Spring Break on the Neches

User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Sunday evening milret and I met up at Martin Dies State Pak and set camp. Visiting a bit after dinner we hit the rack early to get a good nights sleep. Ed came in later that night and parked without waking us sleeping in his truck. The three of us represented the "old men" all being close to 60. Monday morning we drove to Sheffield Landing where we met Chris (Black Rifle), cousin Drew and friend David, "the young men" all in their late twenties. Unloading quickly we left David to guard boats and gear and made the hour drive down to Lumberton to meet out outfitter from Piney Woods Outfitters. Catching a ride back up the river we got afloat about 1:00 PM. Keeping our float short that day we pulled ashore about 3:30 and set camp for the first evening. Chilly we set after supper enjoying the fire and getting to know each other before bed. The next morning met us with a thermometer reading 29 degrees.
IMG_0835.JPG
IMG_0840.JPG
IMG_0829.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

But a warm fire cures a lot of ills.
IMG_0706.JPG
IMG_0700.JPG
IMG_0723.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Launching Tuesday we tried our hand at fishing. Bass for the trip was a skunk. The river was muddy with water clarity down to about a foot, maybe 18". Drew caught the biggest fish, a cat about 3 lbs and David caught the most with two dinks running about 6" and 11". We quickly came to the consensus that we were more interested in fishing and relaxing that covering miles admitted we had the option to shorten the trip about 10 miles and a days paddling for a day long layover.
IMG_0821.JPG
IMG_0674.JPG
IMG_0660.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Unlike other rivers we have done there was not the slightest hint or pools and riffles with maybe a few minor rapids the Neches was no hint of fast water but just a steady 2 to 2.5 mph. The bigger hazard here was snags, many just below the surface meaning attention had to be boils marking them. We all bumped one sometime and I was almost flipped by one. Though most trees were still bare a few were starting to sprout buds and early leaves


IMG_0689.JPG
IMG_0735.JPG
IMG_0669.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

IMG_0653.JPG
IMG_0651.JPG
IMG_0684.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Of course camps and fire were always welcome.
IMG_0799.JPG
IMG_0810.JPG
IMG_0702.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Mistle toe was visible in the trees and there was the sunsets.
IMG_0666.JPG
IMG_0794.JPG
IMG_0758.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Landing Wednesday we decided we would layover Thursday to allow late night fires and catfishing.
IMG_0814.JPG
IMG_0855.JPG
IMG_0817.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Thursday was so hot on the reflecting white sand a cooler was called for in the form of a soak in the cold river and then letting the breezes work their magic in evaporative cooling.
IMG_0822.JPG
IMG_0756.JPG
IMG_0849.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Friday morning came time to pack for the paddle out.
IMG_0761.JPG
IMG_0803.JPG
IMG_0738.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Then there were all the shanty boats including a unique two story one.
IMG_0647.JPG
IMG_0782.JPG
IMG_0790.JPG
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

But all good things end. After a trip like this I feel I am often popping 800 mg of ibuprofen for my back and very stiff, but still wish I could go 5 more days. :D
IMG_0688.JPG
IMG_0877.JPG
Waiting for the ride out to our vehicles.
IMG_0887.JPG
Harold Ray
TKF 2000 club
TKF 2000 club
Posts: 2734
Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:40 pm
Location: Waco, Texas
Contact:

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Harold Ray »

That looks like a great trip!! I lost count; how many total days were you all out?

Ray
NguyenFisherman
Posts: 8
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:13 am

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by NguyenFisherman »

Harold Ray wrote:That looks like a great trip!! I lost count; how many total days were you all out?

Ray
We were out 5 days, 4 nights. I will upload pictures soon.
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: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by larry long shadows »

Well glad you all got back safe...did yall eat the cats..and how did yall do on food for that many days
User avatar
Earl
TKF 1000 Club
TKF 1000 Club
Posts: 1139
Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:53 pm
Location: DFW, Texas
Contact:

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Earl »

Nice looking trip there. Always good to have a warm fire at night. Nice looking stretch of river with lots of camp spots. Thanks for the great pictures and report.

SYOTW,

Earl
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Harold Ray, We camped Sunday night at the state park. After getting through with the shuttle we got on the water about 1:00 PM on Monday and debarked at 11:00 AM on Friday.

Larry, food varied considerably. Some made the entire trip with evening meals of Mountain House, to the young men eating fresh meat every night followed by bacon and eggs every morning. I went canned in the evening with Campbell's Chili, Margret Holmes' red beans and rice with canned chicken added followed by a variety chunky soups.

Earl, thanks for the kind words.
User avatar
BlackRifle
Posts: 790
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:14 am
Location: Tomball, Tx

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by BlackRifle »

Life long memories made, trip was great, company was better. Looking forward to the next adventure!

Thanks for uploading the pictures Paul!

You think Ed will post his in here?
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Yes, but will not guess his timeline. Possibly weeks. Where are your?
User avatar
fisher of people
Posts: 722
Joined: Thu May 11, 2006 9:20 am
Location: Marble Falls

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by fisher of people »

Great report, as always! Sure wish I could have come on this one, I've been wanting to do that float for years. We're at a stage in our lives where Spring Break means family vacation time, and I'm rarely able to get away for the longer floats I used to love. Makes me appreciate your reports all the more, even though they do spark some jealousy!
User avatar
Cadiyak Sam
TKF 1000 Club
TKF 1000 Club
Posts: 1587
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:05 pm
Location: Central Texas, Galveston// Manta Ray 11// Jackson CUDA// Team Turtle Head

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Cadiyak Sam »

Awesome!
User avatar
M.saxatilis
Posts: 218
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2010 1:07 pm
Contact:

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by M.saxatilis »

Hirsch: That was a great report. Don't know that I can improve upon it , but, I do have a few different picts. Look for them Tuesday or Wednesday.

Ms }<)));>
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

M.saxatilis wrote:Hirsch: That was a great report. Don't know that I can improve upon it , but, I do have a few different picts. Look for them Tuesday or Wednesday.

Ms }<)));>
Great!!!
User avatar
Hirsch
TKF 10,000 Club
TKF 10,000 Club
Posts: 17850
Joined: Sun May 27, 2007 4:11 pm
Location: Killeen

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Hirsch »

Blackrifle is Kris
482272_10152652905010203_810564600_n.jpg
Nguyenfisherman is David
531743_10152652887795203_238510202_n.jpg
User avatar
Bigrock
TKF 6000 Club
TKF 6000 Club
Posts: 6377
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:46 pm
Location: ...living in the perpetual state of ...

Re: Spring Break on the Neches

Post by Bigrock »

Looks like you fellows had a great time. Thanks for the report Hirsch, and look forward to seeing some of the others pics as well.

That is a part of the state that I don't get to see much of, and I always enjoy seeing the new (to me) places. Like a mini National Geographic. :D
Post Reply