[quote DrewT]From Pali
es down to Husky (well, actually to below Irwin) is referred to as the ditch because it is very channelized. As Jim stated, summer flows on that river are serious - and seemingly every year someone dies somewhere there (generally lower on the river). There are some spots w/ rollers but you can actually avoid them all together.
Below Husky, where Pali
es Creek comes in, there is a pretty good gradient drop that isn't really an issue but will probably make the inexperienced pucker a bit.
[#ff0000] When the water is high the sweeper here can get rollers 3-5' high but its doable in a canoe so a drift boat should handle it fine. [/#ff0000]
Below Irwin, the ditch ends and the river becomes very braided so it helps to know what a channel does before attempting to float one. If in doubt, stay in the main channel.
[#ff0000] Great advice, are their big fish in there? Yes! but also there are usually some log jams and down trees that can cause major problems. [/#ff0000]
If you are in the furthest left channel immediately below the falls, there is on hydraulic that will make you pucker going through when the river is >= 15K cfs. There are three other channels you can take before the falls to avoid it though.
[#ff0000]If you hit this stretch, this spot is no joke. The eddy directly below the falls is flat out nasty if the river is above 4k cfs. Been flipped there in a boat and it can eat you for lunch if you don't know what you're doing and feel comfortable on the oars. Im not even a fan of going in and out of the falls with the jet that I have over 1500 hours in just because the currents there are so screwy. [/#ff0000]
Below Spring Creek (bridge) takeout, you need to be very careful of which channel you take. If you stay far right, you will end up floating past the Conant takeout and there isn't another ramp until Cottonwood - in the bottom half of the canyon.
The canyon and lower sections often have a lot of sweepers and the lower river has a lot of diversions so I would recommend some experience and homework before doing them just to be safe. [#ff0000]The canyon is very easy for a first timer as long as a couple of things are remembered. 1. Stay in the main channel. There are some good side channels but most have either a bad low hanging tree, a bad entrance, or a bad exit. 2500cfs-5000cfs are a beginners best friend. High enough to eliminate the bad low water hazards and low enough to not be too fast and be washing out banks and putting trees in the river. 3. Don't go below Byington Boat Access. Lower section is for experienced folks only. River completely changes below Byington, higher gradient, lots of downed trees, and diversions that are a handful for even experienced people. [/#ff0000]
Having said all of that, the temps on the SF are in the 30s right now.
The Hyde guys are big on the SF - however, I would recommend the lower Henry's Fork first. Do a float such as Chester to Fun Farm as there isn't really anything to get you into trouble there at all and its a short float. The fun farm is a backwater so you can spend a lot of time there just rowing around.
After you are comfortable with that float, do a Warm River to Ashton float - its longer and has one spot that will make you work. Be warned that just about the Highway 20 bridge - at the islands, you will have to drag your boat for about 30 yards at the current flows.
Or as Jim said, the Green is much gentler than the SF.
A few notes on rowing:
1. Since you bought a high-side, for most waves, rollers, or rapids, point the nose into the
and put in your backstrokes. The big bow will plow through.
2. To avoid an obstacle, point the bow at it and backstroke away from it.
3. High-sides are good and stable boats but are a bit like a sail. They are not as easy as skiffs, low-pros, rafts in the wind.
4. Going through rough water, try to keep your bow pointed downstream - the trouble comes if you hit something broadside or a wave comes over the side.
5. Finally, always look ahead and plan your route before you get to it.[/quote]
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