When fall arrives, we return to paddle the river.   The boat launch at McArthur Island becomes a mud flat in the late fall, but there is still enough water to launch out in September and October, although each year is different.   Once out in the Thompson River, the water moves quickly so progress is slow upstream.   We paddle up then around the east end of Rabbit Island.

In some years during freshet, much of Rabbit Island is under water, but by September sand banks rise above the river on the south side.

At the west end of the island, we can see down into Kamloops Lake, a good paddle one-way with a pick-up at Cooney Bay.   With the loop route, we turn upsteam and find the slowest water to engage.   Sometimes it is better to hug into Rabbit Island (especially in low water) and sometimes it is better to go up the middle of the channel.   The water is always faster next to McArthur Island, though.

As we work our way upstream, reflections in silver light remind us that the extra effort to paddle upstream is all worth it.

This is a route we do every year so we will return to repeat the paddle in 2017.   Watch for us on the river.