Topaz To Twin Bridges Questions

[Jeff_L]

I would like to do a 2 day float from Topaz to Twin Bridges, but I'm struggling to find any decent info on it. Have done 2 day float/camps on most of the regular streams, Upper Buffalo, Upper Jacks, Upper Kings, 11 Pt., etc. I am usually leading a group of 10 - 16. It looks like Twin Bridges campground will outfit that stretch, anyone else I should be looking at? They look like they have cabins, which I like.

I'm guessing from experience on other rivers that this upper stretch is only floatable generally until early June? The only USGS gauge I see is all the way down at Tecumseh, is there any way to judge float on the upper section? If not, is there a general flow level at Tecumseh that is usable for floating Topaz to Twin?

I assume this stretch is relatively quiet, are there plenty of unoccupied sandbars for camp? Are there any trout up that high, or is it all smallies?

One other sort of unrelated question...I would love to do a 2 day camp/float on Bryant's, any ideas for that?

Thanks for any help.

[The Troutdoorsman]

As far as Topaz to Twin the most convenient outfitter would be Twin Bridges. I don't even know if the other outfitters on the river would be interested or have access to take out at Twin. The water is skinny above Indian creek and I've never floated it. Below Hebron it's float-able by canoe until your down below about 500 cfs at Tecumseh. You'll drag some, but no so much it's miserable .On weekends you'll see plenty of people once you pass Hebron. There aren't any trout up that high, but the smallmouth fishing is great.

[Jeff_L]

Thanks. Do you have any sense for how skinny it is before Indian Creek? We will be pretty loaded. We've floated the upper 11 Point, Upper Jack's, Upper Kings etc. and those are pretty skinny as well, but had no problems. Looks like plenty of sandbars on Google earth.

[Riverwhy]

I would recommend putting in at the bridge just a few hundred yards downstream from Indian Creek. There is also another low water bridge just north of indian Creek but it will only gain you a few hundred yards more water and it's a little brushy to get through. I am surprised Twin will launch from Topaz.

By the way, the third shoal up from Hebron is a real fun ride. It will seperate the men from the boys. We always take bets on whether we can get through without getting hung on the slipperry rocks.

Good luck.

Tim

[Jeff_L]

Thanks. We did the Upper Buffalo a few weeks ago and we had some men / boy separation going on....

how far is Indian Creek back to Twin Bridges?

[Riverwhy]

Well, I fish a lot so maybe I go slower than normal but Indian to Hebron is a half day float and Hebron to Twin is a normal day long float.

[Jeff_L]

Reviving this to see if there is any more info. We are floating (or, scheduled to float) Topaz back to Twin Bridges in mid-May. Hoping there is plenty of water. Looks to be roughly 18 miles over 2 days. We typically have done over 20, and sometimes over 30, in two days. But not much info on Topaz to Hebron out there, so no idea what we are getting into. Looks like the gradient is pretty good up there, but guessing we will see some strainers, etc. What is the sand bar situation like? Looks good on Google, but I'm worried those pics were later in the summer and on a good flow May day they will be underwater. Camping on submerged sandbars isn't really all that much fun....

Thanks for any info, appreciate it. Also, we are staying in the new Twin Bridges bunkhouse, so any info on that and the new bar/restaurant would be great. Thanks again.

[Nick Williams]

I took a group of teenage guys from well above Twin Bridges (can't remember the out in, but it was a low water bridge) and we did a two day float using Twin Bridges all the way down to River of Life Farms. It's 22-25 miles or something along those lines. There's plenty of gravel bars to use, however, we went in July, and I've never floated the river in May. There should be plenty of water at that time.

[Al Agnew]

Unless the river is more than two feet above normal, you shouldn't have a lot of trouble finding gravel bars. As I remember, there are enough high gravel bars to furnish adequate camping sites.

[Justin Spencer]

Should be good for you, water levels will be the key, you will want it a little above normal. I took some guys up there a few years ago and it was well above normal (and rising) and they never complained about places to camp. Low water is the biggest worry as it can be pretty small up there with low water. As far a the restaurant goes they have pretty good food and cold beer so I would give it a thumbs up for sure.