Topic: The Fish should be in Saturday

[robert monti]

Bill and I had already talked.  It was a toss up. I was on the fence anyway. The Bonniebrooke is a fun run and I'm happy with the shorter drive. I'm driving up with Adrian and possibly Sandra if she decides to come.

[Annie V.]

Maybe we could do it next week? With all the rain, it will probably still be running.

I never done the Bonniebrook so I will be doing that. On top of that, it is in my creek boat in which I feel more comfortable. I need to get some time at Champlain in my playboat...

Annie

[robert monti]

The Bonniebrooke, including the bottom section where Alex pitoned and someone Louie knows that broke both her ankles,would occupy a full day too.

But....Alden Bird who has paddled many more rivers than I described one of his days on the Fish this way in Let it Rain:

"Since my first year it's rare that I paddle a full day and then don't want to get off the river. Denis's phrase "a surf drunk daze" kept playing in my head. We all stood by the car, looking around at each other. It was one the best days boating I've ever had......

It rarely runs, and the rapids are hidden. It's not a river where you could host a big event.

To me Fish Creek seems a most elusive and soulful river"

If its running, it's worth the drive.

[Adrian]

If the level is good, I vote for the Fish. I'd be equally happy to do some creeking closer to home.

If we do a river less than three hours from Ottawa, we'll have to randomly drive around New York state for a couple of hours in order to keep Rob away from the in-laws.

[jonyak]

I have wanted to run this for a while.

let me know if you guys are going.

[Annie V.]

I am up for paddling this weekend. The fish is a bit far, but I think I can manage.

I don't think I can make it to Whispers tonight since I am still at work. So let me know what the plans are.

Annie

[jforbesca]

I am up for it if the level is good (or even low).

[robert monti]

Bill and company paddling Saturday.

Adrian is interested in hitting the Fish on Saturday. I'm  "on the fence" about where to paddle.  Throwing this out for consideration as a possibility. As noted in another thread there will be a lot of choice this weekend.

First the bad:  It's a very long day -  3+ hours driving each way. Not for swimmers unless you are  a good long distance swimmer.  Very few eddies, although there is a very important eddy above the dam (about half way through the run) that you cannot miss and must take out.

The Good:  The continuous nature of the run, tons of surf waves, most of it in a closed gorge with waterfalls pouring in on both sides (if it has been raining).  On my first-time run reaction to the run was that it was like a coldwater version of paddling in Costa Rica.  I like the St. Regis - but this is another level.

Doing it would mean an early start (7 a.m.) and late return (9-10) if folks want to stop for dinner -  could hit Jeb's in Lowville on the way home.

Full disclosure. Due to the drive I wasn't really inclined to do this run with stuff running closer by. But then my wife emailed me today at work to tell me that the in-laws arrive tomorrow. That tipped the balance for me and so now I'm thinking the longer I can be out of the house on Saturday, the better. If there is enough interest, I'd be up for some Fish.

AW and others say it is possibly the best running/play river in the NE.  Mind you it is hard to catch at just the right level.

http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/1306/

If you have the Let it Rain guide to paddling in the NE, Alden Bird did a 2-page write up on the Fish as well.