BIGFOOT Encounter? | Kayak Camping the Ausable River- Episode 2 | Thru-Paddling 126 miles

Episode 2 of 4. After a crazy night of strong thunder storms and strange sounds we continue our adventure on down the river to an amazing campsite on Alcona Dam Pond, our 2nd of 6 ponds.

[@jamesosborne5950]

4 years later and still love watching the videos. You rock jason and the Colonel

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks, James! Too bad Colonel doesn’t go kayaking anymore or boating 🙄😢

[@brandysears3546]

I've stayed at Alcona Damn Pond Primitive Campground. It is stellar. Sending support, love, and kindness from Lexington, MI, USA.

[@jasonwish-]

Indeed, that place was spectacular, thank you!

[@keithponchillia421]

I appreciate the fact that you are covering a lot of water to get these trips done but you are passing up some amazing fishing.

[@jasonwish-]

I’m sure the fishing is great but we weren’t there for that, but maybe next time!

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

Good stuff Jason! Sure looks like an awesome paddling trip!

[@jasonwish-]

It was an awesome trip, but very difficult at times! Thanks Chris!

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

What a cool trip! I missed the first episode some how. Going right now to watch it too!

[@jasonwish-]

The weather finally Improves for us in the coming episodes but the ponds were horrific! Thanks Chris.

[@cgriggsiv]

You two are definitely having a lot of fun

[@jasonwish-]

indeed!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on! Pounding out some slow miles!! Pretty country and nice campsight!

[@jasonwish-]

Pounding is a good choice of words... much more pounding to come unfortunately, lol.

[@All_Things_Out_Doors]

Man looks like a great trip! Nicely done brother, I'll be hoping for that bigfoot footage. Lol

[@LiboltAdventures]

Beautiful views, looks like you guys are having fun. Looks amazing.

[@jasonwish-]

Thank you! An absolute blast, at least in this episode! Stay tuned!

[@LiboltAdventures]

@@jasonwish- Will do

[@cgriggsiv]

Can't wait for part 3

[@RESTLESSOUTDOORS]

Gotta say man... pretty jealous about this trip... looks like an amazing river trip! Definitely doing this one!!!

[@jasonwish-]

You may reconsider after what you see in the final two episodes. You’re just jealous that you didn’t get a River trip with the Colonel 😂

[@RESTLESSOUTDOORS]

@@jasonwish- 🤣... I'm sure the rest of the adventure will be amazing!!!

[@LouMachado]

Sounds like you might have run into beavers at night, they're fairly active in those hours and they know how to intimidate with tail slaps. You should look it up they are shockingly loud.

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, we discovered that it was beavers diving down, not tail slaps, we actually saw it happen about two years later while at a lake late at night. When their bodies dive quickly it makes baboosh sound like a big rock.

[@LouMachado]

@@jasonwish- Oh diving of course! Yeah, scary critters nonetheless when you can't see them. We were at a local lake once watching them using nightvision camera trying to catch sight of the young ones that year and there was one at the lake edge watching us watch it. They certainly did not take kindly to our intrusion. Angry rodents for sure.

[@MonkeyNAround]

What a beautiful scene at the end. What a campsite!!!!!!!!

[@jasonwish-]

It was amazing!

[@theworldaccordingtogoat4482]

Turncoat ground dweller!!! Good stuff man. Beautiful scenery. I wondered if the fishing rods were packed. It would took me 5 days to paddle that 32 mile second day as I woulda fished and fished and never paddled. Waitin on 3 buddy.

[@jasonwish-]

In episode three or four I finally catch something, stay tuned!

[@theworldaccordingtogoat4482]

Nice!!!! I hope it’s an old boot or something awesome.

[@cgriggsiv]

Beautiful night at that primitive campground

[@eileenmcloughlin4778]

The Luzerne county campground is a GREAT place to camp at night. Pit outhouse, covered shelter, picnic tables, fire rings, etc.

[@jasonwish-]

Sounds great. Where is this located? I searched for it and the only thing that came up was from PA.

[@Njennings42]

@@jasonwish- Luzurne Park Campground, it's about an hour's float after Parmalee bridge.

[@john_kelley]

Really enjoyed that! You guys had a blast! I'm a little shocked to hear you've gone to ground, though. LOL I just got off the ground! That was a great campsite too!

[@jasonwish-]

I still enjoy my Hammock but for my big hike coming up I Prefer the lighter and quicker set up of the duplex. Thanks John!

[@john_kelley]

@@jasonwish- I'm excited for your FKT attempt! Looking forward to following along. Let me know if you need anything.

[@bigmike8564]

Awesome scenery bro

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Big Mike! I wish we could have caught Bigfoot in the act!

[@mldubois]

Great videos - Felt like I was on the trip with you! Your banter and unscripted descriptions are perfect. I’d like to know more about how you plan and prepare your kayaking trips: do you pack water or filter river water? What equipment do you use for filming? Maybe a video on how you plan and pack? Thanks guys for sharing your trips and your friendship in my beautiful state!

[@jasonwish-]

Hey thanks Marc, so glad you enjoyed it! Yeah Colonel and I have been discussing putting together a video like that this spring. I have always loved Michigan, been snowmobiling and mushroom hunting there for nearly 35 years and more recently kayaking and backpacking. We hope to eventually through paddle the entire big Manistee River soon...maybe this fall!

[@Njennings42]

Live in Mio myself, have my whole life, did Mio to Alcona last year, never done the whole river, but I'm going to attempt it this spring, as well as the Manistee.

[@jasonwish-]

Both excellent rivers! All the ponds on the Ausable were very trying at times but still really enjoyed that trip! Hope your thru paddle goes well!

[@cgriggsiv]

At alcona dam pond you two are definitely going to be spoiled With all of those luxury amenities I know I would be happy

[@jasonwish-]

It spoiled us for sure!

[@cgriggsiv]

And yes those reflections are absolutely The peace and tranquility abounds

[@jasonwish-]

It sure does! Lots of beauty!

[@jtmarlin336]

Being a Michigan native you learn to enjoy the overcast cause sometimes that's as good as it's gonna get Lol

[@jasonwish-]

Very true

[@Dsmiffb]

I saw some of the campsites on the au sable require a permit. I have read that sometimes it’s just a piece of paper you sign and use the honor system to pay something like $6 in cash. Did you run into this at all or simply just show up and camp? Planning to do the whole stretch this summer and I am not from the area. Loved your series on this!

[@jasonwish-]

Some areas were regular campgrounds. Some were free, some were dispersed camping, and some are by permit that you can sign up for online but we went into it ill prepared and just kind of winged it. Fortunately , it was the off-season and never even saw another person camping. I don’t condone what we did but it’s the way it worked out for us. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help but it’s been about five years since we paddled the Ausable so it’s not very fresh on my mind. Thanks for watching the series!

[@Dsmiffb]

@@jasonwish- thanks for responding. I’m thinking of doing the same. It’s just tough to know where you’re going to end up as I’m sure you’re aware. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t have a permit for the sites you stayed at. I’m cool primitive camping. I’m sure there are enough places to camp I’ll be able to find something. From what I understand most places that require a permit you can just fill them out that day at the place. I guess we will see. I have the $34 map that I have been looking at. Seems pretty straight forward

[@WealthandTravelonaDime]

wow views and amazing campsites and the colonel messing up your shots lol. i see u getting fancy with your shots at the end of video in that camp. now stop hitting new personal bests on miles i already planning to break your 34 hiking now i getting a kayak and you start doing massive miles on water. lol. great video as always you know we all like seeing you out on the water.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Tony! Those were some tough miles on the water.....as the Colonel says, "its like hiking with your arms" lol! I will send you the link to my garmin map share site when i leave for my Sheltowee Trace thru hike so you can watch me get consecutive days of 40 miles 😁😁

[@WealthandTravelonaDime]

@@jasonwish- haha i hear ya ill get the 34 miles but not sure i can roll 40 lol keep it up

[@rkf2746]

This was fun watching. Quick question---during the time you were hearing rocks thrown into the water in front of your camp, did you hear any eerie banjo picking!!🤣

[@jasonwish-]

Thankfully no, lol 😂. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@skycam321]

@@jasonwish- I experienced this on the Manistee river just down from the Hodenpyle Dam, it turned out to be eagles fishing. Heard it 5 times, saw the last 2.

[@jasonwish-]

@@skycam321 actually we finally found out that it is beaver diving, not beaver tails slapping, we actually saw it happen several years later while hanging out on a lake. This was during the dark both times so no eagles fishing during that time but I'm sure it's a similar sound.

[@Chriszzo]

The AuSable is an awesome river to be on and in... lol.. So any chance you might share that spot you 2 camped at Alcona Dam Pond?

[@jasonwish-]

It is located on the section with "modern road" that goes through it. The best way to describe where its at is make a straight line away from the dam across the lake and make the line go through the little round island and you will come right to it....you can actually see the huge fire ring from google earth! Its also across the lake from the Alcona Park. Hope that helps!

[@giahoang9778]

@@jasonwish- did you have to reserve that one or is it one of the pay as you get there sites? I take an annual trip with my group every year bit we have never made it to the alcona pond yet. Want to know what's available one you go pass the buttercup campsite

[@jasonwish-]

@@giahoang9778 most of the sites we stayed at are supposed to be reserved and paid for ahead of time but since we were there in the none busy season and had no idea where we would end up each night we just took our chances and set up where we wanted. I realize that we should not have done it that way and I don't condone what we did, but it did work out fine for us being mid September.

[@OldGoatintheWoods]

Very relaxing paddle for sure! Lots of Dam Ponds... heh, yeah, never gets old! ;)

[@jasonwish-]

You obviously binge watched our Ausable River series! Yes, very relaxing, and just what I needed after a long farming season....and a month later I went on a 350 mile backpack trip through Kentucky for a speed record....it about killed me, lol.

[@OldGoatintheWoods]

@@jasonwish- Ouch...a bit more ambitious than I'd want to tackle!

[@cgriggsiv]

I too I'm a combo dweller between hammocks and ground but mostly hammock

[@jasonwish-]

I like the hammock for most kayak trips but i am testing out how well I can sleep in the duplex for the 333 mile Sheltowee Trace thru hike coming up soon!

[@cgriggsiv]

@@jasonwish- That is going to be an awesome adventure Stay safe can't wait for The video

[@deanmayer6508]

That storm would be good sleeping as long as there were no strange things around.

[@jasonwish-]

The lightening and thunder made it difficult, as well as the rocks being thrown into the river, lol

[@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd]

Making preliminary plans to duplicate your trip in July or August. I wonder if the AusAble River is as scenic as the AuSable?

[@jasonwish-]

Not sure what you’re asking. What is the difference between the Au Sable river and the Au Sable? July and August or September would be terrific time to go

[@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd]

Just a little jest! I’ve never heard it called the A sable River like you do. Maybe it’s a different river? Oh well. My kids would just groan at another “Dad’s” joke.

[@artificialdopamine6542]

Got a cabin a stones throw from Au Sable river in Mio 👍🏻

[@jasonwish-]

That sounds awesome! My wife and I have been looking at cabins for sale in the lower and upper peninsula’s a little.

[@jimdillon7691]

Been on the river many times i start the trip in mio 👍 good times

[@jasonwish-]

@@jimdillon7691 that is a beautiful stretch....have a great time!

[@elizabethdankert1]

Did you guys have to reserve places to camp? Or pay when you got to each campground?

[@jasonwish-]

In certain sections of the river you can just camp along the banks anywhere you want and in other sections you are supposed to reserve sites ahead of time and pay online but since we did not know where we were going to be each night and it was the off-season we just camped where we ended up each night.

[@elizabethdankert1]

Thanks! I'm planning this trip about 6 months out and was hoping to figure out my layout.

[@jasonwish-]

@@elizabethdankert1 got it. I wish I could help you more but we didn't plan for any specific sites to camp at. I had a idea where we might end up each day and a few spots that I knew I wanted to stay near. I believe most camping has to be registered for in advance at rec.gov, and if you are going in the middle of summer you will most definitely want to get that all figured out. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@jlhighfield9116]

" this wasn't in the brochure" nice

[@jasonwish-]

Ol’ Colonel, lol 😂

[@theronfraser2922]

What is that map book you had in the kayak?

[@jasonwish-]

hmmm, I'm not sure...its been so long I can't remember if it's something I bought or put together on my own. I think I must have ordered something on the Ausable River a few weeks before our trip. Sorry I can't remember. It may have been the canoe marathon guide book that you can get on amazon. Another book that I highly recommend is the "Canoeing Michigan Rivers" by Jerry Dennis and Craig Date....its a great resouce!

[@tomfleshman6306]

don't mean to scare you boy's, but we used to camp by lumberman's monument. on the ausable river. if you are hearing whopping sounds and tree knocking you are in danger. my best friend went into the woods to do natures business and got grabbed and dragged away by a huge bigfoot. he started screaming like a little girl. ( we still tease him about that) lucky we had a 45 with us and started to shoot at it. lucky we didn't hit jimmy under it's giant arm. anyhow after a couple of rounds it let go and ran off. needless to say we set a new world record packing up our gear, we still went camping after that but we went heavily armed and never alone. shout out to all the hippies that used to camp at gordon's creek.

[@colonel1979ab]

#akpistolnexttime

[@jasonwish-]

That's a pretty amazing story! I wish we could have seen what was making the splash noises. We all carry...not scared one bit.

[@cabanaboy6451]

Where'd you hear the rocks being thrown? I'm a Huge BF fan and live in Gaylord. Great videos!!

[@jasonwish-]

Man I love the Gaylord area, especially east towards Vienna Corners and Big Bear Lake, been going to that area for nearly 30 years. The rocks sounded like they were hitting the water only about 20 ft from shore near our campsite. It was loud, like bigger than a softball but smaller than a bowling ball. Some tell us that its just beaver tails and I was like no way was that able to be made by a beaver tail, no smacking sound at all. We were no where near any civilization of any kind, and this was at like 2 am. Very strange. I have heard this sound two other times since while hiking in the dark. Once on the Sheltowee Trace at 4 am by Laurel Lake Kentucky, and on the Quehanna Trail at 5 am in North Central PA. I would like to think it was just beavers all three times but I have yet to see and hear a video that replicates the sounds I heard. The Ausable River has had many sightings between Grayling and Mio Dam.

[@jasonwish-]

We were about 8 to 10 miles down river from Grayling on the south side of the river

[@cabanaboy6451]

@@jasonwish- thanks bunch! Yeah, we love it up here! That's a great area for sure. We live SW of Gaylord about 20 minutes. If you've never been to the Pigeon River State Forest you should check that place out.😁 I would have to say beaver in the Au Sable are only around the grassy areas further downstream, so the sounds are very interesting. I've heard some crazy stuff out in the Pigeon River. It's also a fantastic place to see the Elk. We seen 12 last weekend, and our first Badger Thanks for the reply, and keep up the great videos. LOVED the Pictures rocks one. You got some footage of spray falls I've never seen before.

[@cabanaboy6451]

@@jasonwish- Oh, my name's Scott Snow not Cabana boy lol

[@jasonwish-]

@@cabanaboy6451 Thanks!! I used to see a lot of elk out on camp 8 and old state road just east of vienna corners off of 32. I will definitely check out Pigeon River area eventually! I have some pictured rocks drone footage that blows away anything you've seen on my other videos. the spray falls drone footage was just spectacular! If you want to see it just pm through FB messenger.

[@KevinFryAdventures]

This is some seriously awesome video. You make me want to buy a kayak. I bet Restless Outdoors was throwing rocks into the river to keep you guys up! Awesome video man!

[@jasonwish-]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if he found us somehow, lol! Yak camping is the way to go in July and Aug. b/c of the heat and humidity. Thanks!!

[@jacobpoucher]

if you have ever been to a decent ski resort you know all about the bra tree!

[@jasonwish-]

Yep, our local one here in Bellefontaine has one!

[@armorvestrus4119]

A lot of people have had rocks through at them while fishing or boating in remote areas, if not Bigfoot than what? Anyone know a animal that lives in the woods that throws rocks?

[@jasonwish-]

It sure sounded like rocks to us, a lot of people are trying to tell me it’s Beavertail but I have yet to hear a Beavertail replicate that sound anywhere online. Maybe Bigfoot was throwing beaver carcasses LOL.

[@owenpierson5881]

0:32 lol goodnight not in the brochure

[@jasonwish-]

That was a good one, lol!

[@davidbrown-xk8zl]

It is NOT pronounced "Aw SAY"ble River. It is pronounced "Aw SAW" River. It is also my favorite stretch of waterway in the world. Many different species of fish,including salmon, trout, walleye, & panfish. Truly a Canoers' Heaven in Michigan.138 miles long (222km).

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah I know how to pronounce it correctly and I do in about half of the series but after saying it incorrectly for 30 years it’s hard to get it right every time. And you are right it is a very beautiful river one of my favorites in Michigan!

[@LewisToursVideos]

I’m a new sub, so I’m curious how the Colonel got his name 😂😂

[@jasonwish-]

He raised chickens for 4H in high school. He talks about how he got the nickname in the Edisto River Kayak Camping Adventure video last December.

[@LewisToursVideos]

Jason Wish - Wishwell Farms Cool, I’ll have to go check that out!

[@colonel1979ab]

Colonels a mysterious fellow

[@jacobpoucher]

bigfoot took your stake

[@jasonwish-]

i never thought of that!!! I think your right! 🤣🤣

[@oifsgtj7909]

How many times does he need to say "Colonel" 🤔

[@jasonwish-]

I don't know, can you tell me how many times 😉

[@carriecells144]

Blahnik I'm cold

[@waynegraham143]

Where’s your fishing rods ???

[@jasonwish-]

I had one. It was a little light weight collapsible piece of junk. No one was catching much that we spoke to. On episode 4 I did finally catch something 🤣.

[@waynegraham143]

Gotcha, some beautiful water in that film, nice job 👍 I’d be fishing like a mad man lol

[@darrellrogers3511]

great video, but OMGosh pronounce the name of the river correctly! I'm looking forward to watching your video on your Edeesto River trip!

[@jasonwish-]

Glad you enjoyed the vid, and sorry about the mispronunciation of the river....after saying it wrong for over 25 years its hard to change 😁

[@darrellrogers3511]

Jason Wish - Wishwell Farms Just giving you some stick! Really enjoy your vids. Doing the AuSable this spring and was inspired and informed by your story!

[@davidmorris9596]

The locals pronounce it. Aw Saw bull

[@jasonwish-]

Yep I am well aware of that now, I think I’ve been corrected about a dozen times LOL. After pronouncing it wrong for over 30 years it’s a tough habit to break!

[@Brian-fu9um]

1.) You are Pronouncing "Au Sable" wrong. 2.) The beaver in the Au Sable often make warning sounds that sound like bowling balls or big rocks being tossed into the river.

[@jasonwish-]

You obviously didn't watch much of the video because we pronounced it right many times. After pronouncing it wrong for over 30 years it takes a while to get it right every time.

[@cgriggsiv]

First

[@colonel1979ab]

Don't think it at all counts if you never watched the video yet

[@cgriggsiv]

@@colonel1979ab I do watch it and comment throughout the whole thing

[@johnrogers7316]

What was the name of the tent that you use ? Also do you filter your water ?

[@cgriggsiv]

@@johnrogers7316 As of tents I've only used 6 kinds of my life I'm pretty sure you're familiar with the A-frame From the boy scouts which I have used no I'm not a boy scout just bought one when I was much younger Second tent was a Coleman I don't remember which kind it was Third tent was another Cullman I think it was a slightly lighter version still don't remember exactly what kind Fourth tenth was another A-frame of some sort military got that off my uncle so I have no idea 5th tent was a text sport three-person Phoenix Double wall which I still have today Only because of the rain fly is so and the internal part was mesh mostly The reason why I kept it I had over a hundred and fifty-five gallons of water on the 10th fly the polls did crack a little But not one drop of water went through and I woke up that morning and the first thing I seen was a mountain water over my head and not 1 drop My 6th tent is a trekking pole tent I think it was wild River or Green River something like that I never did get a chance to use that 1 I gave it to my brother who lives in Mesa Arizona And for the past 12 years I have been a hammock camper and that's including mountain bike bikepacking with a hammock and tarp and all the other goodies to go along with it

[@cgriggsiv]

@@johnrogers7316 yes I do filter water forgot to tell you that I have a sawyer squeeze and Katadyn BeFree

[@mr.j1400]

You Managed to make something that is fun look boring

[@jasonwish-]

How is that?? We had an absolute blast.

[@michaeldoidge1838]

Yeah, not impressed with your outdoor ethic’s. No need to honk your horn at a Eagle. Or chase down a snake. Just to have it stress. When you visit Michigan, please learn how to say the Ausable.

[@cannakitten7229]

Agree, first he’s camping on someone else’s land and then chasing after the swans like a five year old. Has no respect for the nature around him.