Iron Forks Recreation Area--Lake Ouachita

[Paddlegal]

Is anyone interested in a paddle here saturday 10-2? I've been wanting to explore ever since seeing Dan V's pics of the river otters he spotted up there and his description of it being like paddling up a river as the inlet narrows.

Be forewarned, this is to be a lakeshore, slow, quiet, paddle. My goal is to spot some wildlife and get a little bit of conditioning in. I haven't paddled in a couple of years and want to start back slow.

Should be a perfect day for a lake paddle.

[dan valovich]

I'm in for a paddle . contact me at djvalovich@gmail.com please.

[Paddlegal]

Meeting Dan at Irons Fork at 10 a.m. for more fun than you are going to be having!! neener neener neener

DO NOT DESPAIR, I HAVE WASHED THE FIT, IT SHOULD RAIN ANY MINUTE NOW

[Shark Attack]

We might be in the area. Be warned
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[Paddlegal]

yay!

[Paddlegal]

Trip Report;

We put in at Irons Fork very close to 10 a.m.

I thought I smelled a shark but it must have been my imagination.

The water was calm, smooth as glass, until my boat touched it. Then Mr. Windy showed up as he does when I get on the lake. Just kidding, it wasn't too bad at all.

The water was kind of low but Dan said he has seen it lower.

We chased 2 beaver upstream, came to the end of the water much too soon, spotted 2 Baldies and only Dan got good pics. My camera's just not cut out for long range.

The Baldies were accommodating enough to land in a nearby tree and ride the thermals over us for picture taking opportunities. Saw a nervous Great Blue and then we chased the 2 beaver downstream.

We tootled around another bay then Jim Moose got me all muddy...he's like that.

Mr. Windy was kind enough to pick up and aid us back to the takeout. Lovely day, excellent weather, great company.

Thank you Dan and Jim for doing the heavy lifting for me. I think that boat is going to stay on my car a couple of days. Maybe it will rain.

syotr!!

[dan valovich]

You Should Have Been There!!
Thanks Jim and Connie.

[Donna]

Dan.
Those pictures......words can't express.... they caused funny feelings in my insides as I scrolled down through them.......okay, I'll try... TOTALLY AWESOME, no that's not nearly good enough.... excuse me, I need to go look at them again.

[Paddlegal]

WOW Daniel.......WOW

[Karla]

Sorry I missed out on this paddle today. Next time. Dan, those eagle pics are PERFECT. Beautiful.. Eagles are my favorite birds to watch and see pics of. You are the best photogragher.

Karla

[Jim Krueger]

It was a beautiful day at Irons Fork today, and Connie, Dan, and I certainly enjoyed our outing! We saw several kinds of birds, but the eagles were just the best, especially Dan's shots of them! Connie and I would have never captured them as well with our 'point&shoot' cameras. We could also hear some A-10 aircraft in the distance, so I hope they had some influence in keeping the birds over our way The lake looks to be about 8-10ft. down from it's Winter level and we couldn't go as far (upstream/afield) as we might have in February say, but I couldn't take a dip in February either :) What a fun day, thank you both! We also saw some beavers but they wanted to keep their distance. Really great pictures Dan, and a pleasant morning!

I went on to Richardson Bottoms Bird Area later for a look, but need to go back in the Winter here when there is enough water to slide a kayak out into that swamp.


Best Regards
Jim Moose

[JeffT]

I wish I'd joined you. I went from the lower end of Catherine to the shoe plant pocket and back. Saw one bald eagle very briefly, one osprey up close with a fish, and three cormorants several hundred feet up in a thermal.
Last week I saw two deer swim across Couch's pocket.

During the weird summer of '09 I saw a bald eagle on Nimrod. This summer I saw two at the same time on Catherine. Aren't they supposed to migrate north during the summer?

[Paddlegal]

Hook up with us next time JT, would be pleased to meet cha.

Don't know about the eagles, but we have Canadian geese that stay down here all year long.

[JeffT]

How about some of you join me for afternoons on Catherine?