Re: Trip up the Pearl River in Mississippi
Imagine my surprise seeing my two favorite rivers in the first two posts! I grew up in a neighborhood located right near where the Coldwater crosses under Hwy 51 and starts forming Arkabutla lake. Spent a lot of time on the lake learning to ski, but never did go up the river by boat. I did ride dirt bikes in trails all along rhe backwaters of that river. It really is a "Mississippi Jungle"! My dad grew up in the town of Coldwater and was a park ranger at Arkabutla for a few years before I was born. He used to tell me tales of trips up the river in a flat-bottomed john boat and the all the HUGE creatures they would run across. How accesable is the river as far as depth and so forth? How far up can you safely go? I would think you would be limited to a pretty small boat. I really want to take a trip up this river someday.
Fast forward about 15 years and I currently live on the Ross Barnett reservoir. We are out on the lake 2-3 evenings per week and up the river at least once a week or so. It really is a beautiful river. To me the prettiest time is mid-summer when all the water lillies are blooming huge yellow blooms on 2-3 foot stalks. The water will be covered with them for miles on both sides as you make your way up. You do have to be careful and know where the shallow parts of the lake are. I have been over a mile from shore and the water will be waist deep in a few spots. In general the north-western side of the lake is pretty deep (10-40ft), and the south-eastern side is shallow. Plenty of folks tear up outdriives on stumps every year. If you are new to the lake get a topo map from any of the lakeside marinas and look it over and you will be fine. A real treat is to take your boat over and tie up at **** of the Walk for catfish or at Pelican Cove Grill for burgers, beer, and a live band.
