Back home from a 6 day float down the Middle Fork.

A while back I asked people here for recommendations about taking a wooden boat on the trip.  Everyone's advice was right on the spot.  We launced at a flow fo 3.2.  The advice was to do a trip and see it once before making the decision about making a dory run.  We had 19 people and 10 boats, all rafts.  I did a lot of rowing as my boat partner had a bad sholder and was struggling.  I did the second half of our 13 mile day one and most all of the bigger runs for the rest of the trip.  We had holes in the bottom of a bucked boat by noon of day one and I really worked to row a boat full of water into camp before getting it fixed up for the rest of the trip.  

I think I could have gotten my dory past day one if it wouldn't have been loaded too heavy but, I also could have put a few holes in it so, I have not regrets leaving it home.   At a flow of less then 3.0, no way.  I think it was on day 2 when we saw a green drift boat abondened on the left bank from higher water.  With only 6 days to make the run we had three 20 mile days.  The waves on the lower sections were big and I would have liked to have had my wooden boat for that section.  Especially the run through Cramer down on the Main.

For  a first trip all I can say is what a beautiful river and canyon.  Fishing was also great, salmon flyes all over the place.

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I have neighbors who have a permit for the Main in the middle of August.  From what I saw driving down the road along the Main into the town of Salmon I didn't see anything which was beyond my ability for a dory run,  just lots of fun water.  I may jump on the trip.

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All the people who answered my post a few weeks back gave me great advice and I  thank you all.   We had a safe and wonderful float.  

What a year, Grand Canyon in April, Lodore and Deso in May, Middle Fork in July and the season has a lot to come.

L