November and December can provide some of the best opportunites for incredible kayak trips. I have kayaked this route many times (it is close to where I live), however, each time it seems to provide another type of kayaking opportunity. This is an interesting time of the year....the sun goes down so quickly (I believe as of late Nov. it is setting around 4:45 pm. or so). So in regards to kayak trips, it seems like to experience an entire day, a person needs to set off early.
Deer by river
beautiful view on the way back
I got off to a late start on this trip, but still wanted to get a paddle in. There were a couple of people in boats messing around (I think they were just going out for an hour or two). I was really surprised to see anyone out on the river in a boat. The paddle was excellent! It could not have been a nicer day. I stopped at the confluence point to head back, being mindful of the quick sunset. It is interesting how the river has been changing over the last year at this point. This is an area that used to have a large sandbar and a quick run next to (Meremac side). Most of the sandbar is gone, and the run is not quite as "skinny"....however, it seems the river at the confluence point is quite a bit more dangerous now then it was a year ago. You call tell when you paddle over there are more undertows and side currents then there was a year ago.
The wildlife were out, as you can see in the video. Came up on a nice pack of deer, one was at water level getting some water, as well as a small flock of wild turkeys (caught some nice shots on camera in the above video). This part of the Meremac River, although in a semi-urban area, has retained quite a bit of it's natural beauty. That is probably why it is one of my favorite paddles.
The river awaits you!
Paddle ON!
We have not had a lot of posts in regards to kayak touring over July...It has been so hot, the only way for me to do it is to use my Moken 13 SOT fishing kayak and get out and fish....and beach it on occasion and swim.
July was a great month in bass fishing....enjoy the video. We have some trips planned with the sea kayak once it starts to cool down a little on us
This was a really nice paddle trip on the Arkansas River just south of Little Rock, Arkansas. I put in at the Willow Beach Public use area (Corps of Engineers site) and spent the first half kayaking the slough/lake. The Arkansas River is very interesting in this part of the state. There is a lock and dam system (much like the Mississippi River near St. Louis), however, the current has an appearance of being very dosile. I always use the word "appearance" when making this description. I am sure there is some main current. In a large river, however mild the appearance, we should anticipate it is there. The biggest challenge you may have kayaking a river like this is the commercial barge traffic. If you watch the video, you can see the barge go by, then see how it effects the river. It seemed like there was a choppy wake even after the barge was long gone.
I pulled off where the slough meets the main river and allowed the barge to go past. It was a really nice spot and I was able to walk into the water for a spell. I found a hatched turtle nest right on the point (making sure to avoid it as not to disturb it). When I got back on the main channel, the wind really started to whip up as well as the continuing barge wake. It was an outstanding trip! There is a submurged old wing dike where the river hits the Corps area. I paddled over it (I could not tell where the channel was) which is a risky endevour in a sea kayak. The one "sensation" I do not like at all is to have some object lift up the kayak from the bottom. My next trip I will be sure to stay on the channel.
The trip was outstanding! Ray and I have been wanting to do a "big river" trip for the last couple of weeks. The Missouri River stage is really down right now, so it is a very quick and fun paddle. Stage when we went out Saturday was about 12' gauge hght. and 66,000 flow (cfs). I am marking this and saving it....I have paddled this river at different stages and this one had to be my favorite. I think if they had the Race for the Rivers today, some records would be broke.
If you watch the film, when Ray comes up on the Page Extension Bridge,I caught an Asian carp flying across his bow. He had a couple of major carp come flying in front of his kayak, but unfortunately, my camera was off when it happened.
The slough that we went through just past the 40 bridge just beside the Chesterfield bottoms was outstanding. It had a real nice flow running through it (we clocked about 4 mph) the entire stretch. There is something about paddling the big rivers that just excites me. I am already planning another trip, possibly the Alton Lock and Dam to the Gateway Arch. Maybe this will be the summer we make it happen?
The Maumelle River in Pulaski County is a great trip that really is close to the Little Rock metro area. The put in is the ramp at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. I was using the sea kayak on this trip, and working on doing a little fishing as well (I "0-fered" on the fishing, but the paddle was well worth it).
The Maumelle is dammed up river, so there is little or no current, which makes it an easy paddle for those new to the sport or sea kayakers that just want a serene, calm kayak trip. There is a lot of timber and sites in regards to blooming dogwood trees, kingfishers, and blue herons. The river almost runs parallel to the Arkansas River.
I will be back soon to fish this stretch a little more intensive with my SOT fishing kayak.
The kayak has been grounded for a month or so due to some costly car repairs, so this trip was much needed and appreciated! Our last kayak trip was on December 31st, which is way, way too long to wait to paddle. Glad to be back!
This river is one of my favorites in Arkansas. If you are looking for extreme kayaking or that kind of stuff, this would not be the river for you. I have found it to be very calm with a slight current, and an easy paddle to get some milage in, as well as some fishing.
I decided to take it all the way to the dam/falls from the put in point (see map below for details). The weather in Arkansas/Missouri has been incredibly mild this late winter. The temps were in the 70's. I decided to wear my Kokatat dry suit, due to the fact that I know the water temps are not that warm yet. I brought my fishing rod, but did not have much success....still early in the season. I spoke with a gentleman on the ramp who said they had walleye in the river, which sounded real intreging!
What an amazing last day of the year in the St. Louis area! I am usually a solo paddler, however, on this trip we had a nice team of friends. We put in at an old boat launch next to the new bridge by Kampville, MO. Evidentally, the launch point used to be a really rowdy biker bar that burned down (in other words, I do not know if it is really a public access point proper). We paddled a mile or so up the creek. There was a log jam that we just could not get around, or else we would have gone farther.
We then proceeded to turn around and head back and kayak the Mississippi River. The day was so incredible weather wise. We get some pretty incredible days in Missouri sometimes in the winter time. The Mississippi part was gentle...we had a little chop due to wind, but nothing major.
Ray and myself are thinking of doing this paddle again in spring/summer, and kayaking around Dardenne Island (refer to map below) and camping on the island for a day or two this upcoming year. I think it would be great to set out from the launch point, kayak around the island, and set camp. This seems like it would be a great, close, incredible adventure. I have something for the Mississippi River...must be all the Mark Twain books I read as a kid!
