Check out the pictures at the bottom.  Here is an update on recent activity on the Mighty Clinton River!

November 2011 was a great month on the Mighty Clinton River with all the rain we had. There were many trips that Dale, "King of the MCR" organized.  River trip dates included (Oct. 30) Nov. 5th, Nov. 11th, Nov. 19th and Nov. 26th. 

I included Oct. 30th because it was Dale's birthday.  We had a nice day on the river and stopped on Rock Island for some fine cusine which inlcuded smoked salmon, shrimp and hickory flavored SPAM!  A couple of the guys decided to check out the theraputic waters of the MCR by imersing themselves in it!  Their comment was that "it took their breath away"!

The trip on the 5th adjusted some of the woody debris and Jim ran the falls successfully.  For the trip on Nov. 11th we took a few newbies and they did great!  I paddled Cindy's 17 foot aluminum canoe with her in the front.  It was a bit hard since the boat had a keel and I have not paddled a canoe tandem for quite a while, also the water was a little on the lower side (at least lower than expected based on the gage reading).  I gave Cindy the 'princess ride' for the most part, but she did great whenever I asked for a particular stroke and we only bumped a few times and she never grabbed the gunnles!  Dale took Mindy in his canoe and she had a good ride that day too.  We didn't stop for food that day, but it was a fun trip down.

I missed the next two runs (Nov. 19 & 26) Dale took Cindy on the 19th and a group of 4 went down on the 26th.  Dale, Rob, Jarret and John B. went down that day, Dale and John held back and had a campfire with some Knob Creek, Rob & Jarret continued down.  It was a beautiful Fall day with above normal temperatures.  Dale and John finished up in the dark but had a great relaxing run down the river.

Now it is December 4th as I write this.  This past week the river hit 3.2 on the Auburn gage, but I had to work, bummer!  It is raining out now and the river is at 2.37, which is a nice level.  If anyone is up for it I may be on the river later today.

That's all for now,
Rick

Me coming through Rochester Rapid Oct. 30th in my Old Town Pack canoe.  (it is a short 12 foot boat and I did take on some water!  LOL!)

Here is one of the woody debris that we typically 'deal' with.

Now you can get through!  (we use the 'free and clear' DNR approved method of clearing jams when we can)

Here we are going around a jam near the Bypass.

Redboat Tom through Rochester Rapid.

Dale's buddy (Gary?) coming through Rochester Rapid.

Jim running Yates Dam

Dale and Cindy enjoying a stop

Mindy and Cindy watching Jarret about to enter Rochester Rapid.  (under Rochester road)

Nov. 5th run from L to R: Jerry Reis, DaleGoolsby, Rob Cooper, Ed Stack and Jim McHale

The picture speaks for itself!  (John Burak by the fire)

Jarret surfing some



Redboat Tom in Rochester Rapid.