Mid-River Shuttles on the Buffy

[Jaytee]

Thinking of floating between Pruitt and Carver tomorrow, and perhaps Carver to Mt. Hersey the next day (overnight at the cabin near Jasper, not on the river).

Who'd be the right folks to contact for vehicle shuttle in that stretch of the river, or even as far down as Woolum? I've used Lost Valley Canoes on the Upper, and then also Buffalo River Canoes in the Pruitt area, but don't know who to use as you work your way East from there.

[Jaytee]

PS, if anyone would like to meet up for something somewhere between Pruitt and Woolum on Saturday, we also don't mind company! We are regularly rec kayakers but have acquired a new canoe and are trying (ahem) to develop some tandem skills.

You can also email at jctolleson AT gmail DOT com

[AR-Nimrod]

Unless the Bufffalo gets a rain tonight better wear your walking shoes if you plan to put in at Pruitt tomorrow (you'll be draggin). Current level at Pruitt is below the minimum for "low but floatable." Might have enough water at Woolum to go down river from there. Your best bet would be Baker Ford to HWY 65 or HWY 65 to Gilbert. Both of those would be good runs to practice your tandem skills. For middle section shuttles I'd price Gilbert Store, Buffalo River Outfitters and Silver Hill Canoes. They all have websites.

[Jaytee]

Thanks. With the inch they got yesterday they were showing just under 4 on the Pruitt gauge so I had figured it would hold but I guess I need to think twice and go further downriver!

[painterbob]

i would be up for a pruitt, or hasty run on sat....,i have the shuttle part fixed.

[painterbob]

no reply, so I'm going to put in at hasty, late afternoon and take out at carver just before dark...

[Jaytee]

Sorry, Painterbob! We skipped out of town early Friday a.m. and I didn't check the board before going. We floated Pruitt to Hasty Friday and then Baker Ford to Hwy 65 bridge on Saturday (both sort of short days).

Used Buffalo River Outfitters (south of St. Joe) for the first time for the shuttle for Saturday ... that place felt like Disneyland! But there was decent water so it was worth the extra drive.

[AR-Nimrod]

How was Pruitt to Hasty at Fri.'s water level?

[Jaytee]

You know it was better than we feared, though I would have hated to try even 24 hours later. We got out a couple of quick times and maybe could have avoided those with perfect route selection. The pools were completely still but still deep and good for swimming and there was no real walking to speak of (just the occasional hop out and scoot the boat five feet to deeper water).

But with the forecast (bleak), I fear that that even the conditions we had on Friday are long gone!

[AR-Nimrod]

I've been when it was like that. The fishing is usually excellent when the water is low like that. All the big ones are trapped in the pools.