Codger_64
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- Joined
- Oct 8, 2004
- Messages
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I've not yet been on the water this year so far, though the Bell Morningstar is on the porch on sawhorses freshly cleaned and treated with 303 protectant. The canoe rack where my four red canoes waited this winter is down to the two, the Bell and Old Town Guide 176. Extention ladders take up the two empty spots. I sold the Blue Hole Sunburst last fall and the little Disco 119K this spring, needing funds and admitting that neither canoe served my needs. I did get every penny back out of both of them though and their new owners left quite happy with their new boats.
I had fully intended to hit the river yesterday on this year's maiden voyage but, as often happens, life (work) got in the way. What was supposed to be a quick job in the morning stretched to the afternoon and, after paying bills (and paying for new knives), I really can't afford the expense of a trip to the river today, regardless of how slight. Gas, shuttle and fishing license. So...,weather cooperating, I plan to go next weekend. I may get the yardwork done today in time to shuffle the Morningstar and Guide from rack to porch and give the Guide a good spring cleaning. And ponder any improvements that I need/want to make to each. I never did get around to adding proper painter lines to either canoe last year. And the paddletrailer needs a spring tuneup no doubt.
USGS data shows a ten degree rise in the Buffalo River water temperature this past week, from a low of 55 to a current nearly 66 degrees. Still to be respected in regards to immersion by an old man. Discharge is 670 C.F.M., a fair flow on the mild side and level is pretty steady at 3.6' on the gauge. My local outfitter is back open and running, but with the frequent spring rain and cool water temps most likely not yet running much of their livery.
The owners have no doubt spent some time in their airboats clearing the winter accumulation of strainers and downed trees from the river. It is great, IMHO, that the river is loosely regulated to allow them to do this because it adds greatly to the safety of their customers not to mention their fleet of aluminum canoes.
Are any of you on the water yet? Or at least turning your attention to getting your canoes or kayaks ready?
I had fully intended to hit the river yesterday on this year's maiden voyage but, as often happens, life (work) got in the way. What was supposed to be a quick job in the morning stretched to the afternoon and, after paying bills (and paying for new knives), I really can't afford the expense of a trip to the river today, regardless of how slight. Gas, shuttle and fishing license. So...,weather cooperating, I plan to go next weekend. I may get the yardwork done today in time to shuffle the Morningstar and Guide from rack to porch and give the Guide a good spring cleaning. And ponder any improvements that I need/want to make to each. I never did get around to adding proper painter lines to either canoe last year. And the paddletrailer needs a spring tuneup no doubt.
USGS data shows a ten degree rise in the Buffalo River water temperature this past week, from a low of 55 to a current nearly 66 degrees. Still to be respected in regards to immersion by an old man. Discharge is 670 C.F.M., a fair flow on the mild side and level is pretty steady at 3.6' on the gauge. My local outfitter is back open and running, but with the frequent spring rain and cool water temps most likely not yet running much of their livery.
The owners have no doubt spent some time in their airboats clearing the winter accumulation of strainers and downed trees from the river. It is great, IMHO, that the river is loosely regulated to allow them to do this because it adds greatly to the safety of their customers not to mention their fleet of aluminum canoes.
Are any of you on the water yet? Or at least turning your attention to getting your canoes or kayaks ready?
