Dallas Downriver Club

Date: March 2-4 2018  Note New Date! Sponsor: DDRC
River: Middle Sabine  Trip Leader: Bryan Jackson
Reach: US Highway 59 to FM 2517 Phone: 972-979-2519
Difficulty: Flatwater - no rapids * (See scale below) E-mail: paddlinpals@yahoo.com

Rendezvous: US Hwy 59 bridge near Carthage, 9:00 AM Friday

Campground: Riverside sandbar beaches SEE BELOW and call Bryan if you need to change your planned attendance

Sabine Fishing Expedition

 

Trip Description:

NOTE: The Group Launching at US 59 will shuttle at 8:30 am. The Group launching at 1794 will shuttle at about 9:30 am. 

We will be paddling the Middle Sabine River between US Highway 59 just east of Carthage down to FM 2517 southeast of Carthage. The total trip distance is 29 miles on flatwater with no hazards other than mosquitoes, and it should be too early for those pests. 

We will meet at the US 59 bridge at 9am on Friday where it crosses the Sabine River, north of Carthage. We will run a run a shuttle and fish our way down the river, camping on sandy beaches each night. We will camp about 8 miles below the FM 1794 crossing the first night so that any who are unable to come for Friday can join us on Saturday morning. Please let us know in advance if you plan to meet us on Saturday. We will be going "light" on this trip, so everyone will be responsible for their own food, although if the fishing is good, the chances of a fish feast breaking out are likely.

This section of the Sabine is beautiful and very scenic, though you may see an occasional motorboat with one or more anglers aboard. The white bass are expected to be running during this trip. The river is rife with gorgeous, white sand beaches where we can stop to fish, snack, eat or camp. Some of the beaches are quite large, and most have shallow gradient landings for easy unloading and loading, yet offer camping high enough to be above any unexpected river rises should a heavy rain fall while we are there.  

The Sabine River is an excellent fishing stream where you can catch blue, yellow and channel catfish, small mouth, yellow-belly, white and sand bass, drum, carp, crappie, gar and other species. Bald eagles are sometimes seen flying above the river. Otters, beavers and nutria may be seen if you are quiet and look carefully. The most common "bird" is the paddler-eating mosquito, so be prepared! Great blue herons, buzzards and numerous species of songbirds will be seen. Due to the remoteness of the area you may see snakes. Common species include water moccasins, copperheads and several species of non-venomous water snakes, but none are usually a problem. This is a good place to bring a camera.

 Anyone interested in this trip should e-mail Bryan or RSVP on Meetup so that that a head count can be taken and appropriate planning can be done in advance of the trip date.

 

Gear Requirements:

Bring boats (just about any seaworthy craft will do for this trip), PFD's (lifejackets), paddles (a spare is recommended), a whistle or other signalling device, throwbag, tent, ground pad, sleeping bag, clothing for hot, cold, wet and dry conditions, camp chair, headlamp, plate(s), flatware, drinking cup, personal toiletries and other items that you may want to have with you. A small cooler for drinks and lunches to be carried in your boat would be recommended. Bring everythng you need for two nights on the river. Fishing Licenses are recommended as the river is patrolled by TP&W this time of year and so are the river access points.

Meals:

Everyone will be responsible for their own food, although if the fishing is good the chances of a fish feast breaking out are likely. Bring plenty of beverages, but remember - NO GLASS OR FOAM POLYSTYRENE STYROFOAM CONTAINERS!

Back-up Plans:

There is no backup plan for this trip. If, for any reason, the trip on the Sabine cannot be made, then it will be cancelled.

Driving Directions:

This reach of the Sabine River is located in Panola County near the Louisiana border and just above Toledo Bend Reservoir. It is about 30 miles south of Marshall, just outside Carthage.

From Dallas:

IH 20 East to Marshall, then RIGHT (South) on US Highway 59;

South on US Highway 59 to the public boat ramp on the southeast side of the river;

Unload boats and gear in preparation for shuttling vehicles down to the FM 2517 boat ramp.


Middle Sabine River in Panola County




* International Scale of River Difficulty

Class I: Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight, self-rescue is easy.

Class II: Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.

Class III: Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.

Class IV: Advanced. Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure. A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require "must" moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is highly recommended.

Class V: Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to above average endangerment. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between pools, demanding a high level of fitness. What eddies exist may be small, turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous, and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment, extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.

Class VI: Extreme. One grade more difficult than Class V. These runs often exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only occasionally run.

 

 
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Last updated November 3, 2017