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