Kayaking This River Nearly Drove me MAD! / Frustration on the Mad River

Hoping to finish my section paddle of all 52 miles of the Mad River in 2023, I set out in the most Northern section at Lions Club Park in West Liberty Ohio. 15 miles stood between me and reaching my goal, but with very low water levels, my plans were thwarted and was forced to stop 10 miles short of my goal. And who is this weirdo at the end hiding in the corn field watching me!?

[@adamrehling6971]

I hope it's the colonel!

[@thomasc7332]

I too have been stuck on a river trip like this with lots of walking. One thing I have learned is to have a rope or an old dog leash. Attach it to the front of your kayak and guide it down rather than bending over. Much easier on the back. Thanks for another great video.

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, I have thought about that several times in the past but it’s so seldom that I ever have water like that to deal with. I’ll definitely take some with me on my next multi day trip!

[@mowerparts3824]

Colonel in the corn! If he had been with you, there would be endless laughs.

[@jasonwish-]

For sure!! Him hiding along the bank watching me would have been good too!

[@SinchuwusOutside]

HAHAHAHA - The colonel looked pretty creepy standing in the corn!!! Although you had some rough patches, it sure looked like a good time. Thanks for sharing! -dave

[@jasonwish-]

Still glad I did it but definetely more fun when water levels are normal thats for sure! Hahaha, yeah, colonel and I did like 5 takes to get that scene to look just right! I still think he could have been a bit more hidden, still too obvious in my mind. Next time I'll have him along the bank somewhere watching me like a big foot, lol!

[@SinchuwusOutside]

@@jasonwish- LOL that would be hilarious!

[@dspo9236]

Grew up in Springfield and remember the good old days tubbing down Mad River. We would drop in at Lippincott and get out after we passed Springfield. Your video brought back great memories!

[@jasonwish-]

That’s very cool to hear! I have lots of great childhood memories on that river as well mainly between Lippincott and 55.

[@jasonwish-]

If you haven’t already, check out some of my other mad river videos from this summer. I believe there are three others with at least one of them going through and camping in Springfield.

[@dspo9236]

I just warched the one that you dropped in at Eagle City Road. That was the other drop point we used to start at. Man that rope has been there for years.

[@Maxspeed1998]

We need some rain in a bad way! Keep up the good content Jason!

[@jasonwish-]

Yes we do! But hopefully will hold off until harvest is over...thanks!

[@timot_one]

I paddled 14 miles down the Little Miami River yesterday and it wasn’t too bad, but there were a few sections where I dragged, but it wasn’t too bad. Your video reminded me of going down the Great Miami River through Sidney. I hiked as much as I paddled that part of the river.

[@jasonwish-]

That sounds horrible! I have no desire to ever get back on the GMR, but I would do the LMR again someday.

[@timot_one]

@@jasonwish- I feel the same way. Feel free to give me a shout if you want someone to tag along on the LMR sometime. I know a few good spots to camp.

[@DavidHSmith74]

The Colonel!!!

[@jasonwish-]

He's still alive! I was beginning to think he was kidnapped by a colony of sasquatch 🤣

[@jacobpoucher]

looks like the colonels companion let him out of the house finally.

[@jasonwish-]

He's been MIA for so long I was beginning to think he got abducted by aliens 🤣

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Great video of a tough section of water!! I run into that so much down here…always hopeful but I usually know better but do it anyways lol. Thanks as always for sharing!

[@jasonwish-]

I got back on it this past weekend where I left off and never had to get out once, pretty amazing river even during low water! Thanks for checking out the video AJ! Working on Audra SP campsites review next!

[@jacobpoucher]

Low water is the worst

[@jasonwish-]

For sure...glad I had 5 miles of that!

[@berniebroering7438]

What a hard slog Jason! But with weather like today in the mid eighties (10/1/23) you could still be on the water shirtless and comfortable. Better luck next time, Cheers!

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah, its 82 for the next three days...I might just get these last 10 miles done after all!

[@berniebroering7438]

@@jasonwish- I just hope you have enough water. Good luck! I'll be busy with a convention this week and weekend in Columbus .

[@redshepherdoutdoors7201]

That much low water scraping makes it a challenge for sure but still better than working. That corny Colonel 😂

[@jasonwish-]

Corny Colonel is a great description, lol. I'm already planning one more float with this heatwave were having!

[@jacobpoucher]

did you get a new truck?! looks like a fresh one.

[@jasonwish-]

That was the Colonels 2022 Dogde deisel...nice ride!

[@jacobpoucher]

@@jasonwish- hot dawg! You know what they say about that ole inline 6. 6 in a row, ready to tow, 8 in a V you sit when you pee!

[@jasonwish-]

@@jacobpoucher lol, I'll be sure that the Colonel sees this!

[@donaldtimmons1472]

I had a boss, a Canadian hockey player. He fractured his back in practice the night before and showed up for work in a full back brace the next day and everyday afterward. How do you call in on a guy like that? You are that kind of guy. TERMINATOR! A machine. You’re my hero Jason.

[@jasonwish-]

Oh my, I don’t know about that, but thanks!

[@trailwalker19]

who's that lurking in the cornfield... he looks very familiar..

[@jasonwish-]

Hahahah, not very familiar this year thats for sure! I've been trying hard to get him out on the water at least once before kayaking season ends!

[@rosesmith6208]

was that the colonel hiding behind you?

[@jasonwish-]

Yes it was! Maybe we can actually get another Colonel appearance on film here very soon!

[@rosesmith6208]

@@jasonwish- i hope so I was wondering how he was, he seems to be a very good friend and they re hard to find these days.

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man the mad river Was frustrating you. It would have done the same thing to me too man. I hope this isn't the last kayak trip for the year man. But i know it get a lot cooler there then here. I like your Crocs man. That red & black is awesome man. Can you believe it i Found a pair of Crocs in a size 15. They are all black & i would like a red & black pair. The Crocs are not wide enough for my extremely wide feet 🦶 i have so i had to cut a Section out of the toes box for 1 or 2 toes to hang out of the crocs to get them to fit because of how my toes are Evenly straight across. Where is the colonel at? Have not seen him in the video in a while now. Good video buddy thanks you for sharing it.

[@jasonwish-]

Glad you got those feet in some crocs! Maybe just maybe I can get the Colonel out on one last day float to finish up the Madriver since its 83 degrees out for the next few days. He's just been really busy this year with his growing business. Thanks Mack!

[@mikeemmons4062]

We've been hitting the local lakes the last month with the rivers so low. Hopefully we'll get some rain soon to get back out on the rivers.

[@jasonwish-]

Yes we need rain bad but I hope it holds off till late Oct or ealy Nov for harvest and fall backpacking 😁

[@tomfoster894]

I was so glad to see this! Too bad it took so much effort to get downstream. Do you think the water is high enough to float from Lippincott road to the 296 or would it be better to put in at 296? I usually do the Stillwater or GMR and want to try the Mad before it gets too cold. Thanks

[@jasonwish-]

Hey Tom, it's definitely high enough right now from Lippincotte...actually a week after this paddle from West Liberty I did from Lippincotte to 55 and it was glorious! Video of that paddle coming soon!

[@tomfoster894]

Thanks Jason! Last year about this time I did wading upstream from the 296 fishing and this year I started kayaking but I wanted to get a bit of information before I drove 45 minutes 😅 looking forward to seeing your videos 👍🏼

[@thomasc7332]

Have you ever kayaked Stillwater River? It meets The Great Miami and Mad at Deeds Point. I'm planning an overnighter Buck Creek and Mad River taking out near Huffman Dam. If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

[@jasonwish-]

Its actually on my list for this spring/summer, I plan to thru paddle the entire river...still lots of research to do yet. There are several great camping options along the Madriver between 68 and Huffman Dam so you shouldn't have a problem finding a place to camp. I can think of at least 4 locations in that section, just let me know if you need any further details and I can email them to you. [e-mail]

[@thomasc7332]

@jasonwish- That is awesome Jason, thank you!

[@donaldtimmons1472]

You should try the peace river. That’s the middle of nowhere.

[@jasonwish-]

I just looked it up, looks peaceful! A great place to go during the winter! Can you share any recommended put in and take out locations for a thru-paddle?

[@donaldtimmons1472]

@@jasonwish- I can actually. There are a few. I worked for an outfitter humping canoe’s in and out of the water on the weekends for years. If I remember correctly, you can take it all the way to Charlotte harbor where the water turns brackish and the Snook fishing gets good. I know you’re not faint of heart but you will be “no where” at times. Very wild and lots of wildlife, some beautiful and some scary. Lol! I’m going to check my memory against a map and I’ll send it to you.

[@donaldtimmons1472]

@@jasonwish- Sorry Jason, I got busy. I’ve been trying to catch a live feed. Maybe next week.Anyway, I lived in Desoto County for a while. My Grandfather was chief of police in Arcadia, Fl. after a 30 year career as a Chicago detective. “Chicago Joe”they called him. So yes I know some put in spots. “Canoe Outpost” is about as good as it gets on the Peace River. I think they have two places now. One in Arcadia and one in Gardner. They can pretty much put you in anywhere you want. I personally did hundreds of trips between Whachula and Arcadia. Tons of wild camping spots (make your own) along the river and both spots have camping areas. I used to work there when it first started. I’m pretty sure I also went from Arcadia south to Punta Gorda on a few occasions. As a friend, I promise you will see many spiders! I think this is one of the few rivers I feel safer on the water than on the shore.

[@donaldtimmons1472]

@@jasonwish- Also, is the Altra Olypus “GTX”worth the extra $$?

[@jasonwish-]

@@donaldtimmons1472 not for me...I'm perfectly happy with the regular Olympus 4's. My new favorite shoe for shorter runs/hikes is the Topo Athletic Pursuit.