Kayaking the Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton National Park

I once canoed the Oxbow in Grand Teton National Park. Then, I was a chaperone with Paul Lussow’s High School class. It was at least forty-five years ago, and I ever since then I wished to paddle the myriad channels and Oxbows backwaters again… Finally, we got our chance, and we loaded our kayaks, bought the necessary permits from the state of Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park, (thirty dollars total) and unloaded the kayaks at Cattleman’s Bridge. As we got ready to launch, an immature bald eagle hit the water and rose with a large fish in it’s talons. It carried it across to an island near us and proceeded to feast on the fresh and flapping fish.

We could see it ripping strips of meat. Tossing them up, and then catching them in its mouth. As it fed a mature bald eagle flew overhead and called to the immature, as if to say, well done. We got into the kayaks and pushed off. As we floated in a gentle current the eagle flew over Renita’s head and she could hear its wing beating in the air. It landed in a large pine tree carrying the skin and head for a latter snack.

Passing under the bird we took the first channel to the left, it narrowed and wound past an island before opening into a larger channel. Ahead of us we spotted American White Pelicans looking for their own meal, but we did not see them dipping their large sagging bills into the water.

A family was also exploring the Oxbows Bend, but they were on paddleboards and in an inflatable raft. Continuing we next headed to three small islands which then opened into the main bend. From there we could see the highway and even some people at the overlook. Paddling into another channel Renita spotted a bear track in the mud that made up shallow botto

m. We decided to stay in the kayaks as we did not relish encountering a bear, wolf, elk or moose, (if you ever get the chance to watch a grizzly bear swim, well I doubt we could out paddle one).

Spotting the takeout point we decided to paddle the long section boarded by the highway, and then paddling upstream in the main channel of the Snake River. The river’s current is controlled by the amount of water being discharged from the Jackson Lake dam and we knew that the released water was lower and slower than it had been. Paddling around the point of the largest island we encountered the river’s current, but it was doable, even with our limited ability. Val has a much better kayak, with a rudder and so she scoots along in a straight path while our yaks tend to crab. She paddled across the river and back in the time it took us to cross along the river’s edge. It was a very deep hole, and I did spot a large snake river cutthroat! It was much bigger than any I had ever caught!

Renita and I were tired and so we all paddled up current to our takeout point. As we approached our takeout point a friendly lady from Australia, Marissa, helped us out of the boats. We talked a bit, and she told us she was house sitting and asked us how difficult the Oxbow was. We told her that if she had ever kayaked, she wouldn’t have any problem and that the float was a beautiful time in a beautiful place.

It was a great day on the water with Renita and Val. Just after we loaded the boats the wind came up and whitecaps formed. Perfect timing, and a perfect ending to a great day on the water. Clear skies

Christmas, New Year's Eve 2023, and Kayaking St Charles Bay

It’s been a while since I have written an entry in the blog, (our personal journal), because we have been so busy with parties, dinner celebrations, and games. Oh, and I also forgot to mention fishing, and kayaking.

The fun started on Christmas eve where we gathered for a dirty Santa gift exchange. Drawing a number, we then took a present from underneath the tree and opened it for all to see. Knowing what the others had received you had the option of picking another unopened gift or taking someone’s already opened gift. Renita opened hers before me and it was Christmas ornaments that contained small bottles of cinnamon flavored whiskey. Nice gift but we don’t do shots anymore, well rarely, so she hoped that someone would take her gift. Of course no one did. When my turn came, I opted to take away a nice blanket from a person who had been trying to hide it beneath her table. She then took a gift away from someone else and the gift exchange continued. Later I had the blanket taken away from me, and then opened another gift which was a blanket. It was also taken away and my final gift was a new battery powered Chinese lamp, (later we discovered that the lamps power supply was so corroded that it was beyond repair).

The next day our Entertainment directors Alan and Zita prepared a Christmas feast of ham, (we are so lucky to have such great chefs who are also friends with everyone in our rv park)! Another friend Dave, cooked a turkey and the rest of us made deserts or salads. After eating too much we all went back to our rigs and took a nap before returning for leftovers. On New Year’s eve we gathered for another get together where we ate a huge meal prepared by Alan and Zita, along with Wade and several others serving us a shrimp and crab boil, (along with deserts).

After this meal we then played a viscous card name called Jokers and Pegs. It’s a multiple deck game where the men and women formed two teams. We had one too many men so Bob agreed to be a woman and acted out the part quite nicely. Both won one game so it ended was a draw. We stayed up till eleven pm and went back to our rigs. New Year’s day was another dinner followed by football and naps, Did I mention that before leaving Wyoming, my doctor had me meet with a nutritionist who instructed me on ways to lose weight! A few days later Renita and I recovered enough from all the food and decided to go kayaking. Our first choice was Port Bay but arriving there the wind was too strong and so we drove to St Charles Bay.

Launching our yaks we paddled into a sheltered canal, fished and ate lunch. As we fished three whooping cranes flew overhead and squawked so loud that even I could hear them! The fishing was slow, but I did manage to catch an undersized flounder, (which was released unharmed as we use circle hooks).

Returning to the main bay we went to another of our spots and tied up. I lost a nice fish just as other kayakers paddled by. They were member of the Texas Women Fly casters! Later they helped us as we landed and even carried one of our kayaks to our trailer. They gave us pointers on fly fishing for red fish and even showed us the flies they used. Thanks for the help and advice! Now we are preparing for our first two shows of the year. One is a small one in our rv park and the other a juried show hosted by the Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society. We have been members of the society for twelve years. It’s a show where we usually buy as much as we sell and one show we always look forward to. Clear skies.

Renitas new personal record, an oversize black drum

Imagine catching a fish that is one third of the size of your boat. Imagine the large fish pulling your boat even though you have two anchors down. Further imagine a fish that nearly spools your reel which is loaded with one hundred and fifty yards of twenty-pound test braid. Oh, and you have a small net…. Last week Renita had caught a twenty-nine inch black drum, her salt water personal best, (although she had caught a forty inch northern and a thirty inch walleye in fresh water). It was only a matter of time before she finally hooked into a monster black drum, one over thirty inches. Her time was yesterday as we fished/kayaked a local bay. She had cast her shrimp near the end of pilings left over from a hurricane destroyed pier. It sat there for a while and then slowly started to move. She was using a number three/ought circle hook under a slip boober, and as the fish moved it hooked itself, (You don’t want to set the hook when using circle hooks).

The fish took off on a long run which didn’t stop. There’s not much you can do with a large fish until it stops its run, hoping it doesn’t spool your reel. Luckily the fish stopped it run. It had settled in deeper water and Renita started to gain line. I had our kayaks connected and anchored but the ten foot boats had been pulled off our spot. Reeling down and then pulling her rod tip up she gained a foot and then another. The fish took off on another short run before it again stopped and she was able to start the process all over again. Now we both wondered if the line would hold, if the pole would break, or if the fish would find a snag, forcing her to break it off, (much of the bottom here is covered with sharp oyster reefs with areas of sand and mud). Gaining more line, the fish decided to try another tactic as it headed towards the nearest barnacle covered pilings. Putting more pressure on the fish and at the last minute, Renita was able to turn it and it swam into open water. The final part of the fight was to bring the fish to the boat, where it tried another tactic, snagging the line on our anchor ropes.

As the fish swam around us, both of our kayaks were twirling like a pair of whirling dervishes. Now it was a question of who would tire first, her or the fish. The bobber appeared and we spotted the fish near my kayak. Knowing that I had to head the fish I was able to slip the net partway down the fish and hoist it besides my yak! It was picture time and Renita kept it in the water while I snapped several photos. She passed the net to me, and I lifted the fish into my kayak, nearly swamping my boat. Trying to straighten out the fish, I measured it. It was still curved, and it measured over thirty-five inches, a twenty two plus pound fish. Texas has a slot limit for black drum. To keep one, it must measure from twenty to thirty inches. One fish over fifty-four inches can also be kept. This ensures the brood stock remains for reproduction. The fish immediately swam down, a great release! We fished some more and ended up catching four black drum and one speckled trout, (mine were the smallest ones. Which Renita pointed out as she told her fish story). I felt proud for her after the outstanding job she had done catching the big fish! Well done Renita! Clear skies

Whooping cranes, fishing, and lots of food!

The last week has been absolutely crazy. First off Renita and I made another kayak fishing trip to Port Bay. We also partook of the comradery in our rv park as there were five community meals, with opportunities to play cards/bingo after many of the meals. Finally, we made a New Year’s Day trip to Lamar looking for more whooping cranes. Fishing has really been hit and miss this year. Still, we had several good days and having run out of fish to eat, decided to make another trip to a new favorite spot. The forecast was for a little wind which is really important as our kayaks don’t do well in large waves. Launching the kayaks, we pushed off and paddled to the same spot where we had caught three nice keepers. Casting out live shrimp we immediately had bites. Our first catches were all hardhead catfish. Releasing them I cast to another spot and felt a hard bump as a fish took my shrimp. It didn’t run and so I set the hook by winding in, (we use circle hooks, and a traditional hook set doesn’t work). It was a nice eating size black drum, and rebaiting I cast out again. This time my pole twitched once and then went still. I started to wind in, and the fish took off. After a great fight I was able to net a twenty-five-inch black drum!

Now it was Renitas turn as she felt a fish bite and fought in a keeper speckled trout. Speckled sea trout are nothing like the trout we catch in Wyoming. They are a white meat fish and taste great. I had a bite and missed it but when I wound in another fish hit. It even jumped into the air! It was another good size speckled trout! As we fished the waves grew larger and they were soon big enough to cause us some problems. Pulling up our anchors we headed into the waves at an angle fighting to reach safe shelter. They were the biggest waves we have ever encountered, and I was proud of Renita as she fought the wind and waves like the pioneer woman she is, (we both qualified for pioneer fishing licenses from Wyoming, as we have lived there continually for forty-five years). After a tough paddle we reached protected water, (we both wear our life jackets at all times). At the new spot we only caught small black drum, small catfish, and crabs. Renita even caught a stone crab, but we were unable to land it in the net.

Heading back home we filleted the fish and had enough for three meals, (the white pelican actually has the carcass in its bill and then swallowed it)!

It had been a short but great day.

New Year’s Day we left our house early and headed to Lamar looking for whooping cranes. We had heard the the crane family had put on a show the morning before. Reaching the first field we spotted two cranes feeding, along with sandhills and even a herd of deer.

As they fed another pair waited at a safe distance for the dominant pair to fill up and leave. Whooping cranes are extremely territorial and will fight each other, even stabbing the other with their bills. It has even been documented that a whooping crane killed a feral hog by stabbing it in its skull! Leaving the whooping cranes, we next went to Big Tree. Not a lot was happening there, other than butterflies, but at the pond a large flock of black bellied whistling ducks flew off and I got a good shot of them in flight.

In our rv park, we are blessed to have two great activities directors. Zita and Alan. Each week we have a Thursday night Buffet and on holidays we have special meals. On Christmas day we had two turkeys and a large ham! Everyone else brough a side dish or dessert. There is always too much, and we both have to be careful when we fill our plates.

This year we had a crab and shrimp boil for New Year’s Eve and then on New Year’s Day had a traditional southern celebration. The meal always has, cornbread, collard greens, gumbo, Black eyed peas and mac and cheese. The black-eyed peas are for good luck in the new year, the collard greens, (or boiled cabbage), represents money, and the corn bread represents plentiful food. Again, we ate too much. Now it’s time to catch up on the blog, make some more jewelry, rest inside as a strong cold front has blasted in. Last night we had gale force winds and the temperature dropped from eighty to forty. Tonight, we may have temps in the mid-thirties, and we even have a slight chance of a freeze!

Kayaking St Charles Bay, Fall 2021

 

We finally got a day with low winds and so we hooked up the kayak trailer and headed to the bay. After buying some live shrimp we crossed Copano Bay and found a spot to park near Big Tree, (it is the oldest live oak tree in the state of Texas).

It took us a little while to get the kayaks ready to launch but it was our first time out and we were making sure we did not forget anything. Our first stop was at a place where Renita had caught two keeper black drums. Anchoring we baited up and cast out. It took a while before I had a bite and setting the hook, I reeled in a hardhead catfish.

Of all the fish to catch, the hardhead is an oily fish, and no one keeps them. Releasing it I soon caught another and then another. Renita also caught one and so we decided to try another spot further up the bay.

After another short paddle we fished a spot where we had caught quite a few redfish, but this time the only bites were more hardheads. Our third paddle brought us to a spot further north, but this place was no difference, more hardheads.

Talking it over we had a few more spots to try. One was a new spot where game and fish had been trying to establish new oyster beds. Anchoring we both cast out and this time I caught a small black drum. Hopeful again, the next cast resulted in another hardhead. What gives? Shaking our heads, we headed to our last spot where we decided to eat lunch.

As we entered the back channel, we spooked up a night crowned heron. An osprey called from the top of a light pole before flying away and a little further a great blue heron watched us before it too took off with a loud squawk of disgust.

Reaching our lunch spot, we anchored and then started to eat lunch. This usually results in fish disturbing our meal and this time it was no different. You guessed it; it was more hardheads. At least we were catching fish and so we continued eating and releasing more catfish.

Deciding to head back to our first spot we were greeted with whitecaps. The wind had picked up and as our yaks have low sides, we started to take water into the boats. We usually fish in shallow water but we still decided the wisest choice was to head back to shore and call it a day.

It had been our first day out and it had been a good day of watching birds, paddling, and even catching fish. To top it off we had not come across any alligators, (they usually leave us alone and rarely chase after us looking for handouts or fish on a stringer). Next time we hope to try a spot we have never kayaked before. Until then,

 Clear skies!

A New Years paddle in St Charles Bay, 2021

We are always filled with anticipation as we push off in our kayaks. Today was no exception as we were going to paddle to one of our favorite bays. It is a spot that in past years, has held fish after the passage of cold fronts and we have certainly had those!

It is a combination of fishing and birding as we sometimes see whooping cranes feeding in the shallow waters. Along the way a reddish egret posed along the shore and we passed several kayaks fishing close to shore. There were also several boats and all of them were casting lures into the shallow.

As we headed to our first place, one of the other kayaks saw us and reached the spot first.  Kayaking has changed a lot as many of the yaks are either powered by special electric motors, pedals, or even small gas engines, (we were the only ones using kayak paddles).

Still, it did not matter as there were plenty of places to fish and while we stopped for a break, it is a two-mile one-way paddle, we enjoyed the scenery and the exercise. At one point I spooked several large reds and made a note of the place to fish on the way back.

The area we were heading to had undergone several surges from last years hurricanes and the question was, had the structure changed? The answer was unfortunately yes as the channel that usual held fish had filled in with sand and weeds and we drew blanks as we cast to the area.

There were several large open areas of sand and sometimes reds will hold on these pockets. Moving and stopping we fished them but did not have any bites in the shallow water. We did not spot the usual alligators sitting on the shoreline, it was a bit cold. Usually, I use a stringer for any keepers realizing that if we do not carefully watch any fish on a stringer could attract an unwanted toothy thief!

Decid1ng to fish our way back we first stopped at one of the places we had seen fish and anchored. As we fished another boat came in with a tolling motor to the next point. They cast and cast, and we watched as they caught several reds. I kicked myself for not bring any lures, but next time, I will know better!

Paddling further we reached an oyster reef and decided it was a good place for lunch. While we ate Renitas, pole doubled over and was almost pulled out of the pole holder before she could drop her sandwich and set the hook.

The fish pulled the hook, it was not meant to be, and so she cast back out. It was not long before another fish hit her pole and this time, she landed a red fish that was almost twenty inches long. I had to measure the fish several times to make sure it was short, barely, and I safely released it. Renita mentioned that if we had brought along Botox, we could have made its lip big enough to be legal, (we always laugh when we see the stars with their grotesque Botox injected faces and lips).

Another cast and this time she hooked and landed a legal black drum, our dinner was assured. It was the last bite we had, (I never had any all day). It had been a perfect day for a paddle, with almost no wind or waves, and we were both sore after paddling over four miles.

Next time we will try another cold-water spot, where we have had some great days, in past years. At least we have learned that there is no point in returning to one of our old favorite spots. Clear skies

 

Kayaking, Black Drum, and A Great Day on the Water

 

On Sunday we went for a drive. Our goal was to do a little birding and to check out the fishing at some of our places we kayak. The whoopers are not here yet, but we did see quite a few cattle egrets and some really light pink roseate spoonbills. At one place two people were wade fishing and they were catching black drum! As black drum are one of our favorite fish to eat, we hurried back home and worked on the kayaks and poles. It took the rest of the day, but we finally went to bed and of course could not sleep.  

Getting up early I putzed around knowing it was not wise to wake Renita before she was ready. I drove to our favorite shrimp store only to be told that the store had no shrimp and was closing. Instead I bought a quart of live shrimp and the shrimp were so big that we had to cut them up to get them onto the hook.

The day before there were not any kayakers but when we arrived there were seven kayaks already out! Additionally, there were two wade fishermen so when we finally pushed off from the bank many of our spots were taken. Still we found a nice spot and anchoring we fished some newly made oyster reefs.

We did have a few bites but the fish were really small and so we decided to move closer to shore. I had caught a small black drum and a hardhead, (terrible eating), when Renita set the hook on a nice fish! It was almost comically as we did everything wrong, but we were still able to net the fish. I It was twenty-two-inch black drum, a perfect size for our dinner.

Casting back out she had another bite, but the fish came off. I cast on the other side of the structure she was fishing, and I was rewarded with a nice seventeen-inch black drum. We spent the rest of the day there and caught speckled trout, sand trout, and Renita had a large fish that swam around some posts before snagging up and getting away.

My big fish of the day was a stingray and several more hardhead catfish. It did not matter as we ran out of bait and headed back to the car. Now the decision of the day was how to cook the black drum. We ended up sautéing them and then we covered them with a lemon crème and caper sauce. They were excellent!  Clear skies

 

A Fun Week of Making a Kayak Trailer, Fishing, and Coober Pedy Opals

Its been too long since I last updated the blog. The reason I write it is so that Renita and I can keep track of what we have done since retirement, like a journal with pictures. One of my regrets is that I didn’t keep a journal before we headed out on the road.

The past week has been extremely busy. As the title suggests we have kept busy finishing some Coober Pedy Opals, modifying a utility trailer into a kayak carrier, and going fishing using our kayaks.

We purchased quite a bit of Coober Pedy Opals at the Houston Gem and Mineral Show. The pieces were slices that had already been attached to black backings that allowed the opal to show its color/fire. These were ready to finish, and I only had to add the protective cap to finish the triplets.

This saved me an inordinate amount of time as I normally have to prepare the black backing, epoxy the opal slice to the backing, and grind the opal to paper thickness. This takes a lot of time and time is the most valuable thing we all have. Now, all I had to do was to add a protective glass cover. The finished opal triplet not only highlights the colors but also magnifies the color.

Our next project entailed us going to a local store where we purchased a small utility trailer. After some modifications we now were able to easily load/unload our kayaks. You can see in the background, a picture of our Subaru Forester with the trailer attached.

Our first kayaking trip was to a place where we have had luck in previous years. Arriving we saw other kayaks and as we neared our favorite fishing area, we met a fisherman who had caught his limit of speckled trout. He held his stringer up showing his trout and a legal slot redfish, (redfish must be between 20-28 inches to keep).

We started fishing and the fish were not where we had expected. As our friend Dave says, “Fish swim”, meaning you usually have to find where they have moved. We tried another spot and caught trout, a small redfish, and sheepshead but the bite quickly stopped.

The water was calm, an unusual occurrence here on the Texas Coastal Bend, and so we moved and moved again. After lunch I moved back to our starting place and the fish were there! As fast as we threw out, we caught fish! Not all were keepers, but we did have a double of keeper size sheepshead.

Too soon it was time to go and so we paddled back to the car, loaded the kayaks and headed to our rv park where we have a fish cleaning station. As we hauled the bucket to the fish to the cleaning station we were quickly surrounded by white and brown pelicans, gulls flying over our heads, and snowy egrest. They all love fish handouts! All I can say is thank to my electric fillet knife the cleaning went quickly! As usual, Renita had caught her share of the fish and she aided me in the cleaning task.

We love fresh fish and on the rare occasion when we catch quite a few we use our vacuum sealer to keep the fish tasty. Its one of the best inventions!  Now we have several meals in the freezer! Should we fry them, saute them in a white cream and lemon sauce, or perhaps make them in the oven using a parmesan crust? Clear Skies

Kayaking the Mouth of The Salt River

The weather here has gotten hot. It has reached he upper eighties but at least it cools off in the evening and drops to the lower fifties and even the forties. The forecast was for more of the same, with the winds dying down. That meant perfect weather for kayaking!

Our friend Val wanted to float Palisades Reservoir and after talking it over we decided to float the bay where the Salt River enters, its mouth. We unloaded the kayaks and were soon paddling across a glassy expanse. We had paddled the area several years ago and had a good day of birding, so we headed to the flooded willows.

That time we had spotted cedar waxwings still occupying their nests. This year the nests were empty, and it wasn’t surprising as it was several weeks later. Still we were entertained by a great blue heron, who flushed as we neared. A flock of American White Pelicans flew overhead, but they must not have spotted any fish as they wheeled and headed back toward the Tetons.

The Salt mountains stood in the background, to the north we could see the Tetons, and the west was bounded by the Caribous. A mallard hen flushed before we could take a picture, which usually happens with birds that are hunted. We next padded to the mouth of the Salt River hoping to see a perching bald eagle. The year before we had seen an immature bald with one of its parents.

That time the eagles were calling to one another and if you have never heard eagles it a high-pitched screech.  It would probably sound a lot better, but I took out my hearing aids as water and hearing aids don’t mix.

We continued paddling along the west shore, Idaho, and drifted down the lake as the strong current of the Salt River took control of our kayaks. Finally, the drift stopped, and we just sat and enjoyed the lakes beauty.

Three hours is about as long as I can sit in my kayak, and so we decided to paddle back to the truck, load the kayaks and head back home. It was a nice day and a nice easy float. The next time we plan on floating the Salt. It’s clear now and it should be perfect for fly fishing. Clear skies