09-18-2007, 09:14 PM
Guys take pontoons down "the Canyon" all the time. As long as you know how to row and keep your eyes open for downstream hazards you won't have any trouble. I wouldn't recommend floating the South Fork to someone who has little experience navigating rivers. The logs laying along the bank are much more of a hazard than the white water. Plan on a long full day float if you are going from Conant to Byington.
I drove through Swan Valley last Friday(14th) and the river was a little off colored but not too bad. Pali
es is only 2% full and the silt from the bottom of the reservoir is getting flushed out of the dam. I think the South Fork will be better fishing in a few weeks when the flows coming out of Palies have been decreased. I wouldn't be surprise if some of the fall hatches are affected by the silt from Palies.
The South Fork can be good fishing year round. Most of the fishing pressure is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. One could argue September and October are the best times to fish it. Catching rainbows to grill during the spring spawn can also be fun. Good luck.
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I drove through Swan Valley last Friday(14th) and the river was a little off colored but not too bad. Pali
es is only 2% full and the silt from the bottom of the reservoir is getting flushed out of the dam. I think the South Fork will be better fishing in a few weeks when the flows coming out of Palies have been decreased. I wouldn't be surprise if some of the fall hatches are affected by the silt from Palies. The South Fork can be good fishing year round. Most of the fishing pressure is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. One could argue September and October are the best times to fish it. Catching rainbows to grill during the spring spawn can also be fun. Good luck.
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