>> I'M READY.
HEY, AERI--!
>> ARE YOU GOING FIRST
OR AM I GOING FIRST?
>> YOU.
I'LL SAY, "HEY AERIAL,
TAKE IT TO THE BRIDGE!"
>> OKAY, AND I SAY...
>> YOU SAY, "OKAY!"
>> OKAY.
>> I DON'T KNOW,
JUST SOMETHING FUNNY.
WE GOTTA PUT SOME LAUGHS
IN THERE.
GOTTA, GOTTA HAVE SOME LAUGHS.
I'M ERICK BAKER.
YOU MAY KNOW ME
FROM "TENNESSEE UNCHARTED."
BUT NOW I'M EXPANDING
MY HORIZONS TO EXPLORE
THE ENTIRE TENNESSEE VALLEY
AND I'M BRINGING MY FRIEND
AERIAL NICOLE ALONG
FOR THE RIDE.
♪ THERE'S A PLACE ♪
♪ YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ♪
♪ IT'S RIGHT WHERE ♪
♪ YOU WANT TO BE ♪
>> WHILE SOMETIMES
WE'LL JOURNEY TOGETHER,
OTHER TIMES NOT,
WE HOPE TO TAKE YOU TO PLACES
YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED
OR WHERE YOU'VE ALWAYS
DREAMED OF GOING.
♪ UNCHARTED  ♪♪
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> WATER IS THE LIFELINE
FOR EVERY ORGANISM ON EARTH.
AND WHILE IT IS INDEED
A NECESSITY FOR ALL LIFEFORMS,
WATER ALSO ALLOWS
FOR TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS
AND IS A VALUABLE SOURCE
OF ENERGY AND RECREATION.
HOME TO THE MOST BIO-DIVERSE
RIVER SYSTEM IN NORTH AMERICA,
THE TENNESSEE VALLEY'S
WATERWAYS HAVE PROVEN TO BE
A COMPLEX INTERDEPENDENCE
BETWEEN BASIC NECESSITY,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AND RECREATION.
A SHINING EXAMPLE OF
THIS INTERDEPENDENCE IS
THE OCOEE RIVER
IN POLK COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
THE MIDDLE SECTION OF
THIS RIVER IS FLOATED BY
MORE PEOPLE THAN ANY OTHER
WHITEWATER RIVER IN THE COUNTRY
AND AERIAL AND I ARE JOINING IN
ON THE FUN WITH OUR FRIENDS
FROM THE NANTAHALA
OUTDOOR CENTER.
ONE OF MANY OUTFITTERS
THAT GUIDE THIS RIVER.
>> THIS IS ABOUT AS WHITEWATER
THAT IT GETS, RIGHT?
THIS IS PRETTY, MAN,
THIS LOOKS PRETTY INTENSE.
YEAH, THAT'S GOOD,
THAT'S GOOD.
IT'S MY KIND OF SPEED
RIGHT THERE.
I REQUESTED THE WATER
TO BE LIKE 86.
>> ABOUT THAT,
MAYBE A LITTLE COOLER.
>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT, GOOD.
>> JUST A TAD. (LAUGHS)
>> GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.
>> THE WAY THAT THESE DAM
RELEASED RIVERS WORK,
ALL THE WATER'S HELD IN SOME
SORT OF A RETENTION POND
LIKE THIS LAKE.
THEN THEY USE GRAVITY TO FEED
THE HYDROELECTRIC SYSTEM.
WHEN THAT WATER HAS TRAVELED
FIVE MILES, THERE'S TWO
BIG PIPES THAT DROP
INTO A POWERHOUSE.
SO ALL THAT GRAVITY OF
THE WATER DROPPING DOWN
THOSE PIPES IS WHAT TURNS
THE TURBINES
AND CREATES ELECTRICITY.
>> OKAY.
>> THERE ARE TWO MAIN SECTIONS
WE RAFT.
THE MIDDLE,
WHICH WE'LL SEE TODAY,
AND THEN THE UPPER SECTION.
>> SO, WE'RE DOING THE MIDDLE
TODAY?
>> WE'RE DOING THE MIDDLE
OCOEE.
>> IS IT THE BETTER SECTION?
>> THEY BOTH HAVE A LOT
TO OFFER.
>> SO THIS IS A GOOD ONE
FOR A FIRST-TIMER, RIGHT?
>> THE MIDDLE'S A GREAT ONE
FOR A FIRST-TIMER.
PEOPLE KIND OF CASUALLY REFER
TO THE MIDDLE OCOEE
AS THE OCOEE COASTER.
JUST CONSTANT FUN, YOU KNOW,
REAL SPLASHY AND WAVY.
>> I'M GONNA RIDE
MY FIRST OCOEE COASTER.
>> YEAH!
>> LET'S GO AHEAD
AND GET SUITED AND BOOTED
AND GET ON THE RIVER.
>> ALL RIGHT.
YOUR VEST, MY LADY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> YEAH, HUH?
>> SWEET, I FEEL OFFICIAL.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> PERFECT FIT!
LET ME GET ONE LAST SMILE
WITH ALL MY TEETH.
ONE LAST SMILE.
>> DID YOU COUNT THEM?
DID YOU COUNT ALL OF THEM?
>> ONE LAST SMILE.
(WATER ROARING) 
>> SO HOW DO YOU FEEL?
>> I'M NERVOUS, EXCITED,
BUT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO
WHITEWATER RAFTING,
SO IT'S A GREAT DAY TO DO THAT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S RIGHT.
SO IS THIS CRAZIER THAN YOU
THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE?
>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S ABOUT LIKE-
I ENVISIONED LIKE GIANT,
JUST LIKE MASSIVE WATER.
AND IT'S LOOKING CRAZY,
SO YEAH, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH
WHAT I ENVISIONED.
>> LET'S HAVE SOME FUN,
ALL RIGHT?
>> OKAY.
>> WHITEWATER RAFTING
THE OCOEE, WHOO!
>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE
OUR BOAT FORWARD.
EVERYBODY SET?
PADDLES OUTS, READY TO GO.
HANDS ON T-GRIPS.
SO THIS HERE'S ENTRANCE RAPID,
Y'ALL.
THIS IS THE LONGEST RAPID
ON THE OCOEE RIVER.
LET'S GO FORWARD ONE.
IT'S GOING TO BE GOING
RIGHT OVER A LEDGE
WE CALL GRUMPY'S,
THIS IS A CLASS FOUR RAPID,
Y'ALL, SO STAY IN THE BOAT.
IF YOU FALL OUT,
SWIM TO THE RIGHT SIDE BANK,
OKAY?
LEFT SIDE,
GO AHEAD AND LEAN IN.
KEEP LEANING IN,
BECAUSE HERE'S A DOOZY,
ALL RIGHT?
NICE WORK.
>> NICE.
>> YEAH, FIRST RAPID.
HOW WAS THAT?
>> THAT WAS EXCITING.
>> ALL RIGHT!
>> WHOO!
(LAUGHTER) 
>> YEAH!
>> SO RIGHT HERE WITHIN
JUST LIKE, IN OUR SIGHT,
WE GOT THREE
CLASS THREE RAPIDS.
>> IS THAT RARE TO HAVE
THAT MUCH ACTION IN ONE AREA?
>> THAT'S I THINK WHAT MAKES
THE OCOEE THE MOST RAFTED RIVER
IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
IT'S A WHITEWATER PLAYGROUND.
THIS IS ONE OF THE SQUIRRELIER
PIECES OF WATER THAT WE'RE
ABOUT TO GO THROUGH
ON THE RIVER.
IT LOOKS KINDA EASY-PEASY,
BUT ALL THIS WATER STARTS
TO SPLIT AND GO
IN WEIRD DIRECTIONS RIGHT HERE.
GET DOWN!
>> WHOO!
>> STAY DOWN!
(SHOUTING AND LAUGHTER) 
>> HIGH FIVES.
THAT WAS SICK.
>> WHOO!
>> AND STOP RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S PERFECT.
(WATER FLOWING) 
>> THAT WAS AWESOME.
>> THAT WAS AWESOME.
>> THE OCOEE, RIGHT?
I MEAN, FIRST-TIMER RIGHT HERE.
>> YES, I'LL BE BACK.
>> WHAT IS IS ABOUT THIS RIVER
THAT'S BRINGING PEOPLE HERE?
>> IT'S FUN, IT'S CHALLENGING,
AND I THINK IT'S LIFE-CHANGING.
YOU KNOW, IF THIS IS SOMETHING
YOU HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE,
IT GIVES YOU A NEW SENSE
OF CONFIDENCE OF,
"I CAN DO THIS."
AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE,
YOU FEEL TIRED
BUT IT'S THAT TIRED LIKE,
"I'VE DONE SOMETHING."
>> IT WAS EXHILARATING.
LIKE, IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.
I LOVED EVERY SINGLE MOMENT
OF IT.
SO CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US MORE
ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
THE UPPER AND THE MIDDLE?
>> THE MIDDLE OCOEE,
IT'S KIND OF CONSISTENT
CLASS THREE, CLASS FOUR
RAPIDS WITH A LITTLE BIT
OF CLASS TWO IN BETWEEN.
THE UPPER SECTION HAS FEWER
RAPIDS, BUT SOME THAT ARE
A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN
WHAT YOU SEE ON THE MIDDLE.
BUT AGAIN, YOU DON'T HAVE
THE SAME NUMBER AND YOU DON'T
HAVE THE SAME KIND OF CONSTANT
NATURE FOR THE TOP HALF.
>> SO YOU CAN GET TWO
DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES,
TOTALLY.
>> TWO VERY DIFFERENT
EXPERIENCES.
AND A LOT OF COMPANIES LIKE US,
WE'LL RUN ONE FULL TRIP.
SO YOU GO UP AND YOU RUN
THE UPPER SECTION, PULL OVER,
EAT A GREAT LUNCH,
KIND OF TAKE A BREAK,
AND THEN RUN
THE MIDDLE SECTION.
>> YEAH, THAT WOULD BE
A KILLER DAY.
>> INCLUDING THE LAKE,
IT'S ABOUT 12, 13 MILES OR SO.
THAT IS A FULL DAY,
SO MUCH FUN.
>> SO, YOU KNOW, THE N.O.C.,
YOU GUYS LIKE, YOU GUYS ARE
LIKE THE FUN PROVIDERS
FOR THIS RIVER, RIGHT?
>> FUN FACTORY, MAN.
THE N.O.C., WE STARTED IN 1972
ON THE NANTAHALA RIVER
AND SINCE THEN HAVE EXPANDED
NOW OPERATING ON EIGHT RIVERS
ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST.
AND N.O.C. IS IN SOME WAY
CONTRIBUTING TO 500,000
OUTDOOR RECREATION DAYS A YEAR.
>> AMAZING.
AND ADVENTURES TOO, RIGHT?
I MEAN, LIKE TODAY WAS
AN ADVENTURE.
>> IT WAS DEFINITELY
AN ADVENTURE.
>> A BUCKET-LIST THING,
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
>> I LIKE TO THINK OF THOSE AS
A HALF A MILLION DREAMS
CAME TRUE, LIVES WERE CHANGED,
YOU KNOW, LIKE EYES OPENED,
ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.
>> I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE
WAS CHANGED BY TODAY, FOR SURE.
I WANT TO SHARE THIS EXPERIENCE
WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY
WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN
WHITEWATER RAFTING
BECAUSE IT'S SO AMAZING.
>> WELL, AND YOU KNOW,
JUST TALKING ABOUT
THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT
THAT THIS WATER HAS
ON THAT COMMUNITY.
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THAT?
>> YEAH.
SO THE OCOEE SEES JUST OVER
220,000 RAFTERS EVERY YEAR.
THAT'S ABOUT $14 MILLION
IN ANNUAL INCOME
THAT IT PRODUCES.
THAT'S HOTEL AND LODGING,
FOOD AND BEVERAGE, GAS,
YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE OTHER
ATTRACTIONS AROUND HERE
THAT FOLKS GET TO SEE.
PLUS, IN ADDITION TO THE OCOEE,
I MEAN, WE'RE IN THE NATIONAL
FOREST AND SO YOU'RE GIVING
FOLKS ALSO ACCESS
TO THE NATIONAL FOREST
THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE
HAD OTHERWISE.
>> WE FOUND OUT
WHEN WE WERE JUST A LITTLE WAYS
DOWN THE RIVER
THAT WE HAD A LEGEND
IN THE BOAT WITH US.
SO JUDY...
>> I DON'T THINK...
>> YEAH, YOU ARE!
>> GIVE US YOUR HISTORY,
YOUR BACKGROUND.
>> I STARTED IN '78.
SO I'VE BEEN GUIDING
EVERY YEAR SINCE 1978.
>> WHICH IS HOW MANY YEARS?
>> THIS IS BEGINNING
MY 40TH YEAR.
>> WOW.
AND YOU'RE THE FIRST
FEMALE RIVER GUIDE
ON THE OCOEE, RIGHT?
>> I WAS THE ONLY ONE FOR
A COUPLE OF YEARS, AT LEAST.
INITIALLY BACK IN LIKE '77,
THEY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE GUIDES.
THEY JUST RENTED EQUIPMENT.
AND THEY STARTED SAYING,
YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE SHOULD
PUT SOME GUIDES IN THE BOAT.
SO WE ENDED UP BECOMING, UM,
AND JUST LEARNING
AND TEACHING OURSELVES.
THERE WAS NO GUIDE MANUAL
BACK THEN.
WE LITERALLY CREATED IT
AS WE WENT AND JUST LOVED IT.
>> WHAT'S BROUGHT YOU BACK
ALL THOSE YEARS?
>> THE PEOPLE, THE RIVER,
AND IT'S DIFFERENT
EVERY SINGLE TIME.
THERE ARE NO TWO TRIPS
ARE IDENTICAL.
>> WHO'S THE OLDEST PERSON
YOU'VE TAKEN DOWN?
>> I THINK SHE WAS 80.
>> WOW.
>> AND SHE ENDED UP LIVING
TO BE 104.
BUT I TOOK HER WHEN SHE WAS 80.
>> SO MAYBE THIS IS LIKE
THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, THEN.
>> MAYBE.
>> WHITEWATER WILL KEEP YOU
FOREVER YOUNG.
>> YEAH.
ONE THING THAT THE RIVER OFFERS
THAT VERY FEW OTHER THINGS DO
IS THAT IT REQUIRES EVERYTHING
FROM YOU FOR YOU TO GET
EVERYTHING BACK OUT OF IT.
YOU HAVE TO BE EMOTIONALLY,
PHYSICALLY, SPIRITUALLY,
SOCIALLY PRESENT IN THE MOMENT
TO REALLY GET ALL THAT YOU CAN
OUT OF THE RIVER.
AND YOU GET IN WHAT WE CALL
A FLOW STATE.
THAT'S THE GOAL AS A GUIDE,
TO GET OUR GUESTS IN THAT STATE
WHERE THEY ARE JUST
SO ENGROSSED IN WHAT THEY'RE
DOING THAT EVERYTHING ELSE
DISAPPEARS.
>> WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED
IS TOTALLY WHAT I EXPERIENCED
TODAY AND IT'S NOT UNTIL YOU
SAID IT THAT I REALIZED, MAN,
HOW LONG IT'S BEEN
SINCE I'VE SMILED THIS MUCH.
HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN
SINCE I HAVEN'T BEEN CHECKING
MY EMAIL OR WHATEVER
IT MAY BE.
SO THANK YOU.
>> I LOOK AT MY PHONE, YEAH...
>> WASHED CLEAN BY THE WATERS
OF THE OCOEE.
(LAUGHTER) MY WORRIES
HAVE BEEN WASHED AWAY.
SO, MAN.
>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE AFTER.
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU TO THE N.O.C.,
THANK YOU TO THE OCOEE.
>> THANK YOU, WE HAD A BLAST.
>> CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK.
GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE, MMM.
>> WE WILL BE BACK. (LAUGHS)
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC) 
>> ONE THING THAT'S HARD
TO MISS ON THIS RIVER ADVENTURE
IS THE UNIQUE WOODEN FLUME
THAT SNAKES ALONG
THE MOUNTAINSIDE.
NOW RUN BY TVA,
IT WAS BUILT IN THE 1900S
BY THE EAST TENNESSEE
POWER COMPANY TO CARRY
WATER BETWEEN DAMS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING
ELECTRICITY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.
BUT IT'S ALSO WHERE WATER
IS DIVERTED FROM GENERATION
AND ALLOWED TO FLOW OVER
THE DAM ON SELECT DAYS
TO PROVIDE WHITEWATER RAFTING.
>> GET YOUR HEAD IN HERE.
YEAH, LET'S DO THIS!
>> KEEP YOUR EYES OUT.
LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER
AS WE'RE WALKING ACROSS
THE BRIDGE.
>> CAN WE JUMP ON THE BRIDGE
OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT?
>> YOU CAN, BUT I WOULD NOT.
DON'T DO IT.
(LAUGHTER) 
>> WHENEVER YOU'RE SAYING,
"DON'T DO THIS,
DON'T DO THAT,"
I'M LIKE, "OH, I WANT
TO DO IT SO BAD NOW!"
BUT I'M NOT GOING TO.
>> SO WE'RE READY TO GO?
>> YES.
>> YEAH, MAN.
LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC) 
>> STRAIGHT UP INDIANA JONES
BRIDGE, CHECK IT OUT.
>> I'VE NEVER WALKED ACROSS
A BRIDGE LIKE THIS BEFORE.
>> NO?
>> NO.
>> OOH, LOOK AT IT BOUNCE.
HEY, GOOD LUCK.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> ALL RIGHT.
(CLAPS)
>> SO SOMETHING ABOUT THE DAMS
THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW,
THAT THIS IS A WOOD STRUCTURE
BUILT OUT OF WOODEN CRIBS
THAT COME AND PUT THIS SPRAY
CONCRETE OVER TOP OF.
>> WOOD UNDERNEATH THERE.
IT LOOKS SO DIFFERENT
WITHOUT ALL THE WATER.
I MEAN, I KNOW THERE'S ROCKS
UNDERNEATH THE RIVER,
BUT TO REALLY BE ABLE
TO SEE IT TODAY...
>> COOL.
WHAT'S NEXT?
>> SO THIS IS THE FLUME GATE.
THIS IS WHAT I WAS TELLING THEM
WHEN THIS IS OPEN,
WE'RE GENERATING, LIKE NOW.
AND IF IT'S CLOSED,
WE'RE DIVERTING WATER
ACROSS THE TOP OF THE DAM
FOR THE RECREATION.
>> OKAY.
>> WE DO MAINTAIN
THIS OURSELVES.
WHEN WE HAVE A BREAK,
WE DO HAVE A GROUP OF LABORERS
AND CARPENTERS COME IN
AND FIX IT OURSELVES.
>> EXACTLY HOW LONG IS
THE FLUME?
>> SO IT'S APPROXIMATELY
FIVE MILES LONG FROM
THE FLUME GATE TO
THE POWERHOUSE AND IT WINDS
ALONG THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN
THE WHOLE WAY.
THERE ARE TONGUE AND GROOVE
BOARDS THAT ARE
PRESSURE TREATED NOW.
THEY DIDN'T USED TO BE
PRESSURE TREATED,
BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THEM
CUSTOM BUILT FOR IT.
INTERESTING THING IS
IT HAS TO BE WET TO SEAL.
IF YOU PUT IT ALL TOGETHER DRY
AND PUT WATER IN IT,
IT WILL LEAK LIKE CRAZY.
SO IT HAS TO LIKE,
GET WATER IN IT
AND GET MOVING
AND IN A FEW DAYS EVERYTHING
WILL START TIGHTENING UP
AND SEALING UP.
>> AND I THINK, I MEAN,
WHAT'S SO INTERESTING IS
HOW ADVANCED THE MECHANICS
AND THE ENGINEERING
100 YEARS AGO,
BECAUSE YOU'RE USING
ESSENTIALLY THE SAME THING,
YEAH.
THAT'S SO IMPRESSIVE.
AND AS FAR AS WHAT
THIS GENERATES, I MEAN,
IS IT ENOUGH TO POWER
A SMALL CITY, A SMALL...
>> YES, A SMALL TOWN.
>> REALLY?
>> AND IT DID.
AT ONE TIME,
THIS WAS THE ONLY -
OCOEE ONE AND TWO WERE
TENNESSEE POWER COMPANY
AND THAT WAS IT.
OCOEE THREE WASN'T HERE,
TVA WAS JUST GETTING KICKED OFF.
>> I GUESS IF THE POWER
EVER STOPS GENERATING,
YOU CAN ALWAYS TURN THIS
INTO AN AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE
OR SOMETHING.
THE COOLEST LAZY RIVER
OF ALL TIME.
DAVID LAND.
>> I WOULDN'T CALL IT THAT.
(LAUGHTER) 
>> SOME WATERS ARE BEST
FOR WET AND WILD ADVENTURES,
WHILE OTHER OFFER
A RESTORATIVE PEACE AND QUIET,
LIKE HERE ON THE CLINCH RIVER,
>> LOCATED BELOW NORRIS DAM
AND JUST NORTH
OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.
>> WELL-STOCKED BY
THE TENNESSEE WILDLIFE
RESOURCES AGENCY,
THE CLINCH FISHES
WELL YEAR-ROUND BECAUSE
THE STREAM STAYS VERY COLD HERE
EVEN DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.
OUR THREE RIVERS ANGLER GUIDES
TELL ME THE FLY FISHING HERE
CAN BE CHALLENGING AT TIMES,
BUT EQUALLY AS REWARDING.
>> IT'S PRETTY.
>> IT IS PRETTY.
I'M GUESSING IT'S JUST
REAL SHALLOW THROUGHOUT
THIS WHOLE PART HERE, RIGHT?
OH HEY, BIG FELLA.
>> WHOA, DANG.
Y'ALL HEAR THAT?
THEY'S FISH IN THERE.
YEAH, IT'S A GOOD SIGN.
AT LEAST THERE'S ONE FISH
IN HERE WE KNOW FOR SURE.
>> I'LL LET YOU CATCH THAT ONE.
>> OKAY, WITH MY BARE HANDS,
WITH MY BARE TEETH.
THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT.
CHANNEL YOUR INNER NINJA.
LET'S DO THIS.
SHH!
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC) 
>> WHOA, DANG.
(CHUCKLING)
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> HE JUST TOOK A WATER TEMP
AT 61 DEGREES AND THAT'S MAYBE
A LITTLE WARM FOR THIS RIVER.
WE'RE KIND OF LOOKING MORE
FOR LIKE 55 TO 58.
RIGHT HERE WE HAVE LIKE
A LOT OF CALM OR FLAT WATER,
AND THEN DOWN HERE
WE HAVE WHAT WE CALL RIFFLE,
WHICH IS REAL SHALLOW WATER
THAT'S CHOPPED UP
AND THAT JUST MEANS THAT
ALL THIS WATER HAS A LOT
MORE OXYGEN IN IT.
SO WHEN THE WATER TEMP'S
WARMER, THE FISH ARE GETTING
LESS OXYGEN, SO THEY'LL
PROBABLY BE IN STUFF THAT'S GOT
A LITTLE MORE CHOP TO IT.
>> OKAY.
>> SO WE'L KIND OF FOCUS
PROBABLY TOWARDS THE END OF
THAT AND WHERE IT DROPS INTO
A DEEPER OF SECTION OF RIVER
WHERE BIGGER FISH
WILL HANG OUT.
>> WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW,
WE'RE KICKING UP BUGS
AND THEY'LL BE CONCENTRATED
TO THOSE AREAS
THAT HAVE FOAM AND THOSE FISH
WILL LAY IN THERE BECAUSE
THEY KNOW THAT'S WHERE
ALL THE FOOD'S COMING FROM.
>> YEAH.
AND THEN AS A FISHERMAN,
THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE AIMING FOR.
>> YEAH.
THIS WILL DEFINITELY
HAVE SOME IN HERE.
SO LOOK AT ALL THESE GUYS.
>> OH WOW, YEAH.
>> JUST HOLD THAT
AND IT WILL FALL IN YOUR HAND.
THEY SHOULD.
>> OH YEAH, THESE LITTLE GUYS.
>> SO THESE ARE,
THESE ARE CALLED SCUDS.
>> OKAY.
>> AND THEY'RE ALMOST LIKE
A LITTLE ROLY POLY
THAT'S AQUATIC.
AND THEY'RE A CONSISTENT
FOOD SOURCE FOR THESE TROUT.
>> OKAY.
>> SO THEY DON'T EVER HATCH.
THEY'RE ALWAYS IN THE WATER.
SO IT'S A RELIABLE FOOD SOURCE
FOR THESE FISH.
SO YOU KNOW, JUST TO GIVE YOU
AN IDEA OF WHAT'S IN THE RIVER
BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO MATCH THAT WITH
THE FLY CHOICES THAT YOU MAKE.
SO LIKE, THIS WOULD BE
A SCUD PATTERN THAT I THROW.
>> OKAY.
>> AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT BIGGER
THAN THE ONES WE SAW
IN THE WATER.
>> SO IT'S NOT JUST
WHAT'S IN THE AIR,
IT'S WHAT'S DOWN BELOW.
>> YEAH.
>> SO YOU SAW THE REAL VERSION
AND NOW THIS IS WHAT
WE'RE GOING TO BE FISHING WITH.
IF IT'S A SMART FISH
TO BEGIN WITH,
THE MORE YOU CAN KNOW ABOUT IT
AND ITS HABITS AND HABITAT
AND WHAT IT'S LOOKING FOR
AND WHAT IT LIKES,
THE BETTER FISHERMAN
YOU'RE GOING TO BE.
>> ON THAT BACK CAST,
YOU DON'T WANT TO BREAK
YOUR WRIST BECAUSE
THAT'S SHOOTING IT ALL BACK
DOWN IN THE WATER.
TRY TO KEEP YOUR WRIST
STRAIGHT AND STOP IT
EARLY LIKE THAT.
PERFECT, PERFECT, VERY GOOD.
>> SEE THAT, ERICK?
>> WAY TO GO.
>> YOU WANT TO KIND OF
CAST STRAIGHT AND THEN
LET THAT DRIFT DOWNSTREAM.
THERE YOU GO.
AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO MEND
ON EVERY CAST.
>> WE'RE GONNA WATCH
THAT INDICATOR,
THAT GREEN THING.
>> I CAN STILL KIND OF SEE IT.
>> IF IT EVER JUST GOES UNDER,
THAT'S WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO GO
STRAIGHT UP WITH THE ROD.
>> WHEN YOU DO SET THE HOOK,
IT'S A QUICK - IT'S LIKE YOU'RE
MAKING A BACK CAST.
SO YOU'RE GONNA RAISE
THAT ROD TIP.
AND A GOOD THING TO THINK ABOUT
IS IT'S LIKE YOU'RE
ANSWERING THE PHONE,
BUT SOMEBODY'S TALKING
REALLY LOUD.
>> OKAY.
>> SO IT'S LIKE JUST OFF HERE
LIKE THAT.
YOU'RE LIKE, EHH.
GO BACK, PAUSE, FORWARD,
STACK, AND THEN JUST KIND OF
TRACK WITH IT.
>> LIKE THIS?
>> MM-HMM.
>> THE ANTICIPATION, MAN.
I LOVE IT.
>> IT'S REAL.
YEAH, YOU'RE GOOD.
>> OH! (LAUGHTER)
FISH ON, BOYS, FISH ON!
NICE.
THERE YOU GO.
>> NICE.
KEEP HIM IN THE WATER.
>> LOOK HOW PRETTY.
>> GET IN THERE.
A LITTLE RAINBOW.
>> NICE.
>> NOT GONNA GET SKUNKED TODAY.
THAT WAS A HAPPY ACCIDENT.
>> YEAH, SO THAT'S PROBABLY
A STOCK TROUT THAT THEY JUST
PUT IN THERE PRETTY RECENTLY.
BUT THEY'RE IMPORTANT.
>> THAT'S A TROPHY, MAN.
>> WE DID FIND A DUMB ONE.
>> TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE,
RIGHT?
HE FELT SORRY FOR ME.
>> I CAUGHT A BIGGER ONE,
ERICK!
IS THAT A YOUNG ONE,
I FEEL LIKE?
>> YES.
>> CAUGHT A RAINBOW TROUT.
SO WE JUST LET HIM GO?
>> SO IF YOU WANT,
TAKE THAT RIGHT GLOVE OFF
REAL QUICK AND JUST GRAB HIM
JUST LIKE THIS AND JUST KIND
OF HOLD HIS BELLY
SO HE'S JUST RIGHT THERE
IN YOUR HAND.
>> COME HERE, LITTLE GUY,
COME HERE.
>> NICE.
>> AND I LET HIM GO?
>> YES.
>> NICE.
>> ALL RIGHT,
YOU'RE ON THE BOARD.
>> YEAH!
>> I MEAN, WHAT'S BEAUTIFUL
IS THIS IS OPEN TO EVERYBODY.
>> YEP, ABSOLUTELY.
>> BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT
ALL THE WATER WE HAVE IS WE GET
TO CHASE A LOT
OF DIFFERENT SPECIES.
WARM WATER FISH LIKE BASS
AND CARP AND STRIPER
AND MUSKIE, PRETTY MUCH
ALL WITHIN AN HOUR OF TOWN.
>> OKAY.
>> WITH A DIVERSE ECOSYSTEM
AND FISH THAT ARE BITING,
IT'S SAFE TO ASSUME WE'VE GOT
A HEALTHY RIVER HERE.
AND THE FAMILY THAT RUNS
THE OCOEE INN AND MARINA
AND PARKSVILLE LAKE DO TOO,
AND THEY'VE EARNED
A CLEAN MARINA CERTIFICATION.
>> ALL RIGHT,
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL MORNING.
THE SUN IS SHINING,
WE ARE ON A BOAT ON THE WATER,
THIS BEAUTIFUL MARINA,
THIS BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN MARINA.
WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT
THE TENNESSEE VALLEY
CLEAN MARINA PROGRAM.
SO TELL US, I GUESS JUST
START OUT AND YOU JUST TELL US
WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT.
>> THE PROGRAM STARTED
ABOUT 17 YEARS AGO AS A WAY
TO RECOGNIZE THOSE MARINAS
THAT DO A LITTLE BIT MORE
TO TAKE CARE OF
THE WATER RESOURCE.
THE WATER IS WHERE
THEY MAKE THEIR MONEY,
SO YOU THINK THEY WOULD
PROTECT IT,
BUT SOME MARINAS SLIDE
A LOT OF TIMES
AND DON'T DO REALLY GOOD JOBS.
SO TVA CREATED THIS PROGRAM
TO RECOGNIZE THOSE MARINAS THAT
ARE DOING MORE.
>> AND SINCE YOU ARE
A TENNESSEE VALLEY
CERTIFIED CLEAN MARINA,
HOW WOULD YOU SAY THAT BENEFITS
THIS MARINA?
>> FOR A LOT OF MARINAS,
IF THERE'S MORE THAN SEVERAL
MARINAS ON THIS RESERVOIR,
IF YOU'RE THE ONLY CERTIFIED
MARINA, THEN I WOULD THINK IT
MIGHT INCREASE YOUR BUSINESS
A LITTLE BIT.
AND SOME MARINAS HAVE TOLD US
THAT'S THE CASE.
SOME PEOPLE ARE WILLING
TO DRIVE A FEW EXTRA MILES
AS LONG AS THEY KNOW THE MARINA
IS TAKING NECESSARY STEPS
TO PROTECT THE RESOURCE.
>> MM-HMM.
>> IT SHOWS THE PUBLIC
HOW THAT MARINA OR THE FOLKS
THAT MANAGE IT OR OWN IT CARE
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.
>> SO AS WE LOOK
AROUND AT THIS,
WHAT MAKES A CLEAN MARINA?
>> THE PROGRAM ITSELF
ENCOMPASSES ABOUT SEVEN
DIFFERENT AREAS AND WE LOOK
AT FUEL MANAGEMENT,
WE LOOK AT WASTE MANAGEMENT,
SEWAGE MANAGEMENT,
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT,
PUBLIC EDUCATION,
AND THEN HOW YOU MANAGE
YOUR FACILITIES.
>> AND HOW WOULD A MARINA
GO ABOUT GETTING CERTIFIED?
>> THEY WOULD NEED
TO CONTACT TVA.
YOU CAN CONTACT US THROUGH OUR
PUBLIC LAND INFORMATION LINE.
AND IT'S REALLY EASY.
WE GOT A CHECKLIST
WE GO THROUGH,
SO IF THEY JUST WANT
TO CALL ME, I'LL COME OUT,
SIT DOWN WITH THEM.
IT TAKES JUST ABOUT TWO HOURS,
START TO FINISH.
>> WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
>> IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
THESE RESERVOIRS ARE HERE
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
TO ENJOY.
AND THE CLEAN MARINA PROGRAM
IS JUST ONE WAY TO ENSURE THAT.
>> WE FEEL THE SAME WAY,
RIGHT?
>> YEAH, I THINK EVERYBODY
AT HOME WOULD TOO.
I MEAN, YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN
OR KIDS, YOU WANT YOUR,
YOU WANT THE NEXT GENERATION
TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY THAT.
I KNOW THAT I LOVED
SPENDING TIME ON THE LAKE.
I'M SURE YOU DO.
>> TOTALLY.
>> YOUR DAUGHTER PROBABLY
DOES TOO.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> I THINK IT IS VERY
IMPORTANT.
>> SO THANK YOU
FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
>> WELL, THANK YOU.
>> WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> AND ARE YOU GOING
TO COME OUT ON THE BOAT
WITH US?
OKAY.
>> YOU WANT TO?
>> I CAN.
>> I MEAN, I THINK WE'VE BEEN
SITTING HERE TALKING ENOUGH,
RIGHT?
I BELIEVE THEY GOT ENOUGH GAS
IN HERE, SO I SAY WE HIT
THE OPEN WATER NOW.
IS THAT ALL RIGHT?
>> THAT'D BE GREAT.
LET'S GO!
>> RYAN COOKE, AN OWNER OF
THE OCOEE INN AND MARINA,
IS SHOWING US HIS FAVORITE WAYS
TO EXPERIENCE PARKSVILLE LAKE.
>> A TYPICAL DAY ON THE LAKE
IS PACK YOUR BOAT UP, COOLER,
KAYAKS, STAND UP PADDLEBOARDS,
GO OUT ON THE LAKE AND PLAY.
>> NICE, YEAH.
>> LOTS OF ACTIVITIES OUT HERE.
THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE LAKE
IS PARKSVILLE LAKE.
LOCALS CALL IT LAKE OCOEE
BECAUSE THE OCOEE RIVER FLOWS
INTO THIS LAKE.
WE ARE THE ONLY RAFTING
COMPANY AND THE ONLY MARINA
HERE ON THIS LAKE.
>> SO WE LEARNED A LITTLE
EARLIER THAT YOU GUYS ARE
A CLEAN MARINA
CERTIFIED MARINA.
>> YES, WE THINK IT'S
VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP
THE WATER CLEAN
SO OUR GRANDCHILDREN
AND THEIR CHILDREN CAN STILL
USE THIS LAKE DOWN THE ROAD
AND IT'S NOT CONTAMINATED.
I KNOW TVA AND THE EPA,
THEY TEST WATER QUALITY ON
RESERVOIRS ALL OVER THE PLACE
AND I ALWAYS EMPHASIZE TO PEOPLE
THAT THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS
AS FAR AS EATING FISH
OUT OF THIS LAKE.
THE LAKE IS CLEAN,
IT'S DOING WELL AND WE WANT
TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
>> SO WHERE ARE YOU TAKING US
RIGHT NOW?
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
>> SO RIGHT NOW,
WE'VE COME OUT OF THE MARINA
AND WE'RE HEADING BACK WEST
IN THE LAKE AND WE'RE GOING
TO GO TO THE LARGER
OF THE TWO ISLANDS.
IT'S A GOOD CAMPING SPOT
TO HANG HAMMOCKS,
PUT YOUR CHAIR OUT,
HAVE A PICNIC LUNCH.
ALL THE CAMPSITES HERE ON
THE LAKE ARE PRIMITIVE CAMPING.
THERE IS NOT A RESERVATION
SYSTEM FOR THESE SITES.
THEY ARE WATER ACCESS ONLY,
SO IT IS FIRST COME,
FIRST SERVE.
AND THERE ACTUALLY IS A SMALL
ROPE SWING ON THE BACK SIDE
OF THE ISLAND THAT THE KIDS
REALLY ENJOY.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
(WIND BLOWING)
>> LIKE SO?
>> THERE YOU GO.
>> LIKE SO.
(MUSIC) 
>> OH YEAH, STAY THERE.
>> AH, ALL RIGHT, GUYS.
GOOD NIGHT.
(LAUGHS) I LOVE IT HERE!
I LOVE IT HERE.
>> GOOD.
>> CAN I BRING YOU A MOJITO
OR SOMETHING, MA'AM?
>> I WOULD LOVE A MOJITO.
>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE.
WHERE'S THE BAR?
>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, RIGHT?
>> YES, IT'S GORGEOUS.
I FEEL VERY BLESSED TO BE HERE.
I'M SO EXCITED.
I GET TO PADDLEBOARD TODAY
AND I'VE NEVER BEEN.
>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE.
(TALKING IN BACKGROUND)
(LAUGHING) 
>> THAT'S YOUR FUN STICK.
THE MORE FUN YOU WANT TO HAVE,
THE MORE PADDLE YOU STICK
IN THE WATER.
>> I LIKE THAT.
STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING
IN PARKSVILLE LAKE.
HOLLER IF YOU HEAR ME!
>> WHOO!
>> HA HA!
AHOY.
>> ARGH, MATEY.
WHAT'S UP? (LAUGHTER)
>> ALL RIGHT,
YOU READY TO RACE?
>> OH, MAN.
>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.
LET'S GO FOR IT.
>> COME ON, PADDLEBOARD.
(LAUGHS) 
>> YEAH, PADDLEBOARDING
IN PARKSVILLE LAKE.
>> I NEED SOMEBODY
WHO'S IN MY LEAGUE.
THIS IS NOT FAIR.
>> JUST LIKE VEGAS.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC) 
>> AERIAL AND I HAVE HAD SOME
SERIOUS FUN ON THESE
TENNESSEE VALLEY WATERWAYS.
WHITEWATER, CALM WATER,
ABOVE WATER AND UNDER WATER.
BUT WE HOPE THE REAL TAKEAWAY
IS THAT TO THE ENJOYMENT
OF WATERWAYS AND LANDS,
WE WILL ALL BECOME STEWARDS
OF OUR RICH NATURAL RESOURCES.
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC)
>> ERICK, ERICK!
>> HOLD ON!
>> WHOO!
WHOO!
(SPLASH) 
(INSTRUMENTAL THEME MUSIC)
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