October 2012 Current River Canoe Trip Pre-trip report

So far just me, Jeff and Michael on the current river trip. 

Fishing maybe?

We can take my car and trailer, the trailer is open to the elements so waterproof bags or containers would be a good idea.  I have extra NRS Bill's Bags if they are needed.

Since there are only 3 of us, and guys, fishing may be in order.  Also, we could run the upper part of the river from Baptist camp put-in on down.  This would require a short portage at Cedar Grove over a low water bridge, but the portage is short and easy and the 3 of us can probably carry each loaded boat in turn.

Jeff is an excellent teacher of fishing!  

Here is a website about fishing the Current River - Fishing-the-Current-River

Here are photo albums I have from previous trips - 2008   2011   Can't Remember

Here is link to river map and trip descriptions.  current river canoe map

We will be parked at Akers Ferry, and get a shuttle up to the put in of our choice.

Lures for Smallmouth Bass on the Current River

• * Rebel Crawdad, deep diving
• * Spinnerbaits, 3/8 ounce to 1/8 ounce
• * Marabou Jigs (olive, White, and Black), 1/32 ounce to 1/8 ounce
• * 3 inch green tube baits, texas rigged
• * Rooster Tail Spinner 1/24 ounce through 1/8 ounce (also works for trout)
• * Rebel Pop-r
• * Small Jitterbugs
• * 5" Zoom Curly Tail Worms (Green Pumpkin), Texas Rigged
• * Nightcrawlers
• * Minnows and Crayfish* (they work well, but you'll have to catch them yourself using a minnow trap)

Current Conditions from the folks at Akers - current river canoe conditions

Levels, October 3

Montauk looks too low

this is a fine level

Food for Current River week.  Think Jeff!  Must be compact!

1. Lunch - mainly jerky.  What for carbs?  Tortillas, maybe Naan?  Naan better than tortys, IMHO.
2. Supper - can chili?  No, hamburger-rice packs!
3. Breakfast - protein bars worked before.
4. Drink - hawaiian punch packets, I have lots.
5. some hot chocolate
6. Irish cream liquor
7. M&M's or Hersheys?

Had idea last night about supper for trip.  Way long ago, I went on a week long trip and tried an experiment.  Using Success Rice and dried hamburger, I made prepacked meals of hamburger, rice and various dried or freeze dried veg added to the rice and hamburger. I will prepare six ziploc bags of the mixture, adding hamburger, rice, dried tomato, onion, mushroom and Fox Point seasoning to each bag.  This mixture will just have to cook in hot  water for about 10 minutes to be ready.  I have a small backpack stove, but not sure if it still works.  The last time I tried this I used a Sterno Stove.   

drying peppers and tomatoes for canoe trip dinner

drying cooked hamburger for canoe trip dinners

getting the litttle stove ready for the trip

Dehydrator bounty going on the canoe trip.  Apples, tomatoes, plums, beef jerky

dried dinner - Success Rice, dried cooked hamburger, dried tomatoes, onions, celery, parsley, and various spices

2012-10-04 Equipment List

Cobra Kayak, with seat back and thigh straps
Werner Kayak paddle
Red canoe paddle
short canoe paddle
throw bag
iodine
long bungee cords
life jacket
sun hat
rain hat

in red extra long drybag

• cot

in yellow man-o-rubber drybag

• river clothes
• meds jar
• cold weather clothes bag
• warm hat
• gloves

in yellow drybag

• sleeping bag
• Big Agnes
• sheet sack 
• pillow

in extra long red drybag

• tarp and poles
• kermit chair
• fold up table

in small blue drybag

• stove
• pot
• bowl
• fuel bottle
• lighter & matches
• spoon
• cup

in med red food drybag

• jerky
• dinner mix
• protein bars
• dried tomatoes
• dried apples
• dried plums
• roasted peas
• soup cubes
• can cheese
• drink mix
• hot chocolate
• booze
• M&M's

in med red drybag- tent

• eureka purple tent
• floor savers
• stakes
• mallet

Personal stuff

• headlamp
• camera
• phone
• books
• wallet
• on water snack kit
• batteries
• first aid kit
• TP & shovel

First test pack went OK, but the big NRS Bill's Bag not fitting on boat as well as I would like.  

So, going to leave behind the really big oversize thermarest, and take the Big Grizzly cot, Big Agnes air mattress and sheet sack. Also will use the Man-O-Rubber  drybag for clothes.  That one is absolutely bombproof.    Kermit chair, tent pole tarp system and small stove table fit in one extra long drybag. 

 Stove, fuel, cup, pan and bowl fit in a small blue drybag.  Tent goes in one medium red drybag.   Food is going in one medium red drybag, and can fit under the hatch.  Blue stove bag can fit under deck hatch as well.   

Second test pack went better.