Stolen: 2010 Red Mad River Caption on Salado Creek 3-11-11

[Bill Goodin]

Friday March 11, 2011 my dear wife,Mary,dumped me & my Caption at Camp Tahkodah near Batesville & Pleasant Plains on a beautiful,warm March sunny day. I ran 8+ miles of the Salado Creek & hit a partially submerged new fallen tree(river left) not visibly stretching the width of the creek (submerged) . Just below the Blue Heron Rookery on river right. This location is ~ 1/2 mile upstream from the "Creek Road" ford.( ~1&1/2 miles above the Grady Hole.) I lost control of my air bagged Caption which turned cross-current paralleling the tree before flipping the open face upstream and filling with water.The current was near maximum for me to stand holding to the tree. I was able to retrieve most of my gear from the submerged boat. After working alone for an hour, I declared the canoe pinned ! Two adults might have been able to dislodge it. I tied the painter ropes securely to the tree. At 5:45 PM, I started my 5 mile hike through the forest to Hwy 167 to my vehicle. I hiked back on Sunday with a friend to retrieve the Caption. (I had called and asked the kind folks at Camp Tahkodah if canoes or kayaks had launched on Friday, Sat., or Sunday other than mine. "No".) Upon reaching the site of my impingement, I found only my stashed wet clothes bag, helmet, wet suit, etc. I had hiked out with my 2 precious paddles , camera, flashlight, emergency pack, & water bottle. I was shocked to find no Caption tied where I had left it on 3-11-11. I did find 4 wheeler tracks and "canoe skid marks of red Royalex on rocks where my Caption had been dragged. I followed the drag marks north for ~1/2 mile through the woods, then lost the 4 wheeler tracks at truck tracks ~1/2 mile from the creek. I had hoped the Caption might have been stashed !
My red Caption has wooden gunwales & a cane seat. Any information regarding the location of the canoe would be greatly appreciated. This is my second and last time to canoe alone. So very thankful to have no injuries. Just grieving, feeling foolish, a bit embarrassed, & regretful.

Bill Goodin

3295 Alice Drive
Batesville, AR 72501
870-307-1968 cell / 870-793-2841 home

[nike54_la]

Passed your post along to a few co-workers who are regulary out that way. Good luck finding your boat!

[Bill Goodin]

Thank you ! I appreciate all the help I can get.
ACC provides wonderful support. As a family we can look out for each other as well as have fun.

Bill Goodin

[Randy Dodson]

Bill, I have many friends that live in the Pleasant Plains and Floral areas. I will tell them to keep their eyes peeled. I live in Searcy and will keep my eyes open down here. You might want to find out who owns the land where your Caption was and talk to them.


We're going to Batesville tomorrow for a wedding and I'll also ask our friends up there to be on the lookout.

[Bill Goodin]

Thank you. Green Bay, the paper company ownes the land. I found a 4 wheeler trail, red shavings and drag marks for 1/4 mile to truck tire tracks. No more evidence. I file a photo of my red caption with wood gunwhales with the sheriff's department. I'm driven the area looking in yards, out buildings,etc. nada.
I ran a notice in the local paper.
I appreciate you spreaging the word.

Bill