The river is open below Saylorville and Red Rock dams, even after the coldest December in weather history.

On Saturday, January 6, I paddled upstream from Sycamore Access to the Saylorville.   The water was only about 500 cfs, and it was very clear.  Along the way, there were pelicans that let me get within a few feet of them before flying off. 

I was joined by 2 guys in a canoe.  They had on jeans, I had on the full winter armor.  When we got to the rapids below Cottonwood Park, I got out and walked through the rushing water on a glorious sunny winter day, and they turned back.

I ran into Rob, Dave and Jerry as they were paddling downstream.  They told me that you could see the catfish in the clear water, and by golly they were right.  I got by the dam and looked down and there they were, about 10 feet down, and really big.

I witnessed the guys sliding down a hill into the water , and nearly dumping.   Dave got on an ice floe that was 100 x 100, and got out of his boat.  There was much playing on the ice, but we all had on good winter gear.

On January 27 I took my new digital camera for a spin south of Des Moines.  I walked along th river from Scott Ave. to SE 14th, and back.  I had no luck with eagles or a lone swan that swam along the opposite shore until I crossed over, at which point he moved to the other side of the river.

On Sunday, January 28 I took the safari to Howell Station south of Red Rock.   Eagles, pelicans and geese were on, in, and above the open water.  My tromping back and forth across the foot bridge was in vain at first, as the eagles either took flight before I could approach or refused to take flight once I got near.  Then, there were eagles all around me and the glorious filming began.

  Pictures follow: