Everyone is excited about the possibilities and hope that 2011 will exceed all others in both numbers in attendance and excitement on the water. This post is intended to get everyone thinking about next summer and putting some float trips on the schedule early so everyone can plan on making at least one, if not all, of these monumental trips. Three trips are scheduled and I encourage everyone to mark your calendars and stay in contact via this blog and email to get excited about some time on the river this summer.

Float Trips

• May 14-15      Flat Creek

• July 2-4          North Fork

• Aug. 12-15     Current River

A Jackals October

The Jackals of Southwest Missouri have tightened their grip on the Ozark waterways through their recent success at the Paddlefest and continue to spread the name of River Jackal.  There are many things for the hoard to celebrate from this past season of floating and the first canoe race would have definitely made the top of the list.  Let alone bringing home first and third place.  It is always a proud moment to see the brotherhood make such a strong showing. 

While the Ozark water is where we call home, some of the Jackals are spread out across this fine country and it is our duty to see that the Jackal Way is known to all that we encounter.  This is why the shirt of the River Jackal is such an important component.  We have known since we first laid eyes on them that the shirts would be legendary and become the calling card of our group.  However, it is only since the crisp fall weather has fallen upon us that I have realized the true power of the Jackal hoodie.  This garment has garnered the attention of all who encounter in and they stand in awe of its power.  The Jackalski has brought great joy to this River Jackal, through the production of these hoodies, even into the months of October.

It is this month that I am so excited to write about.  With this post I'm announcing the whitewater training that I will begin in the coming weeks.  One area that I have always hoped to explore has been the area of white water kayaking.  Since the monumental float of the Admiral, KCP and I on the flooded shoal creek in the John Boat, I have seen the power of the river and dreamed of conquering even mightier waters.  The training, being held on the TTU campus, will culminate in a trip to the Texas hill country and the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers.  There are many exciting possibilities with this trip and the Jackals are opening doors to many new opportunities.