Friday 22 April 2022 Tuross River: Comerang Forest Rd Bridge to Princes Highway

Arriving at the bridge we found the river had changed somewhat since our last paddle.  Most of the shrubby island just down stream of the bridge has been swept away. 

With the river height at 2.14ms (@ Eurobodalla) when we hit the water we didn't have to time our paddle with the arrival of the high tide at the long shallow section about 7kms downstream.

After completing the car shuffle we got onto the water at 11.00am - the first ones taking advantage of the eddies behind the bridge pylons to practice ferry gliding and catching the eddies

There was enough of a downstream flow to

provide a lovely assist as we paddled downriver. The water was still turbid due to recent floods, normally (although what is now 'normal' is a moot point) the water along this stretch is lovely and clear.

Having negotiated a couple of fallen tree hazards it wasn't long before we reached the cattle crossing  (see 5.1.2018 blog). The trees along the bank in this section were liberally hung with silage wrap.

Soon after we entered the trickiest section; braided river with some fallen tree hazards and it was hands on paddles so no pics.  A couple of times L had to scout a route whilst the novices hung back. Happily there was a clear and easy line to be found each time.

The last of the potential hazards behind us we could relax and let the river take us.

 

Lots of chat going on

At 12.10pm we pulled in for lunch after doing 5.1kms in what seemed like no time at all.

Lots more chat - films, festivals and of course politics. Specifically re the Liar from the Shire, our Prime Master of Spin and Deflection and how he endlessly gets away with it. 

What did L say the other day??? Oh yes, "Elect a comedian and you get a Statesman, elect a politician and you get a clown". In this particular case a devious, deceitful, demagogic clown who believes he's blessed.

Having got that off our chests we set off again at 1.00pm.

Still being aided by the downstream flow,

we poddled along soaking up the view.

Along with lots more chat.

With the aid of the downstream flow we were paddling approx 5.4kph and

before long we had reached our pull out point at the boat ramp beside the Princes Highway bridge.

There is deep sludgy mud either side of the boat ramp, so getting out on the ramp is a must.  This lovely lady pulled in L's boat and steadied it while he got out - then, I must say, buggered off and left the rest of us to our own devices :(  Very wise of her.

At 2.20pm, just waiting for some space on the ramp.

Whilst S&R drove back to our start point to collect the car L&I got our boats loaded and tied down so with us free to assist when the two other cars returned the remaining three boats were loaded in no time at all and we were on our way home - with, for some of us, the obligatory stop at the Bodalla dairy for an icecream - Yum.

Trip Notes:

River height at Eurobodalla: 2.14m

Put In: Comerang Forest Rd Bridge

Take Out: Princes Highway Bridge Boatramp

12.5kms

3hrs 20 mins

Monday 18 April 2022 Bermagui River

 Just the three of us again, taking advantage of this spate of good weather. We set off at 9.20am overlooked by a pelican.

Paddling up river behind the oyster beds L led us into the mangroves.

At this level it took a bit of poking around to find a way through. A section would open up

and then the mangroves would close in. L took a narrow lead between two branches and slipped through. Being in a wider boat I became air bogged but managed to pull and push my way through. Suddenly I heard a few squeaks of  alarm from behind me. These quickly turned into a fluent flow of cursing - R in choosing a different route had got herself well and truly entangled - her paddle caught in branches - her boat jammed against something underneath and the top of her rudder caught by something on top. She could go neither forward or back.

After much rustling, a lot more swearing and some major gymnastics she was free and we continued on our way.

After rejoining the river we crossed to the far side and paddled up the inside of the next oyster leases,

the glassy water making for a wonderful paddle.

We last paddled the Bermi River on the 21st March; the water then feculent in the aftermath of the storms. So it was delightful to find the clarity improving and the river returning to her beautiful best.

Poddling on upstream assisted by the end of the incoming tide,

we enjoyed the plethora of reflections on offer and

the vistas ahead.

Passing the campsite we were surpised to find it empty. In fact other than a tinny at the start we had only passed two pair of kayakers. We had the river pretty much to ourselves - remarkable given it was Easter Monday.

Still feeling energetic we gave the campground a miss and paddled on reaching the Coolagolite confluence at 10.55am. Setting up on the little beach we had morning tea which morphed into an early lunch as we waited for the tide to turn.

Reflections across the river.

 By 11.45 the outgoing tide was flowing strong enough to float us gently back down stream and at 11.50am we took to the water once more. 

Wafting downstream on the tide,

we did do some paddling :) and returned to civilisation to find the river a little busier and the pelicans ousted from their usual spot across the river. 

 However we had slipway beach to ourselves, landing at 1.15pm.  After loading our boats we drove through a town heaving with people and all thoughts of gelati were quickly squashed. Instead we opted for a coffee on R's covid safe terrace, high above the throng.  

High tide entrance: 9.21am 1.6m

14kms

Friday 15 April 2022 Wallaga Lake: Dignams Bay

 A high tide of 1.7m at 9.33am at Merriman Island made Wallaga Lake an obvious choice for a paddle. The only drawback, being Good Friday, we would have to share the waterway with power boats. However the plan was simple - look where the speed boats were and don't go there.

As we had only planned for a short paddle we met up at the end of Fairhaven Point Way at 8.30am.  Only R was joining us today - the rest of our paddling group being melophiles had deserted us for the auditory delights of the Four Winds Festival.

Taking to the water at 8.50am were pleasantly surprised to see that other than a couple of motor boats in the far distance there were only a few kayak fisherpeople on the water.

Never had we seen such glassy water on the lake.

Paddling down the lake, heading for Dignams Bay.

Paddling through reflections of the clouds and

the sun on the water

we slowly drew closer to Gulaga.

Whilst passing Long Bay a big fat prawn launched out of the water and landed on L's boat just in front of the cockpit and much to L's bemusement, after a momentary pause flipped itself off again.

Having inspected the survey station anchored at the entrance to Dignams Bay; it comes complete with its own garden gnome - this one an owl - we headed into the bay.

There were swans flying past, Sea Eagles soaring overhead, fish (and prawns) jumping and skipping across the water.  All was peaceful and serene until

a ski boat came screaming down the bay turned and screamed back past L

It was a relief to paddle past the water shallow signs and leave the noise behind us. Turning into Dignam's Creek we chose the channel around the far side of the island.

After taking a detour through a barbed wire fence up a side channel and finding the water to shallow to proceed up the hidden lagoon we continued the circumnavigation of the island and started to think about having a break.

Finding no suitable site we backtracked up into another lagoon and found a perfect spot - flat, shaded and no mosquitos, ants or worse - sandlflies and to top it off - a magnificent view.

Apart from the sound of nature -  fish plopping, small birds twittering, the occasional honking of swans and cry of the Sea Eagle it was quiet, no man made noise intruded. No wonder we lingered so long. Having landed at 10.35am we didn't depart until and hour and 20 minutes later.

As we paddled back down the lagoon on still glassy water

L endeavoured to teach R&I the bow rudder stroke

Getting the forearm across the forehead is a bit tricky at our age!

It was peaceful trip back up the bay, only stopping for a short while at Snapper Point to chat to an elderly gent who said he had gone down the bay for a bit of peace and quiet.

When we reached the lake proper we could understand why. Ski boats, joy riders and jet skis abounded and we paddled back up the lake on waters made choppy by the all the boats and with the constant aural barrage of boat engine noise assaulting our senses (a far cry from what our fellow CKCers would be experiencing at Four Winds).

However one more delight was in store.  Rounding a point we espied two seals hauled out on the rocks who did no more than open one eye as we quietly approached.

Having mutually regarded each other

for awhile we quietly paddled off. 

After leaving the shelter provided by the point it was a slow, steady and somewhat uncomfortable slog over the choppy water to our take out site, landing at 1.25pm.

Trip notes:

High Tide at Merriman Island: 9.33am 1.7ms

Put In/Take Out: End of Fairhaven Point Way

11.2kms

4hrs 35mins