Bayou DeView, Trip Report, 4/14

[kru1]

Had another wonderful trip for our annual blackwater float. We floated from Hickson Lake in Dagmar to the Apple Lake access on Hwy 70.

We left NWA after work on Friday and headed for our group of friends that already had camp set up in Dagmar. We arrived at Dagmar around 9:30, after a 45 minute delay. There is a new sign (at least I don't remember it from 2 years ago) that stated Dagmar access, only it was for Crosspond Bayou and not Robe Bayou. Should have realized that things weren't right sooner, but it was dark and I just thought maybe a little farther. Note: if you find yourself surrounded by agriculture fields and not Big Woods, you are not in the Dagmar Camping area.

Camping was perfect Friday night and we put on at Hickson Lake by 11:00am on Saturday after setting shuttle at Apple Lake access. Levels were about 14.7' on the Bayou DeView gauge, weather was about 80 with ample sunshine. It was a little lower then last time I was there but there was ample water to explore off the water trail. Tried to find a rookery that we found 2 years ago, but we didn't have success this time. After "bushwhacking" for about an hour we came back to the water trail and started our decent down to Apple Lake. Cypress trees were in full leaf out, and the Tupelos were a brilliant lime green. It was gorgeous, complimented by a nice coffee & cream brown water.

We were hoping to explore Apple Lake, but never found an access that didn't involve a portage over a dike. In all, we were on the water for a little over 5 hours. Heard a saw many migratory birds, river otters, coons, lizards, and deer. Surprisingly no one in our group saw a snake, that was unfortunate. Spring flowers were long gone, but the tupelos made up for it with their color. Other then a few john boats on Hickson Lake, we didn't see another sole.

Awoke Sunday morning to thunderstorms, so we decided to break camp and head back home.

Highly recommend this float to anyone,
kru