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Day 4
Anthony Shoals Shuffle
The longest day of our journey, but perhaps the most rewarding. The 18 miles wander between long stretches of flatwater and occasional shoals and rock gardens, culminating in the run of Anthony Shoals.
The banks are a green corridor dotted with fish camps, a home here and there, and a deer stand or two. But mostly, it is the wildlife you will notice. On scouting missions down this run, we spotted a family of otters, massive snapping turtles, an osprey and a bald eagle—not to mention all manner of macro invertebrates hiding beneath the river’s rocks.
Along the way, we will pass Wahatch Creek, a creek named for the Revolutionary War heroine, Nancy Hart. The Native Americans used this term for her, and it is believed to have meant “Warwoman.” The Hart cabin was located just up this creek and it was at this location that six unfortunate soldiers loyal to the English met their demise at the hands of the fearless and cross-eyed frontierswoman. Legend has it that Hart shot and killed two of them and then with her husband hung the other four.
Anothony Shoals awaits just down river. Here the river spreads out into a quarter-mile wide labyrinth of rocks, shoals and rapids. It is among the most impressive fall line shoals you’ll find. Our likely path through it, depending on water levels, will be a channel blasted from the rock during the days when river navigation—even through the heart of shoals—was preferred to overland travel. The blasted channel provides an exciting ride through numerous big waves.
The trip ends where the Broad’s life as a free-flowing river ends. Beyond Anthony Shoals the river spreads out as it reaches the backwater of Clarks Hill Lake. Our take out for the day will be the Corps of Engineers Broad River Campground.
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