The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Just ask SST...

besides,,I need several real "C" notes for the gas to drive up and back incl. my time

Paul

Last year when I was hiking on Kibbie ridge I ran into some of the hardcore kayakers who actually carry plastic boats up the trail so that they can do the class 4 run on Cherry Creek. One of these was a slim, toned, low-hair hottie who had some of those dreadlock apes carrying her boat for her. She was not very nice, though, sneering when I suggested an inflatable kayak would carry better, and saying, "Cherry Creek is not a DUCKY river!"

I swear she was hot. Next time I'll get a picture. Meanwhile, here is a picture which I think may be an X-Factor. I know which direction I'd be paddling

the moment before starting the first of 165 miles through three rivers, one lake, and several hundred trout, char and salmon.

http://www...utput/images/032_jpg.jpg

They do call that funny looking thing an inflatable "kayak," and if you want to pilot it safely, some experience in whitewater paddling is critical.

Yeah, I've seen footage of Cherry Creek... there is a mile of Class V water there that can and does kill folks... she was probably right about the IK not being the right choice.

B-

"If you really want to inflatable kayak this run, which has been done many times, so far without loss of life, the best plan is to phone Sierra Mac to schedule a commercial rafting trip (800-457-2580 or 209-532-1327). Or if you are friendly with expert rafters, you could volunteer to bow paddle. Either way you can learn the river. Study the mile-by-mile guide before and after your trip. Once you know the river, wait for relatively low water, say around 800 cfs, and boat carefully all day. Lower flows are not beneficial because they expose more boulder tunnels without significantly reducing problem hydraulics."

So, if you have the skills and the right cautious attitude, it clearly IS a DUCKY river