Friday 21 April 2023 Brogo Dam / Nelson Creek

 Memories of our 3 previous trips to Brogo Dam are stark and rather bleak. The first in March 2017 was our first attempt at camping for more than 20 years - all was grey and gloomy and we were chased off the water by a thunder and lightning storm which scared the bejesus out of us and then it rained all night.  The second trip was in October 2019, the dam was at only 68%  and the surrounding forest was suffering dreadfully in the drought. The third, in July 2020 was after the fires and even though the dam was at 103.03m it was depressing. The water was brown, the sides of the dam were covered in ash silt and the forest was barely starting to recover and was largely silent - we only heard 3 birds the whole day.

So we headed off today with no expectations other than knowing it was a perfect autumn day - blue skies, 20oC and only a zephyr of a breeze. So you can imagine our surprise when we arrived at the boat ramp and gazed upon a sublime view up the dam. 

Nearly as surprising was the new jetty and low dock.

We set off at 10.55am heading for

Nelson Creek. Entering Nelson Bay we encountered the only other humans we saw all day; two young lads in a tinnie with an electric motor who were heading home after a few hours of fruitless fishing.

After a delightful poddle up the creek we hit a gravel bar and managed to sneak up most of its length before running out of water.

We got out to check was beyond. Inviting as it looked we decided to

venture no further. After a short break we retraced our route, drifting along

and taking in the views.

Back in the bay, we started to look for a lead through the reeds so we could pull in for lunch.

Finding only one small lead we headed in and beside the bank found a shallow section with a hard sand bottom. Perfect.

Having set up in the shade we lingered and lazed for nearly 1 1/2 hours listening to the birdsong and the coots, busy out on the water and in the reeds, before reluctantly setting forth once more.

We had our 5th vaccination yesterday and whilst L was feeling no effect I was feeling rather manky. So even though L was keen to paddle up the Brogo River arm we poddled slowly back to the launching ramp.

We hugged the margins, 

sometimes a little too close.

Exploring all the nooks, crannies and

bays along the way.

Delighting in all the reflections and

masses of little fingerlings and water dragons (between the two trunks) we saw as we cruised slowly back.

And more reflections until

at last we reached the boat ramp at 3.15pm.

As the footage will show, despite feeling off, we had an exquisite day. Other than the odd zephyr the only ruffles on the water we caused by the Eurasian Coots skittering across the surface.

Trip Notes:

Put In/Take Out: Brogo Dam boat ramp

Dam level: 102.65m

8kms

4 hours 20 mins