Need Help Planning A Three Day Float Of The Big Sugar/elk

[Ferguson Bills]

Hey guys, I'm new to forum but love everything I read my friends and I are wanting to do a three day float of the elk this summer and I need some help and info. We were looking into starting at mikes creek and ending around shadow lake. We were wondering about where we could park our cars at the start and finish of the trip, good places to camp (not in camp grounds) and any other info that the great forum can gives us. Thanks

BTW Chief I love ready your posts they are the best

[ollie]

Of course if you put in at Powell then Creekside would be a good place to start and park your vehicles. Russ over at Hog Heaven could run you up that far for a price I'm sure and he is topnotch about the river conditions in real time. Lot's of options to be had. Three day IMO would require more float time than fishing. I have made Big Sugar in two days and still wish I had taken three so if you are going to go all the way to Noel then expect I lot of paddling and wading where the water is skinny. Powell to Cyclone is a good days float just by itself then you have Cyclone to Elk and that takes a good day in itself as well. All of Elk can be floated in a day, but like I said earlier that's a lot of paddling and wading through the skinny water. IMO to do three days I would cut some of that trip off unless you plan on just paddling and no fishing.

[Ferguson Bills]

Thank you for that so if we were looking to do more fishing than paddling what in you opinion would be the best trip to take to be able to maximize the fishing

[ollie]

That's up to you! Lot's of different ways to divide up the trip. Take 2 days on Big Sugar then one on Elk or the other way around. I wouldn't really say one stretch is better than another when it comes to fishing. I did a stretch on Big Sugar last week and the fishing was ok, but nothing big. Not sure we will see many big ones out of BS this year due to the drought we had last year. I would give Russ a call and see what he thinks. Good guy and can set you up with the shuttle you need.

[Chief Grey Bear]

BTW Chief I love ready your posts they are the best

Ah shoot, thanks. I think you are in a league of your own here. LOL!

You do realize that after this weekend it will be super busy on these waters? But you can still catch fish. One of the funnest trips I took last year was on Elk, on a Saturday. I have never seen so many canoes. But the fun part was pulling fish right out from under them and listening to the people's surprise. You will really get a kick of those that point out the trout to you.

I would park right at the campground at Mike's Creek. Super nice guy and he'll keep an eye on it. He lives just across the road. Talk to him. I would also talk to one of the campgrounds at Noel. Tell them what your plans are. They'll keep an eye on it.

I don't know how fast you float but Powell to Pineville is a 3 day float for me. Pineville to Noel is doable like Ollie said in one day. Kinda pushing for me though. Not real hard though. Pineville to Mt. Shira is about right for me.

Be careful on what gravel bar you choose to camp on during your trip. Some people in that area are a little edgy about that. Keep it on the down low with small fires and don't spead out all over the bar like it is yours.

[Feathers and Fins]

Chief is spot on as usual. I would say if you have teenage boys and are doing a weekend float put saltpetre in their food

[ollie]

Oh the bikini hatch! In full force right now.

[ENVIUS]

Oh the bikini hatch! In full force right now.

LOL ill be down there floating Big sugar next Friday...cant wait