One of the most memorable canoe adventures of my life took place, not on a lovely spring day, but in the dead of winter. After 6 inches of snow.
That January, my roommate Hog Ears and I were living in our backwoods bachelor cabin tossing wood into the fireplace like it was a steam-puffng locomotive on an uphill grade. We were laid off from our jobs at the state park for the winter with time on our hands.
One morning after a big snow, cabin fever crept into our bones. The only cure is to get outside, so we decided to float Beaver Creek, a pretty little stream that flowed into Bull Shoals Lake. We slapped the tire chains on my pickup, tossed the green canoe into the bed and oft we went.
At the river, snow was heaped in thick scoops on the shoreline pines and hardwoods. Our warm winter boots shoved the canoe free to start our float.
Beaver Creek’s swirling water is clear as crystal, but appeared black in this white, wonderful landscape.
The 6-mile float was unforgettable.
Canoeing and kayaking in winter is a cabin-fever elixir, for sure. The risk factor goes way up paddling on cold water, but if you hear the river calling, get out there and go if your ability and gear allow.
Winter floats are fine for experienced paddlers with some miles under their life jackets. Stuff a change of clothes into a dry bag in case of an upset. Choose a river you’re comfortable with and plan your trip for a mild day.
Zip and buckle that life vest.
The last thing you want to do is tip over. The best way not to tip is to get off the seat and get on your knees. Kneeling in the canoe lowers your center of gravity and makes the boat more stable. Place your knees on the floor so each one is touching the side of the canoe. Rest your rear on the front of the seat. I’d bet the price of a shuttle you’ll stay upright.
Lake paddlers would be wise to stick close to shore during winter. That’s where the best scenery is anyway.
Pack for the worst and hope for the best is the mantra for winter paddlers.
A mishap may happen when you least expect it, on the calmest water.
Not long after that snow float with Hog Ears, I’d become friends with a guy who recently moved to the Ozarks from London. The one across the ocean, not the one in Arkansas. I made it my mission to take him on a float trip down the Bufffalo River. So what if it was February?
At Ponca, we loaded our lunch and a big dry bag filled with warm clothes into the canoe. Oft we went downriver toward our takeout at Kyle’s Landing, a float I’d done several times. My pal’s eyes were wide with wonder at the lofty bluffs and lively water on his first Buftalo River trip.
About halfway, we bobbed down an easy riffle in a channel that was arrow straight. A lone branch hung over the water and when we reached it, both of us leaned to the right. The canoe flipped and in a whipstitch we were swimming the Buftalo in February.
Now out of the water, we stood on a gravel bar soaked to the skin. We pulled off our wet clothes and opened the dry bag. It was chilly toweling off, but not bad because the temperature was mild, around 50. We put on dry clothes and were none the worse for wear.
The incident was barely mentioned the rest of the float because we were prepared.
No telling how many times since then we’ve floated the Buffalo during winter. Fact is, it looks good for canoeing this weekend. If you’ve got the gumption, the gear and the experience, let the good times flow.
FLIP PUTTHOFF IS OUTDOORS EDITOR FOR NWA MEDIA. FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER, @NWAFLIP.
Outdoor, Pages 6 on 01/16/2014