BIG FUN, SMALL BOATS! For us, kayaks and canoes are all about keeping it simple. Low tech. Small budget. We don't wear $100 undergarments. Paddle & Rod focuses on the South, but we welcome input from everywhere. Enjoy your time here. Explore the Wolf in West Tennessee, kayak and canoe camp on the Current River, kayakfish in Florida, paddle tandem, make a splash in the Outer Banks, and much more!
As if we don't paddle upstream enough every day, last Saturday, I decided to paddle against the current on the Wolf River in Memphis. The reasons were many. Anything to keep from having to shuttle, first of all. I needed the exercise. And I didn't have all day. That's what it takes to do a proper run on the Ghost River portion--a large investment of time and the logistical planning of shuttling cars. So, my wife and I put in at the Walnut Grove bridge at Shelby Farms where a very nice ramp, sadly, has been completely overtaken by deep, shifting dunes of sand.
The traffic overhead was steady and noisy. But the river beckoned with its primordial whisper. We found the current stiff but not overwhelming, and we began to make headway against it. To our immediate dismay, there was a lot of shoaling in this section, out in the middle. The lower water levels that come with the Fall season didn't help either. But we picked our way through the deepest parts, usually near shore, and once we passed under the Greenway footbridge, shoaling was no longer a problem.
The going was slow. Paddling this way isn't about covering great distances. It is about paddling until you are tired, then pulling up on one of the big sandy beaches and having lunch. We weren't going far, but we were a world away, surrounded by green water and a dense line of trees on either side.
At first we could hear the traffic on Humphrey's Blvd., but soon that fell away as the river hooked to the left. In its place we heard the warning cry of a hawk perched on a branch above us and the almost motorized call of a kingfisher getting ready to dive. We saw a pair of mallards keeping to themselves and a large pileated woodpecker flying in the blue shadows of the trees, it's white wing band flashing. And just before my wife could mutiny (the beatings will continue until morale improves), we turned about and floated effortlessly back down stream, the reward for our toil. It was beautiful. And it required no planning except to make a quick lunch, no shuttling, and no big commitment of time. In all, we were probably gone from the house about three hours. And that is the real beauty of an urban stream.
White sands and clear, clean waters make The Blackwater River in Northwest Florida a real canoeing and kayaking treat.
By Randy Parker
The water is stained by the tannin from decaying vegetation. In the shallows it takes on a tea color. In the deeper holes and where the current has carved channels beneath the overhanging branches of oak, tupelo and laurel, the river turns almost black. These shades contrast with the dazzling white Florida sandbars that jut out at every bend and give people perfect places to picnic and swim. Make no mistake, paddling is great here but swimming is the main attraction. You can find a deep place where you can submerge yourself up to your neck, or you can just sit on the sand bottom in the perfectly clear shallows, lie back with your feet floating in front of you, and let the 2 to 3 mile per hour current massage your body like a Jacuzzi®.
This is the Blackwater River, which get its name from the Choctaw. They called it oka-lusa or water black. It is one of the purest sand-bottomed rivers in the country, and it's a big draw for locals and vistors alike, especially within the Blackwater River State Park.
We rented our kayaks from Blackwater Canoe Rental and began our journey about 11 miles upstream from the park. That's the "long trip." Most people seem to take the four-mile "short trip," more interested in finding just the right swimming beach than covering territory. So once we put in, we found ourselves quite alone. We heard only the sounds of our own paddles, the trickle of rushing water through downed brush, and the birds of the surrounding forest, including turkey.
It was primitive and idyllic except for the glinting of discarded aluminum cans here and there along our journey. Why people leave their trash behind, especially in such a pristine natural environment, is a mystery to me.
We visited in late June. It was hot. But the answer was always right there, the cold river water. We could stop for a dip or merely dip our hats and cool our heads. Bugs were a minimal inconvenience, mostly a yellow horsefly of some sort. And we saw one of the largest mosquitoes we had ever seen. We were sure that, after dark, you might not get out alive.
After lunch on a secluded beach, the river became a bit deeper overall and the current seemed to help us less. Paddling became more work as we finally entered the state park. It was a Monday, but the park was loaded with families, canoes, and tubes (tubing is a popular way to float the river). As I paddled by one fisherman, I asked him about the fishing. He said he had good luck with bream and had pulled out some impressive bass over the years from the deep holes.
After carefully navigating through the other boats and the squealing children bouncing in the stream, we came to our take out, which was right by our car. We had only to beach our boats and drive away. We spent 4-5 hours on the river, and it was a great family experience.
Resources
As you can see from the Wikipedia map below, the river is accessible from both Pensacola and Navarre Beaches and not too far from Destin. It makes a great addition to the usual beach vacation. We used Blackwater Canoe Rental, and everything went smoothly. You can also camp along the river (when it's not so hot) or at designated campgrounds. Here are some useful websites about the Blackwater River:
Wanted to check on my sailboat at Paris Landing on the Tennessee River. Had to paddle my kayak to get to it! River is as high as it has ever been. The docks float but they are all they way up to the tops of the poles they ride on.
Here's a link (courtesy of Fox 10 TV) to some paddling and fishing down in Alabama on a blackwater stream near Mobile called the Escatawpa. Jason Smith took a 3 day, 40 mile journey along the river, fishing and encountering wildlife including a beaver. For all the episodes, check out fox10tv.com.
Boat: Old Wilderness Systems "Pairadise" SOT tandem, not rigged for fishing
We want your photos (preferably with your canoe or kayak in view) stating your name, the species, place, bait and boat. Just hit the "contact" button on the menu bar and send us your photo.
I've had my Caster 12.5 for years and have enjoyed using it in a number of different ways: launching it from the beach in Pensacola, kayakfishing for redfish in the shallow flats of Santa Rosa Sound, paddling lakes, and running class I and II rivers, including the Current River in Missouri. The Caster has performed well. And now that it has been retired from Perception's main line and is produced solely for the big box retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods, the Caster is a very good bargain. Fitted with the right seat (I use a premium high-back Ocean Kayak seat), the Caster can be a very comfortable ride. It paddles well and offers a lot of storage space for fishing or camping. And I have found the quality and durability of the Caster to be outstanding.
Fishing
With rodholders behind the seat, paddle parks that can easily be used to strap down an unused rod, ample room on the back deck including a molded in area for a round bait bucket, and a forward hatch, the Caster is an excellent fishing platform. It's plenty stable for just about anything short of stand-up casting. And because it is a sit-on-top with two smaller hatches in addition to the large forward one, mounting a transducer for a fish finder is relatively simple, if you think such a thing is necessary.
Camping
With some planning and the right gear, you can camp out of the Caster quite easily. I am able to store a small tent, air mattress, mattress pump and other gear in the forward hatch. I stow my clothes and sleeping bag in drybags on the rear deck. I keep non-perishable food and drink in net bags inside the hull, accessed through the 6" hatch directly behind the seat. Everything stays cool below the waterline. Just be sure to secure anything you put inside the hull or it can roll to places you may not be able to reach. You can read more about my camping here. As you'll see, it never hurts to invite a friend with a canoe along.
River Running
I have run some pretty small and tightly twisting rivers in the Caster. Thanks to my optional rudder, I am able to maintain control even through rapids that have other folks spinning sideways to the current. I highly recommend the Caster with rudder for Class I and II rivers because it offers just the right mix of maneuverability, stability and storage space. For a day trip, there's plenty of room for an ice chest, your jacket, GPS, map, tackle box, lunch, etc. Best of all, you can't swamp the Caster.
Staying Dry
On calm waters, with the scuppers plugged, the Caster is plenty dry. However in open, choppy waters, the low bow tends to allow water over it. Nothing serious. You might get a case of wetbutt, especially if you allow yourself to get sideways to a whitecap. In my Caster there is no drain in the seat area, itself. The low bow and lack of a seat drain are really my only complaints about the Caster, but neither should stop you from buying one. Originally retailing for around $800, the list price for the Angler model at Dick's is just $599 (Sometimes it's on sale with free shipping). So you might get damp but you won't get soaked. The non-angler model would be even cheaper, if it's still available, and recessed rod holders are easily added. It's one of the best yak values around.
How does it compare to the Search 13?
I would love to see how it's replacement in the Perception line-up, the Search 13, compares. Got one? Review it here. Just submit your review to wordnut@bellsouth.net, and I'll post it.
Perception Caster 12.5
• Dimensions: W 29.75" x L 12'6" x H 13"
• Weight: 58 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
The Grassy Island Unit of the Reelfoot Lake National Wildlife Refuge presents the perfect opportunity for paddlers to stretch their muscles in open water, needle through great stands of bald cypress, fish some of the best freshwater habitat in the country, and watch birds of all kinds, from ospreys and herons to northern flickers and yellow billed cuckoos. Even the redwing blackbird seems just a bit exotic here, flitting among the great yellow blooming water lilies. The duckweed, the minuscule lily pad-like floating plants that look like moss or algae in the picture, was fun to paddle through. It gave the place a primordial feeling, like we were paddling back in time.
Here are a few photos of a recent excursion in this unique Northwest Tennessee lake.
Follow the Carolina Gypsy Paddlers through pristine trails
Thanks to Carolina Gypsy PaddlerArchie Thompson for bringing this great paddling opportunity to our attention. (Photo: Gypsy Paddler on the Lower Wadboo).
The Berkeley County Blueways paddling trail system in South Carolina identifies over 175 miles of total water course from 23 trails and is a result of the vision and efforts of many individuals and organizations working in partnership. The Carolina Gypsy Paddlers assisted in the survey and brought to light the value that a paddling trail program would contribute to the area's recreational opportunities.
History's Natural Highways
Our rivers and waterways are history's natural highways. Before there were interstates or even dirt roads, our founders traveled them and moved produce and trade goods by canoe and pole boats. Just a short paddling trip can for all practical purposes create an experience much like those experienced by our forefathers. You can quickly whisk yourself away from the hustle and bustle of today's busy and complicated lifestyles to a much simpler time. A time often referred to as " the good old days " can be relived and shared with your family and friends. Berkeley County has an abundance of waters suitable for canoeing and kayaking that can provide wonderful back to nature experiences for the entire family. (photo: Al Kennedy on the Santee Canal)
Here is an overview of all the adventures you have to choose from:
Lake Moutrie
Lake Moultrie comprises 60,400 acres of prime warm water habitat in the western portion of Berkeley County with 116 miles of irregular shoreline. It is a man made impoundment completed in 1942 by the South Carolina Public Service Authority now known as Santee Cooper. Named after revolutionary war hero General William Moultrie, there are presently 16 boat launching facilities encircling the lake.
North Moultrie:
Santee Canal - 22 miles - Designed by competent engineers of the day including General George Washington, the Canal served as a primary system for transporting goods from midland South Carolina to Charleston. Today there remains a beautiful two and a half mile section of the canal that can be accessed by canoe or kayak. Bordered by moss laden cypress trees, it appears uniformly about 20 yards in width and maintains a depth of 4 to 5 feet. --Santee Canal Details (photo: Al Kennedy kayaks through duck weed.)
Sandy Beach Wildlife Refuge - While the back bay area of Sandy Beach offers a very pretty section for exploration, the front beach area provides for primitive camping as well as a good swimming beach and access to the wildlife viewing trails. --Sandy Beach Wildlife Refuge Details
Russellville Flats - This area varies from sparse cypress swamp with several types of flowering water lilies and plant life to heavily forested high ground. Many species of wading birds as well as alligators, whitetail deer and numerous species of small game and songbirds inhabit the area. For the paddling fisherman, this area offers some of the best bluegill and red eared sunfish (shell cracker) fishing to be found anywhere. --Russellville Flats Details
East Moultrie:
The "Jungle" - An enclosed tupelo swamp presenting an appearance much like the famed Okefenokee Swamp of Georgia, but on a smaller scale, offers a few hours to a full day of pleasant diversion for paddling with little chance of losing ones way. Fragrant water lilies in season and lotus plants as well as various grasses provide excellent habitat for summer ducks and numerous wading birds. --The "Jungle" Details
Dennis's Pasture - is fairly unique in that its density of islands and cypress groves offers good wind protection from most directions. This area can provide a pleasant day of paddling under conditions that would be prohibitive over much of Lake Moultrie. --Dennis's Pasture Details (photo: Archie Thompson in Dennis's Pasture)
Coon Island - an excellent location for primitive camping with a very nice beach front on its southern exposure as well as ample high ground. Excellent fishing for largemouth bass both early and late in the day during the warmer months. --Coon Island Details
The Hatchery:
Also known as Pinopolis Pool consists of 2,254 acres. This is a very popular and productive fishery for bluegills and speckled perch, provides an easily accessed and reasonably well protected area for paddlers. Alligators can be sighted over much of the area as well as a variety of wading birds, songbirds, and small game. --The Hatchery Details
The Duck Pond:
The initial large enclosed bay opens onto a somewhat smaller area of cypress swamp which contains abundant plant life, cypress trees and grasses and is home for numerous wading birds as well as osprey and American alligators. --The Duck Pond Details
Santee River
The Blueway includes 63 miles of the Santee River above major tidal influence and shows little sign of development. The upper section from Wilsons Landing to Highway 52 is among the prettiest waterways in the state. --Santee River Details
Wilson's Landing:
Miles: 25 - Too long for a day trip, but overall a very pleasanttrip. There is very little sign of human habitation and wildlife is abundant. --Wilson's Landing Details
Highway 52:
Miles: 12.7 - About a 6 hour leisurely trip, wildlife viewing on this section of river is likely to include eagles, American egrets, and blue herons. A popular fishing area, you may see boats fishing for bluegills, crappie, bass and catfish. --Highway 52 Details
Santee Arrowhead:
Miles: 16.25 - Numerous sand bars and small islands suitable for lunch or rest spots. For the most part, wildlife will consist of numerous wading birds such as the American egret and the blue heron. --Santee Arrowhead Details
Jamestown to McConnels Landing:
Miles: 9.5 - Ranges from about 50 yards in width to over 100 yards in different sections. Much of it is bordered on the right side by the Francis Marion National Forest where primitive camping is permitted. You will commonly see deer, wild turkey, bald eagles, and numerous wading birds. Of particular interest on this trip is Battery Warren, a Confederate fort built to protect the railroad bridge at that location during the Civil War. --Jamestown to McConnels Landing Details
Goose Creek Reservoir
600 acres - While the South end of the reservoir is mostly open marsh lands, the North end of the impoundment has a goodly amount of high ground and housing. You will see many wading birds as well as small alligators throughout and above the landing on the eastern shore you will come to an area of small trees that provide nesting for a large rookery of snowy egrets and white ibis in season. --Goose Creek Reservoir Details
Wadboo Creek
Upper Wadboo Creek:
Challenging, particularly during periods of low water when it may become necessary to portage obstructions, but well worth the effort. This lovely cypress swamp is much as it was over two centuries ago when Francis Marion and his brigade of men frequented the area. Under the stewardship of Santee Cooper this corridor has been placed in a conservation trust to preserve its pristine beauty. --Upper Wadboo Creek Details
Lower Wadboo Creek:
Generally of a swampy nature, with much cypress and some tupelo growth evident. Most common wildlife seen on this section of Wadboo Creek will be small alligators, osprey, and numerous egrets and great blue herons. About a half mile below the Highway 402 bridge, on the left bank you will see an access stream back into a lovely small cypress swamp, much of it is shaded by heavy canopy. A bit of exploration is worth while. Good fishing includes redbreast and large bluegills. --Lower Wadboo Creek Details
Wambaw Creek
Many of the cypress trees along the banks are quite large and were there when Brigadier General Francis Marion and his Brigade roamed the area terrorizing the entire British Army in South Carolina.
The area is heavily populated with whitetail deer and black bear have been sighted as well as the illusive Carolina panther. A quiet paddler will greatly increase his odds for sighting some of the abundant wildlife in the area. --Wambaw Creek Details
Huger--Quimby Creek
Blackwater tidal creeks at the extreme end of the East Branch Cooper River, both offer excellent pan fish and bass fisheries for the fishermen. The creeks are lined with flowering lilly pads in the warmer months and wildlife consists mostly of wading birds, ducks, osprey and small alligators. --Huger - Quimby Creek Details
Echaw Creek
A small black water creek with tidal influence, contains some of the largest and oldest cypress trees you will see in Berkeley County. Wildlife is abundant in this area and in particular white tailed deer, and wood duck will be spotted frequently. Access also to Battery Warren, a picturesque stop with nice river views from the original earth mounds of the civil war fort as well as plaques which detail the forts history. --Echaw Creek Details
Chicken Creek
A lovely narrow meandering stream of water with lush thickly grown banks. Other than the occasional wood duck nesting boxes that have been placed in the area, it is easy to get the feeling that you are the first to ever lay eyes on this lovely stream. It certainly has not been marred by the hand of man. Alligators were common in the creek as were anhinga’s, the cormorant like fishing birds that frequent much of the low country waters. --Chicken Creek Details
Durham Creek--Back River
Two miles after entering the creek you will come to a well manicured clearing on your left with a floating dock. This is Medway Plantation. It consisted of 12,000 acres of land that passed to Mr. John D'Arssens by decree of the Governor in the 1680's. Portions of the original house exist today, created from bricks made from clay along the Cooper River. Forestation is a mixed bag of pine, cypress, sweet gum, hardwoods, red cedar and river birch. In summer you will see a lot of flowering water lilies and plants. The waterway ishome to wood ducks, blue heron, American egrets, and osprey. On the upper reaches you may spot white tailed deer. Small alligators are quite common throughout the Back River section. --Durham Creek - Back River Details
Foster Creek
The banks are restricted access and while you may paddle through the area you are not to go ashore; however, the trip is a pretty one and a better opportunity for viewing and taking pictures of the numerous wading birds and alligators will be hard to find.
Foster Creek is also a popular fishing area and the tidal creek produces some nice catches of largemouth and bluegills. --Foster Creek Details
Old Santee Canal Park
A three mile loop on Biggin Creek, including a portion of the original Santee Canal, presents an excellent opportunity for beginning kayakers to enjoy a pleasant afternoon of paddling.
Rental canoes are provided for a modest fee. The area is forested primarily with cypress trees, has several species of flowering water plants and provides a home for many lovely wading birds. --Old Santee Canal Park Details
Spiers Landing
Numerous islands as well as several miles of inviting shoreline to paddle. One can easily paddle a half day, a full day or spend an overnight on one of the islands without becoming bored or seeing it all.
The cypress shoreline to the South of the landing provides some excellent fishing for bluegills and red eared sunfish. Numerous ospreys will be seen nesting in the area as well as an assortment of wading birds and the occasional alligator sunning on the sandy beaches. --Spiers Landing Details
The Berkeley Blueways Paddling Online Guide
A collection of graphic maps and aerial photographs are now available to guide you on your way, thanks to the staff of the GIS Department of Berkeley County working with the Carolina Gypsy Paddlers, who documented each waterway in the trail with details only a paddler can appreciate. Together, they contain information to help you plan various paddling trips throughout Berkeley County. Go to BurkeleyBlueways.com for more information.
This generous, free, online guide not only includes information and pictures to help you determine where to paddle but strives to maintain anticipation for what may lay around the next bend. This will allow you to dig down and study not only the trail you intend to travel but what lies beyond your field of vision from the banks. Maps are high resolution, resizeable and printable.
South Carolina Law regarding public use of waterways and waterfront property
- visitors take note:
As a canoe or kayak enthusiast in Berkeley County, your rights and privileges as a paddler are protected by the State of South Carolina. This is not true for all states. South Carolina has taken a positive stance to ensure that the waterways of the state will always be available for public use. The state of South Carolina has established law declaring “Navigable Waters” as public trust properties, protected by the State and held in trust for the use of the public. This includes all waters now navigable, or previously navigable, or those that would be rendered navigable by removal of accidental obstructions, by rafts of lumber or timber or by small pleasure or sport fishing boats. If the water will bear a canoe or kayak with paddler at normal water levels, it would be considered Navigable Waters by the intent of this law. In addition, those properties from the normal high water mark to the waters bottom are considered public property. In the case of some rivers such as the Santee River, the state’s ownership of these waters can provide properties for public use, including camping, swimming and fishing below the normal high water mark of the river. Generally these waters will be at their lower stages, providing sufficient areas for camping immediately along the banks during the summer months or any periods of lower water levels. That section of the Santee River from Wilsons Landing to Highway 52 would be considered ideal for an overnight camping trip on the river. Properties along this section of the river are privately owned. At the lower river stages there is more than ample “public properties” along the banks for camping. Keep in mind that you are not authorized to cross private properties to access these areas but you may access them via water craft from public access points on the rivers. As always, ensure you leave your camping area as you find it and respect private properties.
PFD Use:
Children under 12 are REQUIRED to wear their PFD's at all times while paddling or riding in a canoe or kayak! It's the Law!
Emergency phone numbers:
Moncks Corner Medical Center
(843) 761-5400 Roper St. Francis Medical Center
(843) 899-7700 Berkeley County Sheriffs Department
(843) 719-4465
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The Berkeley Blueways Group water-trails website and The Friends Of Berkeley Blueways on Facebook have more information for kayakers wanting to paddle through South Carolina's Berkeley County's beautiful landscapes. They also appreciate donations of used or new kayaks, paddles, and life vest as they are planning to offer ACA approved instruction & trips for children and adults. All donations are tax deductible. Please visit their website for current contact information.
