A good friend and I recently enjoyed a long float down the Sock. It was a last minute decision that was actually coordinated by our lovely brides. We simply wanted to get away and do some fishing from our kayaks. It was a beautiful afternoon in North Central PA, but we didn’t have the slightest clue on what we were about to get into.

You might recall that our beloved Loyalsock Creek was named the 2018 Pennsylvania Waterway of the Year. The news is still trending, and many good folks continue to celebrate. The name Loyalsock is from an old Indian phrase “LAWI-SAQUICK” meaning the middle creek since it flows between Muncy and Lycoming. It begins in Wyoming County and ends in nearby Montoursville, where it flows into the West Branch of the mighty Susquehanna. This majestic 64-mile watershed of North Central PA is home to thousands of anglers, paddlers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

While I am somewhat partial to Lycoming Creek, I have spent a great deal of time enjoying the Sock. One of my buds had a cabin outside of Barbours where we would spend hours and hours fishing for monster browns. I sometimes take an afternoon drive up PA Route 87 just for fun, and Jensen’s favorite place to hike is the beautiful 780 acres of World’s End State Park. I have yet to find a vista along Loyalsock Creek that disappoints. The entire landscape of this magnificent waterway is simply gorgeous.

I hooked up with Jeremy Kennedy around 3 p.m. on a Sunday. We made arrangements to leave a car near the old Montoursville Green Bridge. We then loaded his truck and made the drive to the Slabtown Bridge. This is where we would start our epic journey. Both Jeremy and I have made this trek many of times before, but it had been a few seasons for me. Oh, how times have changed.

Kayaking fishing is very beneficial to both the mind and body. It provides another great way to enjoy the spectacular scenery of our splendid waterways. From a distance, kayaking seems rather simple. True, but I will say that it is a tad more technical than one would think. It’s best to get started on a quiet lake or lazy river. Most streams and creeks can overwhelm those new to the game. Battling the current and avoiding snags shouldn’t be done the first time out. #foreshadowing.

Jeremy and I were off, and we both caught a few decent smallmouths in the deep pool below the 973 bridge. I normally throw topwater plugs against the bank while I am in my kayak. You should try it too. The water level was down, but it was still flowing fast. We saw several deer and even some bald eagles. Life was good.

Jeremy and I reached a quiet stretch where no one was around. There were no cars. No houses. No sounds. It was total silence. It was grand. We continued to paddle and fish until we heard a distant cry for help. We were both shocked and immediately headed over to see what we could find out. Three young ladies were stranded on an island near a log. They were also kayaking and lost their boats. One frantically described how they got caught in the current after getting snagged on a downed tree. The water ripped all three of them under and took everything downstream. These poor gals had nothing left. They lost their kayaks, shoes, cell phones and gear. It was a good thing Jeremy and I were in the neighborhood. It was their first times in a kayak.

We reached out to 911 and explained the situation. The dispatcher then relayed our message to the local fire and EMS crews. Jeremy and I had a general consensus where we were, but access to the water would be tough. But kudos to these volunteers who eventually found a way via a large raft. They rescued these three young ladies without a hiccup or scratch. Jeremy and I were feeling good about lending a hand, but this two-hour detour had us scrambling for time. We said our farewells and got back to paddling.

Jeremy and I eventually found the three boats some 300 yards downstream. We did our best to get the submerged kayaks and gear to dry land. I landed a monster bass not too far away. It was an epic battle and got some great pictures. I then learned that our rescue made the scanner and our dramatic escapade was now trending on NorthCentral PA. We were famous.

Twenty minutes later I too found myself in a similar situation. I was paddling through a rough stretch of water and unexpectedly tipped my kayak. I was totally submerged in twenty-five feet of water. I lost my very expensive eyeglasses and my favorite fishing pole. I was a little shaken up but totally fine. It was mid-July and my clothes quickly dried. Jeremy was right there to help, and thankfully I was wearing my personal floatation device PFD. I am not a very good swimmer, and I never leave home without it.

Long story short. The three gals and I were quite lucky. Kayaking can be quite dangerous and I can’t stress to you how important a life preserver is. It is required that every kayaker has one in their boat. Wear it. They help. Always remember to always respect the water. Whether you are a novice or a professional. It sometimes has a mind of it’s own. So I had to run to Eyeland to score some new frames but I would like to say thanks to my friends the Meyers, the Webbs, and the VanCampens who helped me find my favorite fishing pole in the bottom of Loyalsock Creek. Much love guys. Cheers.