Q20 canoe river trip #4-Pemi#2

[gyork]

Most of the rivers were drying out during early June, but there was sufficient flow in the Pemi to do the stretch from Plymouth to Ayres Island Dam. We picked a beautiful Friday and caravaned up to our now-familiar launch from Plymouth, after first spotting a car at the takeout in Bristol, next to the dam.

The first stretch of the river was spectacular; shallow, clear, with abundant fish spotting, including a school of approximately 25 ?trout.

Were I a fisherman, these fish averaged a foot in length. Because I am not, 7 inches was a good estimate. We meandered with the current through the uninhabited rural river, and stopped briefly at a steep rocky ledge, where the captain rinsed off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the six-mile mark, smack-dab in the middle of the river was a ledgy, small island with a tall maple cluster on the western side. As we neared, and noted the sand dune-like features on the downstream side, it was obvious this would be our lunch spot. We landed and scouted the tiny isle, hereafter called Paradise Island.

         

 

Narrow, sandy paths lead to rocky outcroppings, some of which lent themselves to perfect launches into the clear, deep river. Signs of campfire and hibachi suggested previous visitors.

Small groups of people visited both shores during our lunch hour, enjoying ledgy or sandy features.

 

Beyond Paradise, the river widened and quieted, secondary to the damn dam downriver. We spotted the typical wildlife – geese, kingfisher, osprey, and additional fish schools in-session, near the railroad/car bridges cluster.

        

 

Towards the 104 bridge, the river widened to a pond-like area, with several people recreating (swimming, fishing, tubing), most likely from the nearby campground.

The last 3 miles was not a little slog-ish, with a strong headwind and lake-like features.

We muscled through, landed, and made our way back to Plymouth, first stopping at the very scenic Livermore Falls area, before burritos and the shortish drive home.

 

Link to track here

Edited June 17, 2020 by gyork