Just a Quick and Easy Small Stream Float..

[Gerald Martin]

I guess the look in the eyes of the guy at the FWP boat check when I mentioned the route we planned on floating should have been my first clue that I should rethink my plan. Then he said, " at least it's low water," and I figured, "yeah what's the worst that can happen?"

My boys and I have wade fished the upper section of this creek several times but I've never been the whole way through to the main river. I thought it would be a great idea to take our canoe and float two miles to the main river fishing for trout and then switch to smallmouth bass when we got off the creek. A quick search on Google Earth put the distance at slightly over 6 miles to our take out point. Should be the perfect Saturday afternoon float.

It all started out easy as pie. Me and the boys, spinning rods, a cooler full of pops and sandwiches. Rock on!

 

[Gerald Martin]

We made it through the first couple of pools without catching any fish so I switched from my spinner to a home tied jig inspired by some of what I've seen Big Sky post on here. Bingo! It was a pretty nice brown for this little stream.

 

[Gerald Martin]

A fish in the next pool downstream gave me a solid strike and I brought him to the net as well. No black-put him back. Pretty little bull trout of about 13".

 

[Gerald Martin]

As we worked our way downstream, I caught one more small brook trout and Timothy landed a brookie and a nice cutthroat. Then the canyon narrowed and the creek picked up speed. The nice gravel banks gave way to boulders and log jams. At one spot several trees completely spanned the river and we were left with no option but to go up and over.

 

[Gerald Martin]

After that we spent less time fishing and more time getting our canoe downstream. We were already several hours into this float and we had at least a mile to go.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Thankfully the water was low enough that trouble spots were merely a major inconvenience rather than life threatening. We found out just how hard it is to maneuver a loaded canoe around rocks and sweepers. Thankfully Gareth was able to fend us off the one log that threatened to flip us. We weren't quite so lucky when we went over a 4' waterfall. We actually made it over just as the front hit a rock and stopped us cold. The back started filling with water an I thought we would swamp. Both boys jumped off the front and dragged me and a canoe 1/3 full of water to shore. We got the water out of the canoe and regrouped. From there it got difficult. We were lining the canoe around most of the trouble spots but eventually the river was so tight between large boulders and mini-falls we knew we needed a new plan.

 

[Gerald Martin]

The need for a new plan was further emphasized when I slipped on a wet rock and landed on my buttocks and severely bruised my right palm. Thankfully, it didn't break but I was pretty much limited to using only my left hand to lift the canoe and paddle. We ate some sandwiches and walked downstream to scout the water ahead. More of the same and if anything it got worse. I did see that we were only about 1/4 mile from the highway and if we could get the canoe up a 50' embankment we would be able to carry our gear through the woods to the road. That was the option we chose. My wife came by and gave us a ride back to the truck. All in all a pretty good adventure! I will definitely go back! Next time however, it will not be with the canoe.

 

[Addicting]

A Good adventure that those boys will remember, retell, and laugh about for a long time. Glad everyone is ok and your camera survived. Those are some great pics to help tell the story.

 

[VAspeedgoat]

Great pics and story. Sounds like your sons were really up to the task. Cooler heads definitely prevail in times like that. If things always went according to plan the adventure would be gone........but sometimes boring is good too. Glad it turned out to be a fun adventure.

 

[kansasdad]

A fun, miserable and awesome adventure for sure. The present misery only makes the memories stronger and better.

 

[noharleyyet]

Great pics Gerald....canoe=portage in my minds eye.

 

[Nameless Range]

I associate canoes and my dad with cuss words and wet clothes. That's an awesome thing to do with your sons and a great adventure to take them on. That stream looks beautiful.

 

[JohnCushman]

Heck of a story!!

 

[NoWiser]

Type II fun......the best type! Congrats on a great adventure you and the kiddos will be able to talk about for many years.

 

[Irrelevant]

Making memories

 

[publichunter1]

This sounds like one of my adventures. Always harder than expected. Glad y'all had a good time and made it through safely.

 

[1_pointer]

They'll remember that for a long time! Well done!

 

[JLS]

Wow, have a Coke and a smile huh?

Think inflatable kayaks

 

[COEngineer]

I spent a lot of time in canoes on rivers in the Midwest. I tried one in CO and nearly left the canoe jammed on some rocks in a rapid. There were several people that hinted we shouldn't be there before we got into trouble, but what I needed was someone to say (or yell) "Don't do it!"

Glad no one was seriously hurt. Those boys are troopers!

 

[Ben Long]

Everyone lived! It's an adventure to told and retold for decades to come. When they bury you they will tell this story. That's the way to live.