It was a magnificent day on the Buffalo today. Yesterday, Friday, I worked in the rain. And it rained off and on all day. Total in the gauge this morning was just 1 1/2" though and the river stayed down around 3', 650 cfs of flow. We had 50% chance of thunderstorms forecast for today, but Jake and I went anyway. And I am glad we did. The river had a belated rise (it is still rising) of nearly a foot while we were on it, but 4 1/2' was not a bad level at all. And it only sprinkled on us lightly once.
Wildlife was abundent and people were scarce. I saw zero canoes, private or livery and only a half dozen livery SOT kayaks. We arrived around noon and had the shuttle van to ourselves, the staff and driver remembering Jake and the Codger. The driver carried my canoe down the steep hill to the launch for me and Jake swam while I got all of our gear situated to my liking. And then a young fisherman came over and helped me set the loaded canoe in the water.
Jake and I wore our PFDs from the start. Sometimes in low water and hot weather we don't, but mindful of my limitations, we did even with temps hoovering in the low eighties. It did take jake a little while to remember his canoe manners. Several times he misjudged my intentions when maneuvering through a shoal and launched himself overboard without permission. A quick repremand and command "in" and he was earnestly trying to do just that, though the water being deeper than he expected, the sheer at his bow seat was higher than he could manage on his own. "Here" had him swimming to my seat where the sheer is much lower and I grabbed his PFD assist handle to boost him back aboard. Thankfully he remembered the "move" command and went directly forward to his bow position, hopping the two thwarts, before shaking water all over me.
As he settled down somewhat, we took a woodsman/riverman lunch on a gravel bar. Mustering all my outdoorsman skills, I whipped out a Sonic cheesburger and an order of fries. Oh... and dog treats for Jake.
FIshing was so-so and I/we caught a half dozen smallmouth bass (which I released before we finished the trip). Wood ducks and a few mallard hens were seen slipping up creeks and leading their flocks of duckings through the water grass. Several herons took wing in front of us, we didn't see any Canada geese this time. But woodpeckers, kingfishers and many other birds were out. And passing a farmer's field, I actually heard some birds. Redwing blackbirds brought back memories of my childhood when I would lay in a field of waving green wheat and listen to their calls. These must have been loud if I heard them. Turkey buzzards were flocking and wheeling above in several places. Sliders (turtles) were everywhere. And while we didn't see any beavers, their markings on newly fallen trees bark in the water was evident.
Mostly cloudy skies occasionally broke for sunshine and I stopped often to let Jake swim. A slight breeze started up, but it was not hard enough to make the canoe weathervane with Jake and a pile of rock ballast in the bow. It was just enough to stir the humid air and cool it off a bit. At the takeout, the young friendly livery wranglers helped me reload the canoe on the trailer. The one I spoke to is from my town here and knew alot of the people I know. Thankfully, I can drive the truck and trailer right to the river's edge on the packed gravel bar below Bell Bridge. The Old Town 169 weighs about 87 pounds dry.
After drinking most of a large Sonic water (from the cup), Jake snoozed much of the way home. A bit of munching of kibble and he is passed out on the front porch, one worn out pup. And I am sitting here mulling over whether I should stay home tomorrow and do laundry, wash dishes and clean house ... or... unload the 169 on the rack and load up the 119 solo for another run on the river. Decisions, decisions. Did you ever have to make up your mind? To choose as to one and let the other one ride, did you ever have to finally decide? (old song there).
Michael
) ... but a small floating dock, moving downstream a short distance ... doing with what I have. Towing by canoe is quite silly, you are right. Not terribly effective ... but with the current in your favour, cannot be all that wrong. Only weigh the tow rope down under my foot so no risk in that. Calm river, calm accomplishment with luck.
I probably would have pulled out my bologna or ham sandwich and a couple bottles of wally world water. Keep the coke for a pick me up later.
... so I just want to say how much I am looking forward this spring to the local blackfly festival.
