Netboy will be wading

[Cameron Gillespie]

3 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

I took a couple of my daughters on a short float years ago. As we got closer to the river it got cloudier and cloudier. This was before everyone had a weather radar on their phone. By the time we got to the outfitter it was raining a bit but seemed to be moving through pretty quick. I asked the lady if we were crazy for going floating and she said "I don't know, do you have cash?" And we all laughed. I knew her well enough to know she wasn't going to send us out there to be miserable, but I also know that there is some truth to her response with other outfitters.

My wife and I sat by a tough spot on the James last Saturday. Just sat there and watched boat after boat try and navigate it. Most of the stupidity seemed to come from adults. And I mean people 50 and above. The younger crowd and kids didn't seem to struggle with it as much as the old drunk people. You know the ones. Standing up on paddle boards blaring their oldies. Trying to make it through narrow runs with 3 rafts lashed together. (There were at least two ladies that were totally passed out in the bottom of the rafts). Or the self proclaimed river rats trying to maneuver all that while standing in a canoe with a drunk in the front trying to help. There was a group of young kids swimming a hundred yards downstream and I don't think they let a beer can, empty or full, get past them. 

I'm really surprised there aren't more deaths on the rivers.  

I feel the same way. It’s pretty surprising more people aren’t drowning on the White and Norfork. I saw three boats sunk in 2020, one of which resulted in a fatality. I think the powers that be do all they can to keep such news as quiet as possible so not to scare the tourists. I’ve seen a ton of kayaks on both rivers and it’s really foolish if you ask me. Most of the people in them really have no clue and no business being out there. They will get out in the fog and stay in the middle of the river. I’ve mentioned to some of them that they’re braver than me for kayaking on the Norfork River, they don’t seem to get the point. 
 

Only kayak rescue I’ve done was on the Eleven Point. Woman and young son were clinging to a tree in the river. Walmart needs to quit selling them. 

[Flysmallie]

Saw on the news earlier that the were searching for a missing kayaker on Norfork tail water. He wasn’t wearing a life jacket. 

[ollie]

Have they found the guy yet? I saw where he was from Texas and with a group when he tipped over. My guess is he succumbed to hypothermia and went under?

[Ham]

1 hour ago, ollie said:. My guess is he succumbed to hypothermia and went under?

That's certainly possible. The "Magic Number" for hypothermia that I have read about is water temp  + air temp < 100. Hypothermia will set in rapidly under those conditions. 
water temp was likely > 50 degrees and air temp was > 90. He should have had a little while to sort things out, but obviously I wasn't there and do not know any of the details. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Was the water running?    Norfork is sketchy with water on. 

[Ham]

1 hour ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Was the water running?    Norfork is sketchy with water on. 

Norfork is sketchy all the time.  yes, they were running 5K if I remember correctly

[Flysmallie]

https://www.ky3.com/2021/08/29/search-missing-texas-kayaker-continues-baxter-county-ark/
 

[sfiser]

It didnt happen on Norfork, it happened on the white below the confluence of the norfork around Reds Landing.  Norfork is very sketchy when the water is on so I agree with you there.  2 units on norfork is scary in my 20' supreme and I know what I am doing, just doesnt make me comfortable at all.  8 units on the white doesnt bother me but for some reason Norfork on high water really puckers me up.

[Ham]

16 hours ago, sfiser said:

8 units on the white doesnt bother me but for some reason Norfork on high water really puckers me up.

It should. Much tighter river. More wood in play. More Big boulders and drops that can ruin your day in a Hurry.

I am not relaxed at all in 5K water on Norfork. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

16 hours ago, sfiser said:

It didnt happen on Norfork, it happened on the white below the confluence of the norfork around Reds Landing.  Norfork is very sketchy when the water is on so I agree with you there.  2 units on norfork is scary in my 20' supreme and I know what I am doing, just doesnt make me comfortable at all.  8 units on the white doesnt bother me but for some reason Norfork on high water really puckers me up.

The White at 26k cfs was way better than anything on the norfork.  Just a little tricky getting a jet on the trailer 😁