Place: Neches River between Highway 69 and Recreation Rd 255, Approximately 18 miles.
Date: 10/23/10 - 10/24/10
Water Level: Low and slow
Difficulty: Low, I would not be afraid to take young children.
We put in on the SE side of the 69 bridge. There is an access road that leads to a weather? box and from there it is on foot down the concrete embankment to a small field to the waterline. We had no problems carrying our gear down and getting the boats in the water. We then drove all our trucks to the takeout at the 255 bridge, left 2 of them there and came back to 69 embark.
This was an enjoyable trip despite a few negatives, the major one being we didn't get so much as a nibble. We threw all colors of spinner-bait, worm, top-water and I even did some fly fishing. Nada! The other annoyance was a persistent headwind on the last 1/2 of the trip that made paddling and fishing a losing combo. The scenery was great, we saw the only waterfall on the Neches, a deer swimming across the river, a solitary duck, beautiful bluffs, an old railroad track, and large cypress trees. I found the first 5 or so miles to be the most enjoyable, aside from the small falls (31.0297,-94.3798) we stopped at a restriction and swam/sat in the swifter current. The water was nice and cool and there were very few mosquitoes. We spent most of the the first day leisurely paddling and fishing and were able to find a decent sandy beach to set up camp. The next morning we were all business and made a real push to get to the takeout. The wind was really taking it out of us and we were pretty tired and ready to get in a nice comfy chair.
The take out at 255 was much easier to access. There is a public boat ramp so loading up while tired was not bad at all.
All-in-All I call it a success! Wish that the fish were biting, but glad the mosquitoes weren't!
Neches River Trip Report
- larry long shadows
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Re: Neches River Trip Report
That sure looks like a nice camp site sand beach fire and all... Thanks for posting
Re: Neches River Trip Report
Thanks for the report!
I like to see canoe camping reports once in while, hopefully I can add one soon.
I like to see canoe camping reports once in while, hopefully I can add one soon.
- M.saxatilis
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Re: Neches River Trip Report
Very interesting report. Isn't that stretch of the river near the Angelina National Forest? The scenery must have been beautiful. I have yet to float east Texas rivers but it is on my "to do" list. By the way, how did that hammock tent thingy work out for you?
- Aggroman
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Re: Neches River Trip Report
Great report and pics. I agree, that camp site looked pretty sweet. Thanks.
Re: Neches River Trip Report
Looks like a great trip!
- BigDozer66
- Posts: 396
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- Location: Lufkin, Texas USA
Re: Neches River Trip Report
Looks like a great trip!
There must be more water in the river there than there is up here between Hwy 21 and Hwy 59.
BigDozer66
There must be more water in the river there than there is up here between Hwy 21 and Hwy 59.
BigDozer66