THE EAU CLAIRE.

Not to be confused with another Eau Claire river in far northern Wisconsin, this river flows into the Wisconsin River just north of Stevens Point. It's a small stream meandering through woods and farmland. My buddy Mike and I decided to try this stream on a cool, windy day in early May. We had paddled this river many years before, and I remembered it as being flatwater with no obstacles. We decided to put in a few miles upstream of where we had paddled before in order to see some more river.

First drop - ACTION GIF!

Due in no small part to a complete lack of planning, we were surprised to discover two good rapids on the first stretch. After putting in on W.Bear Lake Road we paddled a mile or two of flatwater until we came to the first rapids. After careful scouting, Mike ran the first pitch at the top. I then hopped in the canoe and we negotiated the long rock garden below the first pitch.

Below this first drop we encountered a few more low hazard rock gardens. The water stage was moderately high, so we had no problems negotiating this stretch, but it might be a problem in low water.

"The Rolls" from downstream.

A mile or so downstream we came to the second rapids on this section of river, called "the Rolls" by the locals. No doubt it got the name from the tufted rock formations at the bottom of this two-pitch drop. The pitch at the top looked OK, but after scouting the bottom pitch of this drop, we decided to portage this one.

Due to our lack of planning (this section is mapped), we were not prepared to get wet on this cool day, and we would certainly have taken water at the bottom of this rapids. From the Rolls to Hogarty is only about a mile or less of flatwater, so this would make a great place to paddle up to on a warm summer's day. There's a nice pool for swimming, a scenic spot for a picnic, and I'm guessing relative seclusion.

"The Rolls" - last pitch.

From Hogarty down to the Dells is not all flatwater as we remembered it. There are some high banks that create a few low hazard rock gardens before you reach the flatwater of the small flowage at the park at the Dells. This park has camping, hiking trails, a swimming beach, and the spectacular Dells.

"The Dells of the Eau Claire.

This is a pleasant and scenic river, but should probably not be attempted above Hogarty in low water. I'm guessing that above the Dells is mostly trout water. A local told us mostly people caught chubs here. I hope to try downstream sometime soon to see if there are any smallmouth to be had. There are probably panfish in the flowage above the Dells.