Paddle the Pocomoke with Nassawango Joe

Joe Fehrer, Jr. grew up on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore along the Pocomoke River in Snow Hill. Days spent canoeing on the Pocomoke River, Nassawango Creek and Maryland’s coastal bays permeated his childhood. The eldest son of Worcester County’s first environmental advocates helped shape and refine his view and understanding of the natural world and our place in it.

Join us for the first of our “Paddles with Nassawango Joe” experiences on the Pocomoke River! Our trip starts upriver from Snow Hill and winds it’s way downstream through stands of bald cypress, black gum and red maples. We’ll poke into some backwaters and navigate a few oxbows as the river widens and changes character. A short distance upstream of our launch location various conservation agencies and NGOs have recently undertaken the largest wetland restoration project in the state.

The Pocomoke, classified botanically as “the northernmost of the great southern swamps” is a world unto itself. A relic of the last ice age, this unique watershed persisted when others retreated southward–the Dismal Swamp now its closest relative. Situated as it is, at the northern and southern range extension of many species, the watershed is an ecological jewel, rich with life.

In the spring and early summer the river’s watershed hosts the largest concentration of nesting warblers as well as other neo-tropical songbirds in the region. The late summer and early fall can provide the opportunity to witness these bird species as they amass for their return south. Raptors and early migrating waterfowl may be observed, as well as resident Barred and Eastern Screech-Owls.

Along this stretch of the river several of the plant species [we might] see reach their northernmost range extension. Beaver, once prolific but extirpated in the early eighteenth century have made a remarkable comeback, as have coyotes. It’s always possible to see the elusive river otter too.

The river that we see today has no doubt changed from earlier times, but would still be recognizable by the native peoples and early colonists. Blessed by the wide expanse of bottomland swamp, which have, for the most part, left the shoreline relatively untouched, we’re able to share an experience that reaches back many hundreds of years.

On a windy day, this paddle can present a moderate challenge as we approach Snow Hill. Paddlers may choose canoes, tandem kayaks, or solo kayaks. For scheduling, please select tandem kayak if you want a canoe. We will follow up later with your preference. PLEASE NOTE: this trip requires delivery by van to the launch location. Vans will operate at 50% capacity.

All paddling done by participants; some experience required. Must be 13 years old to participate. Please note: If you are reserving a tandem kayak or canoe, please plan to attend with a paddling partner also registered with the DBW. We can’t always guarantee another solo paddler will join you in a two-person boat. All trips require a 4-person minimum to launch. If minimum is not met, we will refund paying participants. Thank you!