swamp tours..perspective

[Clif]

So in a discussion it comes out that my son would love to do some swamp paddling. "I think they are cool." I grew up where a 200 foot bridge was a rare treat, never tire of the hills that are ho hum to him. He never sees the swamps I played in as a kid.

So keep posting those backwater trips. I think one happened a few weeks ago? We will hook up soon.

[seark]

I appreciate your son's open-mindedness and sense of adventure. Wish more river paddlers would give the quiet waters a chance now then.

[Eric Esche]

Hey - the world is changing. We had a member of Team Stupid go down the Buffalo with us and he liked it. But then, he is reputed to be one of the smarter members of Team Stupid.

Eric

[Louiscov]

There are some very beautiful "swamp" opportunities in Northwest Louisiana that some of us down here could lead trips down, and a Bayou Chapter Ozark Society weekend on the Atchafalaya near Lafayette coming up Feb. 28 - Mar. 1.

Several wonderful streams, complete with cypress trees, Spanish moss, palmetto, etc. could be staged from the Shreveport/Bossier area so Arkansas paddlers could camp and get in two streams if desired. Saline Bayou is the diamond of the group. Given the US Wild and Scenic Streams designation by Congress in 1986, it is a twisty, remote, cypress-and-hardwood bottom stream with lots of current, sandy bottoms, huge cypress knees, averages 30 - 60 feet across: http://www.rivers.gov/wsr-saline-bayou.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's Dorcheat Bayou, Bayou Bodcau, Jeems Bayou nearby also. Ozark Society usually has a spring day trip to each of them. In March and April a side trip to Briarwood Nature preserve can be added to the Saline Bayou trip. It's a must: http://www.cp-tel.net/dormon/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I'll try to post the Bayou Chapter Ozark Society trips and would be happy to add a day to them so you can get in two days paddling for your drive. While all these streams are flatwater, there will be decent current in them, and there are places in Saline Bayou where two boats can be going in 180 degree opposite direction, within 30 feet of one another, both going downstream. I've seen several swims fin this cold, spring fed stream from paddlers bumping cypress knees in fast current. Come see these marvelous waters: maybe I can include a white perch (crappie) fish fry for our Arkansas guests.

[RomanLA]

Saline Bayou is the diamond of the group. Given the US Wild and Scenic Streams designation by Congress in 1986, it is a twisty, remote, cypress-and-hardwood bottom stream with lots of current, sandy bottoms, huge cypress knees, averages 30 - 60 feet across: http://www.rivers.gov/wsr-saline-bayou.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've been trying to get my local kayak club to paddle it. It's hard to get them on anything with a current though. I did manage to drag a few of them up to paddle Toro Bayou.

[Butch Crain]

A short report and link to a few photos from the Bayou Chapters trip to Saline Bayou in the spring - http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/mb/vie ... you#p56634" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Louiscov]

Thanks for the info and photos. This is such a beautiful stream, nice current, tight hairpin turns, obstacles to dodge. I hope to make some additional photos to share after Christmas. This is the best paddling trip in the state -- not an easy one -- but beautiful and challenging in its own way.