Duck Hunt 1-1-16

Duck Hunt 1-1-16
River was going to be 44 but west winds 5 to 9 mph, no cold weather so far, low Friday was 27. I decided to go to Vanceburg where the big bend in the river assured that I could find a bank out of the wind. Got up at 7:00 and on the road by 8:00. Saw some field hunters west of Chilo , but did not see the guys west of Bullskin. The Ripley Yum Yum was closed but the 50’s diner was open. Had a great breakfast and talked to a older lady who lived through the 37 flood. As I always do, I forgot how to get to the ramp at Salt Lick Run in Vanceburg but finally found it. There was a big boat trailer already parked at the ramp. I had to drive through shallow water to get to the ramp, due to the high water. Cranked up the 15 and headed out to the big O. There was a small amount of wind, but not bad. I started drifting. I could see a boat down below me, and it appeared to be a commercial fisherman, most likely the trailer at the ramp. He was staying in one area, I bet setting out nets. I realized he most likely scared up any ducks that was on the Ky bank on his run down stream, but I headed down anyway, good floating conditions. Every now and then I would hit eddy currents and the skiff would head into or away from the bank making it more difficult to float. This happens when the river is so high. I noticed my fisherman was running up my KY bank. As I looked through the binoculars, I saw that the boat had a roof, big boat. I cranked up as he passed, and I waved. I decided to head over to the Ohio Bank. The wind was worse along the Ohio bank. I decided to try rowing because the wind was too strong to hold the boat by just paddling. When the river is high, rowing works great. I rowed till I reached Little Sulfur creek , and the wind got too bad. I decided to head up to Buena Vista. The turn in the river should protect me from a west wind above Vanceburg.

I ran up the Ohio bank and crossed over at Vanceburg. I ran up the KY bank. The wind picked up and it was white-capping. 5 to 9 mph my butt, this was a 20 mph wind. I crossed back to the Ohio bank above Buena Vista and went about 1 mile above the town. So far I had not seen a duck. A long way to run and see nothing. There was no way I could float or row, the wind had the river all churned up At this point I was heading home. I ran DS along the Ky bank and jumped up a group of 6 blacks and then a group of 8 mallards across from Buena Vista. What was amazing they both let me get within shotgun range, even though the motor was running. I think the high winds drowned out the motor. When I got to Vanceburg the wind died down due to the bend in the river. I decided to float. I floated all of the way down to above Rome. Great conditions, and the wind had died down. The sun was low on the horizon , and I was looking right into it, not good. It was about 4:30. I looked right besides me and there were 2 black ducks. I dropped the paddle and grabbed my 1100. The black ducks took off DS, and I had to wait for a clearing in the trees. I missed one of the blacks, and that was my only shoot. I headed DS. I saw ducks ahead , and got to within 60 yards , but they got up. I then saw 3 more ducks ahead, and was getting close, when Geese got up from the bank besides me, but they were well back from the waters edge, and out of range. My ducks also got up out of range. I headed on down until 5:00 and had to head back up before it got too dark. Home by 8:00.