Paddling Upstream

[Predator1]

make sure there is no rain in the forcast.

[TRSmallie]

The lower part from Galena to Hooten Town will be the easier part of the Trek. Then from there you will have an adventure all the way up to between Shelvin Rock and Delaware Town. From there to below 160 is too bad again. But then you have to make it to the darn and I really would pay attention to the water level as this part can be challenging in any water above normal. Good luck and looking forward to see how you do. I highly recommend in investing in a kayak paddle.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Three or four days would make a nice trip with a fair amount of fishing, floating downstream.

[Predator1]

My brother n law and I fished on the james last saturday. We fished every sqaure inch of the river on a 5 mile trip. We put in at 5:30am and got out at 3:30pm. 5 MILE STRECTH. You couldnt possibly make it in 5 days fishing that much. Just to give ya an idea. Now if ya did it for charity....i bet there would be lots of spectators camped out along the river to feed ya. That way you did not have to catch your food...you could paddle..and paddle and paddle. Maybe people would DONATE give an amount PER MILE. Your idea could turn into something even bigger.

Oh yeah....buy you one of those "SPOTS" from Bass Pro. Just incase of danger.

Keep us posted.

[Flysmallie]

Hey Ronnie, I guess now is as good of a time as any................Can I borrow your 14' canoe and use it to paddle upstream on the James for a week?

No, really, I am planning on purchasing a 14'3" Royalex canoe from Two Brothers Canoe in Garfield, AR. One of the brothers is a buddy of mine and although I haven't seen his boats in person yet, knowing Louis, I'm sure they are top knotch! So here in a couple of weeks I will be picking up my new boat.

Now to address the "float" upstream part a little more. The other night after having a few, I thought wouldn't it be cool to pick up my new canoe and have my buddy drop me off with it below Beaver Dam on the White. I could paddle all the way into Table Rock Lake, up the James river arm and then upstream all the way to Springfield Lake, which is close to my house. What a way to Chrisen a new boat, eh?

Then I sobered up and reallized that unless I was willing to take a couple of months off work (which I can't afford) and look for a new girlfriend when it's over (which I can't afford) I should reduce my Journey to the last and probably the most difficult stretch. And now I'm thinking I should drive down to AR, pick up the boat, do a day float on the Buffalo and then strap it on top of the wagon and bring it home.

Thanks again to everyone with your encouragement and advice! Keep it coming!

Kevin

I still like your first idea. And I think I can help. I could tie your canoe to the back of the bass boat and "gently" pull you up into the James. I promise not to go over 70!!