Wacissa River and Springs

The Wacissa River is created by the output of the Wakulla Springs Group located within the first 2 miles of its course creating a very clear flow.  If you'll click on the map below you can enlarge it and easily see the spring locations and other features discussed in this blog.


Click any image to enlarge

Map image obtained from FloridaSprings.info

This beautiful river is marred by its public boat landing as there have been instances of theft from automobiles.  My suggestion is to contact Corky Williams at WacissaRiverCanoeRentals.com  and ask  if you can park at his facility.  Much more secure than the public landing.


. . . and you get a carpeted kayak launch!

TRIP ONE:
I found this gem of a river on a late afternoon effort to try and make it to the Wakulla River at US 98 with enough time to 'yak and fish.  I realized I would be going through Tallahassee right at 5 PM.  Not good, so I got out my Delorme Florida Atlas and found the Wacissa closer and easier.


On my first trip here I wasn't aware of Corky's place.  I arrived at the public boat landing to find several teenagers and some young adults with their children enjoying the clear cold water.


There was a large thunder storm rolling over the area so I had to wait about 45 minutes for that to resolve before I put in.


From the landing I paddled north to Horsehead Spring at the very start of the river.  Here the river is narrow, 10 to 25+ yards, with lots of eel grass and a gentle flow which made it easy to paddle upstream.


As you can see below, Horsehead Spring is pretty small but this is where it all starts for the Wacissa.  It's right there in the water clearing.  

The main river is well attended by other boaters.  Anything from jet skies, outboards and ski boats to air boats.

These skiers were off the water by the time I started after the thunder storm.  All the other boaters I encountered were courteous and slowed down as they passed.  Even the one air boat that passed by me.


Fishing I used a popper made by Steve Davenport at DP Poppers with my 6wt fly rod.  It was already late in the afternoon and the bream were hungry for Dave's popper.  In about 20 minutes I caught 5.  The first was pretty small.

But they got a bit bigger.

Fishing in the clear water and seeing the fish fight is great fun!


I'm convinced that river fish fight harder than their lazy lake and pond cousins who don't routinely swim in a current.


As I got ready to head in a nice little fog settled over the river.

TRIP TWO:
My second trip to the Wacissa a couple of days later turned into something of an adventure with very little fishing.


My goal was to make it down to the Big Blue Hole and fish on the way back upstream.  However, as I was heading downstream I began to hear thunder behind me.  Looking back I could see some ominous clouds.  I picked up my pace so I could make the big spring and return before the storm hit.  


Wrong decision!


After making the Big Blue Hole and heading back this is what lay ahead.

And as I got closer


















I realized I wasn't going to make it and getting off the water was not an option as there are no banks on the Wacissa, just swamp.  


The lightning was frequent and getting closer.  Due to aquatic plant growth I was forced at times to be away from the edge of the river and very exposed out on the water (with my graphite paddle!).


I saw an entrance to a small stream called the Little River which allowed me to greatly reduce my exposure.  I went up as far as Malloy Landing and sat it out in my little plastic boat.


It got very dark.  Rain began coming down in sheets. The lightning became much more frequent and was popping 360 degrees around me with almost no time lapse between lightning and thunder.  I'd never heard thunder this loud.  I was . . . uh . . . very impressed!


This is a picture I took during the storm.

You can't see much because the rain reflected so much of the flash but you can appreciate how dark it got.


Finally, the storm passed and blue skies appeared overhead.  It was a great feeling making that phone call to my wife letting her know I was off the water, in my truck and headed home.


This is a really fun river to fish and one of the benefits of living close to North Florida.


Next, the Wakulla!

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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
DP Poppers
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.