After Inconsistent weather predictions all week cut the number of participants in half seven HCKC members had an easy, no-frills float down the East Fork for 8.6 miles. There were two new channel alterations that shortened nearly a mile of the trip that were not visible when the club last ran this section in 2021. The forecast as it has been for 4 of the last 5 years on this scheduled event was only ''fools gold'' as 10 minutes of ''holy water'' fell at the start and that was the total amount of the prognosticated heavy rainfall to be seen. The average current was fairly steady at about 2 1/2- 3 m.p.h. with the upstream Seymour gauge registering 1,400 cfs / 5.15 ft. We averaged 4.2 m.p.h. on our paddle time and were on the river just shortly more than two hours with a 45 minute lunch break on one of the nearly two dozen long sandbars that are in existence on this section. When club members arrived Saturday morning at the Brownstown DNR access site they were welcomed by several inches of deep, muck mud that encompassed the entire launching area and lower parking lot and the takeout @ Medora ramp was not much better resulting in a ''caveat emptor'' approach to these sites. Smaller Hoosier streams traditionally run 'bone dry' or ankle deep after consistent water levels therefore requiring a transition to the larger rivers (Wabash, Tippy, St. Joe (SB), Kankakee and the two Whites) to provide any type of planning for a mid-summer float. The seven who paddled (4kayaks and 3 canoes) were scattered from both near and far representing Fishers, Darlington, Indy, Avon, North Vernon, Muncie and Louisville KY. Temps were much cooler and manageable in mid-80's and a big difference from the previous weeks mid 90's along with the high humidity that was evident. The East Fork as it normally does delivered its usual, dependable performance that few streams can match in the dry months of hot, humid Hoosier mid summers. The river averages around 125' to 175' in width in most places and at times a little bit wider and narrower with the predictable downed tree limbs but it remains almost never demanding a portage and offers a current almost non-stop. After the take out at Medora a walk through of the enormous 435 foot long Medora Covered Bridge and a journey to the Bluebird Inn at Vallonia for some refreshments was enjoyed by a few members.
Sincerely Richard Tekulve, East Fork trip leader since 2010
