Turner To Riverton.

[orch]

Hi guys, i am thinking of going to 11 point the weekend(14/15th sept) from turner to riverton staying out overnight camping, my only concern is we will be taking our 8 year old boy with us, he can swim but not very well and i wasn't sure if it would be a good idea because of this as we will be the only two in the canoe, i have only drifted from turner to riverton once about two years ago. any help would be greatly appreciated, many thanks and tight lines to you all

[jdmidwest]

Put a life jacket on him and make him wear it at all times and you should be fine. Keep one handy or on yourself in case you spill and have to go get him.

I don't know what you are capable of in a canoe, but with you sitting in back controlling the boat, you should not have any problems on that stretch. Halls Bay after Boze Mill is the real tricky spot along with a few bends.

Should be a nice weekend for a trip.

[Mark]

Agree with JD - it will be a great experience for him.

[steve l]

Took my kids just myself & one of them a few times when they were 10 or so. A great experience they both remember as they go through college. My main advice is to remember the risk & reward. I tended to walk even more runs with just the two of us. A long way from help if you need help...

So my daughter liked to just bob behind the boat in her life jacket as we drifted, just holding on to the rope. I'm fishing & not paying much attention (this was on the Jacks Fork) when I hear a blood curdling scream & she is thrashing & trying to get to & into the boat. I'm like what, uh?? Then I see a huge gar casually swimming away from where she had been ("It''s trying to eat me!!!!!!!"). Trying not to laugh while getting her into the canoe, although that had to be scary. It took her quite awhile to get much back in the water after that!

But she was also very proud of the 2 lb smallie she caught!

Good times.

[Mark]

No shame in walking thru tricky spots. Especially with camping gear and novice canoe skills. The toughest spot on the river is "Fisherman's Hook" - BEWARE - from Turner access, it's right after the 2nd big left turn. Looks innocent enough, but a narrow channel with a broken tree hanging over and current sweeps you right into it - easy to walk the canoe thru on the right side though as we always do - have seen lots of canoes dump there.

[lizard]

My wife and I just did a trip from Greer to Whitten last weekend. Water is up just alittle bit but it made the white water very manageable loaded with camping gear. Id stay to the right at Maty Decker as we floated right through. Any questionable riffels we walked with no problems, and we walk most so we could fish the area. Caught alot of fish all day, every day, but got to get deep. There on the bottom and do not like to come up much to bite. The bugs how-ever will bite high, low,, morning and night. Take some "OFF" and, or bug candles. Also there are sand fleas in the gravel, again use "off" if not in waders. We had a GREAT trip floating the 11 point this year and will be doing it again next year,

[orch]

Really appreciate all the advice, thank you

[Coldspring]

I usually don't even think about shooting Hall's Bay with a load. Don't think I would have made it on this Sept 8th. If you remember the old channel on the left that formed an island by Hall's Bay, it is not there anymore.

[podum]

Mark, I know that "hook" from a trip last June. I don't know if you can really successfully negotiate it. At best, you slam into that cottonwood with the side of the canoe. At worst, you are swimming. Though we managed the former, I'd walk that run next time for sure.

To OP, at normal water levels, you should be fine with your kid if you are cautious. Have fun!