JEM Watercraft

Ron and I decided it was time for a little over night Trip. We headed to the Brazos Saturday morning ready for a relaxing time. We carry entirely too much stuff.



But it all fit.



The water level was pretty low so we had to do some walking below the Falls but quickly made our way about seven miles downstream. We saw all kinds of wildlife Saturday.

Must have seen 10,000 Ducks on the way down.



Two Hogs swimming across the River. No, we didn't chase them, they were too far away.



A little eight point buck that had swam across the river.



We made our way down to the sandbar we planned on staying at, set up camp and got to relaxing. We built a nice fire and had our Salty Dog fixings as always.



As the night cooled off the fire got bigger.



Couple of pics of the sandbar we stayed on.





Smallest YellowCat I have ever caught.



Nothing like a breakfast cooked on a fire.



Ended up catching a couple of nice Channel Cats and a pretty big BlueCat.



View headed back upstream.



The Nortwinds performed very well. We paddled seven miles upstream in about 2.5 hours against a pretty strong current at times. The boats were loaded heavy but performance was exceptional. Can't wait to do it again because we found a spot that is holding some good fish just did not have time to fish on the return trip.

We always have a blast .
This was a test run for the North Winds yaks , it would be the first time we really loaded them
and saw how they handled the varied conditions on the Brazos.
Loaded and ready to start

These boats have more cargo space ,wow , the front deck had very little in it.
Off we went ,the boats didnt even know they had a load .
We drifted fish and just enjoyed the ducks ,wildlife and a fish now and then . Weather was cool but one nice surprise the wind was light ,so it was an awesome day. Got to our location and set up camp ,built a fire put a couple rods out. It was 5 oclock some where so we broke out the salty dogs in our red solo cups .
I think my buddy is relaxed and soaking it in.

Darrel and I had not had any lunch so it was time to start the groceries ,



and it gets better



and better


full bellies , a warm fire good friend and another good drink was as good as it gets.

The river was falling so the fishing was slow ,but we caught a few. my problem was all I could catch was these.

Dang they fight , but Darrel was the catfish man this weekend.

After a breakfast on the bar we slowly started breaking camp.
Loaded and ready to head upstream



We were 7 miles down river and the North winds were awesome , we came up the river in just a hair over 2 hours , these are the dang est boats I have ever paddled .
This trip was a blast
Ron

I did miss the photo chance of the trip, I straddle my boat and then drop into my seat , well I am a little longer legged than Darell , I heard him holler I am stuck , I looked and he was straddle of his boat but was on a muddy bottom and couldnt get his feet loose from the bottom ,I grabbed for my camera but was laughing so hard I missed the shot.

These boats will carry a load and keep on ticking . Here is a list of what we carried


What we had:
2 cots
2 sleeping bags
1 8x10 tent
1 12x18 tarp
2 coolers
1lantern
1 grill
12 fishing poles
1 seine
couple of buckets
blankets
pillows
each had a personal bag
ron had 2 backpacks
2 tackle boxes
food bag
several firearms
coffe pot
propane burner
several spare propane bottles
my little aluminum camping table
each had waders and rubber boots
chairs
3 gallons of water
2 machetes
cokes and beer six pack each
skillet
fifth of alcohol
1/2 gallon of grape fruit juice
weather radio
2 cameras
million powered spot light
I am sure we are missing a few items but that is the biggest part.
Funny we were talking paddling up river and we couldnt think of a thing we needed , but we used everything we had.
These boats are just amazing
Ron

Sounds a magic trip.

You seem to get a lot of swimming wild life over there. . . . . why is that.


The only thing you were missing was the kitchen sink

Pete
The river we fish (Brazos ) is 857 miles long so they have to swim or walk a mighty long way .
There are patches of woods with fields across the river and they cross back and forth to feed and bed.
I am going to sleep warm and comfortable and eat good when I kayak camp.

Ron

Thanks guys. It's always good to read about others adventures when you haven't been out in a while.

What are these salty dogs you refer to?

Extra Dry Gin
Grapefruit Juice
Salt
Ice
Drink

Great report and piccies guys.

I just can't get over the amount of gear you blokes take with you.

Mick
We do carry a lot of gear.
I can take a tarp good knife and a gallon pail and do a trip and have done them like that over the years ,guess I am getting soft ,I like the good food soft bed,decent size tent and being comfortable . Thats one thing I like about the yaks ,no problem to carry weight.
We went a little overboard on this trip but it was the first time we had a chance to load out these boats and see how they handled the weight.
My front deck had very little inside it and another hundred lbs could be carried easily in this boat.
Ron

Hi guys,
I might have to try one of those salty dogs.

Just reading through this report again and admiring the northwind, which you know I am a bit partial to. I am not sure if I have asked this before but is there anything you would change in the design?