So I went anyway... Canoe trip in the rain

The Dagger Tupelo is just under 11', but it is a discontinued model. Check your local Craigslist. I've seen several canoes like it listed there recently for sub-$250. But I'd really advise against them if they are Tupelos or styled after them. It is fine for a kid, but way too tender for a full grown adult approaching 200#, never mind any gear. The 119K (or similar from the box stores) is wider, slightly longer (11'9") and much more stable on the water. And they weigh less than most loaded packs, about 45# depending on outfitting and hull materials. I did note on this brief trip that the Discovery 119K would have been easier to paddle with my kayak paddle (that I use in the Tupelo) than with the single blade canoe paddle. I hardly ever have to use the switch style paddling with my larger canoe, but course correction was pretty constant with the shorter boat, and not easily handled with a rudder-flip at the end of a single side power stroke.

Made between 1995-1998. Below taken from 1996 Catalogue. TUPELO SPECS: Small solo flatwater Royalite canoe. Length: 10' 6", center width: 27", shape: asymmetrical, weight: 29 lb., Depth 9.5". width @ 5" waterline 20.5", maximum capacity: 180 lb. (with 5" freeboard). :eek:

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The Old Town Discovery 119K is a Superlink PE version of their Royalex Pack canoe. It was discontinued for a while but revived in 2009. Discovery 119 SPECS:
Length 11' 9", Width 32.5", Width at 4" Waterline 31", Bow Height 19", Depth 13.5", Weight 43 lbs / Max Load Range 450 - 500 lbs / Suggested Retail $600

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Of course, the Royalex Pack is the cat's meow, being lighter (33#), but MSRP is $900. The price of the Disco can be cut a bit from $600 by getting the "Guide" badged one from the box sporting goods stores, $400 not on sale.
 
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Here is an TG&F Comission antique float map for this river which I recently found online. It is a trip planning resource besides the google maps aerial views.

http://www.perrycountytennessee.com/images/stories/brochures/TGFC Buffalo Float Map.pdf

Of course you can always find local outfitters' websites online with direct contact information for rental/shuttle rates and river conditions. And the USGS river guages

(http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=03604000),

but there isn't a correlation to float conditions available that I have found online.
 
Very useful float map on the county road base. Thanks. I saved it on my computer for future reference.

Correlation of the USGS water gauge data with practical conditions takes experience whether you be fishing or boating. There is one trout stream in the mountains of East TN that I often check the USGS data for when planning a visit. The increase in flow can be rather dramatic with a few inches of rainfall even though it is out in the woods and somewhat buffered. I have gone there and found the water unfishable and that is not only a bummer but a serious waste of resources. It is a favorite kayak spot when the water is up which makes it rather difficult to fish at that point.
 
22-rimfire said:
Very useful float map on the county road base. Thanks. I saved it on my computer for future reference.

Correlation of the USGS water gauge data with practical conditions takes experience whether you be fishing or boating. There is one trout stream in the mountains of East TN that I often check the USGS data for when planning a visit. The increase in flow can be rather dramatic with a few inches of rainfall even though it is out in the woods and somewhat buffered. I have gone there and found the water unfishable and that is not only a bummer but a serious waste of resources. It is a favorite kayak spot when the water is up which makes it rather difficult to fish at that point.
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Yeah, even my shuttle driver today didn't know exactly where the guage was or how the reported levels corelated to actual floatability. The actual level was up a bit today from my last trip, but still somewhat lower than ideal.

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The level swings aren't as much as they appear in this compressed graph. It was a fun, relaxing trip today though. The fish weren't biting so I stashed the rod early on and just enjoyed the river. And the buffonery of the rentals. By the way, Sunday is the best day to float if you can't get there on a weekday, or in the off-season. You can imagine what it is like when most of these are on the water!

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The outfitters do a good job of only launching a dozen or so at a time with intervals between, and several float sections. I usually just wait out the group that arrives when I do, then paddle upstream a ways while any stragglers move on down out of sight. But Sundays and weekdays are best unless you can do the off season. That will be soon with schools starting back and sports starting on weekends. Then I will OWN the river! :D
 
Hey Codger, do you happen to have a pic or a description of how you attach your anchor to your canoe.

I have an anchor and rope, but am still trying to decide how to attach it, so it is easy to drop and raise solo.

I have a pipe, I was thinking of mounting to the bow, but it seems kind of complicated for what should be an easy chore.
 
I've pondered anchor "systems" before, but don't like the idea of long lines down the length of the canoe and having to rig and unrig them. I guess I am obsessive about entrapment dangers. Plus, I don't want anything mounted above the decks and gunnels since I carry my canoes inverted and slide them onto my racks.

I just pick up the anchor from behind me on the floor and set it over the side, pay out the right amount of line, then tie it with a loose half-hitch to the seat beside me. Yeah, in some currents it makes the canoe set off-kilter since it isn't attached to one end ot the other, but it is quick and easy to retrieve and easy to ditch should an emergency arise.

And I can set the anchor in a shallow riffle, jump out and wade fish without having to beach the canoe or tie it to something. Some of the factory made anchor trollys are neat though, and wouldn't be hard to duplicate if you didn't want to buy it pre-made as a kit.
 
Which outfitter are you the most comfortable with on the Buffalo R? My experience has been that when you provide your own canoe or kayak, they pretty much charge you the same price as if you use their equipment. But having someone reliable to either drop you off or pick you up is certainly worth some money as well as someone that you can call if you have problems with a cell phone. I generally do this stuff by myself, so picking up or dropping off is really important.

Anchors can tip you in a flash in moving water if you get into trouble. Not worried about drowning in general, but you loose stuff.
 
I use the one located at the Bell Bridge. Not because they are better than the others, but they do service my favorite river section. A shuttle for my canoe and gear, myself and Jake is $20. And the drivers all know me and Jake. They usually carry my canoe and gear down the steep hill to the launch for me. I don't know how they make money at that rate by the time they pay for fuel and the driver. And often as not, they run a special shuttle van just for me. I've only had to ride a bus once, I think. Their rentals are not expensive, but I don't care to use old bauxite boats and their equipment (PFDs, paddles) is cheep, as you would expect at a livery. Dragovers in shoals are not uncommon on this section at low water and aluminum doesn't slide well, besides being noisy and hot. Though I may just buy a used one cheap to keep as a tandem loaner if another plastic canoe doesn't fall into my lap dirt cheap. For the same reason, I am watching for near-free yaks of any description. Not that I would (or could) use one myself. But they can be great learners for kids on class 1 streams.

My next trip I will be taking the 119K solo canoe and trying it on an overnighter. I'll have to work out the best balance for my gear, but it should handle the weight with no problem since most of it, other than the fresh food and anchor, is repurposed backpacker stuff. I've never weighed it all in the drybags, but it isn't very heavy.

Yeah, that is why I tie the anchor as I do. One yank of the loose end and it goes free. Years ago I learned my lesson with unsecured painter lines on whitewater (the Hailstone River). I don't do class III-IV whitewater any more, but old safety habits are hard to forget.
 
On an unrelated note...I was driving down the freeway the other day and an Impala with Tennesee plates passes me on their way to Newport Beach and the first thing that went through my head was this thread...Yeah I still think about taking off and canoeing for the weekend. I miss the days of my youth in New England where canoeing was possible without having to plan and strategize like I was taking over a small country. Curse you difficult/complicated California...
 
AeroNautiCal said:
Ah', it's not just me then!
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No, it isn't just you. Most outdoor recreation involves some risk factors. "Back in the day", I gave little thought to the risks. With age (and experiences), we do tend to minimize the risks as much as possible. For instance, while I don't plan to run any heavy whitewater again, I have fitted my canoe with D-rings and lacing for fore and aft Harmony airbags. And I keep a throw line handy all the time. Even on easy trips, I keep a quick shelter tarp and a drybag change of clothes with a microfiber towel handy. As I most often go solo, I try to remain mindful of self rescue as well as rescuing others, usually those who have given little thought to safety.
 
1SHOT1KILL said:
On an unrelated note...I was driving down the freeway the other day and an Impala with Tennesee plates passes me on their way to Newport Beach and the first thing that went through my head was this thread...Yeah I still think about taking off and canoeing for the weekend. I miss the days of my youth in New England where canoeing was possible without having to plan and strategize like I was taking over a small country. Curse you difficult/complicated California...
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It is good fortune to live just 30 minutes away from a good canoeing stream. But I grew up in Eastern and Central Arkansas when all of the best water was hours West of me. So travel to the river is just a fact of life I guess, unless you live on a river. And even then, you get bored with the local one and seek new destinations. It does help if you have like-minded friends to share the costs, planning and the drive. I take Jake with me, but he isn't much on conversation until we get near the river and the anticipation gets the better of him. Thankfully, with the new trailer, prep time is cut to just a few minutes here at the house fixing lunch and drinks, then a stop for ice and snacks on the way to the river. Of course it would take longer if I had to wait on a wife and kids, or friends, to get loaded and head out.

I did find a Curt factory trailer hitch for the Impala at around $200. Not bad, but not immediately in the cards. The next get is going to be another Mitchell paddle if I can wheel and deal one cheap enough.

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That is one solid hitch! I usually rent canoes but I will take my own kayak when I am by myself. Have thought about getting a 10-12 foot canoe also, but one has not appeared yet. I carry my kayak with the help of a bed extender on my little pickup instead of loading on a trailer. If for some reason I need to haul more than one, then out comes the trailer and a lot of tie down straps.

I am seriously considering an outing on the Buffalo River (Tennessee version) in the coming month or in September. Depends on who participates. Do you know if any of the outfitters rent sit on top kayaks? My sister would like to use one of those. Otherwise, I'll leave the kayak at home and do the canoe thing.
 
Yes, SOT kayaks are rented. Brands and models vary. Seems like many I saw this last trip were Perceptions. This outfitter mainly rents aluminum canoes, besides the kayaks. But if we were to hook up, I could bring a second or third canoe if needed. Mine are crosslink poly, Royalex and Royalite. You might try one of my small solos to see if you like them well enough to eventually buy one of your own. There are more outfitters and some of them do rent plastic canoes, but they concentrate on other river sections.
 
For my canoe anchor, I took an empty 24oz metal coffee can and filled it with concrete. When it was slightly set I put an eye bolt in it. I did put a fender washer on the bolt to lock it in. Tie one end of rope to eye bolt, other to canoe. Works perfect and cost nothing.
 
That is a cheap and simple solution. My cast iron weights usually cost me $1 to $2 per pound.
 
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