Rush to Buffalo City Float

[bagofdonuts]

I've done that stretch each year for the last 8 or 10. We make it a week and go slow. The only bad rapid is clapboard creek maybe a half mile down from the put in at rush. If over 5'(at 7' i wouldn't try it) a series of rolling hay stack waves form on the right side and will take you down. Stay left and be careful of the flow from clapboard that will try to push you back to right and into hay stacks. Once past that rapid, its a piece of cake. Lots of great camping and fishing. Clear creek is your half-way point and buffalo head is almost home.

[holleybob]

I've done that stretch each year for the last 8 or 10. We make it a week and go slow. The only bad rapid is clapboard creek maybe a half mile down from the put in at rush. If over 5'(at 7' i wouldn't try it) a series of rolling hay stack waves form on the right side and will take you down. Stay left and be careful of the flow from clapboard that will try to push you back to right and into hay stacks. Once past that rapid, its a piece of cake. Lots of great camping and fishing. Clear creek is your half-way point and buffalo head is almost home.

What time of year do you usually float it ? It's on my bucket list and I have time off at the end of May.

[bagofdonuts]

I've done it in mid april several times, as late as early July, and one time in october. First of may should be perfect,

in the middle of summer you get and algae bloom that makes fishing a bit tougher because you have to use lures that don't catch a bunch of grass (flukes and small worms work). And water levels become more rain dependent. And the warm nights make camping not as comfortable.

Its a great float, nice camping, and huge bluffs. Really your biggest danger in the spring is a bad thunderstorm, so keep a weather radio with you and make sure your camp has a back door.

[holleybob]

I've done it in mid april several times, as late as early July, and one time in october. First of may should be perfect,

in the middle of summer you get and algae bloom that makes fishing a bit tougher because you have to use lures that don't catch a bunch of grass (flukes and small worms work). And water levels become more rain dependent. And the warm nights make camping not as comfortable.

Its a great float, nice camping, and huge bluffs. Really your biggest danger in the spring is a bad thunderstorm, so keep a weather radio with you and make sure your camp has a back door.

Great advise and very helpful. I appreaciate it. I may just have to put this one on the calendar!

[Crooked Creek Angler]

You can read it in old threads, but I would also suggest taking out at Ship's Ferry access on the White river, which is about 6 miles below the mouth of the Buffalo. It's not always a guarantee that you can paddle up the White to Buffalo City. The trip down the White also allows for some bonus trout fishing. It will add about 2-3 hours to the float.

300cfs is my favorite water level, but I've went down when it was considerably higher and lower.