Traverse Area Paddle Club

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August 24 Betsie from Homestead Dam

Published on 8/24/2011

We learned a lesson today.....find out beforehand if the salmon are running before you head out to the Betsie. Oh my goodness! I have never seen so many cars at the lot at Homestead Dam. We managed to find a few spaces to park our own vehicles, but were really grateful that we didn't have to return later in the day. Thanks to our volunteer shuttle bunnies, Susan & Peg, all our cars could be left at the takeout.

We began our adventure with a delightful lunch at the Hungry Tummy in Beulah, where Peg went next door to Crystal Lake Adventure Sports and bought a new paddle. So her "lunch" ended up being a bit pricier than the rest of ours. Sue had commitments at home later in the afternoon, but joined us for camaraderie and food.

The rest of the bunch: Lois, Karen, Marv & Marlene, Barb & Mike, and Char unloaded kayaks and gear among the throngs of salmon fishermen.

It was pretty gross since some of them were standing at the watercraft landing, with several 2-foot fish on the line, and even cleaning the fish right there in the water. Is that legal? Their "tattoo-to-teeth" ratio was higher than 1:1. We didn't really feel like taking swim breaks in bloody water. Luckily it wasn't too hot out.

Fortunately the masses decreased as we paddled away from the dam area, and in fact, after 40 minutes or so, we were totally alone on the stream. Some of the women (who shall remain nameless) were worried that the excited fish might jump into their kayaks, but mostly we found it an interesting diversion to be bumped from underneath by the salmon heading to their spawning grounds upstream. Someone told us that there were so many that they were jumping up above the dam.

This was Charlene's first real river trip, and she had asked for some paddling pointers. She proved to be a spectacular pupil! She has a real sense for looking ahead and planning her moves, and understanding what she needs to do to make her kayak behave. We couldn't really begin the lessons until after we were about a mile from the put-in, but then Char quickly learned the ins and outs of back ferrying, eddy turns and peelouts. We never got to practice rock leaning, but I am sure she will be a pro at that maneuver as well. And....it was her maiden voyage in her newly acquired kayak (courtesy of John, who couldn't make it today, but he was there in spirit). I was bummed out that I missed the waterfall; someone will have to show it to me next season.

We decided to take out at Smith Bridge, if only to avoid the crowds of fishermen at Lewis. Actually we did meet quite a few guys along the way who were cheerful and courteous to us, and said it didn't matter if we passed in front or behind them....they said there are so many fish that they would be sure to catch some. The river seemed easier than earlier this year; my guess is that the outfitter at US-31 did some clearing to help out his rental customers. We did meet a family at the takeout that was super helpful to us, with a 9 year old boy and 11 year old girl helping to haul all our boats up to the cars.

It was a good afternoon outing, but for the rest of the season, I would recommend sections of local rivers upstream from dams.

Written by Lois

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