Exploring

I was out paddling on Hunters Creek, yesterday, with a group of paddlers, when I stumbled upon the scene pictured here. The mud probably isn’t very deep, and it may be full of timber, but it looks like a treacherous swamp scene. I’m pretty sure I will have to check it out, soon. I’m entertaining the thought of going back, today, but I’m not sure I have time.

Hunters Creek is not as close to home as my usual creek, and the put-in is not as easy to access. Back in the 90’s, I used to mud on that creek a lot. That was some of the first mud I found in this area, although I only found one spot with good, thick mud that wasn’t ruined by buried debris. I eventually found better mudding spots on the White Oak River. When my sinking spots on the White Oak got more difficult to access, I renewed my search for good mud, closer to home.

Finding good mud spots is not as easy as one might hope. You really can’t tell much by looking at the surface of a muddy area. You have to get into the mud and find out what it feels like, how deep it is, and whether or not there is too much timber mixed in with it for safe, unobstructed sinking. You can check an area and think it is too shallow or obstructed, but there may be a spot, only a few feet from where you walked, where the bottom drops off and the mud is clear. Even worse, at higher water levels, you might paddle past a good spot and never see it. An exhaustive search can be exhausting, and there may be hundreds of spots to check!

I’m always excited to find new mud prospects; especially ones that are visually appealing and close to a body of water where I can clean up. This new prospect is both of those things. You can expect an update, soon.