Planning Buffalo Float Trip

[MDnKS]

I am thinking about a float on the Buffalo this spring/summer. The last (only) time I floated it was more than 20 years ago. Floated the lower river to the White river. Remember good fishing and minimal other folks. Still the same? Suggestions for the lower river? Best time to float?

[gotmuddy]

it depends on the time of year.

[MDnKS]

it depends on the time of year.

I was thinking late May -early June.

[Al Agnew]

You might not have solitude, especially on a weekend, that time of year, even though the lower river below Rush necessitates at least one overnight camp so it doesn't get as many floaters as other sections. You might also have some boats with motors on the river that time of year, since there is often quite a bit of water then. I love putting in at Buffalo Point late in the afternoon, floating a couple or three miles and setting up camp, then having three more days on the river, taking out on the White. That way I'm pretty much out of synch with most other floaters most of the time.

[gotmuddy]

be very careful, last year there was flooding that time of year. watch the weather religiously

[DaveMac]

I recommend the upper section, especially during the week (no crowds) - plenty of 1-3 day trips are available. May/June is the best time of year for the upper because later on there may not be enough water. If it floods, the upper Buff will recede to floatable conditions much faster than the middle or lower. I floated-fished the upper (Erbie to Hasty) last May about a week after it was blown out and the fishing was great (the 2 weeks leading up to the trip, I checked the USG river gauges almost hourly!).

[Crooked Creek Angler]

I am thinking about a float on the Buffalo this spring/summer. The last (only) time I floated it was more than 20 years ago. Floated the lower river to the White river. Remember good fishing and minimal other folks. Still the same? Suggestions for the lower river? Best time to float?

I like the lower section the best and usually put in at about noon on a Wednesday at Rush and take out in the afternoon on Friday at Shipp's Ferry access on the White river. Shipp's Ferry is about 5 or 6 miles down from the mouth of the Buffalo and allows you to do a little trout fishing as well. Also means that you don't have to worry to much about the White river level or huff and puff to paddle upstream to the take out.

[MDnKS]

You might not have solitude, especially on a weekend, that time of year, even though the lower river below Rush necessitates at least one overnight camp so it doesn't get as many floaters as other sections. You might also have some boats with motors on the river that time of year, since there is often quite a bit of water then. I love putting in at Buffalo Point late in the afternoon, floating a couple or three miles and setting up camp, then having three more days on the river, taking out on the White. That way I'm pretty much out of synch with most other floaters most of the time.

[MDnKS]

Thanks for the info. What's the deal with the motorboats? When I was there I did not see a single motorboat.

[MDnKS]

Thanks for the replies and info. Due to work schedules a long weekend is about our only option. Should I think about planning for a little later? How is the fishing up river compared to the lower river?