Fellow adventurers, have you been outside lately? There’s no getting around it – it’s hot! I couldn’t stick around to confirm, but I was pretty sure I saw a chicken lay an omelette last week. Hot or cold though, adventurers gotta adventure, so what to do? I’ll tell you what. Seek out some cool, sweet release! It’s out there. You just have to find it, and last weekend the Arkansas Adventure Guide crew did just that. We took the scenic drive to Murfreesboro for a float down the Little Missouri River below the Narrows Dam.
If the horn’s blowin’ the river’s flowin’ – and we’re goin’!
The Narrows Dam impounds Lake Greeson, and like some other tail waters in The Natural State this section of the Lil’ Mo is prized by fly anglers in search of trout that wouldn’t otherwise be there. But, when the Southwestern Electric Power Company (affectionately known as SWEPCO) releases water from the lake the fishermen go home to watch baseball and those of us in search of ever elusive summertime running water seize the moment.
Come on Dad, that moment’s not gonna seize itself!
This section is well – suited to many different kinds of boats provided their respective paddlers or rowers have a little bit of boat control. Boat control is always important, but it’s especially important on the Lil’ Mo. The read and run rapids are straightforward with no real consequences – BUT – the absence of eddies means swims can be long and boats, paddles and gear can take a while to recover. An even greater concern is the potential for strainers. The combination of soft banks, lots of trees and frequent high water events makes them especially likely.
Deuce, what’s a strainer?
I’m glad you asked! Here’s a splendid example, and it just happens to have been captured on this very trip.
Water goes through – boats and people don’t.
The strainer’s humorous if macabre moniker conjures up the appropriate image. Water goes through – boats and people don’t. The best way to deal with strainers is to avoid them, and the best hope of avoiding them is – you guessed it – boat control. Note the tangle of branches in the water below the trunk. Everyone made it safely through thanks to their boat control skills.
Limbo! How low can you go!
Note also the tether on Bec’s paddle board. She had it set up for rapid release but decided the risk of entanglement far outweighed the risk of losing her board (we were prepared to quickly recover her and the board if necessary) and decided to forego the tether for the rest of the trip.
Speaking of Bec’s board; Izzy the Adventure Dog loves to ride on it – until they approach a rapid – then she bails. I don’t know what this is about, but it makes me laugh!
Yeah, I got nothin’.
Later Iz hopped back on the board, and when they reached another rapid Bec held onto her CFD (canine flotation device) with one hand and wielded the paddle with the other. It was quite a sight!
I’ll just be back here with the camera and a beer while y’all work this out.
Hi! I’m Izzy the Adventure Dog. Where’s your lifejacket?
Some time during the last mile of the float a gentle rain enveloped the river and everything on it, cooling things down the old fashioned way and showing us yet again Ma Nature will take care of us even when we don’t take care of her.
River In the Rain
At the takeout we all agreed loading boats in the rain was a welcome change from loading boats in the usual conditions one can expect from a summer afternoon in Arkansas. We also agreed we’d return soon for some more sweet release!
See you out there!
Deuce
- Kayaks 101 - August 6, 2023
- Just the Place – Lower Buffalo River - September 20, 2022
- Sweet Release - June 23, 2022
