The Sturgeon Moon & The Ghost of the Willow Tree
Every bend in the river holds a memory, some clearer than others.
The plan for this solo expedition was simple: catch the Sturgeon full moon and the peak of a meteor shower. But the St. Marys is rarely that predictable. After a rough start where my kayak proved too unstable for the gear load, I regrouped, swapped back to the reliable canoe, and pushed off into a stormy South Georgia afternoon.
The Willow Tree Incident Paddling solo gives you time to reflect, and as I passed a specific willow tree leaning over the water, the memories came flooding back.
The Story: Back in 2010, on a pitch-black June night, a friend and I were running bush hooks with our sons. Right at that willow tree, the boat flipped. We lost gear—including a brand-new .22 rifle—and were forced to swim the river and trek through the palmettos and banana spiders in the dark with no shirts or shoes.
The Aftermath: We spent hours hiking by the stars to find our camp at the "Dead River" lake. My wife, Tina, was terrified, thinking we were lost or worse. Passing that spot today, I couldn't help but send a message to my son, Lance: I love you, and I miss you, Bubba.
The Field Kitchen & Gear Improvisation Camp setup was a race against the thunder. I set up the rain tarp early—a move that saved the night as the sky stayed indecisive.
Gear Lesson: I tested a new ultra-lightweight camp chair rated for 400 lbs. It held up perfectly and was far more comfortable than the bulky chairs I’ve carried in the past.
The Fire Hack: After falling in the water, my lighter was soaked and useless. Without my ferro rod, I had to use my camp stove to dry out the lighter’s mechanism until it sparked again. It worked, proving that having a backup heat source is non-negotiable.
Supper: A simple, no-fuss meal of brownie bites followed by a quick dip in the fast-running river to wash off the swamp sand and sweat.
Under the Sturgeon Moon Though the clouds blocked the full view of the meteor shower, the glow of the Sturgeon Moon through the canopy was bright enough to light up the camp. With a small battery-powered fan providing a breeze inside the bug netting, I fell asleep to the sound of crickets and the river—a peaceful end to a day filled with ghosts and lessons.
Field Notes: Technical Breakdown
Navigation: Swapped kayak for canoe for better stability in technical river sections.
Fire Skills: Used the "Stove-Dry" method to salvage a water-logged lighter.
Wildlife Note: Stayed clear of the "Dead River" lake due to a legendary 12-foot gator resident.
Gear Success: New lightweight camp chair passed the comfort and weight-bearing test.
