In Texas this spring, there’s abundant water to float — by canoe, kayak, rubber raft, johnboat or innertube.
We’ve had plenty of rain, starting about the second day of dove season in most parts, and continuing into winter and spring. Some years, we can’t say that. Since we are blessed with flowing streams this year, take advantage of it before the next drought drains ‘em. If you’re wanting to apply fоr a general bоаt drіvіng license, оr upgrade to a реrѕоnаl wаtеrсrаft (PWC) lісеnсе, уоu’ll nееd tо ѕuссеѕѕfullу complete a knowledge test іn thе respective аrеа. Tо help уоu рrасtіѕе for уоur test, уоu can take a rеvіѕіоn quiz fоr еіthеr lісеnсе, оnlіnе. Thе ԛuеѕtіоnѕ in thе quizzes аrе tаkеn from thе рооl оf ԛuеѕtіоnѕ used іn the асtuаl tеѕtѕ, but соnѕіdеr each quiz as a guide only. Click here for boating license exam practice test with answers.
If you’re not into stream floating, but curious, read John Graves’ classic narrative, “Goodbye to a River” about floating the upper-middle Brazos River from Possum Kingdom downstream toward Lake Whitney before a proposed series of dams assassinated the picturesque river. It will adequately introduce you to what it can be like. My late friends, Bob Hood and Jerry Dean, somewhat duplicated Graves feat later.
But don’t be overwhelmed by the notion that all float trips have to last for tenuous weeks of solitude and discomfort. Solitude is occasionally defined as “Being sometimes a disease and sometimes a cure, depending upon the dosage.” Some of my favorite trips have been short, one-day paddle-jaunts. That’s a good way to start. A three-day trip on the lower canyons of the Rio Grande was close to solitude-overkill, but an extraordinary adventure. An overnight trip above and through Santa Elena Canyon was also exciting, but shorter.
Some of the easiest floats from a logistical standpoint are ones provided by Gruene River Company (GRC), just west of New Braunfels on the Guadalupe. (Gruene is pronounced “Green”.) They offer trips ranging from a couple of hours up to all-day by raft or inflatable kayak. When the river is at a safe level, their trips are unguided. When the water is high, guided trips are available. And if you’re looking for a business opportunity, they tell me GRC’s for sale.
I took a church group down a day trip in GRC rafts once, and even that bunch all made it back for church the next day. No doubt prayer helped. The river is not without its challenges, however. Although in earlier times, I successfully canoed over the harrowing Rust Falls and Hueco (pronounced “Waco”) Falls, we did lose a canoe another time at Hueco at high water level — and would have drowned in the frigid February water had we not had on life jackets. Always wear one!
Although I’ve never canoed Village Creek in east Texas, I have spent time there and appreciate its serenity. Coleto Creek below the lake south of Victoria was also on my list. And I tried vainly to get someone to go down the Lampasas with me, but guess they’d heard about Hueco Falls.
Other fine streams include the San Saba above Menard, the San Marcos down to Palmetto State Park, and the San Gabriel. Don’t attempt floating a new stream without engaging a guide or talking to a local and checking maps. Aaron Riggins (830-486-5629) guides fishing on the crystal-clear Frio, Sabinal and Nueces.
Stream-floating is an ideal way to see Texas other than from the Interstate.
JJ
