The Blueback Chapter of Trout Unlimited is holding a raffle for a one-of-a-kind handmade canoe valued at over $1500 with proceeds going to benefit steelhead monitoring and habitat restoration efforts in the Siletz Basin. The canoe measures 14’6″ in length and is made of redwood and cedar strips that have been covered with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin for strength and coated with Man of War spar varnish for UV protection. A canoe seat can be installed but a true canoeist kneels and paddles from that position. This canoe is very silent on the water and glides easily and straight with each stroke. This canoe has never been on the water, however the first one built spent many hours on the water and easily carried 250 pounds.
The canoe was handmade by a Roseburg-based Casting for Recovery cancer survivor and her husband. Texas-based Trout Unlimited National Leadership Council Chairman and Board of Trustees member Mick McCorkle purchased the canoe in a Casting for Recovery auction and then donated it to the Bluebacks. Needless to say, the canoe is saturated with good mojo and is bound to bring the winner untold joy and fortune.
Only 100 tickets will be sold for this raffle at $20 each. The drawing for the canoe will be held on Saturday, March 14th at the Albany Fly Tier Expo in Albany, OR. The canoe will be available for viewing both days of the Expo, Friday and Saturday, March 13th and 14th at the Trout Unlimited booth. For more information and pictures of the canoe, go to www.bluebacks.org/canoe.
