Early Spring Update

Spring has made its way into the southeast, bringing with it some good soaking rains to start things out right. In the past month I've been able to get back on a few runs that I've really been looking forward to. Finally, after missing several oppourtunities over the winter, I made it back to the Raven Fork. It was a spectacular day as the first signs of spring were showing, and the level was a nice 8". With the weather beginning to warm in such an amazing place, I was feeling great. So good in fact, I decided I was ready to be a Big Boy.

Photo: Challen Averill

There is so much spray at the bottom it's difficult to get a clear picture, but this one turned out pretty well. Scott Magley, Mac McGee and myself all ran it and had slightly different yet succesfull lines.

In between rains when the main creeks drop out, we head to Dukes ,which is good at low water, and the Chattooga which holds really well. The more I run the Chattooga the more it grows on me, It truly is wild and scenic. On my last trip there I saw a nest of brown water snakes above Raven Chute, a turkey vulture in its nest at Raven Ciffs, several hawks, and trout jumping up Five Falls.

Dukes Creek - Photo: Matt Hollingsworth

Baker Davenport running the Bull

Then there are the spring releases at the Tallulah Gorge. After the fall releases were cancelled last year, I was excited to hear as the realease dates approached in April that it was on. There were several longboats out there on the first Saturday, so on Sunday I broke out the Green Boat. It was well worth the hike down the stairs.

Photos: Baker Davenport

Baker has been getting some great shots lately, check out his blog here: http://www.bakerdavenportphotography.blogspot.com/

He's also put together this footage from our recent paddling in North Georgia.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed that the rain keeps falling. Maybe, just maybe, we can begin to ease our way out of the drought this year.

-David Cohen