Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post Reply
User avatar
FishingSETX
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5719
Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:58 pm
Location: Silsbee, TX

Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by FishingSETX »

First off, I started this report with the intention of grouping the photos by days and spent over 1.5 hrs working on it before my internet went caput :evil: and I lost it, so instead I am going to type out the report (with a couple of pics) and then post the rest of the pics at the end.

All I can say is WOW, I will be doing that trip again!!!! Had an absolute blast in some of the most rugged and beautiful country I have seen. Would like to say thanks to Ed (M.Saxitillis) and Cord (Weird1) for coming along!! Ok on to the report.

We started of this shindig with a meeting and camp-out at Seminole Canyon State Park. Its a beautiful place, but unless you plan to take the tour, there isn't much to do.

Home for the night

Image

The View

Image

We had a visitor!

Image

The Sunset was awesome!

Image

After seminole canyon, we spent the night at the ranch where my dad works. Dinner consisted of fresh grilled dove wrapped in bacon and stuffed with jalapeno, fried Axis Backstrap, grilled Axis Backstrap, and all the trimmings! Somewhere there is a photo of dinner, but I dont have it.

The next morning, we made the trip to bakers crossing and arrived about 8:30. After unloading and Ed's reminding, I realized I had forgot my PFD at the ranch 1.25 hrs away!!!! Luckily the guy at bakers had one he sold me for $10!!! We proceded to load/launch the boats.

Old Bridge

Image

Loaded Boat

Image

Ed and Cord Loading Up

Image

Ed just after launch

Image

Uh Oh!!!

Image

Oh well its one way to cool off!!

Image

We proceeded down river 9 miles to the camp. Talk about some beautiful scenery!!! We made camp just before dusk. Due to a downpour the first night which had us all worried (except Cord), we ended up spending two nights at the "9 mile island" to let our gear dry out and because it was only another 5 miles to the SNA.

Camp Day 1 & 2

Image

Image

Image

The boats at camp

Image

Image

Image

The view from camp

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Brim and fries for supper!!

Image

Image

Third day found us on our way to the Devils River SNA. It was a beautiful trip with only a few mishaps. I was coming down a chute when I found one rock with the nose of the ultimate 12 and the back found another turning the boat sideways into the current. Didn't take long to fill up and sink! Thanks to Cord, I didn't loose any gear. I also ate it lining my boat down Game Warden Rock but the boat stayed upright. My ankle paid the price with a pretty good rock rash. Cord ran it like a champ, and Ed made it all the way to the pool before dumping!! Ran into another group of 8 yakkers here also.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Made the SNA with plenty of time to make camp and get a pic of the sign

Image

Image

Ran into the Park Ranger. After he checked out our reservation and checked all our fishing licenses (although at the time we were not fishing!), he went to check the other group. He ended up writing one of them a ticket for no fishing license (again no fishing going on at the time). If you decide to take this trip, It would be good to have a license if you plan to fish or not. Otherwise it might be up to the judge. Also warned a group in canoes that they could not camp at Dolan falls. they just laughed the warning off. More to come on that.

Next morning we set out for Blue Sage early. Upon arriving at dolan falls, there is quite a commotion going on. turns out our unheeded warning was valid as the group of 4 where being ticketed while we were portaging the falls.

Image

Image

Here is a pic of the portage route

Image

Ed at the end of the portage

Image

We arrived at Blue sage after a grueling upwind paddle at about 5:00 pm. There were quite a few lessons learned on this trip, and I have tons more pics to post later, but im out of time at the moment. More to follow soon.
User avatar
Aggroman
TKF 3000 Club
TKF 3000 Club
Posts: 3936
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:04 pm
Location: Wishin' I was on the Pecos
Contact:

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by Aggroman »

Wow, great pics and report. :clap: :clap: Thanks for sharing. Looks like y'all had a great time, I love it down there, wish I had more time to get there.
User avatar
Weird1
Posts: 346
Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:47 am
Location: Getting ready to go fishing
Contact:

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by Weird1 »

Well I had a great time. I will be going back next year. Great company great place great time.
Here is the food pics from Chris and his dad.
being cooked
being cooked
fixing to be eaten.
fixing to be eaten.
Thanks for putting a fantastic trip together good job Chris I look forward to paddling with you again.
User avatar
Mythman
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 23716
Joined: Wed Mar 22, 2006 8:23 am
Location: Cypress.......watching the weather to go BTB fishing!

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by Mythman »

Great report, fantastic trip and super pics.............Thanks for sharing.

Congrats on one heck of trip!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:
User avatar
daveg99
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2796
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:29 pm
Location: Forney Texas

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by daveg99 »

Brings back memories of my trip in June. How did you guys like the rapids? I cant wait to get back on three tier rapids. Thats the same campsite we stayed at at the 9 mile mark.
User avatar
Night Wing
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 33440
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2003 9:30 pm
Location: Magnolia, TX

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by Night Wing »

A great report with lots of photos. Reading the report and seeing the photos almost felt like being there. Thanks for taking the time to post the report and all of the photos.
User avatar
jeff coast
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 7:53 pm
Location: Kingsville

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by jeff coast »

Thanks for the report and pictures very informative. I am graduating soon and plan on making the trip. Its something that I have really wanted to to do for some time. :D Cant wait to get my paddles wet there lol.
User avatar
FishingSETX
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5719
Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:58 pm
Location: Silsbee, TX

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by FishingSETX »

Ok, Time for some fish pics. Nothing spectacular, but fun all the same!! Will be more than ready with the proper baits/equipment next time around!

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
User avatar
Firefly49
Posts: 861
Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 11:27 pm
Location: Montgomery/Conroe, Texas WS Commander 14, WS Tarpon 140, OT Loon 160T, SrchrM1824

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by Firefly49 »

Absolutely awesome photos and report. Just beautiful! Hope someday I can experience it, too!!!
User avatar
FishingSETX
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5719
Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:58 pm
Location: Silsbee, TX

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by FishingSETX »

Ok now onto the lessons learned!!

Lesson 1

Even with a bow skirt, the Ultimate 12 (and I'd assume the other lengths) was not the boat for a river trip with rapids. While it did ok, there were several rapids I had to line that would have been a blast to run and a couple of those found the ultimate upside down anyway. Either a SOT or a SINK (with skirt) would have been better.

Lesson 2

Bring a guide book or maps!! I had just bought a Delorme PN-40 gps and loaded it down with all the info I needed for the trip. I dont know if I had some dirt in the battery seal, didn't get it tight enough, or it is a faulty unit, but halfway through the first day, it bit the dust due to water intrusion and refused to work for the rest of the trip. Luckily Ed had brought his guide book and although it wasn't waterproof, it held together enough that we could figure out where we were and where we needed to be!! A good rinse with distilled water and a night spent in a food dehydrator on low (110 degrees) was enough to bring the gps back from the dead. Im going to be more carefull about the seal and test it out.

Lesson 3

On a trip like this, you pay for every ounce you bring along!! The flow was at 200-250 cfs on our trip and there were alot of places the going was pretty tough. I'd hate to try it at 150 cfs (lowest flow recommended). My gear weighed in at about 50 lbs, and next time that will be trimmed by at least half!!! If you dont absolutely need it, dont bring it!!!!

Lesson 4

Have the rain fly ready and know how to use it BEFORE it rains!! When the storm hit on the first night, I threw my fly over my tent, staked it down as best I could in the dark and rode it out. It kept the majority out, but if I would have had it on correctly, I would have been dry and comfortable throughout the storm!

Lesson 5

Chap stick is your friend and should be in every first aid kit!!! It took 5 days to get my bottom lip to quit hurting after the trip!

Lesson 6

Test ALL your gear BEFORE the trip!! The first night at seminole canyon, I figured out my lantern was dead, so it was easy to swing by walmart to pick up a replacement. Would have been some dark nights had I not!! Wount have that problem ever again (more to follow in another post).

There were several other lessons learned, but thats all I can think of at the moment. I'll post them up as they come to me.

Will post a gear list and review of each item as soon as I get time!!
User avatar
Night Wing
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 33440
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2003 9:30 pm
Location: Magnolia, TX

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by Night Wing »

Have you ever thought of making a checklist for this type of trip?
User avatar
larry long shadows
TKF 4000 Club
TKF 4000 Club
Posts: 4576
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 9:59 am
Location: East Houston May the wind be to your back when you Yak

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by larry long shadows »

It was worth the wait to see report... great post and pic.... really looks like a bucket list must do..Thanks again
User avatar
daveg99
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2796
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:29 pm
Location: Forney Texas

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by daveg99 »

I brought way too much on my trip. I had lots of leftover food. The guide book is awesome! Oh and the water looked liked it was higher on your trip than when I went.
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by Hirsch »

Looks like a fantastic trip with a wonderful report and fine pictures!!! :D
User avatar
YakBonz
Posts: 270
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:17 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by YakBonz »

great report, and thanks for sharing the 'lessons learned'. I will definitely be making this trip.
User avatar
fisher of people
Posts: 722
Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 9:20 am
Location: Marble Falls

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by fisher of people »

Outstanding! :clap: Great report, thanks for taking the extra time for sharing some of your lessons learned.
outlook8
Posts: 118
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:12 pm

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by outlook8 »

Good running into you guys on the river, we still owe ya'll some whiskey!

Here are the only pics I got of your group...
P9042557.JPG
P9042558.JPG
User avatar
seacow
Posts: 116
Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2009 6:19 pm
Location: Cypress, TX

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by seacow »

nice posts..
User avatar
152 Sumo
Posts: 241
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:06 pm
Location: NW Houston

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by 152 Sumo »

wow!! I hope I can make this trip sometime. Looks like a lot of fun. The scenery is awesome.
User avatar
ADArnold82
Posts: 126
Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:27 pm
Location: Nederland, Texas

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by ADArnold82 »

awesome pics thanks for sharing
User avatar
MudDuck
TKF 1000 Club
TKF 1000 Club
Posts: 1275
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2004 8:22 am
Location: Pipe Creek, Texas

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by MudDuck »

Ran into the Park Ranger. After he checked out our reservation and checked all our fishing licenses (although at the time we were not fishing!), he went to check the other group. He ended up writing one of them a ticket for no fishing license (again no fishing going on at the time). If you decide to take this trip, It would be good to have a license if you plan to fish or not. Otherwise it might be up to the judge. Also warned a group in canoes that they could not camp at Dolan falls. they just laughed the warning off. More to come on that.

Next morning we set out for Blue Sage early. Upon arriving at dolan falls, there is quite a commotion going on. turns out our unheeded warning was valid as the group of 4 where being ticketed while we were portaging the falls.
Kerr Wardlaw??? If so he represents the local ranchers interests not the State's, even though he works for the State. :dance: His family owns 30,000 acres adjacent to the River and the place has been in their family since the 1800's. From what I can gather they don't want us on the river! Including the Nature Conservancy i.e. cloak for ultra rich folks who want the places beauty to themselves.

BTW the "Park Ranger non Game Warden" in my judgment should have no authority outside the park jurisdiction i.e. Dolan Falls is not within the parks boundaries. If you don't have a fishing pole in your boat then a ticket is unwarranted.

I heard that some folks are getting tickets for just passing through the park without a camping permit? Maybe when I get some free time I'll go check some court records and see just how far this rabbit hole goes.

Folks if your going to run this river make sure i's are dotted and your t's are crossed. :horse:
User avatar
MONSTER
TKF 4000 Club
TKF 4000 Club
Posts: 4187
Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:53 pm
Location: Katy, Texas

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by MONSTER »

I love these river reports. Great job!
User avatar
DNR
Posts: 686
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:23 pm
Location: Centex Rivers

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by DNR »

Can't beat that.
Excellent reports and photos.

Nice Smallmouths.
Are those others Spotted Bass?
User avatar
FishingSETX
TKF 5000 Club
TKF 5000 Club
Posts: 5719
Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2005 9:58 pm
Location: Silsbee, TX

Re: Devils River Report (lots of pics)

Post by FishingSETX »

Not sure if they were spots or not. Only had one tounge patch and thats how we always decided. Spots have 2 tounge patches.

On to the gear review.

Tent - Coleman hooligan 2

Great tent, but will not be along for the next shallow river trip. Just too much weight and the footprint is too big for my liking. Did stay pretty dry during the downpour, and might have sayed completely dry had the seams been sealed and the fly installed correctly. Would be perfect for a river with big sandbars or car camping. Love the fact the top is completely made of mesh!! The stars on the devils are awesome!

Stove - MSR Pocket Rocket

Great little stove if you include a can stand and a good cup. Next time I'll have a Jet Boil!!!

Air Mattress and Pump - Borrowed from Weird1

Debated bringing this or my Z-rest pad and I'm sure glad I brought the air mattress!!!! The coleman rechargable pump kept Cord's and my mattress aired up for 3 nights and was still going very strong!

Lighting - Candle lantern and Petzel 3 LED headlight

I had brought a single mantle lantern and it was DOA at Seminole Canyon. Cord had brought a small candle lantern that worked flawlessly. I went by Wal-mart and bought one before the trip and I'm sure glad I did!! Headlamp worked great the whole time!

Navigation - Delorme PN-40 GPS

Died 1/2 way through the first day! Not sure if dirt had fouled the seal, I didn't have it on tight, or it just leaked, but it's dry and working now. Will be testing it soon to see.

Water Purification - Katadyn hiker and Katadyn XR Personal Water Bottle

Both worked great. I'll be carrying the XR with me on any fresh water trip I take!! Nothing like being able to dip the bottle in the water, screw on the cap and squeeze!!
Post Reply