Angelina, Rayburn, 539 Tram Boat Launch LOOP

This is a paddle route on the Angelina River that starts at the Co Rd 539 launch south of Nacogdoches called ‘Tram Boat Ramp’ on google maps. The route is a loop, going first out to Sam Rayburn (which was very low), then back up a channel of the Angelina which looked pretty doable by satellite. Once out on the lake it was a bit tricky to find the right course to head west on, there were so many channel options it was hard to keep track. But it worked out. I then followed one of the south branches of the river west as it twisted back and forth upstream. Although there were lots of log jams to portage, eventually things connected to a long straight canal which I knew before from an earlier paddle. So I figured once I got there I was good, just take the current back down on the north branch going west to east. This one was challenging and fun and I was happy (relieved?) to complete the loop as designed. I wonder though how it would be at higher water levels, could be interesting.

Above: I saved this bird tangled in fishing line. No wishes were granted.

Above: There was a lot of this kind of thing.

Above: Bit muddy here.

Above: Unfortunately the iphone digital zoom fails again, but from a distance I was pretty sure this was a massive discarded tractor tire, it just couldn’t be. A giant.

Above: Coming back on the return leg I almost ran my face into this snake hanging out over the water.

Above: Here someone has used chainsaw engineering to make a pass through. Stopped to chat with a couple fellows fishing on the bank near here, pretty isolated spot.