This trip report is for canoers and kayakers that want to see where they're going before they go. Please visit Kohne Camera & Photo while on your way. We're a full service imaging lab and camera dealer operated entirely by photo enthusiasts ready to attend every photographic need you have.
Now, a paddling report from Lake LaVere in Williams County, Ohio:
It features Lake La Vere, Lake Sue, Lake Ann, the big one (Lake La Su An) and ten other ponds in all.
Lake La Vere is the largest of the small lakes at 15 acres. The shoreline is less than a mile around so it doesn't take long to see all of this lake. The ramp is pretty steep so if you really want to drive your boat down there, make sure your vehicle is in good working order. I chose to walk.
There's not much to speak of; nobody was out today. Herons are skittish in this area so I can never get close to them .
There are three raptor stands on on end of the lake but all are unoccupied at this time.
After one lap around, and with no place to get out and walk around, it was time to explore elsewhere.
A little further along that road is Lake Sue and Lake Ann. Lake Ann is 4 acres so I decided not to go in. At the same place, same parking lot, is Lake Sue. A finer boat ramp I've never seen. It's a gradual incline of concrete that's been sprinkled with gravel. Concrete is cool, but if it has algae on it, you can wind up doing "the splits" even though you're not able. Gravel helps with assured footing. Lots of lake weed here but the water is fairly clear for these parts and it's a good place to put in.
Lake Sue also has only one mile of shoreline, but given the two I prefer Sue to La Vere. Again, nobody was out. Almost no birds, no good varmints to photograph and the place was nearly silent. Okay, except for one varmint. One woodchuck. This one, turning broadside to me and making herself big like a cat does, just to scare me away.
Lake La Su An was about 2 miles away, and on the way home, so a quick dip was in order.
Lake La Su An was closed. The fish check station was closed, that is. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the fish check station guys weekend, and now we had a holiday on Tuesday the 4th of July. Therefore, closed on Thursday (today). No matter. I called last winter. See, if you can carry your boat in past the gate, and don't catch fish, you're welcome pretty much any time. I had the place to myself.
I took the channel again, that one mentioned on a previous trip, and a deer snorted at me from close range while I was there. Really close. Ever have a deer snort at you? It sounds like a sneeze but it comes from very, very deep down. It is a loud organic sound composed of hate and fear at once, all with simply a rapid exhale through the nose.
The other place I wasn't much welcome was at the raptor stand, also on La Su An. The ospreys are still there but I only stayed a short time.
It's their yard, not mine, and they didn't like me watching. I could tell.
Facing away from the Osprey nest, and bound for home, there was nothing but bleakness in the late afternoon sunshine.
