Starting on Friday 28th March it rained nonstop until some time the following Monday night; 158ml (6 inches) and most of it falling as good soaking in rain. Over the same period we had big seas and high tides pushing water over the sand plug into the lake, so it was an anxious wait to see if Cuttagee would open.
Happily for us kayakers, the sand plug held and looks as though it may have increased in size so with perfect weather conditions we were set for an enjoyable paddle.
Along with N from next door we launched at 11.00am and went for a short exploratory paddle as we waited for S&V to join us before heading up to the bridge to check out the water level and to view the pelicans that have taken up temporary residence.
Then we headed up the lake and into Cuttagee Creek to see how it was recovering from the fire. Stopped by an impenetrable tangle of branches we turned and paddle a little way back to a pebble beach to stop for lunch and this was where I packed the GoPro away.
Paddling back down the creek N took a pic of this Sea Eagle in a branch overhanging the water
and near the mouth of the creek, the flock of pelicans we'd disturbed earlier had resumed their positions.
Further back L, followed by S&V, found a low spot in the silt jetty and with a couple of twists and turns floated over into Aafke's back lagoon. Back down the lake at the eastern end of Far End we poked around and found a short cut (tho' not in time) through to Little Cuttagee where we emerged, twig bedaubed and triumphant.
We poddled, chatting, slowly back across the lake until we said our goodbyes and parted ways. Nothing can beat an enjoyable afternoon on the water.
Before we start, a sad sight we saw when in Bermagui on Thursday - the fishing boat Volition caught on the rocks.
Overnight she was battered to bits and the next day there was nothing but left of her but debris and an oil slick which has caused closure of the beach at Horseshoe Bay.
On a happier note: As you will see, R, L and I had a most agreeable and relaxing one-way paddle up the Bega River, from Mogareeka to Blackfellows Lagoon Boat Ramp.
Aiming to set off an hour before high tide at the entrance, we made it onto the water 10 minutes ahead of schedule and headed toward the entrance, where the incoming tide was perfect for practising ferry glides. Turning to let the tide whoosh us upstream we saw not one, but two of the dark morphs of the Eastern Reef Egret!
Letting the tide do most of the work we poddled slowly up the river into the unnamed lagoon where we were entertained by a lot of fish activity and prawns skipping across the surface.
Rejoining the river we poddled up to the first of the islands and stopped for a break.
After the break R and I continued on whilst L flew the drone.
Along the way we saw the Sea Eagle flying overhead, spotted a couple of Azure Kingfishers and had a really good sighting of a Grey Goshawk as it flew low across the river right in front of us and landed in a tree near the bank.
R & I spent a bit of time exploring leads through the reed beds in Blackfellows and L caught us up halfway up the lagoon.
G, having swapped into our car back at Mogareeka was there to greet us as we pulled into the boat ramp about 12.15pm. With G to help, we soon had the boats unpacked and loaded onto the trailer. Then, having changed we headed to the Tathra Pub where we met G&R's friends from Dubbo for a convivial lunch.
A quick St Valentine's Day paddle between showers to play some more with the new kayak.
We launched at 8.40am and had another serene and happy paddle.
The Seaward Mantra kayak
We disturbed quick a few fish on our travels, L had one leap shoulder high out of the water right beside him. And there was a lone prawn that skittered across the top of the water beside me. It must be one of the few that escaped the many nets of the Christmas prawners.
After paddling up to inspect how much water was under the bridge we headed down the northern side of the lake and got a good view of a rare visitor to this area - the dark morph of the Pacific Reef Heron. We've only seen one once before, a few years ago down at the entrance to Mogareeka.
Shortly after we heard the young Sea Eagles chirruping for food. Following the sound, I found them in the same area we saw them a few days ago. Being further back in the bush I wouldn't have spotted them if not for an adult flying out and perching in a tree close to the water.
Backtracking his/her flight I spotted the young ones, last years brood who probably fledged sometime in late October into September. The parent had just delivered a fish to one of the young. The light coloured patch on the branch indicates this is a favourite dining perch.
Having watched them for awhile, I paddled back to the northern side of the lake to rejoin L and we explored Woolybutts Bay before pulling in for morning tea. After which we poddled quietly back to our launch spot.
Boat stuff for those who are interested:
Firstly, the stated length includes the rudder. The actual boat is only 414cm/13'6" long.
On this paddle I used a thin gel pad on top of the seat and my right foot didn't go numb and I was more comfortable.
Pros and cons purely from my perspective.
It takes a lot less effort to get up to speed compared to the Castine 145, but seems to require the same amount of effort to keep that speed.
It tracks better than the Castine when not using the rudder, and I found the Mantra more responsive when using the rudder for direction, instead of the paddle, to drift closer to the Sea Eagle .
Compared to the Castine there is not much freeboard in a Seaward so it will be interesting when traversing choppy water as I don't use a spray skirt.
And of course, the reason for the purchase - it is much lighter.
We were lucky again with the weather, a change came through during the tea break and as we launched again it died away. We got home, washed the boats off, got inside and only then the predicted rain began.
I love my Castine 145 however it is a hefty beast weighing a tad over 30kgs and as decrepitude marches onwards alongside our advancing age we are finding it increasingly hard to lift and carry around. The search for a lighter replacement has been seriously hampered by the recent discovery that kayak outlets in Australia are closing down en masse. For instance the two in Canberra selling sit-in recreational/touring kayaks have both closed. Of the five in Melbourne selling similar products only two remain. The two in Huskisson have closed.
Chances of finding a suitable replacement for the Castine were looking decidedly dim when I found a website, Synergy Paddlesports, a wholesaler based in Huskisson advertising an Ascente sea kayak and the kayak pictured below - its blurb stating it was designed for larger paddlers!
As the company's most recent social media activity was back in 2022 I didn't hold out much hope as I dialed the number. Much to my surprise the owner, Ross, answered and yes indeedy, he still had a couple left. Turns out that Synergy Paddlesports was the importer of Delta Kayaks and was licenced to build Seaward Kayaks in Australia (Ross built L's Chinook) although the Mantra was imported from Canada.
The visit to his workshop was fascinating. Kayak moulds galore. I don't know if Ross is making kayaks any more as his latest project is a huge catamaran that has taken 6 years to build from scratch and is now nearing completion. If anyone is interested in everything fibreglass or how catamarans are built by hand Ross has a You Tube site, Life on the Hulls. L has been sucked right in. Compared to a catamaran making kayaks must be a doddle.
Anyway, to cut a long story short we came home with a new kayak. Due to other commitments, windy days, rainy days, windy and rainy days, today was the first chance we had to try it out.
We set off for a short paddle, with plenty of stops faffing about adjusting foot pegs, back rest etc until we got things right. Along the way we spotted a pair of immature sea eagles perched in neighbouring trees which called for another stop.
We saw plenty of kangaroos along the shoreline; most scarpered when we approached but this mother and youngster warily stayed put as we glided by.
Halfway down the lake L took over the GoPro.
Here is the result.
After a break at the end of a little bay we headed back. In the same area we spotted one of the immature sea eagles.
As we approached it jumped to another perch as L pointed to its sibling flying in
We watched it land
in a neighbouring tree.
L had disappeared when the camera had been stowed so I had a lovely period of paddling in quiet solitude until turning into the straight where he was waiting.
We saw three Greater Egrets today.
At the end of our paddle and feeling very happy.
That enough for now. In the next blog I will talk about, from my perspective, the pros and cons of the new kayak. Someone has already enquired about the Castine 145, but I will be keeping her. Nothing can beat it for spaciousness and load carrying - perfect for multi day kayak camping (while we still can!)
Another early start to take advantage of the 1.9m high tide.
Getting ready.
After a slight delay whilst L kindly retrieved my gloves from the car we set out, an hour before high tide, as three screeching Corella's flew by.
Having cut through the mangroves we paused on the river to make a plan. As none of had all day and as R has a dodgy shoulder we decided to take advantage of the tide height and circumnavigate Jaggers Bay, something we had not done for awhile and a first for R.
Sticking to the left hand side of the river we saw quite a bit of bird life as we paddled upstream. Including this lone Whimbrel?; a migratory visitor from the far northern latitudes (with, in the background, a Greater Egret on the flooded saltmarsh).
Upon entering Jaggers Bay we found the 1.9 tide gave us enough water to mostly paddle between the mangroves and the shoreline.
Our breakfast stop was at the site of an c1875 logging ramp (remains of which can be seen in the water), where timber was rolled along logs onto barges called droughers/droghers which then floated down river on the outgoing tide to the mill in Bermagui.
Other than a couple of mozzies we had a very pleasant break before setting off to finish the circumnavigation of the bay. Back out on the river we headed across and paddled down through the mangroves before crossing the river for a brief stop whilst L flew the drone to take some panorama shots. The brief stop morphed into morning tea and we sat on the edge of the saltmarsh watching oyster boats, paddleboarders and kayakers make their way up and down the river.
About to get back into his boat L discovered his coffee flask was missing. So while R and I floated back down the river, weaving our way through a variety of paddlers working hard to make headway against the outgoing tide, L returned to Jaggers Bay to retrieve his flask thus adding an extra 3 or so kms to his paddle.
With our boats loaded and gear stowed R and I were ready for L's arrival and it was only minutes till we had his boat, gear and him loaded. I think we were home before 12.30pm
Another lovely day, a high tide of 1.9m and the CKC's first paddle of 2025.
L&I were running late and arrived at the bridge to find our fellow paddlers had their boats unloaded and nearly ready to embark. Consequently there was only time for a brief hello whilst L&I undertook the old farts version of haste to unload the boats and get onto the water.
Once launched the chat began in earnest; we hadn't seen each other for over a month and there was lots to catch up on.
We paddled down the river, serenaded by bellbirds and a family of kookaburras and turned off to explore the back lagoons, the 1.9m tide allowing us clearance to poke into the furthest reaches.
Close to the entrance we pulled in and it was decided that L would fly the drone whilst S&V crossed the lagoon for a swim before paddling back to join us for an early lunch.
We had the pleasure and frustration of many bird sightings as we paddled and sat. Multiple sightings of Sea Eagles, a Kite (frustrating because unable to tell which one), Ibis, Spoonbills, Seagulls, Terns, a Greater Egret, Pacific Herons, a pair of Pied Oyster Catchers and a heron (frustrating because it was the size and shape of a Striated Heron but was dark grey).
By the time we were ready to head back up the lagoon the tide was well and truly on the way out, however the breeze which had sprung up was, for once, in our favour and did much assist us as we paddled back against the outgoing tide.
After a string of windy days the kayaking god came through and aligned the tide and weather to provide near perfect conditions for a paddle with the younger generations.
To avoid the potential boating chaos around the bridge we put in a kilometre upstream at the end of S River Road at the edge of the Saltmarsh.
A quick pause for a family photo, then around 8.45 we were ready to take to the water.
The high tide having not reached our launch site we floated the boats to the edge of the river and then climbed aboard and paddled across the river before heading upstream.
A few tips from L and the girls were paddling well and I.F was handling R's dagger with ease.
Halfway up and everyone is still smiling - a good sign.
We stopped for a 10 to 15min leg stretch at the old campground. Having worked out the kinks and being revived with a Caramelo Koala everyone was keen to continue our journey up river to the confluence of Coolagolite and Nutleys Creeks. After paddling up the long straight we turned the corner to see in the distance the little beach at the confluence full of campers and so pulled in at the corner for an early lunch.
Lunch eaten; N dozed in the sun, the kids swam, L and I lolled in the shade and Mum kept an eye on us all.
Another family pic and it was time to pack up and head for home.
A breeze had sprung up and for awhile it was hard to tell if the tide had turned.
Our worries that the kids might be getting tired were quickly allayed when the breeze died down and the chase was on for J, in Big Red now helmed by Mum, to reclaim her polaroid sunglasses from I.F in R's blue Dagger. Back and forth they went, zigzagging down the river, J paddling hard whilst simultaneously screaming for more effort from Mum. L and I were not only highly entertained, we were impressed a) by the paddling skills they had so quickly developed and b) by their stamina - tho' I did hold some fear for how Mum might feel later that night :) The chase went on sporadically for about a kilometre before the glasses were finally surrendered.
After a quick side trip into the hidden lagoon we paddled back down to the edge of the Saltmarsh to find it drained of water. L having prepared for this walked back to the car and soon reappeared with some kayak trolleys and whilst the rest of use took the gear back he got 3 of the boats onto trolleys with the Dagger sitting on top of the Tarpon. All that remained was L's 17' Chinook which was carried all the way back by Mum and the girls.
With everyone pitching in we soon had the boats loaded and tied down and then it was back to G&R's to unload R's gear and to sit on the verandah with a coffee and Panetone for a lovely chat and relax whilst soaking in the view.
Here is the Go Pro footage. Not my best effort, as L said during editing "you kept turning it off just when you should have been turning it on". Too true, plus half the time I couldn't catch up with the little blighters so for most of their appearances they are mere specs in the distance. Next time I'll endeavour for more concentration and better footage.
A big thank you to R for offering the use of of her paddling gear.
Trip Notes:
High Tide at Entrance: 9.51am 1.9m
Put In Take/Out: End of S. River Road
10.6km
........ A few days later and it was time for a bit of work.
Heading off
With the addition of 4 willing workers in next to no time we cleared another patch of burnt shrubbery and created another huge bonfire ready for burning during the autumn break.
Then it was time to show Im all that remains of the oldest tree (tho' some say it was the second) in the area,
whilst Great Uncle L took the nieces for more driving lessons before heading home to fire up the BBQ for an early dinner.
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