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 desire you have including hardware, lab work, and knowledge.
Now, a paddling report from the Pigeon River in LaGrange County, Indiana:
Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area is an 11,000-acre tract of government land in northeast Indiana. Although there is a pair of restrooms at the wildlife check station near Mongo, there are no other facilities. No swing sets, see-saws, drinking fountains, pop machines, not even a trash can on all of the property.
My favorite part of the river, and therefore my recommended site for you to visit with your canoe or kayak, is the area upstream of Nasby Dam. It's one of three dams from west to east: Ontario, Nasby, and Mongo. Ontario features an endless mill pond, Mongo has a lot of marsh grasses, Nasby is just right. Marsh, forest, natural debris, shade, sun, sandy bottom, jumping fish, sandbars, wildlife, plenty of places to get out and look around. The only civilization you'll see is the people floating downstream from the Tradin' Post canoe trip and camping place near downtown Mongo. This is an entirely comfy place to paddle. Again, no facilities. This is a wildlife area, and a big one.
The weather was quite threatening on the day I went this time and although I've been quite secure at this place many times before, this day was nasty. I managed to create a panorama of my favorite hangout (beyond the millpond but before the low county road bridge) to share with you here. It's a 150-degree view of the immediate area.
Just before the rains came, the wind kicked up and I left this scene to go to safety. The water surface appeared like black texture paint, vultures circled me directly above, and while hurrying back to the boat ramp, that water dripping off my paddles attacked my face like liquid daggers. Okay, it wasn't all that bad, but I've never been in a self-propelled boat in a storm and I don't plan to, either. Ever. I got back to shore ahead of the rains with well over three minutes to spare.
I was standing by that stump the next morning (the weather got plenty better) when a woodchuck (groundhog -- woodchuck: same thing, as it turns out) came out of the woods on the left to check out my boat and didn't see me standing there.
There's plenty to see here on the sandbar if you're willing to wait, listen and look. I'm looking for fox, mink, raccoon and deer, but will settle for birds and humans.
The big birds (herons, egrets, cranes) can be nailed sharply at 1/1000th of a second, but for the little warblers like this this one, photographed right after the groundhog wandered away, you'll need somewhere around 1/3000th second exposure to stop them in mid air.
Location: About 10 miles west of Angola is a blinking yellow light on Route 20 at Route 327 [Roadhouse Restaurant on one corner, gas station on another]. Head north on 327 to County Road 300N (cemetary on corner - no traffic signs or lights here) and head west. By now you're in the Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area. While heading westward you'll soon (20 minutes) come to downtown Mongo, Indiana. Mongo is at the intersection of Indiana Route 3 and County Road 300N. There's a carry-out/gas station there and a restaurant or two. Mongo Dam and a boat launch is behind the house on the far left corner if you're facing west at the intersection.
Continue westward on CR 300N for almost exactly 3 miles. There will be a tiny little sign on the left that says, "Nasby Dam," and suggests a right turn. So turn right. In the old days (two years ago) this was a gravel road made out of rocks the size of potatoes but now that they've paved it, it's a much better drive.
