Group trip on North Landing River (Pungo Ferry area),  July 11,  2004

Some of the members of the VKFA (Virginia Kayak Fishing Association) got together for a group paddle on July 11,  2004.  Under the leadership of our new moderator  Larry Hatch,  we met for our first,  informal "on the water" meeting.  Our paddling flotilla consisted of Tina,  Dave,  Charlie,  Bob,  Larry and myself,  Tony.  Dave and Charlie both made road trips to attend this group paddle and we were glad they could make it.  Dave is from Stafford,  Virginia (about 3 hours North of Tidewater) and Charlie hails from Martinsville,  Virginia which is about 5 hours West of Tidewater.  The rest of us braved the spaghetti of roadways that is the Tidewater area to be there.   We launched from the boat ramp behind Captain George's Seafood Restaurant on Old Pungo Ferry Road.  We paddled South past the beach there and under the Pungo Ferry Bridge to an oxbow in the river.  Larry was here a few weeks back and found some interesting places to explore.

Charlie in the foreground,  Dave in the blue kayak,  Tina beyond in the green boat and Larry in the red yak.

Larry and Tina in a crisp 1.3 megapixel shot.  I'm not sure how I managed to screw up such an easy shot.

Dave's first time in a kayak. 

The flotilla moves into a finger of water extending off the oxbow.

Charlie rigs up his line in preparation for his first cast.

Bob (in the yellow boat) had his kayak all rigged for fishing.

Well whadda know,  a decent picture!  Larry leads on.

At the end of the finger off the oxbow was this huge cornfield.  Dave and Charlie check out the fishing opportunities here while Tina moved off to the left to explore a little further.  This was the spot where I should have gotten out of the boat for a minute to stretch cause later on my butt was killing me!

Bob explains his anchoring system to Larry and I.

It's amazing how quickly the waterway gets secluded and scenic when you get off the main river.  This is that same finger of water off the oxbow.  There was another little area off this oxbow that lead to a private residence.  We explored a long canal that lead to a dock alongside a long driveway (more like a causeway).  I forgot to get some pictures in there but you can see the area on the map below.   We turned around  and paddled back into the oxbow where Larry spotted many signs of surfacing and jumping fish.  The party stopped and floated about fishing the area.  Unfortunately nobody got a bite.

Oxbows,  when created,  have an island in their middle.  In the North Landing River these islands are more like marsh areas.  This one had an opening on the back side that Larry spied and quickly headed up into.  It was a nice reprieve from the boaters and jet skiers that frequent the oxbow.

Charlie, Dave,  Tina and Bob.  Is Dave trying to show us how big "the one that got away" was?  Or was this some new on the water Yoga technique?

Following Larry,  we continued to explore the interior of the "marsh island".

Larry found the end of the "marsh island" trail and headed back.  But not before proclaiming this newly discovered area as "Larry's Lagoon".  Thus henceforth shall this area be known to those who tread it's shallow pathways as "Larry's Lagoon".

Bob and Larry heading back to the launch site.  Pungo Ferry Bridge ahead,  Captain George's beach beyond the bridge.  On a side note....you'd think Larry would be satisfied with having his own lagoon but apparently not.  Shortly after this picture was taken and a few hundred yards ahead and to the right,  Larry spied a tree that caught his fancy.  He quickly and efficiently proclaimed it as "Larry's Tree".  So navigators rejoice,  there are two new landmarks in the Pungo Ferry vicinity of the North Landing River,  "Larry's Lagoon" and "Larry's Tree".

Back to the dock we go dwarfed by the motorboats.

Charlie and I bringing up the rear.

The kayak lineup.  I had taken a few shots that I thought were going to be better but managed to get the camera strap in the way on all of them including this one.  Sheesh. What a moron!

Boat identification from left to right....

Larry's,  Dave's,  Bob's, Tina's, Charlie's and Tony's.

Here is our trip map....

It was a hot and muggy day but the paddle was leisurely and enjoyable.  No fish were caught,  but not for lack of effort.  Larry spoke briefly about having another get together,  this time at Munden Point Park.  The opportunities to bring along family are better at the park since those who don't want to paddle can picnic,  swim and enjoy the park.  There are several spots to paddle to from the park including Oakums Creek,  which is just to the North.  In the meantime we can get online as the group and share our separate or joint paddling adventures.  I am already thinking about next weekend's paddle.  See ya.