A river captain’s day on Upper Mississippi River

Winona, Minnesota to Lock 6

[@pattystathem1893]

My hubby, Jeff Stathem is a conductor now with BNSF, working out of Fort Madison Iowa. He worked on the towboats as a deckhand and first mate from 81-90. His main boat was the LJ Sullivan. He worked out of the National Maritime Union Hall out of St Louis. He loved the river.

[@gregknight293]

This is one of my favorites of all your shows. Beautiful country and people everywhere out having fun . Good show !!

[@marktwained]

Glad you enjoy

[@williamweirjr9749]

Hello from Hurley Mississippi!! Down here on the ESCATAWPA RIVER and the PASCAGOULA RIVER we have what we call house boats and people live in them every day.

[@tomdetroye3028]

My son and I have been fishing Lake Pepin, just a few miles upstream from here, for the past 37 years, out of Camp LaCoupolis, just up from Waubasha, (where "Grumpy Old Men" was filmed)! I still find it just as beautiful every time we get back there from the east side of Wisconsin and am glad that you recognize the beauty too! Safe travels!

[@budm9982]

Beautiful section of the river. So cool to hear you enjoy it even after so many years on the river.

[@capun81]

Всегда любил проходить города, деревни ,села, в верхней части реки Обь тоже много лодок и яхт, чем ниже и ближе к северу тем меньше яхт и городов, но природа красивая и сейчас у нас Северные сияния наблюдаються

[@marktwained]

There are more towns and people on northern end of rivers over here. Things get much bigger on southern end.. the river and the boats

[@jk01red]

Love the time lapse at the end!!! Great video. We love the River up here!!!

[@joncozzi1701]

Great to see a fella loving his work! Good for you, and thanks for bringing us along!

[@louGriggs1944]

Great video. Thanks for posting. I have traveled through here on the train and the homes along the upper part here are something else. The river perspective is great.

[@derekcarstensen9134]

One of your biggest fans! Glad to see you in Minnesota! In fact you inspired me to by my own pontoon house boat I even had to bring it all the way in from Oregon, hope you enjoy my state!

[@fatonsnacks1396]

Always enjoy your videos! That's a great timelapse at the end. I'd enjoy just seeing timelaps vids of your travels.

[@corncob_say]

watchin this again a year latter and still diggin it. reall apreaciate you work here.

[@BL-jt3qt]

Some really pretty scenery there. You sure do have a great job!

[@poowg2657]

My family vacations in Trempealeau and we stay at Inn On The River and love to watch the boats lock through. The view from the river is great. I'm a railfan and I could almost swear some of the towboat engines sound like ALCOs. Great video!

[@marktwained]

EMD engines, like a lot of train engines, I’ve heard

[@ropo772]

ITS AWESOME UP THAT WAY! THE WATER CAN BE PRETTY CLEAR. THE BACKWATERS AND FISH LIFE IS AMAZING! PLENTIFUL!

[@buckybadger02]

This is why I love living near the Missouri and Upper Mississippi Rivers. You made those kids day by blowing the horn.

[@marktwained]

To see kids’ (young and old) thrilled reactions to blowing the horn makes my day. 👍🏻😉

[@MrGeroth]

Captain that’s was awesome. Thanks again for sharing your job which we all think is awesome.

[@robtaylor6806]

The liquor cycle gang had me rolling.

[@mpgarr]

Those houses, a modern version of Shantyboats. This part of the river is busier than all get out. Its amazing how busy it is up there!

[@richbowser9500]

Another great video,Kyle.. Keep up the good work, I really enjoy your videos.

[@richardcasey4439]

Truly a gorgeous region of the state.

[@65johu]

I grew up in Guttenberg Iowa at lock & dam #10. Loved fishing the backwaters year round. Either from my canoe or on the ice. Boating, fishing, swimming and camping on the river. Great memories! In high school we had keggers out on the islands. River boat captains loved lighting us up during the night.😆

[@martyguadafienie4261]

If you go through Keokuk Iowa make sure you wave at the new live feed camera at the locks

[@ridgerunner80]

Link

[@martyguadafienie4261]

@@ridgerunner80 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIuYg52DgLKGi7s

[@ridgerunner80]

Thanks

[@doingitwithnothing]

Just found your channel … don’t know much about boating tug etc but learning from your content… love go over to Nathez and eat while watching the barges go up down the river also like camping on the banks at the Tom too always find the sights interesting…

[@williamweirjr9749]

Great videos you have. I really enjoy them. Thank you for you sharing with us

[@davidoden]

That’s awesome scenery. Thanks for posting.

[@wendellbatiste5519]

Thanks for showing this, I love it

[@kennkrizsanitz7820]

I agree captain, pretty country. Another great video. Did look at Google maps looks like you need a shoehorn in some of them spots south of lacross

[@michaelherring1697]

Just spent last week boating this x area, pools 5a, 6 & 7. Simply beautiful!

[@alexeyk4591]

Beautiful river! Nice day! Positive Captain :) My best regards Captain!!!

[@marktwained]

“Bruce” is a childhood buddy from back home. We used to fish a lot growing up. “Rho” is my wife Rhonda. 👍🏻

[@carolyaster5466]

How wonderful! You are a lucky man to be able to see such beauty while you work.

[@zalmaflash]

I realise this is a year old but it was still relaxing.Thanks Capt.

[@kellybrian6495]

Nice! You’re just South of Alma Wisconsin! I grew up down there. 2:47

[@neilallen2144]

Grew up there! Living in Wyoming now. Beautiful bluff country. Awesome fishing and hunting.

[@mikeyuhasdotorg]

Neat stuff, Cap't Kyle. Didn't know it was you at the time, but I got a drone shot of you heading into Lock 6. Great video, thanks for putting Trempealeau on the map!

[@wendellbatiste5519]

Kool ass slide, I have pass by that town, in 1998 when I was going to Seattle, Washington.

[@DavidDragonhammer]

I grew up in Winona, beautiful town, all along the river is a wonderful area, I respect those Barges, they are way of the water.

[@davidschick6951]

I love how you showed the whole thing in fast motion at the end. Looks like a video game or a screensaver or something. Thanks for posting.

[@cheddar2648]

Thanks for sharing your voyage with us, Captain. Having ridden a small boat out to the mouth of the Mississippi from Venice, yeah you right: it ain't the lower.

[@mikeboschert4905]

Yeah Cap., we run the UMR from about mm 215, to mm 275. In flood right now, but usually really nice. Thanks for the rides. Be safe.

[@noodler696]

The "Yacht Club" you speak of is Dick's Marina. Used to keep my boat there. It is "God's Country" as the folks in the Coulee Region call it. Love to fish pools 6, 7 and 8 (La Crosse, WI). The wildlife refuge at Trempealeau is awesome. I've had deer swim the Trempealeau River in front of my canoe. Keep an eye out for Blue Heron, Snowy Egrets and the Bald and Golden Eagles that nest in the Bluffs.

[@KRM02]

Love it Brother just left the river in WV but I was one of the fishermen ya cuss !! Anyway Love your name because that's my name as well . Safe travels and God Bless. Kyle M.

[@danielr1615]

One of your best videos in my opinion. Your filming in 4k is appreciated!

[@rockybigdog8506]

God's Country for sure. Back in the seventy I took my kayak thru lock seven. Remember it like yesterday any day is a good day on the river.

[@DRIFTLESSTECH]

Live just north of there near Lake Pepin. Grew up near La Crosse. Awesome to see you up in Gods Country.

[@redbaron0949]

I have done a project or two in MN, I loved the accent the people have. It kind of flows and they don't skip pronouncing letters like you and I being both from the South. I think Wisconsin and Minnesota had a lot of German influence in their speech , having had many German settlers. You certainly receive a different perspective when traveling than anyone else.

[@Bob.W.]

I live 15 miles upriver from Winona. Never tire of the river, bluffs and wildlife.

[@user-kk7nr1jk3k]

Enjoyed this a lot very interesting

[@eddytaylor3697]

Thanks for the video.

[@wendellbatiste5519]

Beautiful area I love that

[@Ms.Bayou4495]

Thanks for posting. Looks way smaller than I'm used to seeing in Baton Rouge/Port Allen.

[@doughesson]

My last trip with Orgulf Transports, I was on the Peter Fanchi & got off at Lock#2 to fly home to Memphis 8-2-90.

[@The35211]

Thanks for the video.Had alot of friends that worked for Ingram in the 60s and 70s On the Hortence Ingram and Arther J Dyer.Capt. Bud Erler and Capt. Oscar Hooter

[@marktwained]

Was Bud Ehrler father to my captain, Mike Ehrler? I would think so. I did not him, but Mike Ehrler was captain that trained me. Pretty neat. 👍🏻

[@kitclayton5144]

Love your videos. Minus the language! I would like to watch this with my son.

[@to8860]

Good stuff Cap!!!

[@dennisdunn8892]

I liked how it sounded when y'all bumped up on them big rigs going through the lock 👍

[@Vintagetractorrepair]

The boathouse is a classic living structure in the upper Mississippi. The white building you called the courthouse is actually a church. The first place you passed is actually a art museum with a nice seating area outside which they host a evening of beer and wine drinking.Winona Minnesota is in the driftless area. It’s worth the trip to visit Winona mn.

[@Bigmike3406E]

Awesome video.

[@kellybrian6495]

I’m literally sitting here in Trempaleau county Wisconsin as I am typing this. Trempaleau is the southern most city in Trempealeau county. 3:15

[@marktwained]

Beautiful area. 👍🏻

[@lt1nut]

Thanks for showing part of heaven.

[@JosephFerguson-dz8ns]

Grew up in Winona. Worked as a deckhand one summer for Mile 725 Towing.....

[@wendellbatiste5519]

I love that small baot,kool

[@nooky1]

Love the view.

[@derekcarstensen9134]

Fact... for smaller boats!!! On the upper miss don’t even think of going close to the barges they run so deep in the water the props are just off bottom so instead of the props drawing water from under barge the pull water from the sides with enough draw to pull boats into the sides then under the barge

[@marktwained]

Very good advice. 👍🏻

[@doughesson]

Don't forget about the 900' + blind spot in front of an empty tow. We were walking to the head near Guttenburg Ia & found a houseboat motoring in front of us. Finally we hit them with a chunk of coal & they swore to the lockmaster that they shouldn't lose their turn in the lock chamber.

[@derekcarstensen9134]

@@doughesson wow 😮! “ I always say if you wanna find a jackass go to a boat landing, I can’t tell you how much I studied etiquette before I put my houseboat on the River I didn’t wanna be that guy but more importantly I was, am responsible for everyone’s safety on my vessel and will be held accountable of any harm to them or a Thor vessel and thanks for the advice

[@doughesson]

@@derekcarstensen9134 One of the lock guys told us as we caught the lines that they were cussing us & the lockmaster out even after being told that "They pay more fuel taxes in a day than you paid since you bought that boat."

[@SlimHardBody468]

I live in Winona. And I know the guy running the tour boat. And my parents dock their boat in the Trempealeau Marina

[@marktwained]

Beautiful area of the country. I’m a fan of the area. 👍🏻

[@rickmcbride2980]

Hey Captain I'm a subscriber and love your show I was just wondering Have you ever been up the Arkansas River to the port of Catoosa at Tulsa I used to truck wheat into the port of Catoosa back in the mid-80s them were some good times

[@marktwained]

Yup. It’s been some years ago since I’ve been up to Catoosa.

[@patsmith6665]

Thank you

[@johntolvstad7210]

Artco fleet?I drydocked there harbor tug many times can't remember its name to many boats came to the only drydock between Saint Paul and Saint Louis seems to me caption Thor talked about a great river captain named Bruce Thanks for the memories

[@markgilbertson4917]

Around here the yachts are called cruisers. The tiny houses are called boat houses.. The party boats are called houseboats. River is low this time of year and many, many beaches are showing. No 42 barge tows on this portion of the Mississippi. Enjoyed your kind words on the beauty of what we call Gods Country.

[@marktwained]

The captain I trained under rests on a hill overlooking Lock 12 area. Capt. Mike Ehrler Navigation Light was dedicated after his passing. That end of Upper Mississippi always has my heart.

[@cole9967]

Keep making the videos!

[@bradsullivan2454]

I like ur videos

[@johntolvstad7210]

Worked 18 years in lacrosse ship yard best of friends buddy was a harbor pilot for 25 years

[@randywilson7740]

Very pretty Sean ty from louisiana

[@edhartman8405]

That wasn't court house you seen it is a polish church and museum. Very neat church. I used to live up river in Lake City MN.

[@marktwained]

I was thinking it may have been. Thanks for good info. 👍🏻

[@billdowns3336]

Looking forward to houseboating on Pool 9 next month.

[@timlabell]

These are great videos. what a life ,those people in a boat are talking to Dion you said. does Dion work for you and do you own the boat you're operating?

[@marktwained]

No, and no.

[@marktwained]

Glad you enjoy. 👍🏻

[@kennkrizsanitz7820]

Quick question, how far north can you work. 🤔 I know Mississippi goes into lake Bemidji but far to narrow for tows. And do they narrow the tows as you go farther north. Thanks captain

[@derekcarstensen9134]

They used to go all the way up to the port of Minneapolis just south of 694 may half a mile but the closed the south of that because of invasive species

[@marktwained]

St. Paul city front is as far as I’ve been. Last couple times we just made it to Pig’s Eye fleet below old RR bridge. We just brought 4-6 barges in and out.

[@derekcarstensen9134]

@@marktwained I hate to say I learned the hard way on my pontoon house boat I had on 11 people going up stream passing on aft side going up stream everyone ran to the front to take a pic toons took a dive , water started coming over the toons and on deck the barge captain blew once flew out the cabin door waving and screaming “off throttle “ which I was before the cabin door opened my pride was hurt as I had spent as much time as I could to find info on how to handle boat on the miss it was after that incident that I learned the bottom of those barges on the upper are only 2’ off bottom on a good day pulling water from the sides the miss forgives no one for mistakes I was lucky to have such a captain 100% aware of everything going on around him I 100% respect what you guys do 👍

[@derekcarstensen9134]

@@marktwained sorry I meant starboard side

[@russell3380]

Loved going there, just to watch the tow boats go by.

[@robgates100]

Cap! We were hooked on a beach Just below Lock 6 yesterday when you went by. Dang Son!!

[@marktwained]

Wasn’t me. I’ve been home for a bit. 👍🏻

[@w5glsgary919]

I wonder if that water is accessible in the winter.

[@anchor415]

About 250 miles north of there you can walk across the river at the head waters.

[@gregmueller2265]

Bimiji Minnesota

[@kennkrizsanitz7820]

Itasca state park headwaters, been there used to go to Bemidji fishing every year

[@chaliebaumann6821]

You are in my neck of the woods, I'm in Winona daily, I live in Dakota, MN

[@Sswens1]

please if you can, video what happens when you show up to a dam and all the barges won't fit, how they get moved through the locks, and after when, you line them back up and get underway.

[@chadlambert3186]

Look like one happy captain

[@WEHenry]

Cap.kyle what #lock was that?.great to see your vids.👍🤠🌴🇺🇸

[@marktwained]

Lock 6

[@boosted96spyder]

Does the river have swim beaches I'm looking at making a trip out next year to camp and fish my kids and wife they love to swim those beaches looked really nice

[@The35211]

You could be right Capt. In those days We could go aboard as my wife made agate Jeweler for the crew. They would call ahead and tell what they wanted. Today we wouldnt be allowed to do that. I live about a mile from the river so go there and watch the Boats. The Refinery loading Dock is there and we see boats there .

[@truthseeker2321]

What is that stuff leaking out of the barge? Grain?

[@williamweirjr9749]

Do they have ice conditions on the river there

[@galegregory97comcast]

Nice up there

[@KRM02]

Sorry said I just left the river I guess I should have said it was the Ohio not the MS.

[@cajunnathan4586]

Cigars = CAO's NIIIIIICCCCEEE! Thats a Good Smoke!

[@marktwained]

Those are one of the regular wheelmen’s smokes. He has boxes and boxes of some nice ones. He has every flavor Peete’s coffee in bulk also. 👍🏻

[@cajunnathan4586]

But the Best Smoking Cigar that you will ever wrap your lips around is a La Gloria Cubana Serie-R No.6 (5.9" x 60)

[@garysprandel1817]

Tour boat: now if you'll direct your attention to port you'll see the famous KZbin star MarkTwained.

[@SW-jw6il]

😎 I just found this channel out & THATS MY HOME TOWN !! Winona was amazing growing up there for sure ❤️ but Screw Minnesota now …shithole

[@Ms.Bayou4495]

Did the islands form from the dams being built? Ive always wondered that.

[@marktwained]

The high ground would be the islands. Oddly worded question. Without the dams, when the water was up during flood seasons, higher ground would “become” an island. Maybe less erosion from more controlled water currents? I guess that could be an issue.

[@Ms.Bayou4495]

I tried doing research on how the river was before the dams. I visualize a wide open river with no islands because of no water control. Idk

[@marktwained]

I visualize the dry seasons with little to no water, and a more defined, cut channel.

[@andriyvasilenko64]

Thanks from Ukrainian

[@mpgarr]

I hear the upper Mississippi is going dry. Having any trouble navigating?

[@ridgerunner80]

Hey skipper was that the roudy rascal scooter club ?

[@Vintagetractorrepair]

Winona mn is awesome