Arkansas Buffalo Adventure and Fishing Meet up - November 8 – 10, 2024

November 8 - Rod & Reel and Fly-Fishing Meet-up:

Due to low turnout associated with weather and the river conditions, the Rod & Reel Fly-Fishing did not take place.  Our main event organizer – Sandy, had to skip this fun meet up and we will all hold her responsible to ensure it will resume in 2025.   

November 9 – 10 – Buffalo Paddle adventure:

By now, it is no secret, the Arkansas Buffalo padding adventure is considered one of the most popular Club’s outings of the entire year.   The number of registered members and guests was a solid proof – we had 35 registered for this event and the enthusiasm leading to this weekend was  incredible.  

Until …. the Mother Nature stepped in.

The entire region had received a week’s worth of solid rain and the Buffalo River was raging with floods.  Just 3 days before the paddle, the levels on the Harriet gauge peaked at 34’ and with more rain in the forecast, the paddle looked more and more questionable. But the Buffalo River is known to drop the water levels just as fast as it gained it.   By Friday night, the river levels dropped to a comfortable 6.7’ and the plans to paddle were on.  But in terms of participation, the damage was done. The attendance dwindled down to 14 and even then, not everyone in that group was ready to paddle.

Friday night Mother Nature gifted us with another nice rain shower that lasted most of the night and some of the tent campers had a good old-fashioned Boy Scout “fun”.

Gloomy Saturday started under heavy cloud cover but thankfully, no rain.   Temps were mild and pleasant, and we were not in a hurry to get the shuttle started knowing that the water current will be swift.  We were treated with a visit of a bald eagle who perched itself right above Sherri’s and Keith’s camp site. The magnificent bird sat there patiently until all of us took time to take many pictures.  We all knew it will be a good day after that encounter.   And it was (except for a lost iPhone that did not know how to swim).

The shuttle from the camp site to North Maumee River access took about an hour, but the put in was very challenging, to say the least. The gravel road from the parking lot to the riverbank was a washed-out mudslide and we carried our boats using a human chain with our legs sinking into a mud. Thankfully, no shoes were lost, but Beverly came close to paddle barefooted. By the time we finished unloading and shuttling vehicles back to Buffalo Point, it was almost 11:30 when we started our paddle. There were only 9 of us as some decided to hike or stay at the camp.

As expected, the current was swift, and we covered entire track in about 4 hours, and that included a lunch stop.  A light rain started about 2:30 and prompted us to use the rain gear. But the sprinkle only lasted few minutes, and we were off the river in less than an hour after.  There were virtually no wildlife encounters except a Blue Heron and couple of turtles.  We made it back to Buffalo Point take out by 3:30, left our boats at the riverbank to be ready to paddle the next day. 

Saturday night dinner plans quickly turned into an impromptu potluck at Richard Sojourner’s campsite.  The food selection was amazing.  We had chili, ribs, Greek salad, all kinds of dips, beans, bread, and other goodies.  Paul Beebe spoiled the group by baking two Dutch ovens with apple dumplings that were served  with vanilla ice cream.  It was a relaxing evening with friends.

Sunday’s weather did not disappoint.   It turned out to be a gorgeous sunny day with warm temps in mid-70’s.  The water level rose by about a foot – to 7.2’.   We had 11 paddlers on Sunday.

Our concern was the condition of Rush take out. The area was very wet just few days prior and we did not know how difficult it would be to carry boats up to the parking lot.  There was no way we could bring our cars to the riverbank for loading. It was just too wet and muddy.  Keith had inspected the area Saturday while we were paddling, and it looked like it dried up enough to have a safe take out. We had a great paddle that day and Teresa Beebe treated us with her signature chocolate chips and oatmeal raisins cookies at the lunch stop. 

We were off the river little after 1 PM.  Some members returned to camp, some chose to do some hiking that afternoon, and some had to return home.

As always, this last outing of the year was amazing.  We wish weather cooperated and more people would join us, but we are all thankful for time we spent on the river, camping and enjoying each other’s company.