Duck River 12-21-13

[Fishbus]

Put kayaks in at Normandy Dam. 520cfs flow was above the normal 160, but the river was great to paddle.

Caught rainbows on Dude Special and Electric Chicken crappie magnets and also with magnets on mini-spinnerbaits.

Portage around Cortner Mill is river right, not left at the mill. They have signs and tape up.

Hotspots were from Normandy down a mile and also below Cortner's.

Nobody anywhere in sight but us. Lucky 70 degree weather. Some rain, but we came equipped.

Pic is my oldest with one of his several bows.

Great day on the Duck.

Billy




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[Alphahawk]

Glad you had a good day. Saw your short video on facebook. Normandy is a real gem IMHO that is only a short drive for me to go and catch a ton of stockers all day. With the 2# test line and UL rod it is just a lot of fun.




Regards

[Hammy]

Billy, did you have a pickup car downstream? I fish alone many times and would like to fish that area as it's close to me.

Hammy

[MNfisher]

Great float trip!

[Fishbus]

Hammy,

We had two trucks, so we staged one at the takeout.

I understand the kayak outfitters in the area will provide shuttle service, but they are summer seasonal, as far as I know.

Billy

[Reel Tune]

Looks like a great day with your boys.

[Farley]

Hammy, if you want to take just one vehicle you can park at the second bridge and walk or bike take to the dam. About 3/4 of a mile, I used to lock my bike up next to the bridge and ride it back to get the truck when we were done. Saved on a lot of gas not having to take two vehicles.

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Billy, this is a good section of the river to float and fish, but I have not fished it in a few years, how does the portage at Cortner mill dam looks like??
I know in years past we used to carry a machete to clear it up of vegetation so it will make it easier to drag the canoe out, several years ago the landowner placed some big logs across the road end to keep people from driving onto his land across the river.

[Fishbus]

TS,

I assumed the portage would be on the mill side of the river, but apparently it is on the opposite side.

It was not bad, the path was clear like it had been used. Even some piles of cut foliage dumped in the low spots to walk over.

Dragging a large kayak like my Big Tuna around it was a pain, but the smaller boats were no problem.

A lot of downed trees on the low side of the dam made it a little challenging to get back in. The smaller boats we carried to a convenient launch point, the larger boats we had to board and limbo under a fallen tree.

Pic is where we put in on the low side.

You're right though, great float and fishing. We're going back before Christmas vacation is over.

Billy

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Thanks Billy, I live so close to this place and I don't even know why but I very seldom go, I guess I need to get out there and enjoy this place! I have a ride 115 yak so I guess it should be easy to tote around, thanks for the info and pic, good luck on your next outing and have fun with your boys! and Merry Christmas!!!