Cranberry Lake, Hampton, NJ

Lake Profile:
Cranberry Lake, Hampton, NJ
180 Acres
Caution: Motorboats

October 11th 2009

I gotta say I think Fall is my favorite time of year. This lake might not have been this enjoyable in the summer months. For starters its heavily populated, there are houses dotted along most of the river. Each of them with motor boats and or canoes & kayaks spewed across the back of them. This must get real active in the summer months in fact so active that a paddle for an outsider like myself  might not be as enjoyable as it was on this day. Once you launch from the convenient little dock you can go left to explore the small bridge although the lake ends just after it or you can head across it towards the peninsula. If you look at the togo map you'll see it practically cut the lake in half. I paddled this day with my wife and It was very windy so without being anchored you wont stay put long. It was a cold day too we had to make sure we were layered up because this wing made it feel a lot colder than what it was. We made our way through the middle of the lake and paddled quietly as to not to disturb the neighbors as we got closer to the shoreline. Some folks were out on their poonton boat, dogs aboard and everything. One of the Labs sat up front in captain pose. 

I usually bring a rod with me to throw some soft plastics but no takers this day. I know the lake must be full of bass, probably taking shelter under all the lilly pads. 

Once you make your way pass the tip of the peninsula it looks like a different lake all together. the view of the Allamuchy mountains in the backdrop of the lake is spectacular. 

You can spend hours here just exploring every nook of this place and as beautiful as it was I don't see myself coming back here frequently. There isn't that feel of wilderness because you practically in someone's back yard so you feel like an outsider, well because you are. 

Directions:

From Route 80 West take the Waterloo Exit 25 and go North on 206 till you get to South Shore Rd and make a left.  you'll be lead to the lake but also to a couple of parking areas to your left. When you see this the lake entrance for the launch is directly to your right. There's parking at the opposite end of the launch or you can drop off your canoe and drive back down to the parking area.

Green Turtle Pond, West Milford, NJ

Lake Profile:
Green Turtle Pond, West Milford
40 Acres
Electric motors only
Unpaved road leading to pond parking on side of the trail.

Sept 13th 2009
   This Little hideaway pond probably doesn't get much attention considering Greenwood Lake and Monksville Reservoir are a stone's throw away 
(no not literally). I really enjoyed this lake and 
have been here several times by myself with the 
kayak always running into the same paddlers.  
One of it's most unique features are the Mini -
Islands that meet you about 50 yards ahead from 
the launch.  It's a quick paddle where you wont be bothered and it's stocked with trout. Can you 
really ask for much more?
My Wife and Sister-in-law accompanied me on this second Canoe trip. Although I have caught bass here before I didn't catch any on this trip. This Lake has a remote feel, almost like your miles away from civilization. It's Quiet and pretty protected from winds. To get there you must take a dirt road with pot holes the size of volkswagens. GO slow because people sometimes hike here and you just might see some wildlife such as deers, turkeys or black bears. Yes it's bear country so be careful.
If your looking for a peaceful no thrills relaxing day paddle this is your escape. It might be a good idea to bring your binoculars there is just a ton of wildlife out here. Herons, hawks, turtles (plenty hence the name) just to name a few.

A lot of people bring their dogs to play in the shallow bank. I'm thinking of brining by dog here on the next trip, he's a bit wild and like to drink the water. The last time I had him on a canoe was in Florida so it's been awhile. 


Directions: Once in Ringwood State Park coming from Tuxedo, NY, take State Rd 511 AKA Greenwood lake Turnpike West. Turn Right on Awosting Rd at approximately half mile up to your right will be the entrance it's real easy to miss so go slow. Follow the unpaved road to the lake, there is no parking lot but you can pretty much park anywhere just stay out of other people's way to others can launch too.

Shepherd Lake, Ringwood, NJ

Lake Profile:
Shepherd Lake
Ringwood State Park 1304 Sloatsburg Road
info 973-962-7031
Charge at the gate is 5-10 dollars but free in the offseason.
No engines only electric motor (good so there will be no loud racing boats creating wakes)

Sept 6th, 2009
The maiden voyage of my new canoe. As I loaded it up on the subaru I noticed how virgin the plastic was. No scratches or dings, not sure how long that will look that way but I knew while unloading it would bring a different picture. I chose Shepherd Pond as my first trip for a few reasons. My wife was going in the front seat and my sister-in-law came along to try out that center seat. It's a 14 ft canoe not really suitable for 3 person paddling because it's not that roomy but plenty of capacity for weight. Needless to say it handled like a barge. Actually it handles better under heavy weight than light.

This lake is settled in a recreational area where families gather for picnics and barbecues so it's pretty noisy. The water was not as crowded as I imagined, just a few kayakers and boater's (rented).

The North end is covered with lilly pads and we came across some great mountain rocks laying along the banks. The best part of the lake is furthest from the beach area where the noise is muffled and the big blue herons hang out. The fishing here is supposed to be good for largemouth although I didn't catch anything that day. Like Most of NJ mountain lake this is bear country so beware! Would I paddle this lake again? Yes but not the place to go in the middle of summer where all hell break loose. Thunder Mountain is up the same mountain and that's where you can shoot clays so when you hear some shotgun blasts while on the water there is your explanation.

Directions: You can punch in the address on your GPS and it will get you as far as the entrance at the bottom of the mountain. Once traveling north on Sloatsburg make a right on Morris Rd. Ride up and you will come to two Large statues of eagles bracing the entrance of the skylands botanical garden that is where you make a left on Shepherd Pond Rd which will lead you to the entrance on the lake. Put in is at the right after the gate. So bring the family and a portable BBQ some meat for the grill and drop your boat in. Fun for everyone. 

A little backround...

    My name is David I was born in Belleville, NJ so that makes me Native regardless of the fact I lived in Miami for 16 years.

Eight years ago before I got married I sold my jon boat and got a canoe. It was a man they called "Canoeman". that planted this idea in my head, well not directly, but through the posts of an online forum and website by Captain Mel based in Tampa. I used to read stories about his fishing adventures and I thought to myself, "this is what I want to be when I grow up!" My first trip in Florida was on the Indian River. After that it was the Everglades and I after that I wasn't interested in paddling anywhere else.

         The Canoe was a means to get me on the fish but after time I developed a real joy for just being on the water, fish or not. I especially liked the fact that there was no motor and everything was just quiet. One of my favorite things to do is to get on the water while it was still dark and watch the sun rise in the glades. The fish bite was on during that time as well.
     After a few years on the canoe the hype was all about the kayak. I went out and got one but it didn't replace my canoe. Sometimes when your by yourself a kayak can handle finer in the wind.

I loved that canoe but I left her in Miami as I set out to Jersey in 2005. I used my kayak in Jersey but I gotta say I didn't think I was going to miss my canoe as much as I did. I missed that canoe so much that 3 years after the move I bought the same exact one here in Jersey. It's nothing special really in fact it handles clumsily, it's quite heavy but it looks similar to the one the Canoeman had.  It also took a tremendous beating. It was ready for whatever I had to dish out for that day. Oyster beds were no match for the polyurethane barge I would command over them. It's nearly 40 inch beam also makes it the most stable canoe around which is great for taking out newbies.
This blog is about the New Jersey adventures with the new canoe. My Wife Letty has taken some interest in paddling. Not sure if it's just to do something together and "it's nice" or a genuine interest of being in the outdoors. Don't really care much she seems to enjoy it and it's nice to have her join me, she is even doing a decent job paddling me around while I fish.
One thing is different for sure, No alligators here, I guess it's good in a way but I do miss the encounters, it was part of the everglades allure. What can be said it that I traded one of the worlds most unique eco setting for the mountain lakes and the Oh, so famous "Joisey Shuwa". I don't regret the move I gottasay, it does feel like home. 
 
Read more about the late Merrill "Canoeman" Chandler at the Capt Mel's site http://capmel.com/CanoemanRemembered.htm