Recently, my husband and I joined some friends for a kayak outing on the Cowlitz River. We all decided to try a new stretch from Blue Creek boat landing just outside of Toledo. We all had experience with the Cowlitz River in different sections.
However, on this morning, the Cowlitz offered up some challenges that were a bit more than I expected. Once on the river and running some fast currents, three of us got dumped into that fast water.
Fortunately for us, Reece Wallace of Wallace Waters Fishing Guide Service was right there to our rescue. He and his fishermen buddies plucked my husband and his kayak from the river, rescued me and my kayak (without my paddle) from shore, and rescued my friend as she tried to maneuver across the river to a safe shore.
Since another member of our party had punctured a hole in his kayak, he was done. It was a pretty unanimous decision to abandon our trip. At that decision, Reece and friends offered to haul all five kayaks, gear and five kayakers back to our original boat launch at Blue Creek.
To say that they were life savers is an understatement. He rescued us, kayak, and floating away gear with such easy maneuvering of his boat — I could tell he is truly a professional at his trade.
And all the time asking each of us if we're OK or need any more assistance.
Many praises to Reece and his buddies — I sure hope they got the fish on as they were hoping for that day.
Kathy Demarest
Kelso
