WHEN

June 5 (Thur.) through June 8 (Sun.) 2003.
Click HERE for 10 day weather forecast.

WHERE Suwannee River

PLAN - Fargo to Hwy 6 Section

REPORT

Water level was 54.31 on Friday and rose to 55.09 by Sunday.  No bottom dragging occurred and any side of river was fine.

Thursday - Most of the paddlers departed Atlanta at 7:00 in the morning and arrived at the motel in Jasper around noon.  The early arrivals checked the put in and take out and dropped by American Canoe Adventures to take care of rental paper work for two canoes that were being rented.   Florida fishing licenses were obtained at court house in Jasper although some got theirs on-line and others at a local Wal-Mart. John arranged to park recovery vehicle with home near Co Road 6. A tip was in order.

Friday - early breakfast,

1. 5:30 Eat, check out by 6:30
2. 6:30 Motel to Fargo 33 mi --  7:30 at put in - unload all gear
3. 8:00 Fargo to White Springs (Wendall) 34 mi. --  8:45 drivers & vehicles at Wendalls.  Drop recovery vehicle at home near hwy 6 on way to Wendalls (John and his passengers move to other vehicles).   for rental canoes.
4. 9:15 White Springs back to Fargo 34 mi. --  10:00 Wendall drops drivers and rental canoes at Fargo put-in. Non-rental canoes already loaded and in river.   Everyone helps rentals get gear packed in their canoes.  Ferry cost to Fargo is $50 per Van and $3 per passenger.
5. 10:30 Shove off

Weather was overcast and some light showers occurred.  Gators were abundant but small.  Fishing (or fishermen) was poor.  Group scattered and lunched at separate spots.  Plenty of sandbar camp sites along the way for a small group and a few here and there for a group our size.  About 1/3 down the section, around 5:30, camped on a high but flat sand bar river left.  Light occasional rain overnight.

Saturday -

Saturday, we broke camp and were on the river by 10:00.  Again group scattered on the river and lunched at various spots.  Rain became heavier so John and Ryan had boiled eggs for lunch.  Ryan found some wild blue berries for desert.  Gary and Sam Wirth managed a short 30 min. break in the rain and had sandwiches for lunch.   Ryan and John sighted  a hawk attacking a group of young ducks.  One apparently had been struck and was swimming at the waters edge while the hawk sat on the bank observing.  While Ryan maneuvered the canoe closer in to the bank for John to get a picture of the hawk, the duck moved out to mid stream and one moment was there and the next was gone.  We suspect a gator got it but no large splash was seen.  It was like something just silently pulled it under.

Very few large sand bars had been encountered and Posted signs were all along the river left.  Wildlife Management Area (WMA) signs were posted on river right.   We did not know if they meant no camping.  Rain became a downpour and the group gathered at a boat ramp about 4 air miles from the take out.  We were contemplating leaving the river early but the majority wanted to push on.  Downstream John and Ryan spotted a VERY large gator mid stream.  It blew and hissed as we approached getting pictures then submerged and Ryan put our canoe right over where he disappeared. We experienced a brief moment of concern that he might surface beneath the canoe. 

A great large, high sand bar on river right was located about 1.7 air miles from the take out.  Great suppers were prepared by most Friday night but Rick Johnson's crew outdid us all Saturday with fried grouper and pheasant.

A blowing downpour occurred early that night and mosquitoes were a menace for those sleeping under tarps.  

Sunday -

Sunday at take out (Hwy -6) Called Wendall to come after canoes.  Ryan jogged to house where the recovery vehicle was and returned to take drivers to White Springs to get the other vehicles.

1. Recovery vehicle takes drivers to Wendalls
2. 15 min later drivers at Wendalls
3. 15 min. later drivers return vehicles to take out
4. canoes have already been unloaded and gear stacked ready to go
5. 30 min. later vehicles loaded and ready for home.  

Ferry cost to Hwy 6. is $30 per Van and $3 per passenger.

CANOE RENTAL

American Canoe Adventures,inc. 386-397-1309
located in White Springs. Click HERE

WATER LEVEL

Forecast at White Springs.  (click on forecast)
60 to 65 ... Excellent Canoeing or Kayaking.
58 to 55 ... Great Canoeing or Kayaking. 
55 to 53 ... Fine Canoeing or Kayaking.
53 to 52 ... Good Canoeing or Kayaking.
52 to 51.6 ... OK but many shoals.
51.6 and below - Extremely low water.

Bald cypress Trees Line the Upper Suwannee

General Description Characteristics -- If you only canoe one river in the southeast United States, this should be your choice! The beautiful Suwannee River's source is in the Okefenokee Swamp of Georgia. It starts out as a meandering stream in a dense swampy forest of cypress and other hardwoods. The banks are sandy, and the water is coffee colored from the tannin of the local vegetation. As the river progresses on its southwestward course, it runs through areas of spectacular rock outcroppings, a big rapid, a few riffles, and colorful vegetation.

Wildlife is abundant, and different from what you might find further north. Alligators are commonly seen along this river. In fact, if the conditions are right, you might spot one at just about every one of the many bends on the upper river.

Camping -- At low/normal water levels, the upper sections of the Suwannee offer abundant natural camp sites on sandbars. At high water the upper section may be difficult for camping due to the lack of dry land. There are some designated campsites on high ground, but they have no amenities and are serviced by roads. Much of the land along the river is publicly owned, so it is permitted to camp up in the woods. There are some private camp grounds along the river with varying amenities.

Typical Upper Section

Big Shoals before Hwy 41 and White Springs
We will be taking out way upstream from this

FISHING

Suwannee bass  redbreast sunfish (40 percent of all fishes living in the river) catfish  spotted sunfish (stumpknocker) Largemouth bass, bluegill, warmouth, redear sunfish (shellcracker)

PARTICIPANTS

MOTEL

Days Inn Jasper, FL. <--- click for info.

The Days Inn Jasper is a newly renovated property conveniently located on Interstate Highway 75, Exit 86. We offer complimentary continental breakfast, free HBO, ESPN and there is also a picnic area on the site for the whole family to enjoy. Days Inn Jasper is only minutes away from Stephen Foster Memorial, Suwannee River Jam, Valdosta Outlet Mall, Carolina Outlet Mall, scuba diving and the local race track.

Jasper - Days Inn
Route 3 Box 133
Jasper, FL 32052 US
Phone: 904-792-1987  Fax: 904-792-2507

Amenities:
Barber/beauty shop; fishing; free local telephone calls; 24-hour front desk; golf; hairdryer in room; handicapped rooms/facilities; laundry/valet services; RV or truck parking; pets allowed; outdoor pool; restaurant; safe-deposit box; shops/commercial services; television with cable; VIP rooms/services.

Rates:
Last check showed $37.50 for 2 people + $3.75 for each guest over that.

DIRECTIONS TO RIVER AREA

RIVER DATA