Lake Paddlin'

The first really pleasant, fall-like morning so far, Jack and I spent it paddling Allatoona Lake. The wind was up and paddling was tough, but it was cool and beautiful everywhere you looked. Jack has discovered an affinity for in-the-shell peanuts, and I'm not sure he even caught much scenery, so intent was he on his snack.

Fortunately, the lake was quieter today than it has been most of the summer, but we still stuck close to shore the whole time. I'll tell you, the Old Town 119 is really great for lugging around, but with even a companion as small as Jack, and a load of day gear, it's the opposite of speedy in the water. However, it's a really tough boat and has now suffered through two fulls seasons of rocks and river rash, no worse for wear.

Lunch with a break for a small fire, and cheddarwurst. I suppose that is one thing I like so much about canoeing - you can carry everything with you, even luxury items, and not have to fit it all in a pack and carry it on your back. Backpacking meals are almost certainly less tasty than my canoe meals. Yeah, maybe that's why my canoe is so slow.

Now the big surprise of the day was stumbling upon an exceptional spot for catfish. I've caught only a few catfish in my life, but I didn't realize they took worms. These here did! Jack and I caught five good-sized catfish and lost two when they took off and broke my 8lb line. I switched over after that to 20lb braid and that fixed that, but never have I caught so many nice fish so quickly. We'll be going back there again for sure.