We just put the finishing touches on our Lower Wisconsin Riverway Mileage Maps and added them to the Lower 92 page for downloading and printing. We updated the mileage chart based on Google Maps, added Prairie Du Sac and actual mileage to Wyalusing.

They are intended for general mapping and planning so be sure to check an atlas or online mapping for specific directions to put-ins and take-outs. We hope you find them useful in helpful your next paddle down the Wisconsin River.


(Click for downloading and printing)

Since we document all our paddles, one of our most important pieces of gear is a quality map case. SealLine map cases are our new map case of choice.


What We Like:
Historically, we've been fans of Granite Gear map cases because the plastic was nice and clear and much sturdier than SealLine. However, that changed after going through a couple due to broken zippers and cracking seams, rendering our waterproof case, anything but. The interesting thing is Granite Gear offers 3 sizes of map cases. The Stormshield (large) and Thunderhead (small) are designed for canoe thwart attachment. But the El Nino (medium, our size of choice) has not been redesigned with the nylon backing and new closure. I inquired about any redesign plans on the El Nino to the staff at Canoecopia this year but they didn't know if that was going to happen.

So we've moved onto SealLine map cases which have more of a ziploc-type closure. That closure didn't seem ideal at first but so far it has proven to work great with less chance of cracking. The plastic is also lighter but not so much so that it's difficult to slide under our deck rigging.

Another main difference between this and the Granite Gear cases are the sizes. SealLine's run a little larger instead of a snug fit for 8.5"x11" printouts (and the medium size is perfect for this).

A word of note, don't confuse these with SealLine's HP Map Case. We don't quite trust the thin urethane and the closure is cumbersome.

The Final Word:
Protecting our maps is incredibly important. A map case should should be durable and absolutely waterproof. SealLine's map cases are our go-to choice.

Key Info:
Manufacturer: SealLine

Small
Overall Size: 8"x12"
Compartment Size: 6"x10.5"

Medium
Overall Size: 12"x16"
Compartment Size: 10"x14.5"

Petzl Tikka XP 2
Overall Size: 16"x22"
Compartment Size: 14"x20.5"


Buy It +

We tested out the GoPro a couple weeks back with a trip down the Badfish.


Badfish Creek V
Old Stage Road to Casey Road
May 20, 2012

Headlamp use is a matter of safety and convenience. While you may not use these while actively kayaking or canoeing, they're perfect for lightweight camping. Durable and practical, Petzl has a variety of headlamps to fit your needs. You'll find yourself using them indoors on odd-jobs and you'll never understand how you went without one.



What We Like:
Petzl offers a variety of headlamps. We're fans of the Tikka 2, Tikka XP 2 and Tikka Plus 2 which is a good cross-section on the Good, Better, Best scale. And as expected, as you move up the scale the more you pay but also the more you get in terms of bulbs, lumens, beam distance and run time. But even at the low-end, the Tikka 2 is a solid buy at a very reasonable price. The plastic housing can get a little cumbersome when it's time to change batteries (of which all of these run on 3 AAA batteries) and the on/off switch is different on each. There was a time when the switch was a little difficult to move while on your head but they have improved that aspect with newer models.

The Final Word:
Once you buy one of these, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one and you'll find yourself using it in every facet of your life. There is so much to love about these headlamps.

Key Info:
Manufacturer: Petzl

Petzl Tikka 2
Bulb: 4 LEDs
Light Output: 40 lumens
Maximum Beam Distance: 29 meters
Brightness Levels: 2
Average Life: high 90 / low: 120 hours
Weight: 2.9 ounces

Petzl Tikka Plus 2
Bulb: High-output LED / Red LED
Light Output: 70 lumens
Maximum Beam Distance: 40 meters
Brightness Levels: 3
Average Life: high 70 / low: 155 hours
Weight: 2.9 ounces

Petzl Tikka XP 2
Bulb: High-output LED / Red LED
Light Output: 80 lumens
Maximum Beam Distance: 68 meters
Brightness Levels: 3
Average Life: high 70 / low: 180 hours
Weight: 3.1 ounces


Buy It +

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.

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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


Miles Paddled Video:




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.