Badfish Creek V
Old Stage Road to Casey Road
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Date:
May 20, 2012
Technical:
Gauge (Cooksville): 4.94 | Dis.: 117 | Flow: 105
Put In:
Old Stage Road bridge, Cooksville, Wisconsin
Take Out:
Casey Road bridge
Time: Put in at 11:15p. Out at 2:15p.
Total Time: 3h
Miles Paddled: 6.75
What we liked:
We paddled our favorite little creek to officially kick off the 2012 season. And it was very much like our last paddle due to almost identical flow rates. It's a relatively clean creek (save for an occasional bloated racoon lying in the water) that meanders it's way through canopy and farmland with plenty of islands and tiny sandbars to get out and relax on. It's rocky at times, sandy at others and the swift current makes for a great day-paddle.
On our way we had another encounter with a deer that we startled while coming around a bend. We also saw cranes, some crazy-looking turkey-like thing and also some carp. The carp surprised us since the water was so low and we had never seen carp in these waters before.
The Badfish was plenty busy with lots of friendly canoe and kayakers enjoying the beautiful weather. Amongst the friendly small talk, we were given a botany lesson from a couple guys at the take-out. They pointed out all the invasive wild parsnip and informed us of the unpleasant rash you will get from contact with the leaves (when the sun hits the leaves, they release the toxin. However, the root is the edible part and is perfectly safe). They both seemed to have extensive first-hand knowledge of the "rath of the rash".
What we didn't like:
The wonderful Leedle Mill Road bridge is gone. It's been replaced by a new state-of-the-art (and rather ho-hum in comparison) bridge. At first glance, the construction didn't seem to affect the drop below the bridge but the current isn't quite the same as it once was.
If we did this trip again:
The Badfish is a favorite of ours and a must-do every year, if not a few times. Old Stage road to Casey road is the best paddle on the Badfish. We'll definitely paddle this in higher water whenever possible and Spring to early Summer is always the best time to paddle it before the weeds take over.
***************
Related Information
Badfish Creek I: Route 138 to Murwin County Park
Badfish Creek II: Old Stage Road to Highway 59
Badfish Creek III: Old Stage Road to Casey Road
Badfish Creek IV: Old Stone Road to Casey Road
Miles Paddled Video: Badfish Creek II
Video: Wisconsin Paddles: Badfish Creek
Article: Collecting MadVideos: Paddling the Badfish Creek
Good People: Friends of Badfish Creek Watershed
Map:
View Badfish Creek in a larger map
Photo Gallery:

A very muddy put-in at Old Stage Road.

New GoPro rig on deck.


The new Leedle Mill Road bridge.


The drop is less exciting after construction.



Skull island.



Watch out for the wild parsnip at the take-out on Casey Road.

What's a maiden voyage without a PBR?

We're split between Thule and Yakima but I loved this decal addition spotted at the take-out.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Date:
May 20, 2012
Technical:
Gauge (Cooksville): 4.94 | Dis.: 117 | Flow: 105
Put In:
Old Stage Road bridge, Cooksville, Wisconsin
Take Out:
Casey Road bridge
Time: Put in at 11:15p. Out at 2:15p.
Total Time: 3h
Miles Paddled: 6.75
What we liked:
We paddled our favorite little creek to officially kick off the 2012 season. And it was very much like our last paddle due to almost identical flow rates. It's a relatively clean creek (save for an occasional bloated racoon lying in the water) that meanders it's way through canopy and farmland with plenty of islands and tiny sandbars to get out and relax on. It's rocky at times, sandy at others and the swift current makes for a great day-paddle.
On our way we had another encounter with a deer that we startled while coming around a bend. We also saw cranes, some crazy-looking turkey-like thing and also some carp. The carp surprised us since the water was so low and we had never seen carp in these waters before.
The Badfish was plenty busy with lots of friendly canoe and kayakers enjoying the beautiful weather. Amongst the friendly small talk, we were given a botany lesson from a couple guys at the take-out. They pointed out all the invasive wild parsnip and informed us of the unpleasant rash you will get from contact with the leaves (when the sun hits the leaves, they release the toxin. However, the root is the edible part and is perfectly safe). They both seemed to have extensive first-hand knowledge of the "rath of the rash".
What we didn't like:
The wonderful Leedle Mill Road bridge is gone. It's been replaced by a new state-of-the-art (and rather ho-hum in comparison) bridge. At first glance, the construction didn't seem to affect the drop below the bridge but the current isn't quite the same as it once was.
If we did this trip again:
The Badfish is a favorite of ours and a must-do every year, if not a few times. Old Stage road to Casey road is the best paddle on the Badfish. We'll definitely paddle this in higher water whenever possible and Spring to early Summer is always the best time to paddle it before the weeds take over.
***************
Related Information
Badfish Creek I: Route 138 to Murwin County Park
Badfish Creek II: Old Stage Road to Highway 59
Badfish Creek III: Old Stage Road to Casey Road
Badfish Creek IV: Old Stone Road to Casey Road
Miles Paddled Video: Badfish Creek II
Video: Wisconsin Paddles: Badfish Creek
Article: Collecting MadVideos: Paddling the Badfish Creek
Good People: Friends of Badfish Creek Watershed
Map:
View Badfish Creek in a larger map
Photo Gallery:

A very muddy put-in at Old Stage Road.

New GoPro rig on deck.


The new Leedle Mill Road bridge.


The drop is less exciting after construction.



Skull island.



Watch out for the wild parsnip at the take-out on Casey Road.

What's a maiden voyage without a PBR?

We're split between Thule and Yakima but I loved this decal addition spotted at the take-out.











