big piney 4-13 ?

[jmdauf]

anyone goin'? shuttle?

[EMTyak]

I'm going to be floating from Fort Douglass to treat.

[jmdauf]

i've never run that section. guess there'll be enuf water? was thinking helton's 2 longpool-

[EMTyak]

There will be plenty enough water for me.. Me and my cousin are going to be camping on the fsr 1802 on the pilot rock side (upstream from Heltons on the opposite side of the creek). I haven't paddled this section either, but I believe it has slightly less gradient than heltons to long pool.

[jmdauf]

sorry, just found out i have to work
peace, mitch

[Waterman]

EMTyak - The stretch below Ft Douglas/123 bridge is one of the best smallmouth fishing spots in the state, but it has more long pools than rapids. Be very careful in high water, as you will encounter many willow jungles and downed trees. You mentioned that you have not paddled this stretch, so take care to scout any blind turns.

Towards the end of your float, you will pass a ford (waterman's ford) that enters from river right. Be careful to scout the next rapid after this ford, as an island has built up in the main channel, and both routes to either direction (left and right) are obstructed by willows or downed trees. I recommend portaging to the right. If you take the route to the left, make sure to go to the end of the island to scout your destination, as you need good boat control to make a hard 90 degree turn or else you go straight into a mean willow jungle.

The location of the camping site at 1802 is called Phillip's Ford. The Treat area is one more mile down stream. The government campsite is nice, but you may want to consider going down 2 more rapids and camping on a nice sandbar immediately on the right.

Have a great trip.

John

[EMTyak]

Thanks for the info! 2 more rapids down? How do I get to that campsite?

[Waterman]

To get to the campsite, leave the government campsite:
- turn left back onto 1802
- take next left after 100 yards and proceed through rockbar to get to Phillip's ford
- when you get to the ford, turn right on small road across rockbar that will take you down to the creek
- the campsite is a raised sandbar immediately across from the large boulder in the last pool on the rock bar

John

[EMTyak]

We had a wonderful float.. The water was perfect but still slightly too dirty for good fishing.. Met up with a couple guys from the board.. Caught several small fish.