We've been kicking it around a bit, and on a Sunday afternoon, there isn't a lot of time for road travel. I have been wanting to check out Bobby's place in Mount Holly and paddle down the river a while. Since I'm pretty familiar with "Dale's Place" in Belmont, we decided that would be our take out point. We dropped my father-in-law's truck off at Dale's place, and headed to Bobby's.
As soon as we pulled up, Bobby came out to greet us. He met all of the expectations I had - based on people in the kayak fishing community's circle. SUPER-nice guy, with the best of intentions. I introduced both of us and explained that we had several aquaintances in common - and of course paid our $2 each to put in.
By the time we were on the water, it was somewhere around 2pm and the temperature was in the mid 80's. I have to admit, at first glance, I was impressed with how clean the water looked. It reminded me of Mountain Island - except for the amount of boats in the water. I guess I can't complain... it is June.
Speaking of boats, and I've been around them most of my life - if you're reading this and own a boat, please use some common decency and sense; take the boating safety course. The "no wake" areas are there for a reason! Some moron in a ski-boat; pulling 4 kids on a tube - flipped over 2 poor guys in a jon boat... in a no wake zone (not at the beginning either; they were at the 3rd marker near Tailrace). I'd estimate they were moving about 40 when they swerved to miss the jon boat. The wake alone would have probably been enough to flip them, but the ski rope made sure of it. I wish we could've gotten close enough to read the numbers on their craft - especially since another family at Dale's complained that they almost had been flipped by the same boat. To all power boaters & jet skiers: If you're trying to be funny and see how close you can get to my kayak, don't expect to hear "that's ok" or even get a laugh from a shaking fist. I have a 6oz weight on stand-by with your name on it... and I'm pretty good with a 7' rod. I won't be trying for "close".
In all, we didn't catch anything (some say the bass have moved to the "summer pattern") but we had a great time.
Upper Catawba Pros: Clean water, good paddle, several "resting points" along the way, sand bars, overall friendly people, and you WILL see other kayaks near the Whitewater center & tailrace marina (both do kayak rentals).
Cons: TONS of power boats, jet-skis, lot of development, little nature.
near Bobby's
Father-in-law
best view on the water
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