Wattensaw Trip Report: SUNDAY 11/18

[DeBo]

Hello swampers! We WILL be paddling this weekend but there are changes. First, the date has changed from Saturday Nov. 17th to Sunday Nov. 18th. We will have an opportunity to float the incomparable Bayou Deview. The gage is rising and it will be floatable by Sunday at the earliest. Grassy Lake was completely dry and will still be very low so we are not missing it.

I am thrilled that Deview is coming up! It is always a real treat! Stay tuned I'll have more information tomorrow.

[Minna Ulmer]

Thats great news! I am finally off this weekend and have never paddled bayou deview.

[74broncogirl]

I might be off on Sunday and would LOVE to go on this trip. Please keep me in the loop!

[Shark Attack]

Doesn't duck season start this weekend?

[Cowper]

Good Point, and thanks for the reminder since it will be a factor in deciding what time to start!

From the AGFC website, "During waterfowl season, WMAs are closed after noon to waterfowl hunters and waterfowl hunting. Waterfowl hunters must leave waterfowl hunting areas by 1 p.m."

In the past we've been able to paddle without impacting any hunters by simply using the morning to run our shuttle, and launching at the crack of noon. It also sets us up to paddle during the warmest part of the winter days...

[DeBo]

Time to start finalizing what we can:

Primary Meeting:
Sunday, 11-18-2012, 9:30 AM
Hazen, Exit 193 on I-40
T-Ricks Citgo Station (just as you get off the freeway)

We'll make a short stop along the way at a convenience store in DeValls Bluff; you can pick up snacks or drinks there, but selection is a bit limited so if you have some fav foods you might want to already have those in hand.

Secondary Meeting (for those coming from the East) NO SECONDARY MEETING - COME TO HAZEN!!!
Dagmar Road, just off Hwy 70
N34.8392 W91.2943
~10:15 AM


Two floats are being considered, final choice will be based on water:
Hickson Lake to Apple Lake
Hwy 17 to HIckson Lake

If you need to contact me, text or call me at 501-fourseven2-68seven3

Looking forward to seeing those who can make it!

[Eztouche]

Will there be a lot of wading and mud? In short, do I need muck boots?

[Eztouche]

I guess I am confused. Hazen is not near Bayou Deview. Are we going to Wattensaw? That was to have been an overnight trip.

[Cowper]

SHORT ANSWERS: We're going to Bayou DeView, and muck boots are always a good idea when headed to the swamp!

The "War and Peace" version of my answer follows:

Will there be a lot of wading and mud? In short, do I need muck boots?

We’re hoping wading will be limited to one or two beaver dam crossings, but levels have been very low and we’re trying to time the trip to ride the crest of a surge from the recent rains that may only bring BDV to a good level for a couple of days. So yes, I would recommend muck boots for those that have them. We have also found that some type of push-pole can be very useful at beaver dams or for the occasional hang-ups that occur if water is lower than expected. Different paddlers have used different solutions:
1) Two bamboo poles or sticks
2) Break down kayak paddle (so you can push evenly on both sides)
3) Two short lengths of PVC pipe (with end caps)

Anyone reading this, please don’t let this talk of wading and pushing scare you off. We don’t expect more than a little bit of that and wouldn’t be headed to BDV if we didn’t think there was going to be enough water for an enjoyable float. But it is a swamp so muck boots and push poles often turn out to be a nice little luxury.

I guess I am confused. Hazen is not near Bayou Deview. Are we going to Wattensaw? That was to have been an overnight trip.

We are going to Bayou DeView.

Hazen is the last exit before the freeway construction which sometimes causes excessive back-ups, so we get off the freeway at Hazen now to avoid any chance of being stuck in traffic. So it is just a convenient, “can’t miss it” gathering place that makes it easy for anyone who is not familiar with the area to meet us and caravan the rest of the way. But you're right, Hazen is still about 20 miles West of where we're going, that's why we thought it only fair to provide a second meeting place and time that would be better for those not coming via Central Arkansas.

[Eztouche]

Well.. ya gotta explain things slow to us ole Texas Aggies.
There is also a Bayou DeView Arkansas Game & Fish Wildlife Management Area near Weiner..........
now I know we are going to the Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA.

[Cowper]

Yep, DeView is a LONG one, isn't it?

I haven't really explored it further north than Morton (at least not yet).

[Jim Krueger]

I think the Bayou DeView float will be pretty good compared to Clear Lake, and the Saline Bayou in Eastern Clark Co. I went down that way today to do some 'bush hogging' on one of our farms, and noticed how low the water levels were.
I know you all will have a nice trip tomorrow

Best Regards
Jim

[c8mb]

See yall there.

[Karla]

See y'all there but will be just me . Anyone want to share ride I have room for more people and boats. Can meet Benton or little rock. Taking the truck. Let me know. 501-680-5595

[DeBo]

Been out checking levels, and I hate to admit this but my wishful thinking got the better of me. The bayou just didn't hold at 15 ft long enough to refill a very thirsty swamp. To avoid confusion, we are still meeting at the same time and place, but our final destination is now the Wattensaw Bayou water trail.

There will no longer be a "secondary" meeting at Dagmar Road, everyone should come to Exit 193 (Hazen, T-Ricks). If you are coming from the east, you might want to get off the freeway at Brinkley. Things may be fine tomorrow, but we just talked to someone who spent 2.5 hrs going 5 miles on the freeway between Brinkley and Hazen.