A Little Fishing, A Little Paddling

Kayaking on the Little Red River

Floating along the Little Red River in search of Trout

We got an early start on another sunny and clear day along the Little Red. Slightly mired in a minor lack of planning, we probably should have considered our Saturday plans before touring around. Odd, how little difference that seems to make during off time. There is always time.

The original plan was to put in at the dam and float down to Baker’s Ford, which evolved to putting in at that location and going on down to Dripping Springs; both, about a 10 mile journey by water. We were still pondering that possibility when we headed off to breakfast and to gather a few necessitates. Realizing that the day was getting away from us, and that we were going to be fishing along most of the way rather than paddling, we decided to limit the expedition to 5 miles. That changed the question to whether we would put in at Cow Shoals or Baker’s Ford; either way, we were going to need a ride. We decided the best of the options would be the latter, and we would just make our way to Lobo Landing.

Turtle sunning on a log, along the Little Red River

And so the plan came together, and we were on the water by noon. There was nothing particularly significant about the trip. The river is a little insistent about perpetual motion until near the end of Scroncher Shoal, so we followed its bidding only finding a few spots to break into calm water. Just before the next bend and shoal area, it widens and becomes deeper. Indeed, In spite of a couple of other shoal areas shown on the map, by the time the bluffs at Libby Access soar into view, the river is about six feet until crossing Libby Shoal. It immediately deepens again and remains that way all the way to Lobo Landing.

Little Red River

We spent about four hours floating along, attempting to lure our prey. Harley caught one near the end of the journey, but I only caught a few interesting photos. It was a beautiful day for the little trip though, with temperatures in 30s C. The water temperature was likely in the teens, and not conducive to submersion, so we avoided that particular detail. Harley did think it was cute to douse me with a splash of his paddle, to which I replied with one of my own. While it was a bit refreshing in the heat of the day, neither of us was interested in feeling the initial freeze again, and we quickly called a truce.

Blue Heron along the Little Red River

After loading up the kayaks and all the gear, we were beginning to feel the effects only eating a bit of jerky. Suzie’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Pangburn was somewhat on the way, so we stopped a little refreshment from sweet Suzie herself. She is just about the nicest person, but then everyone seems to have a better attitude the further south you go; some even more so. She loaded us up with a burger, hot dog, fries, a root beer float and Harley succumbed to the temptation of the Hot Fudge Sundae. He had been wavering towards the Cold Dog, a concoction devised of a Twinkie split in half, with ice cream, with caramel and chocolate all over. He chickened out at the last minute though.

Spring Park

It had been a good day, and the evening just as good. We dropped in long enough to clean up. A shower is just what you need sometimes to recharge. After some discussion, we agreed to grill up some steaks, after we dropped in on the little show down in Spring Park. The band we had heard briefly the night before was opening for a girl out of Nashville, and we were curious to hear a bit more. We only stayed for about an hour though. Steaks and beers awaited our return, and begged our safe and early return.

US Army Corps of Engineers Map of the Little Red River