Anglers to Lock 10, Little Falls gauge 4.3', 13,400 cfs
Cabin John looked like our best option for dry weather on an otherwise rainy day, so the Thursday Paddlers headed to the Anglers to Lock 10 stretch of the Potomac despite the risk of strong wind gusts. What looked at first to be a small trip grew to a group of nine: Ginny Q and Larry L in OC-1, Chad D astride a SUP, and Jenny T, Ken C, Mark B, Peter R, Barb B, and trip coordinator, Lisa L, paddling kayaks. The biggest challenge of the trip was figuring out how to leave as many vulnerable vehicles as possible at Anglers under the watchful eye (we hope) of the new camera. Launching out into the river, we were immediately hit by by a strong gust of wind, but moving downstream we were sheltered by Offutt Island. Downstream the wind was an intermittent annoyance. We passed by large drifts of bluebells, phlox, and spring beauties on the forest floor and patches of trout lilies. The flowering redbuds stood out against the grey cliffs. The caddisflies had hatched and were thick in the air and on our boats and PFDs. We ingested some extra protein. Chad left us below Stubblefield to retrieve his bike. No car break-ins this time. Those of us who could stay an extra hour repaired to Fish Taco to supplement the caddisflies.