HRL PADDLERS GOES UNDER CONSTRUCTION

We thank you for stopping by to see us at HRL Paddlers.

Please pardon us while we make a few changes to our site.

Feel free to take a look at some of our previous posts or browse through a picture album from one of our adventures.

You may contact us at hrlpaddlers2@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Merry Christmas to All who have paddle with us and those who have followed our site

Terry's Pics from Thanksgiving Camp Out/Paddle Excursion on Badin- Part 1

Terry's Pics from Thanksgiving Camp Out/Paddle Excursion on Badin- Part 2

Pictures from Thanksgiving Campout/Paddle

Even though most of the group has quit paddling for the season, there are still a few die-hards in the group who continue on. Thanks to Sheila for sharing the pictures from their 4 day Thanksgiving camp out outing on Badin Reservoir.

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How a Kayak is Made- Is your boat over cooked or under cooked

To find out how well your boat was cooked, click here to read these tips

T- Recovery when and when not to use it

Our group got great practice this summer with the T Rescue Method. Most of the group became very adept at performing the rescue. Still T-Rescue may not always be applicable in most situations. Now that we head into the winter months with water temperatures dropping, the other factors on whether to use T- method of rescue come more into play. I remember "Banks Dixon" of Frog Hollow, reminding us that you could have over 100 different scenario involving a canoe/kayak rescue. The following link below is to an article I found on Paddling.net about T-Rescue and what you must consider before deciding on use of this method.

Banks Dixon had also stressed to our group the importance of knowing the make-up of the other boats paddling with you. This is because the decision on the rescue method to use can depend on the boat. Several of us experienced first hand what it was like to try to rescue Fran's T-REX. The following week Fran made the decision to add bulkheads to her kayak. Had cold water been a factor in Terry's rescue attempt of Fran, chances are she would have succumbed to Hypothermia before Terry had emptied the water from the boat

Click Here to Read This Article

Royal's Creek- Tuckertown Reservoir

Our participation in several Big Sweeps this fall, eliminated our October Saturday paddles. This was all in name of a good cause. Still there are a few in the group who manage to find a way to paddle on some Sunday afternoons. Below is a slide show of few members having fun on one their favorite areas "Royals Creek" which is on Tuckertown Reservoir. Thanks to Sheila for sending me the photos from their paddle 2 weeks ago.

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York Hill Land Fill

Looking at the pictures in the slide show below, one would certainly think so. There are some sorrier people than Terry in the world and his photos are proof. (I had to get my dig in for the bridge remark) Thanks to Terry for the pics and comments! I should have been playing a banjo in the HRL Paddler Photo.

Saturday's Big Sweep at the York Hill Access, Davidson County and "TPUR"

York Hill Access is one of the most scenic access areas we have visited in the Yadkin River River Basin. This public access area has a lot of underutilized potential. Situated at the top of High Rock Lake reservoir, it is of a great benefit to paddlers, fisherman and hunters from Davidson, Davie and Rowan Counties. York Hill lies in the heart of the "historic trading ford". The last major civil war battle won by the South, was here at York Hill. I think you'll find that most users of the access are unaware of the area's rich history. It's sad to see there aren't signs telling visitors about the historical significance of this area.

The Trading Ford has seen over five centuries of American cultural, industrial, military, and transportation history. From Indian trading paths, failed colonization by the Spanish, travels by troops in the American Revolution and Civil War, to a site of numerous ferries and bridges, the Trading Ford is an important part of North Carolina History.(Click the Link Underline above to read more)


Driving across the bridge to Spencer or heading to Charlotte on I-85 , the typical motorist is totally unaware of the beauty, which lies below. I have to admit, that was my impression of the Yadkin was formed by what I saw from the bridges. I can tell you it wasn't a positive one. Once I started paddling I saw the vast difference between the view from the car vs the view from below. It wasn't until I visited the York Hill area, did I realize how distorted my opinion of the Yadkin River had been. I never knew the beauty of the Wil-Cox Bridge until I viewed it from the access below. The access area itself is also a beautiful setting. I discovered how these rivers are just pretty as any of the lakes we visit.

This was the 3rd Big Sweep for "HRL Paddlers" this year. Kudos to Bobby, Harry, Sheila, Terry, Dana and Neal Patrick for all they did.

We had very cool temperatures for this weekend's Big Sweep. The warm temperatures of the day and the cool temperatures of the night, created a very slippery slopes on the river bank. Normally one can wear tennis shoes in most places, but we've learned that it's best to wear rubber boots when working on a river bank. No one fell in, but there were times we easily could have.

Sadly we have to report that York Hill had the most trash of all the access areas we participated in during Big Sweep. We plan to keep "York Hill on "HRL Paddlers" Big Sweep list for years to come. Our most unusual finds were a microwave oven and cb radio. It's disturbing to see that some people will not make the effort to walk 10 feet to a nearby garbage can to dispose of their trash.

We all asked ourselves the question " how do you make people pick up or dispose of trash properly? " Terry suggested the following and later in this post I took the liberty of modifying it some.

"Anyone using an access area who is seen with trash around them while fishing , should pick it up or be subject to an fine." Subjecting all users to a fine for throwing down or ignoring litter is the rule we may need to make in order to keep these areas clean. A free access area is a privilege for all those who use it.

I thought Terry's suggestion was a great idea! Before you discard the notion as being silly, please take a moment to think about it. No littering signs with warnings just aren't enough these days, because the offenders have to be caught. Now if you have a rule were any user of the access can be fined if trash is found near them, people will take note and start enforcing the rule themselves. Those who think this rule is to tough, then there is an alternative we could pursue. We could ask the county to charge launch and fishing fees. Moneys from these fees could be used to pay a "ranger" to oversee the area on the weekend. This is something similar to what they do at Lake Thoma-Lex. Personally I would hate to see fees charged, because it would eliminate people who couldn't afford to pay. Unless we are willing to take and accept more stringent measures to get the litter under control in these areas, there may be no other choice, than to charge a fee.

Of course the rule will need to be more specific about what would invoke a fine.. One suggestion would be for the rule to fine a person for any trash found within 10ft of the spot they are fishing. The same rule would also apply to anyone leaving trash found within 10 feet their parked vehicle.(we find a lot of people throw out trash in front of where they park a car) This should all so be applied to all camp site areas, but with greater distances(making the radius 50 feet, might make them use that trash can that is 15 feet away.)

It's sad to think we would even need such a rule, however this is what it will take to win the war against litter. We have to all be willing to make the brush of enforcement a little broader, defining "that trash on the ground is unacceptable".

We all ignore trash that most of us could so easily pick up. I will admit I'm guilty of doing it . Instead of trying to be a part of the solution, we complain about the sorry individuals who throw their trash down. Could we not just as easily pick it up? "It's not my responsibility" is what we say, when the act of picking up the litter we see demonstrates to others what being responsible is about.

We can just as easily be part of the solution. People will say there needs to be stricter laws and higher fines. $1000 littering fees don't correct the problems, when someone has to be present to enforce it. Making it a penalty when it's left lying around, no matter who is responsible, will put an end to the trash we see at these access areas. It's easy to blame others for not doing their job, when with just a little effort we could do more ourselves.


All I'm saying is"this would be the stricter law we need", if we are to win this war.

Having a rule that could not easily be ignored by anyone would insure that these areas always stay clean. Big Sweeps would be freed up to focus on others areas that need the attention more. Clean areas would inspire counties to do put more money into these access areas. The Old 421 Park in Forsyth County is a great example of what can be done, when we take pride in an access area. Part of the reason we don't have more access areas is the litter problem, that comes with them.

It would be great if we could start a movement lobbying for such a law. Use of any Public Access Area should always be a privilege. It's time we had some hard rules to safe guard these areas from those who would trash them. I would be willing to subject myself to such a rule if that's what it would take to keep these areas trash free.

HRL Paddlers will start practicing the 10 foot rule on all areas we launch or take out from. We will add this new rule to our paddler's code. "TPUR"(trash pick up rule or "aka" Terry pick up rule) might inspire others to do the same.

When you really think about it, Terry's suggestion has great merit!

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Paddling from Old 421-Tanglewood- Hwy 64- Hwy 801- I 85- High Rock Lake- Tuckertown Reservoir-

Image via WikipediI know some of our readers are wondering, when are we going to release the report on the Paddle Trails above? We decided it would be best to wait until our paddle season had wound down. This way we can sit down as a group and go over each of these areas a little more in details.

The information we provide hopefully will prepare canoeist and kayakers on what to expect along these particular paddle trails.

Our report won't hold back or gloss over problems we see that need addressing. The most serious problem is still "Idols Dam". This area still remains just as deadly as that day we paddle it back in July. While there had been good response from the city with the promise of signs, to date all we have seen are sketches. We find this very disturbing that there are no signs posted. There has been more than enough time and there really is no excuse for not having done it. We all need to start asking "what is the hold up?" What will it take to get the signs up?


Our report will make recommendations just like our concerns regarding safety issues mentioned above. We plan to release our findings as concerned paddlers to all the media, paddle publications and paddling groups. It will take more than just our voices to make any recommendations we suggest a reality. This is why we will release our report to any reader or organizations with paddling interests.

HRL Paddlers doesn't like being a thorn in anyones side, all we want to do is paddle. Now if it takes being a "thorn" to make our paddle trails safer, we will gladly accept the role. Our main concern to make sure that safety issues like the "open death trap" at Idols Dam gets closed. So far the only positive move we have experienced were just a couple of meetings listening to our concerns and the display of some "graphic rendering of signs" that supposedly are ordered. I did do a personal follow up a few weeks back. A city department head informed me that they were working to resolve the portage issue. I also asked if the signs were up, but this official informed they weren't. It seemed they were wanting to resolve everything at the same time. I asked that the signs be put up immediately, knowing the portage issue will take a little longer.

Since that time I've heard nothing on signs being in place. Our group may have to paddle the area again and invite others along this time to see why we are so concerned. There is just no excuse for signs not being put in place by now. More than enough time has passed. The city was actually made aware of the problem back in June, so this wasn't suddenly overnight. When we discovered it we turned up the burners on what had been a low burning flame.

The public needs to see photos of the warning signs in place, not sketches of what is ordered anymore. We encourage anyone reading this to write the City of Winston-Salem Mayor or ask their city council member why this hasn't been done yet? HRL Paddlers is one dog that won't stop barking until this safety issue is resolved. We will continue our campaign to get the safety issues resolved once and for all.

"Only dead fish go with the current"

Big Sweep - Davidson County

We invite everyone to join us for this Saturday's Davidson County Big Sweep. We will meet at the York Hill Access Area, which is just off Hwy-29-70 on the Davidson County side of the Yadkin River.

Those wanting to canoe/kayak afterward will have the opportunity to join several in a paddle to what we call our "Land of the Lost". It's a great paddle and not to far from the access area. This is probably a two hour paddle at the most.

Below is a slide show of our excursion to the Land of the Lost. This will also give you an idea of what the "York Hill" access. We won't paddle beyond the "Buck's Steam Plant" this time. It will be a paddle down and a paddle up. This area is known as the "Trading Ford", there is lot of history that has taken place over the years. Indian Settlements, Revolutionary War Battle and the last battle of the Civil War all took place in this area.

Terry's Pics from the Davie County Big Sweep at Hwy 64 access

Cost to Drive is a neat tool for anyone planning a trip

This neat little link will tell you what to expect to pay in gas. It factors in your car type, gas in the area you are traveling to. Click Here to give it spin. I'm sure it will help us in planning excursions and a good way to help us estimate on how to share traveling cost. Since it will be a plus for our group and others, you will find it on the right sidebar of our site.

Terry's Pics from a Labor Day Paddle

What Big Sweep is About

Kudos to WCNC TV for it's promotional piece about "Big Sweep"

Harry, Sheila and Fran return from Hunting Island, SC

We will get the full story later. Hopefully someone in the group will embellish on the fun the others missed out on. I'm sure Terry would be more than happy to give Sheila the paddle!

The lead song on the music playlist below the slide show is "Sailing". Somehow the song seemed appropriate for this slide show. There was time I would go "sailing every evening after work. Christopher Crosses' song "Sailing" pretty much sums up the feeling I got each time out. Even though I kayak more, "sailing" is still my first love. I still get the same feeling anytime I'm out on the water even in a kayak on a windy day. The 2nd song on the player I put there for "Harry". A great surfing song by Jan and Dean "Surf City". The song some how seemed appropriate since he was out numbered 2 to 1.


Thanks to Sheila for providing us with the slide show below . Her comments always add a special touch, making the photos more personal to the viewer.

Just in case Terry decides not to give Sheila the paddle, there is an old rule Sheila needs to remember "Possession is 9/10 of the law".

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Click on the Music Player Below while you watch the slide show. Just click forward until you find a song of your liking.

Rowan County Big Sweep

The "Flat Creek Gang" was treated to a visit from "Mighty Kayak Dog"


You couldn't have had a more perfect day for Rowan county's "Big Sweep". Participants met at Dan Nicholas Park. Mike Lambert and Bob Pendergrass of Dan Nicholas Park welcomed the volunteers as they arrived. Mike was the coordinator for Big Sweep and gave us assigned areas we could go to. Since I was familiar with the "River Road Area" along Tuckertown Reservoir, I elected to go there.





Somehow I became the default "sweep leader" of what I dubbed as our "Flat Creek Gang".(the name being derived from the "Flat Creek Access Area" off River Road we were assigned). I was only the leader because I was the only one who knew the location of our destination. I don't believe it had do with any leadership skills, other than my sense of direction on how to get there, so others could follow me in their cars.





We had a lot of good people helping and everyone seemed to know what to do. The group made my job easy and it even looked like I knew what I was doing once I got there. All that was required of me was to act the part of a leader for a few hours. I even left our troops alone for a few minutes to see if they could function on their own. I was able to pull this challenge off by helping shuttle some kayakers I befriended at the Flat Creek access area. Would I see a mutiny when I returned? The lesson I learned when I returned was, a leader really isn't required when you have a good group of workers. I had 16 "good ones" who didn't didn't need me other than lead them to the Big Sweep site.


Once we got to our destination we broke up into groups of 4. This allowed us to cover more area a lot faster, including an access area on the Davidson County side of the Tuckertown Reservoir. Our "Flat Creek Gang" decided it had no boundaries, I think they all were inspired by "Mighty Kayak Dog" who hails from the Kernersville area. We learned their are no boundaries from "Mighty Kayak Dog", who kayaks waters all over the world. "Trash is Trash" no matter where you find it. Our new group adapted this philosophy and learned to work outside the box. No one gave it a second thought as to what county we were in. Our goal was to help clean up, not county lines.

Most of our group was new to Big Sweep and that included me. We were provided with plenty of work gloves, trash bags and even a tee shirt. Mike Lambert, this year's Big Sweep director, had suggested people bring "tools". I had no idea what kind of tools to bring, so I grabbed an assortment before I left home. For future reference, a "garden hoe" is a wonderful tool!!! A pitch fork, shovel and potato rake(if tool end is nailed on to stay in place) also are good tools to bring. You learn very quickly what works and doesn't work when picking up trash. I would highly recommend rubber boots or waders for wearing in the mud in the future. Charlie was the only one in our group dressed appropriately for the task at hand. He's only 5, but he was ready and raring to go. Just check out his photos in the slide show below.

Our finds included a lot of plastic bottles, small propane canisters, bait boxes, fishing line, tires, carpet, Styrofoam cooler chest lids, reflectors, glass bottles and tire rims. The strangest find of all was a "chicken foot" with a nail through it, I don't even want to guess what that was about.

We all found it very disturbing that people wouldn't even walk 10 feet to dispose of their waste in a nearby trash can. There needs to be a return deposit of 5 cents on each plastic bottle or the litter problem with plastic bottles will never be resolved. You don't find many aluminum cans because of they are worth about 3 cents a can at the recycling center.

The "Flat Creek Gang" did a wonderful job and had fun doing so in the process. I hope all 17 will return the 3rd week in September next year. It will be fun watching Charlie grow up. Let hope he makes this an annual event in his life. I look forward to seeing everyone next year or sooner if they decide to paddle with HRL Paddlers. My friends know I invited almost anyone I meet on or near water to go kayaking with our group. I handed out plenty of HRL Paddlers cards which have phone contact numbers and web address.

Listen to some good music while you watch the slide show, click forward until you find a song you like.

Terry's Photos from Saturday's Fun Paddle/Low Country Boil

Low Country Boil and Fun Paddle

Tentative plans for Saturday are for some fishing, fun paddling and rescue drills.

Weather permitting, we will do this at my family's lake house on High Rock Lake. If you want to catch a big fish(big in my book is 20lbs or more), you will need to be there at 7:00 am. Now if all you want to do is paddle, practice rescue, play baggo. (no don't worry, I didn't say banjo), horseshoes, and cook, then 9:00 -10:00 will be find . We should wind up everything up by 2 pm. I've posted a sign up sheet on the site. This little get together should wet our appetites for the upcoming Shrimp Feast we will be having at Hunting Island, SC the following week. I'm going to teach Fran and Terry how to catch shrimp and I know we are going to catch a lot. Email me for questions or directions.