Canoe The Ozarks

The highway J exit comes into view and my heart rate is ampin’ as I’m rampin’ up this favorite EXIT to another world.

Take me to the river…wash me in the waters, of the Big Piney River…

As mentioned in a previous post, I have already canceled three float trips this year due to a very wet, stormy spring.  It’s July 9th and I’ve never been more energized for a float trip.

We’re  going to float the lower section of the Piney and this time-and for the very first time -we will stay on the river for three nights and four days.
Hallelujah!

With a promising forecast and having extra time to spend on the river, we’ll have more time to:  fish; snorkel; swim; and kick back UNDER

Trying out the 10×10 canopy tent

Our new 10 x 10 canopy tent…

This worked out great for a three day camp site.  A nice refuge from the sun, with plenty of room for lounging and enough space for keeping things under cover just in case of a popup shower.

And the campsite we’ve selected for the first two nights is a favorite and once again, proved to be golden.  More on this a little later.
It’s about 1pm and around 90 degrees when we launch this extended July trip.  We heard the Smallmouths were biting so it wasn’t long before we’re casting our crank baits into the cool waters.  This time of year, the Crickhopper is clearly our favorite lure.
I make the first catch of the day and it’s a small Smallie.  But I’m smiling because it happened in short time.
Just minutes later, my cousin pulls in a 10-11” Smallie and this one jumped out of the water.  I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, ounce for ounce, there isn’t a better fighting freshwater fish in North America.

We catch a few more Smallies, a couple of Longears, and I pull in what looks to be a hybrid of a Bluegill and Green Sunfish.  I don’t think we ever caught one of these before(should have taken a pic).

It’s now mid afternoon and the 90plus temps are pointing to the wash cycle.
The waters today are a little cooler than normal for this time of year, but he who hesitates will be (still)colder.
I take the plunge, it’s a bit of a shocker; but it’s still refreshing and only  gets better as I climb to a lofty position to air dry in the sun.

Island in the Stream

Paddle on… Next stop

Spring Creek

At the mouth of Spring Creek on the Big Piney River, MO

It’s a modest little flow here…

Looking out from Spring Creek to the river

but Oh the waters run so clear…

Oh the waters, the crystal clear waters

It’s always fun to snorkel near a spring/outlet but the very chilly waters can be a challenge.  I like to start off in the warmer part of the river and then gradually work my way closer to the confluence.
However, being that even the river water was cold today, I didn’t stay in very long.

So then we head on down the river, hungry for supper, and eager to arrive at a campsite that we’ll call home for the next few days.

(campsite arrival, adventures in the natural world –  a new post soon to follow)

Beautiful bluff along the way to our campsite

Peace on the River

by William Hughes.