RiverQuarium on the Flint - Albany, GA

OK, it's not kayaking but there's a lot of information here about the Flint River system including the fish and wildlife. A great place to take the family if you're fishing in the area. And if you've got kids or grand kids they're going to have a good time, too.
Location: The Flint RiverQuarium in Albany, GA is located next to Riverfront Park which lies on the west bank of the Flint and to the north of US 19. It's two blocks north of the Civic Center. The GA 133 bridge is closed. When looking at the map at the bottom of the post Pine Ave runs directly into the RiverQuarium.

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

I actually enjoyed this more than the Atlanta Aquarium. Much more relaxing and laid back.

The Flint was running pretty high and fast this day as you can see in this video. Kayaking would be rather difficult and probably dangerous.



I couldn't see how anyone could possibly catch fish in this mess but an angler showed me it was very possible!
Click any picture to enlarge













Some pan fish and kitties caught on earthworms.













He was tossing up stream less than 10 feet out along the edge of some grass where the water was a bit calmer. No bobber. He let the bait settle to the bottom and waited (and not long either). He diligently watched the tip of his open faced spinning rod for the least little twitch then set the hook. The twitch was so small that it was hard to make out even though the tip of his rod was a florescent orange.

RIVERQUARIUM

Upon entering the RiverQuarium you will go upstairs and see the surface of the Blue Hole which the facility is built around. I wish I had brought my sunglasses inside because there were numerous fish but hard to see due to the glare.

Here you can see a bunch of turtles stacked up on a log.














Inside you wind your way back down so that you can see into the Blue Hole.

I'd only seen pictures of sturgeons. These guys are big and ugly!














One can spend quite awhile just standing and watching. This was my first glimpse at striped bass, too. I'd love to latch onto some of those monsters!













































































There are more exhibits and small aquariums regarding other rivers, salt marshes and salt water.

A rather interesting albino alligator.













AND NOW FOR THE KIDS!

There were several interactive activities in Riverquarium.

This large sand box tilted at a slight angle was set up so that a child could release water and watch as it flows forming channels like a river. Educational even for this adult.













These video games were available to play with water flow.













And then a little water works play area where the child can control the water flow to perform mechanical work.















The Riverfront Park has a really impressive play area. I was a bit jealous . . .


















































Of course, if you're going to really be a tourist . . .














Interactive map for RiverQuarium.


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LINKS
Current Georgia river levels: Real Time Georgia Streamflow
Solunar Tables for your zip code: HERE
Rigging your kayak: Captain Dick
Interactive map by Angling Technologies: HERE

FORUMS
Georgia Kayak Fishing
Georgia River Fishing
Jax Kayak Fishing
Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing (you might need to be registered to view this one)

FLY FISHING RESOURCES
Fly Fishing West Georgia
Books and DVD by George Roberts:
Master the Cast
Fly Fisherman's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and Their Imitation
Saltwater Casting - 10 Steps to Distance and Power (DVD)

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If you are a resident of Georgia and like to fish from a kayak I recommend becoming a supporting member of the Georgia Kayak Fishing Association located at GeorgiaKayakFishing.com.

Withlacoochee- Madison Hwy/GA 31 to Florida Shoals

As you can see I've got my kayak high and dry not wanting it to wash downstream. That would have been a chase!

These shoals are about 2 1/2 miles upstream (west) from the Madison Hwy/GA 31 launch site (see September 2009 post) and occupy approximately 600 yards or more of the river.

Look at the map below.



You will notice that if you go west from GA 31 up the Withlacoochee you will meander up into Georgia then dip back into Florida. As you dip south into Florida you will arrive at the shoals just before the river turns west and back into Georgia.

A leisurely paddle of just over an hour by kayak if the water is low and slow as it was this day.














George was paddling the Ocean Kayak Trident 13 while I was in the OK Big Game. I could tell the BG was a bit slower to get under way than my Tridents but the river was like a pond except when the water got skinny so it was no big deal. Once the Big Game was underway it wasn't that hard to paddle.

The river has some interesting limestone banks. With the water this low they are very evident. Gives one the feeling of being in North Georgia.


















At some points the bank was very high, maybe 20-30 feet above our heads.

Arriving at the shoals we got out of the kayaks and waded.














I fished here with George for awhile but eventually decided to go further upstream to explore and get some more pictures.


















































I hope you can tell from the pictures that one would have a difficult time trying to float through these shoals. Count on portaging over parts of this section. I did find a trail along the bank which would make it a bit easier to tote your 'yak.














If the river rises this would be underwater. However, with the water up you may be able to float through.

Looks like the beavers were having a time. Wonder if it'll be there when I return. I'm guessing not!














We had a great time. Spoke with a group of paddlers passing us going downstream who had put in at the Nankin bridge. Said it took them close to 8 hours to make it to the GA 31 bridge.

I'd love to end this post with pictures of fish but we were skunked.

We'll return and do better next time. Like they say. It's called fishing not catching!

**********
LINKS
Current Georgia river levels: Real Time Georgia Streamflow
Solunar Tables for your zip code: HERE
Rigging your kayak: Captain Dick
Interactive map by Angling Technologies: HERE

FORUMS
Georgia Kayak Fishing
Georgia River Fishing
Jax Kayak Fishing
Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing (you might need to be registered to view this one)

FLY FISHING RESOURCES
Fly Fishing West Georgia
Books and DVD by George Roberts:
Master the Cast
Fly Fisherman's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and Their Imitation
Saltwater Casting - 10 Steps to Distance and Power (DVD)

**********
If you are a resident of Georgia and like to fish from a kayak I recommend becoming a supporting member of the Georgia Kayak Fishing Association located at GeorgiaKayakFishing.com.