Nicomen Slough Trip Report 2024-06-07

It was a very warm Sunday morning as Dave and Rose W,  Ron W, along with Carole and I prepared for the day’s paddle. By 930 am it was already 24 degrees and expected to rise into the low 30s’ so heat management was the order of the day.

We met at the Tourist information Center just East of Mission on Hwy 7 to set up the shuttle for the day. No boat shuffling was needed as there turned out to be an extra vehicle which posted near our take out point by the Dewdney Pub.

The water level was still very good due to the flood season so paddling was good all the way down. We saw quite a number of very large carp, averaging over 2 feet long in the upper section and as we neared the middle the channel narrows due to the confluence with Norrish Creek. Norrish Creek is a clear fresh tributary that provides a nice lunch destination so we stopped to eat.  A change from last season is that the creek now splits as it enters the Nicomen Slough resulting in low water levels in both channels. Previously we could paddle up past this point to a more shaded area but that was not to be this year.

We enjoyed lunch and made our way down past the new bridge being constructed over the waterway on Hwy 7 then to our take-out. Fortunately the heat was mitigated by a nice summer breeze and occasional gusts which kept the temperature tolerable.

A pleasant day was had by all. To those who made it out, thanks for making it a trip!

Bob Podesta – Trip Leader