After The Fall

Part 1
Articles & Photos by: Brian Williams
Posted by: Vicky Thomas

The days are growing shorter and dusk now brings a hint of cooler air each evening. Its late summer on the Smith and a good time to experience a final showy display of color before the wildflowers return to dormancy and the forest is speckled with falls parade. It's also a good time to get out on the river and enjoy some afternoon wading and fly-fishing, hoping for a possible "showy" display of color from the local trout population.


At this time of year the bright yellows petals of the Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) are standouts along the banks of the Smith.

The deep purples of the Closed Gentian (Gentianaceae Gentiana andrewsii) ....

.....compete for attention with the brilliant reds of the Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Sunday morning arrived warm with still summertime temps, perfect for cooling off in the river. The cool water evaporating into blankets of mist keeps you comfortable, even during the hottest part of the day. I headed out to the special regulation trout section around noon, even though I knew the trout probably would not be hitting till latter in the day, I enjoy just walking up the river and spotting trout as they slink back into the shadows or dart under a rock.


A smaller brown "camoflauged" against a backdrop of DIDYMO algae.

Heading quietly upstream I began to make a few cast and soon encountered perhaps the smallest brown trout I had ever caught on a fly rod. It had to be from the wild population on the Smith because it was even smaller than most of the ones we released from the Trout in the Classroom Program during June. He took a # 18 bead head nymph.

A few more small browns fell to my nymph and I convinced them to hang around just long enough for a few quick photos before I released them, perhaps a little wiser.

Continuing my trek upstream, my eyes were drawn to a vibrant contrast of the black and yellow hanging out in the greens and orange of a stand of Jewelweed (Balsaminaceae Impatiens capensis). A silky trap, beautifully crafted by a writing spider (Argiope aurantia) was attracting its share of the afternoon hatch.

As evening approached, the larger trout were coming out to feed and it wasn't long before I had hooked up with several more "Smith River beauties."

Each one was a little larger than the previous.

DRBA Offers Two Paddle Trips in October

As part of its two-day observance of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Dan River Basin Association will offer two paddles in October on the Dan River.

Dan River Float, Moratock Park to Snow Creek
Saturday, October 4

An easy, leisurely four-mile float on a scenic, less-traveled section of the Dan River will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Moratock Park in Danbury on Saturday, October 4. The Dan River Basin Association invites the public to join in, free of charge, for this regular First Saturday Outing, rated as Class 1 in difficulty.

High forested bluffs make this section of the Dan particularly beautiful and Native American fish weirs are found in the river bed. The trip begins near the historic Moratock Iron Furnace and ends at the new Snow Creek Access just below the site of the 1918 Pitzer Steel Truss Bridge. In addition to early fall foliage, one can expect to see animal trails, herons, geese, and songbirds.
Participants should supply boat, paddles, life jackets, drinks and lunch, wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (not cotton, and certainly not blue jeans) and provide a back-up change of clothing. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.
To reach Moratock Park traveling on NC 8/89, turn onto Shephard Mill Road, crossing the bridge over the Dan. At the end of the bridge, an unpaved drive on the right leads to the boat launch near the old iron furnace.


Dan River Float, Snow Creek to Hemlock Golf Course
Sunday, October 5, 2008

A five-mile float on the Dan River will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5, from Snow Creek Access to Hemlock Golf Course in Stokes County.
The Association invites the public to join in, free of charge, for this special outing.
History and legend abound on this section of the river, which is characterized by high bluffs forested with hardwoods and stands of stately hemlock trees. Branches of the Great Wagon Road forded the river; caves are said to have been used by Confederate draft dodgers; and Davis Bluff, the scene of a fatal fall, is also known as Mount Horrible.
This section of the Dan River is rated mostly as Class 1, but the remains of a former Duke Power dam, dynamited in 1975, create a sometimes challenging Class 2 rapid. Fortunately, the dam/rapid is within sight of watchers at the take-out ramp, which the Association is using with special permission from the landowner.
Participants are asked to meet at Moratock Park, in the town of Danbury, NC at 10:00 in the parking lot downstream of the bridge over the Dan River, on Shephard Mill Road. From there they will set a shuttle and then begin the paddle at Snow Creek.
Participants should supply boat, paddles, life jackets, drinks and lunch, wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (not cotton, and certainly not blue jeans) and provide a back-up change of clothing. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.

A bonus activity each day will be participation in North Carolina Big Sweep, the statewide watershed cleanup event held each fall. Trash bags and data cards will be provided to all boaters.
To reach Moratock Park, take Highway 8/89 to Danbury, turn onto Shepherd Mill Road, cross the Dan River, and immediately turn right into the Moratock Park parking lot.

For questions about the outings, contact Will Truslow, Trip Coordinator, 336-547-1903, willtruslow@hotmail.com.

Paddlers Brave Hurricane to Ride the Smith!

Actually, it wasn't that bad at all! In true DRBA tradition, we don't make the decision to cancel river trips until we're at the boat launch. That policy worked to our advantage on Saturday since what we thought might turn out to be a yucky rainy day actually ended up as a wonderful sunny day to paddle the Smith River.

Thirteen boaters braved the ominous forecast to come out and see if the trip would happen. Those boaters were treated to a great paddle trip from Marrowbone Creek to Mitchell's Bridge with plenty of water flow. Following the paddle, the group ate picnic lunches at the Gravely Nature Preserve and were given guided tours of the trails by DRBA trip coordinator Paul Johnson.



Join us on Saturday, October 4th as we paddle the Dan River!

Safety tips for paddling on the Smith River

Martinsville Bulletin Managing Editor Amanda Buck
canoes on the Smith River with Brian Williams of the
Dan River Basin Association.

Sunday, September 7, 2008
Article by Amanda Buck; Photo by Darrin Doss

Brian Williams and Jennifer Doss of the Dan River Basin Association stress the following safety tips for anyone interested in paddling down the Smith River:

• Before you set out, call 629-2432 for a power generation schedule.

• If you haven’t paddled before, go with experienced paddlers before going alone. DRBA and other local groups are happy to teach beginners, Williams said. When you are learning, stick to nongeneration times to avoid the fast-moving water, which is up to 12 feet deep in some places.
As Doss put it, “You’re not gonna do the double black diamond ski slope unless you do the bunny slope first.”

• Always wear a life jacket. “We see a lot of people on the river without life jackets,” Doss said. That is dangerous even for good swimmers, Williams said, given the chance of hitting rocks and the temperature of the water. It comes out of the dam at about 40 degrees. “You don’t want to go in the water if you can help it,” Williams said. “Even in the summer, it’s very easy to get hypothermic regardless of how hot the air is.”

• Watch out for strainers, which are fallen trees, limbs, bridge pilings or rocks. Water can get around strainers, but they often tip people’s boats and “strain you right out,” Williams said.
“It’s always so important to pay attention to the river because even with an experienced paddler” unexpected things occur, Doss said, such as a tree falling overnight.

• Stay in the middle of the river to avoid being caught up in vegetation hanging from the bank. That vegetation can act as a strainer.

• If you are an inexperienced paddler, stay away from rocks. Some experienced paddlers enjoy playing around rocks, but that is dangerous for beginners, Williams said.

• If you fall out of your boat, point your feet downstream and try to get to a calm area as quickly as possible.

• Take an extra paddle along in case you lose one to the river.

• Don’t go alone. “We paddle in groups so we can help each other,” Doss said.

For more information on the Dan River Basin Association, call 634-2545 or visit www.danriver.org.