Big Sugar Advice

[GloryDaze]

I've seen couple of reports on here about the Big Sugar recently- I am thinking of floating it this weekend (Powell to Pineville) and camping on the river if the weather permits. I have a couple of questions for you guys- What water level is good for floating and what would be considered too high? Does anyone recommend an outfitter to use for shuttling my car for me and my kayak?

I just floated the upper Jack's fork from the prongs to alley spring at flood level 3 weeks ago- if anyone has done that, how would you compare the skill level needed to floating the Bug Sugar?

Anything else you would recommend?

Thanks!

[chub minnow]

Big Sugar is very comparable to Jack's Fork, with a little less fall. In an open canoe without float bags etc. I wouldn't recommend going over maybe 5 or 5.5 due to strainers and several low water bridges. A kayak or raft is a different story, but still over 6-7 at the Powell gauge and the water at Pineville could be in the trees, it just depends on where it rains. We did it at 4.8 or so and were canoing down the road leading to a low water bridge near Pineville (Crag-O-Lea). Anything over 5 and I doubt you'll be able to get anyone to do the outfitting for you because the low water bridges will be impassable and the shuttle around is LONG.

If it is low enough I would camp at the State Park beach just after the first (private) low water bridge. Just look for the State Park signs... if they're still there.

The number for Creekside at Powell is (417) 435-2274 they can give you conditions at the put in and probably some current information on obstacles.

[chub minnow]

Not that it will be a problem, but once the Powell gauge gets below 1.5-2 feet or 100 c.f.s. it gets pretty tough to float without some dragging. Best time to fish it though.

[GloryDaze]

Thanks for the advice- I really want to fish the creek, but I would also love to kayak it when the water is up like it is now. When you suggest to not float over 5 or 5.5- is it mainly because of the bridges or because the waves get so big they will swamp an open canoe?

I have a Mad River Synergy 12 SOT- but it has a cover to make it like a kayak and it kept the water out on the Jacks Fork, but I also do not want to swamp or get pinned by a strainer when I'm by myself-

Thanks!

[wacky worm]

hey guys we have floated several times lately from deep ford to mt shira

right now its a blast

but i heard we were gonna have more rain so this weekend could be deadly

there is at least three hairy spots between deep ford and 3 rivers (where the big sugar meets the elk)

i do not advise floating alone on this run at this time

if you need some help or shuttle let me know

russ

up river from deep ford has some narly spots as i have heard

give us a call on friday for river conditions