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St. Marys River

The Sturgeon Moon & The Ghost of the Willow Tree

August 14, 2025 · Last updated: July 10, 2026
The Sturgeon Moon & The Ghost of the Willow Tree

On this solo St. Marys River trip, BWJ started with a kayak but swapped to a canoe mid-trip because the kayak wasn't stable enough for a full gear load — a real consideration if you're planning a loaded, multi-day solo run on this river.

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 IncidentPaddling 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 ImprovisationCamp 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 MoonThough 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.

  • 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.

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Is a kayak or canoe better for a solo, gear-heavy St. Marys trip?

    On this trip the kayak proved too unstable once loaded with gear, so the trip was rerouted back to a canoe, which handled the technical sections and gear load better.

    What happened at the willow tree mentioned in this Field Note?

    It marks the site of a 2010 night flip: the canoe capsized in the dark, gear including a rifle was lost, and the crew had to swim the river and hike out barefoot through palmettos to reach camp at "Dead River" lake.

    How do you dry out a soaked lighter in the field without a ferro rod?

    BWJ used a lit camp stove to slowly dry the lighter's mechanism until it sparked again — described as proof that a backup heat source is non-negotiable gear.

    Is "Dead River" lake on the St. Marys safe to camp near?

    BWJ avoided camping directly at Dead River lake on this trip specifically because of a known large gator (around 12 feet) reported to live there.

    What gear tested well on this trip?

    A new ultra-lightweight camp chair rated for 400 lbs held up fully and was noted as more comfortable than bulkier chairs previously carried.