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View Full Version : Spent some time in the Swamp for Easter!



COWBOYSURVIVAL
04-25-2011, 09:52 AM
Saturday morning we headed to the Santee Cooper River, I had quite a load to haul along with 3 people.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3172.jpg

We had a really hard time finding a camping spot this time out. As I have said in this past, this is not the typical camping most of you are used to. We covered close to 20 miles up river to find a suitable spot. I was having such a difficult time I even eventually hiked in off the river where I discovered this beautiful meadow.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3176.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3174.jpg

I finally settled on this spot that had a tarp covered greenhouse permanently left behind. This is public property and camping is not regulated.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3184.jpg

There was also either a dog pen or a hawg pen in the camp.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3183.jpg

Here is where the boat was docked for the remainder of the weekend.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3185.jpg

We were positioned on the confluence of the Wataree and Congaree Rivers, which merge to make up the Santee River. So... kind of on 3 rivers at once! Check out the view~!

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3186.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3188.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3194.jpg

Here is camp headquarters!

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3182.jpg

Some of the wildlife we encountered...

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3181.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3180.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3235.jpg

Two I have never seen before...
An albino freshwater clam? Ours are usually brown?

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3223.jpg

I have no idea but will be looking this guy up?

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3219.jpg

I did a little fishing from the bank at camp....

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3205.jpg

The bait.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3233.jpg

The Catch. The fiance was qick to net net him or I'd of probably lost him.

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3230.jpg

A few more from around camp....

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3234.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3211.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3201.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3198.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3200.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3177.jpg

http://i1020.photobucket.com/albums/af330/COWBOYSURVIVAL/DSCN3175.jpg

Old GI
04-25-2011, 10:21 AM
Santee has great fishing, fer shur!

Sourdough
04-25-2011, 10:22 AM
Very Nice, Thanks

Rick
04-25-2011, 10:39 AM
Fiance?! Well, congratulations there big guy.

I don't know about your clam but the other guy is a Hellgramite. It turns into a Dobsonfly. It can bite the pee waddin's out of you too if it takes the notion. They aren't poisonous but they can hurt. They make a great fish bait, though.

Thanks for the pics!!! Looks like a nice time.

crashdive123
04-25-2011, 11:06 AM
Great pics. Thanks.

finallyME
04-25-2011, 11:55 AM
Nice fish! Looks like you had a great time with your family. :)

COWBOYSURVIVAL
04-25-2011, 12:48 PM
Thanks all! Thanks Rick for enlightening me on the Hellgramite, never seen one but since you described it, I do recall an artificial bait that resembled this thing! For the record that fish is my largest Channel from the banks of Santee, I usually catch all blues.

COWBOYSURVIVAL
04-25-2011, 10:33 PM
Now, that all the gear is in and the fish is dressed out soaking in milk. The plan is to first write down what I needed and didn't have and if it wasn't useful consider putting it in the reserve box. I see a alot of trips like this summer!

hunter63
04-26-2011, 12:47 PM
Great pic's, thanks for bring us along.

Aurelius95
04-26-2011, 01:58 PM
Very cool. Looks like you had a good time. How long did it take to go 20 miles with 3 people and fully loaded boat?

COWBOYSURVIVAL
04-26-2011, 06:12 PM
Aurelius95,

It doesn't take long. The motor has been tuned to the boat and is 10hp over the rating for the boat. Loaded down I am still running 40mph. The boat is very lightweight.

Camp10
04-27-2011, 05:55 AM
Great pics CS! Looks like it was a great trip.

randyt
04-27-2011, 07:30 AM
awesome good time!!!!!

Justin Case
04-27-2011, 08:55 AM
Very Cool ! :)

RCKCRWLER
04-29-2011, 12:37 PM
Congrats and thanks for the great pix!