River Reflections: Refrigerator Fishing

One liner for template:  Our valiant river guides succeeded in removing a discarded refrigerator from the middle of the Wolf River.

While driving to the Bateman Road ramp for the February 1 First Saturday Paddle of the Lost Swamp section of the Wolf River, I (Jim Gafford) noted a temperature of 48 degrees. A light and high cloud cover filled the sky. This cover would continue during the paddle and not clear until later in the afternoon. Despite the unclear sky condition, the temperatures would make for a very pleasant trip.

A group of 12 guests and 9 river guides enjoyed an amusing 4-hour paddle down the Lost Swamp section. I provided entertainment on this trip by entering the water not once but twice, the first at the Bateman put-in ramp and the second after lunch and directly in the center of the Wolf. On this occasion, I was nudged by an unseen obstacle below water exerting enough disruption to throw me off balance and into the chilly water. The weather conditions did not necessitate a change of clothes on either occasion. It did require the addition of a second layer to ensure an unsafe situation would not develop and to make me a little more comfortable. Of course, there was a change of clothing in the dry bag for such a fun adventure. Outside of these, there were no other notable events. All trip members fully enjoyed the day.  

About half a mile downstream from the ramp, the group noticed that a refrigerator had floated down and was temporarily lodged in the center of the river. Our guides quickly developed a plan to remove it from the river the following weekend. During the week, they worked to gain access and secure the proper equipment to assist in the removal.  

On February 8, a group of 6 guides returned to the Bateman Road ramp to collect the refrigerator. The event was labeled the “refrigerator fishing expedition” and we fully expected that we would have to noodle the beast. Since we would spend a short time on the water, we started the trip an hour later than normal. Four guides approached the target from the water while a pair of guides got into position to assist from the riverbank. The property owner gave us permission to access the river from his property and even provided a tractor to assist in removal from the water. Big shout out here for their assistance!  The guides were able to clear the refrigerator from its entanglement and bulldoze it to the group awaiting on river right. After securing it with straps, it was lifted from the river and loaded into an awaiting trailer for removal.  After the refrigerator was loaded, our river guides continued to paddle on the Wolf River, enjoying the company, the water, and the beautiful day.  The refrigerator saga was completed on Monday when it was delivered to a metal recycling facility in Nesbit, MS.  The $9.00 the river guides received for recycling the refrigerator was donated to the Conservancy.  

Finally, I have received notice that there are currently three portages required in the Ghost section. This report was at a water level of 7.1 on the LaGrange gauge. As soon as we can, our guides will conduct an exploratory trip down the Ghost to assess and attempt to clear the situation. Weather permitting, we will make this expedition in early March.  

Remember our next First Saturday Paddle is scheduled for March 1 on the river section between Rossville and Piperton, TN. Visit the activity section of our website to sign up for this event.  SYOTW

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