Bayou Bodcau 4/2/11

[Butch Crain]

8.5 miles
almost no current
7 portages
12-15 dragovers
couple dozen power log boofs
broke TWO kayak paddles
buzzed by a bat (1st one I've ever seen in broad daylight)

1st time my 7 year old grandson paddled w/me on a stream

he had a blast

I had my best day ever on the water

[Shark Attack]

That is great Butch. Memories with family are the best

[paddlecouple]

Where do you launch at, and other fun places? I have never been there before. According to this page there are 4 ramps and also the Bodcau dam road. Can you paddle both North and sound of the Bodcau dam road launch area? Thanks in advance.
http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visito ... Id=B400105" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Butch Crain]

We put in at Wenks Landing just below Sarepta and took out at the Hwy 160 bridge west of Cotton Valley.

The water level was extremely low. My advice is to not put in unless the water level is well up onto the roots of the the big cypress tree to the right of the boat ramp as you're facing the water. There's no gauges on Bodcau so that's the best I can do.

On the southeast side of the 160 bridge there's a sign in station - a rough (4wd) road goes from there down the hwy ditch towards the creek. At the creek bank it forks; the concrete landing is about 100 yards or so down the fork to the left.
I believe this is what the Corp web site refers to as the "Waterfoul Area".

It's the only part of Bodcau I've been on so I don't know about the lower area.

[AR-Nimrod]

Butch,

Is that a WS Pamlico 135T in that portage pic? Been wanting to get some info on those.

[Butch Crain]

Is that a WS Pamlico 135T

Yup - rented one several times a few years ago while working for the Nature conservancy. Liked it so much I bought one.

Easily converts from tandem to solo, rudder easy to add on, can haul gear for 2 for 2 days & nights if you don't mind going minimalist. Great primary stability, but way heavy - 75 pounds w/o gear and grandsons.

[AR-Nimrod]

Wife and I have been thinking about getting one or something similar to use as a family support boat (paddled solo and carry lots of stuff) on Buffy overnighters. Leaning toward the Pamlico or the Perception Acadia 14T. What's the bottom of the Pamlico like? Flat, Vee'd or Rounded.

[Butch Crain]

The middle 10 feet or so is flat w/ about a 1" deep and 2" wide (approx.) keel siped along that length and running into a V at the ends. The inside of the keel holds the tubing that the front seat adjusts along.

Have you seen Painter Bob's green Old Town? If memory serves, it was a litle longer and wider and lighter than the 13.5T.