Where To Float And Where To Stay?

[Kyle]

Well, Randall and myself and another buddy have decided it is time for us to fish the North Fork of the White. I have never been on this river before and Randall only once. Were planning on taking my canoe and renting a kayak as well, for the third guy.

First things first, Where would you recommend renting a kayak from?

We are going to float Saturday the 19 and Sunday the 20. For Saturday we were thinking Hammond Access to Blair Bridge and Sunday doing a morning float from Blair Bridge to the next bridge, I forget the name of it. The first day of the float is 10 miles. We thought that was a little longer than we wanted but couldn't find any access points closer to Rainbow Spring. If anyone has any suggestion there they would be greatly appreciated. Or is the water swift enough that 10 miles is not a bad float?

The float on Sunday is only 3 miles or so, but we could fish it hard and make it take 5-6 hours I think. Or is there a better short float? Or should we just wade fish some access points?

I have done some reading on this forum and it seems Pats Rubber Leggs, Eggs, San Juans and anything else big and buggy deep. Anything else we shouldn't leave home with out?

Thanks for any input.

Kyle

[Gavin]

I'd stay at Sunburst Ranch....Float Kelly to Sunburst your first day (7 miles). Get on the river as early as possible so you can get some fishing in before the floatilla's from Hammond catch up to you. The upper end is mostly rainbows.....On Sunday put in at Sunburst and float to Patrick Bridge (2 miles) or James Bridge (about 5miles) mostly brown trout below Blair Bridge but some rainbows too. There's public camping available at Hammond Camp and Patrick Bridge, but I'd avoid it cuz there wont be anyone to watch your gear while your on the river. ROLF would be another good spot. Cheers.

[Coldspring]

It might be 4 miles from Hammond's at Hwy CC down to North Fork and Rainbow Springs. It's swift enough that I don't see why you couldn't get there in an hour-ish and start your trout fishing. That's the best scenery, BTW, it's National Forest and Devil's Beckbone Wilderness, then you get into the cabins below Rainbow.

Not sure about kayak rental advice.

[Kyle]

Gavin, Where is Kelly's and is it a public access? Above or below rainbow spring or do you know the mile marker on the river?

Also, on the lodging we were thinking something more along the lines of a $30-50 a night hotel. Just that much less stuff to bring for a weekend and more time we can spend fishing.

Thanks again

[Gavin]

Kelly Ford is a bout half a mile below Rainbow Spring...Turn East off of H at the Crossroads Store (Think its CR 372 or something close to that, just turn at the old store) stay on the paved road at the first turn, turn left at the Berry Farm (look for a red & white sign) Kelly is at the end of the road. Leave room for someone else to turn a car and trailer around if your gonna leave a vehicle there. Fishing Access is tolerated there but dont abuse the priveledge.

[Brian Wise]

Get to Kelly Ford by County Road 372 (Crossroads Store) to County Road 365 to County Road 368....the end of County Road 368 is Kelly Ford. Go any farther and you'll end up in the river.

Brian

[Kyle]

Fishing Access is tolerated there but dont abuse the priveledge.

Is that a nice way of saying you can access the river if you don't get caught? Oh boy, sounds like an adventure.

[Randall]

You remember freshman year in the fayettenam... what isn't an adventure for us?

I guess I actually was at Kelly the last time I was down there... I was under the impression it was public but when I saw it I wasn't quite as sure.

What are smallmouth like above Rainbow Spring? On Friday it'll just be me and Kyle I think so we'll do a little playing before the trout water kicks up.

[Brian Wise]

Technically Kelly Ford is the end of a county road (read public road) and there is a right-of-way for every public road...all is well, I have put in there hundreds and hundreds of times.

The smallmouth above the spring are picking up, haven't heard of any big fish being caught but it's pretty good.

Brian

[Gavin]

Access is not a problem........I've been putting in there for over 25 years. Make sure that you paddle up and fish near the springs before you float down. Cheers.