2 or 3 night July float - Help

[Jeff_L]

Can someone explain to me what people mean by a "float camp?"  Is that an official campsite, or just that there are so few on 11 Point that people name them and improve them over time?  Are there often / ever more than one group at those camps?  Thanks.

[2sheds]

Float Camps are designated spots managed by the US Forest Service. Most coincide with a creek feeding into the river.  

By design, each has a canoe landing (generally with tie up rings), fire pit, flat spot to pitch a tent, picnic table, and latrine.  After a high water flood, it's not certain that all is matching the design.  

During my 1st times on the 11 Point (20 years ago), there were discrete signs on the river to point out the locations.  Today, I fear most signs are absent.  So you need to be following a map with topography clues and watching for a creek Inlet along the correct shoreline.  Greenbriar is a small bluff overlooking the main river and Boze Mill is obvious from the large spring feeder.  But the others are much more subtle.  Can be fun to hunt them out along your way.  Once you find the first one, it's easier to find the next.

[Gavin]

Doubt if there are any signs for the float camps. Just look for scattered balls of white TP in the woods and your probably close.

[Jeff_L]

Great, thanks.  I would prefer a non-float camp, but might take what we can get.  Guessing the river is going to be busy this weekend with the great forecast.

[Mark]

Jeff, good info to be forewarned on lack of gravel bars and I'm sure you wouldn't be happy in the float camps off the river as short distance. However as long as you don't wait too late to claim a spot on a gravel bar, you'll be ok finding a spot on the river. Like I said previously, about 5:00 or 6:00 you will need to start looking seriously for your spot. I've seen many people floating by when it is getting late and hear them say "Oh no they have our spot!!". Don't forget a fishing pole. Drift fishing is a good technique. Below Turner is no bait/size restrictions - worms, shrimp, minnows, crawdad, or any plastic likeness will work. Just a hook and enough weight to bounce off the bottom, cast behind the canoe, and keep floating and wait for a tug, (tug may be light so be ready to set the hook), and a good chance you'll caught something to throw on the grill!!

Heading down Monday myself!! Usually very little traffic during the week.

[Jeff_L]

Mark, awesome, thanks.  We are going to Brian's place first and don't plan to float too far on Friday.  I like to take my time setting up camp, so we rarely float past 5 or 6.  Will take your advice on fishing as well.  I'm much more of a smallmouth guy, but will give it a go.  Tough in a 10' kayak to fit everything.

Looking at Google Earth, there might be sufficient sandbars at Little Hurricane or Hurricane Creek for 2 of us?  Guessing sandbars might pile up a bit at the confluences.

[Ham]

Am I overlooking Jeff's trip report?