McKenzie River Boat Rodeo &
McKenzie River Guides Cook-Off

Saturday April, 21st, 2012
Hendrick’s Bridge Park
9:00am-3:00pm

The McKenzie River Boat Rodeo is a public service event to support the “Free Life Jacket” program and bring awareness and ensure safe boating on Oregon Rivers. The award winning “Free Life Jacket” program provides free life jackets to visitors along the McKenzie River available at participating vendors along the McKenzie corridor.

· Oregon State Police will be conducting annual boat inspections. This is a great opportunity to get your boat inspected before opening day of fishing season. Officer Marc Boyd completed 17 inspections in 2010, 39 in 2012 and is hoping to achieve even more at this year’s event.

· McKenzie Fire and Rescue will be demonstrating swift water rescue on the McKenzie River at Hendrick’s Bridge Park.

· McKenzie River Guides will be holding the 4th annual Outdoor Cook-Off. McKenzie River Guides will be demonstrating Dutch oven cooking techniques, Grilling Fresh Food, Frying Chicken and providing other outdoor food delicacies. Final judging at 1:00pm.

· All proceeds from the Cook-Off and Raffle support the “Free Life Jacket” program.

· Lane County Parks is waiving Park fees during the event.

Contact Jon Payne, 541-579-3474 for more details

Guides and Judges at 2011 Boat Rodeo and Cook-Off

The 2nd Annual McKenzie River Boat Rodeo was an outstanding success! Last year Marc Boyd from Oregon State Police issued 17 boat safety inspections. This year he issued 29! “Fantastic” Marc was quoted of saying in referring to the enthusiasm of the inspections. The rain poured all day and the boats kept pouring into the park! One person was heard saying “If we don’t do things in the Rain, we won’t do anything at all!”

The event held every year on the weekend before Opening Day of Fishing Season at Hendricks Bridge Park also featured The McKenzie River Guides Cook-Off! Last year Billy Pruitt’s Hot Tamales narrowly beat Jon Payne’s Grilled Spicy Chicken. This year Jon and Billy had matching final scores. The tie-breaker was decided by the single score card with the highest total… And the winner is…. Jon Payne’s “Perfectly Spiced” Chicken w/ Saffron Rice and Fresh Pineapple. Billy’s Rockin’ P Ranch Cheeseburger Pie was fantastic as was his Sweet Potato Chili and Pecan bites.

Chris Olsen “Oly” took down the “Best Desert” with his Dutch Oven Biscuits and Strawberries! George Recker and Steve Schaefers matched wits with Fried Chicken and they are still debating who’s was best. This friendly competition will continue next year.

Next years event planners are already working on making this another great day to promote river safety, tell fishing stories, compare McKenzie Driftboat styles and eat great homemade food!

Special thanks to Oregon State Police, Lane County Parks, Oregon State Marine Board, The McKenzie Guides Association members of Northwest Steelheaders and all that attended this great event.

This year’s cleanup happened on Saturday July 10th from 9am-12 noon and was followed by food, prizes, and celebration at Hendricks Park Wayside 12-3pm. This great event was organized by Steve Mealey, secretary of the McKenzie River Guides Association and is an annual partnership between the guides and others that work hard at renewing and preserving the beauty of the McKenzie.

Below are the river segments and landings along with the kind people that helped with this annual clean-up.

Boat Routes:
1. Ollalie to Paradise: McKenzie RD
2. Paradise to Blue River: Chris Olson
3. Blue River to Finn Rock: Jim King- River; Monty Wilson-Launch Areas
4. Finn Rock to Silver Creek: Randy and Sanderson Dersham
5. Silver Creek to Rennie: Jensens and Tom Ripp
6. Rennie to Ben and Kay Dorris: Allan Cline
7. Helfrich to Leaburg Lake: Gene and Phyllis Highfill
8. Leaburg Dam to Greenwood: Jim Rodman and Bob Nehl
9. Greenwood to Leaburg: Dana and Kim Burwell
10. Leaburg to Deerhorn Park: Steve Mealey and Family
11. Deerhorn Park to Taylor Landing (Southside of River): Kim Short and Tom Hoyt
12. Deerhorn Park to Taylor Landing (Northside of River): Jim and Trish Martin
13. Taylor Landing to Hendricks Park (Northside of River): Jim and Trish Martin
14. Taylor Landing to Hendricks Park (Southside of River): Doug Caven and Family
15. Hendricks Park to Bellinger (Northside): Larry Six and Joe Moll
16. Hendricks Park to Bellinger (Southside): Bob Bumstead and Jeff Gross
17. Bellinger to Hayden Bridge (Northside): Collin Alspach and Partner
18. Bellinger to hayden Bridge (Southside): Jeff and Annie Ziller
19. Hayden Bridge to Harvest Lane (Northside): Wade and Helen Stampe
20. Hayden Bridge to Harvest Lane (Southside): Mark Rauch and Ted Legard
21. Harvest Lane to Armitage Park: Steve Brehm and Jim Boyd

Land Areas:
1. Junction of Hwy 126/FR 19 (Aufderheide Dr.)/McKenzie River: McKenzie RD/Monty Wilson
2. Waterboard Park-Leaburg Lakeshore: Phil Quinteros and Linda Alexander
3. Leaburg Lake picnic area and boat launch: Phil Quinteros and Linda Alexander
4. Leaburg Dam to Whitewater Ranch (South side of River): Luke Hardy and Family; “Team EWEB”, “Castaways”
5. Leaburg Dam down stream 300 yards (North side of River): “Team EWEB”
6. Leaburg Dam upstream to Ike’s (North side of River): “Castaways”
7. North side of river across from Finn Rock Landing (west of café): Monty Wilson
8. Mouth of Deer Creek: McKenzie RD
9. Leaburg Power House vicinity: “Team EWEB”
10. Goodpasture Road and viewpoint below Marten Rapids: Jim and Sue Finney, Dondeana Brinkman, and Milt McMinimy
11. Deerhorn Road across from Koozer’s Lake: Steve Mealey
12. Bellinger and Hayden Bridge Boat Launches and vicinities: Zack Hegge and Café Yumm! crew
13. Armitage Park Launch and Bridge Areas: John Brown, Tom Lincoln, Bob Rassmussen and Clint Brummit