Ogeechee Riverkeeper is gearing up for its September paddle trip, which gets underway at 9 a.m. Saturday near Wadley and will end in Midville.
The guided 7-mile journey will begin 5 miles east of Wadley, in Jefferson County. Paddlers will enjoy a trek through the upper Ogeechee, adventuring through some narrow twists to end up at Coleman Lake in Midville. Difficulty level is rated “beginner to intermediate” depending on water level.
The trip is free for Ogeechee Riverkeeper members and $35 per person for non-members. Registration closes at 4 p.m. Friday.
Midville is nestled on the banks of the Ogeechee River in southwest Burke County. In decades past, the town bustled with railroad stops, bus transfers and industrial pursuits. Midville's boat ramp, recently rebuilt and improved, is a popular entry points for boaters and fishermen on the Ogeechee River.
In addition, Sept. 23 is National Hunting and Fishing Day in Georgia. As such, residents do not need a fishing license or a trout license to fish on any public waters in the state.
Luke Roberson, Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s outreach and water quality specialist, will lead the trip. Attendees should bring lunch/snacks, water bottles, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, water shoes or old tennis shoes (flip-flops and sandals are not recommended) and a dry bag or other container to safely store personal items.
“This will be our second-to-last paddle trip for the 2017 season, and it’s one of the more exciting journeys – thanks to some quick turns and plenty of curves,” Roberson said. “Coleman Lake in Midville is a peaceful place that often is overlooked by tourists and even many Georgia residents. It’s the perfect place to fish after the trip, especially given that a license is not needed that day. We’ll see some very pretty sites and, with any luck, the sweltering temperatures will be behind us.”
To register for this trip or for more information about Ogeechee Riverkeeper, please visit www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or call 866-942-6222.