Although I paddle, and fish twelve months a year. Even here in Tennessee there are days that the conditions are just not worth the effort. So for the last couple of cold windy weeks. I have found myself dreaming of warm weather adventures to come. Its sorta like cabin fever I guess.

Within these thoughts and dreams. I have found the urge to go experience the Ozark's in Arkansas. I have not yet adventured there. So I started looking at what opportunities might be there. I stumbled upon a river that for the most part still remains true wilderness. So to me that is the perfect find, A hidden Gem.

So with any adventure the search for info started. I scoured the web to see what I could find .Then I started printing topo maps as well as river maps. I looked at possible access points and marked those. I started pinning mileage between the different points. I then began to dissect each river section on google earth. Paying close attention to zoom in on choke points as well as shoals. This gives me a feel for the type of water I should prepare for. It also helps dictate which type of kayak I could possibly use.

After going over all this information and looking at this river. I have decided that I will paddle a 125 mile section in at least 5 days but possibly up to 7. I haven't fully determined that yet for sure.This river looks very beautiful and photogenic. It also looks very fishy to me. Those two factors could call for spending a couple extra days to increase photo and fishing time. I'm really excited this river looks like it will be a lot of fun and adventure.

With a trip of this length and remoteness, It will take a little more time to really dial the trip in. It looks like I have two great options of kayaks. My Jackson Kayak Journey or My Jackson Kayak Kraken 13.5. I use both of these kayaks on touring trips like this one. The deciding factor will be of course how many days I settle on, and how much time will be spent fishing. The journey is a touring kayak that is very fast and has sealed storage for my camping gear. It has very little options for fishing because it is a true touring kayak. The Kraken is a bit slower, but has enough storage. It has tons of fishing options because it is a sit on top fishing kayak with multiple use capabilities. Those ole brownfish more than likely win out in my thoughts. I have to do some more thinking before I decide this though.

So the next step I took was to e-mail a local outfitter to answer some questions. what will be the best water flow levels for this trip ? What type of permits are needed to camp in this wilderness area. Are there any areas of concern for safety such as rapid descents that might not really be visible by google earth? Is this river bad for having blockage by strainers? those are questions only someone who has actually paddled it be able to answer. those questions are very critical on a trip into a wild area like this one. Most likely there will be very limited cell service if any.

Much to my surprise they e-mailed me back the very next morning .They have bent over backwards to help me gain the information I was seeking. Super friendly and helpful even though they know I am using all my own gear. Their business is mostly on just the last 15 miles of my trip. Here they rent, shuttle, guide fishing trips, set up river base camping, and rent cabins. They run a small family business much like Caney Fork Outdoors. Like the Martin's on the Caney Fork this family has been on this river for decades. Shops like these are becoming harder to find these days in the greedy profit driven market this is becoming. So I am very thankful that I found them. They have insured me they would help me any way they can to make my trip happen as planned.

So now the next step is compiling my gear list for camping several nights in the wilderness along the way. Since it is so remote what I start with is all I will have.On this kind of trip, the pre trip planning and gear list will make you or break you. As I learned way back in my 20's on a backpacking trip along the AT in the blizzard of 93! That my friends is a story for another day!

In the upcoming weeks I will start planning a menu for meals as well as cooking gear needed. A lot of folks go the easy route here. To me it's one of my favorite parts of my trips. I really enjoy backwoods cooking and to have my normal comfort foods even in remote locations. There is nothing better than starting my morning baking a fresh muffin. Rather than settling for oatmeal or granola bars. I also like to use the bounty of the river. Or the fruits and greens of the wilderness where it is permitted. so more research will be done on the life of that waterway as well as the edibles of the area to compliment my provisions.

Trips like this one are truly a challenge. Once you learn to research, and plan them out though they can be some of the most fun, and rewarding. They will test your skills abilities, and mental toughness .The reward is to enjoy true wilderness!

I grew up in Scouting camping, backpacking, and paddle camping. I have spent years on trips like this one taking all those lessons learned. To adapt them to what I now call and teach as "Backpacking on the Water ". Kayak camping is a combination of all three. You need fire, food and shelter the same as all three. You do not have the hauling space of dump camping or canoe camping. You have more hauling space than backpacking but have the freedom somewhat not to worry about weight.

This trip is still in its planning stages but it is shaping up to be an epic adventure. The one thing that is missing however. The fun of sharing the discussions with the man that ignited this fire of adventure within me at a very young age. My Dad! The last decade of his life I think he found great fun in adventure himself sharing the planning of my trips with me. He always could not wait to see the pictures when I returned.

So stay tuned and enjoy this epic adventure with me. I will be sharing more along the way!