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Thank you! It’s fun there.

They are literally a work of art sometimes.. thanks for the comment!

Thanks! 🙏

Second week of October!

@@BRUjank thank you! Son getting married there 3rd week in Sept 25. Wondering about weather and leaves…

Thanks for the comment! I might be able to make some recommendations for ya! I do not think that I would recommend going upstream on this one. Tippy to red bridge would be doable upstream, but going upstream from there would take a great deal of time and effort in my opinion, although probably not impossible. Check out the Manistee loop trail. Depending on your ability and interest it would be possible to drop off your boat at Hodenpyl dam, drive down to red bridge and drop off the car, and then hike back up to Hodenpyl on foot. It would take a little less then 4 hours according to the AllTrails app. Hop on your boat and do a short float to camp, then another short float back to the car the next day. This would be a good little solo mission in my opinion, if you’re willing to hike it. Last option would be to call one of the local canoe liveries and schedule a ride with them. I have never done this myself so I don’t have a price for you, but I do believe this is a service they would provide to solo paddlers!

@@BRUjank awesome man, thanks for the info!

@@BRUjank did the same float, just got back. absolutely beautiful stretch and float. did not get on too many fish but it was still worth the drive from Chicago.

Thanks for commenting!

Thanks!

One of the best!

You will love it!

Man, perfect day.. that was fun.

Thanks!

Thank you!

Views are pretty good up there! That’s for sure..

You’re welcome! Thank you for your comment.

I found them lovely when I was falling asleep.. but being woken up by a train whistle coming closer and closer and closer was too much for my sleepy brain to comprehend. I would jolt up awake with an adrenaline rush thinking I was going to be run over 😂

Thanks for the comment!

I can’t wait to come back! It’s so beautiful there.

This was not a very kayak friendly creek, but you need an adventure every once in a while right!? Thanks for the comment!

It’s a beautiful river. Well worth the paddle if you can get out there!

You are going to love it! Thanks for the comment.

It’s an awesome river! You will have so much fun. Good one to make a video about too!!

A great place to kayak you say? I may have to try and check it out!

Could be the best ever.. I’d entertain that!! Haha thanks for your comment.

The first bit was nice, but it turned pretty wild there. I don’t know if I would recommend it per se, but we still had fun! Thanks for watching!

Thanks for your comment!

The Flat is a great float! Hoping to get back out there soon.

@@BRUjank Have you done the pine yet? Thats one of my favs. Fastest river in Michigan they say. The whole paddle takes 3 days.

Just did the Pine recently! It’s a lot of fun, one of my favorite rivers so far.

Thanks! I really appreciate that.

For this trip we actually had to call a taxi. We got lucky that there is an actual cab company in Manistee. They were kind enough to bring their van with a trailer attached and brought our kayaks back to the car with us!

I bet it was awesome. I am hoping to get back in it again soon.

That was my first time in WV!

This river is pure joy that is for sure.. I would love to do the whole thing as well! It gets pretty small further upstream though, is what the internet tells me anyway. That would be an adventure!

I guess I’m not sure of the specifics of it, but yea, they were after a bunch of our groundwater.

Of course! Thanks for your comment.

The best river!

It’s always amazing! Thanks for the comments!!

Thanks!

I think we called Manistee Cab Company. I am not sure if the trailer was an actual service they provide, or if they just did us a favor on this day.. The driver kind of mentioned it was something they were going to try out. it would be worth calling ahead if you are going to plan on this.. I do believe we payed a little extra and tried to leave a nice tip as well, maybe 40 or 50 bucks total. Otherwise one of the area canoe liveries would provide this service I bet.. pine river paddlesport center might be worth a call.

@@BRUjank Thanks for taking the time to reply. Adventure ON!

No doubt, you guys will have a blast! We just did the stretch out to Lake Michigan a few weeks ago!

Check with Bosman's (on the corner of 55/37) or Horina's (just to the south, on 37). I do believe both will pick up your vehicle and then "spot it" where you want to get out, when you want to get out. I do believe that both will take you (leaving your vehicle at their place) and pick you up. This summer, the wife and I rented a canoe from Bosman's, hauled it ourselves...put in at Hodenpyl and got out at Tippy Dam. We had the luxury of having a friend of ours at Coho Bend (down river...family has been there since the late 70's) that could drop us off and pick us up. Last month, we took my boat up there, put in at Loomis Landing (on Tippy) and just went out and found a spot for the weekend. The only reason we went there is because of over-night parking. The launch is...sketchy!!! Not bad for my little 16 footer though. We took out at the state launch though, across the bay...way better!

@@fermiticus4034 Thanks for the information

Yea, I butchered that one..

I think for this trip we exited the river at Henning county park. It is just a regular cement boat ramp, but it can sneak up on you if you aren’t ready for it. I will try to include approach shots in the future, that’s a good idea. 👍

River is very swimable.. wonderful sandy bottom. Wouldn’t recommend that grotto though, water was a little stagnant and bottom was very rocky.

Mainly just keep your boat pointed downstream! My kinda river..

It’s incredible 🙌

I have never actually been above the Hodenpyl dam myself, but I know the route is doable from reading online! You may consider that you would be paddling across Hodenpyl dam pond which is a larger body of water with a portage at the end. So just be prepared for a good mix of river and lake paddling on the canoe! I have paddled the tippy pond in its entirety and it took us a number of hours..

I think for this trip we just left the car in the parking lot at the dam..

Thank you for your comment. West Virginia was wonderful!

Thank you, I appreciate that.

I think if a leaf had fallen off a tree and landed on the kayak I would have been swimming…

Thank you! I appreciate that comment.

That is what we were attempting to do here, just didn’t work out for us. I am sure we will be back, this river is a gem!

@@BRUjank i would highly suggest it. Just go into it expecting a few portages and some shoving over trees and it’ll be a great time. Good luck👍🏼

No it’s not challenging at all! there is some elevation change on the far north end of the island but it’s not much. thanks for the comment!