Tuesday 13 July 2021 Bega River: Blackfellows Lagoon upstream

 Another glorious winter's day - perfect for a paddle. For today's jaunt we decided to start at Blackfellows Lagoon and given that there is still a bit of flow coming down the Bega River, paddle upstream to see if we could get beyond the tidal limit.

With a 10.48am 1.3m high tide at the entrance to Mogareeka L determined we should start paddling at 10.00.  The last of us taking to the water at 9.45am

Upon reaching the reed beds the current of the incoming tide became apparent as we sought for the deepest channel through the short cut,

disturbing this Egret as we went.

Reaching the river we turned upstream and settled down for a good poddle hoping the sun would soon warm up our frozen feet and hands.

Falling into line as L negotiates his way over a sand plug with A, ever the individual, running aground and learning that its easiest to follow the boat that sit lowest in the water - until they ground out!

Into deeper water and we slipped through the water with ease.

A sand bar is spotted ahead and S suggests morning tea.

Looking for a likely place to land.

Stopping at 10.45am we soaked up the sun for 25mins whilst fingers and feet warmed up. By 11.15am we were back on the water and heading upstream.

At the last bend before the tidal limit we chose the right hand channel which toward the end shallowed out as the water barely flowed over a large sand plug; with a lot of heaving and polling we managed to slide through onto deeper water. 

A couple of Sea Eagles opposite the entrance of Jellat Jellat Creek, just short of the tidal limit and it was here that we felt the tug of the downstream flow.

We paddled another kilometre or so up the river before stopping to discuss our options. Reluctantly we decided against pressing on to see how far we could go and we turned around and 

with the current, floated back downstream.

At 12.25pm we reached the island where we had had trouble with the sand plug and this time took the other channel and pulled in for lunch on the south eastern side of  the island.

Having spent a convivial 40 minutes basking in the sun we took to the water again; the last of us at 1.10pm. (Note: The last time we did this paddle, 23/8/2018 we only got to this island where we ran out of water.)

Cautiously paddling around the island - happily into deeper water.

Once into the wider water the current was no longer discernible

as we made our way back downstream.

About half way back a slight but very chilly head breeze sprung up,

however it only last 10 minutes or so. Just before we made the turn into the entrance to Blackfellows we felt the tug of the now outgoing tide which we paddled against down the lagoon ending another truly delightful paddle at 2.30pm.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Blackfellows Lagoon

High Tide at entrance: 10.48am 1.3ms

River Height at Bega North gauge: 1.04ms

Start time of paddle: 9.45am - perfect

14.6kms

4hrs 45mins