Drifting the upper E. Fk. Lewis

[GBSkunk]

Anyone here ever drift down to Lewisville Park? How wild was it? What kind of boat did you use?
Thanks!

[HOGTIDE]

Used to do it when the water was up a bit. No big problems until you begin to leave the park. The stretch through the lower end has a few technical spots and a couple standing wave shots, but nothin' you can't handle...provided you have a bit of experience at the sticks and you take time to walk it first, making a plan before you begin the trip.

Not a good spot for a rookie at the sticks.

[HOGTIDE]

....and it would probably help if I actually read the question thoroughly before I answered. :rolleyes: No!....I've never drifted down 'to' Lewisville. Please disregard my first stupid post.

John :tongue:

[Up-4-Air]

HOGTIDE, I didn't know you were an E. Fork Lewis guy. We'll have to get together and make the float.

[HOGTIDE]

Hi Dave! Ya, used to spend too much time hangin' around between Lewisville and Daybreak. Had lotsa successful days sliding in at the bridge and drifting down to Daybreak, too.

In my old age, I have found it's alot easier to pour it to the throttle, rather than pourin' it to the oars! Ran the N.F. Lewis last weekend all the way from my home ramp, here, up to the deadline. A fun boat ride.

So you've got a new house...n' Highwater's ordering a new boat...and me ....well, I'm savin' college tuition money for the girls!

Get me a hot report, and we'll hit it!

[Amerman]

GBSkunk

One of my clients tried that stretch you are talking about (I believe its the one above the upper most boat put in). I say they tried it because even though he was a very experienced boat rower he did not make it. He told me after sinking his boat he almost drowned. They told me a guide a couple years before sank his boat in the same rapid and had a client die. Just a warning before you go do it. I have never fished any part of that river. This is just the stories I have heard.

[rags]

I think the rapid at the end of Lewisville park is called the Widowmaker. I used to run the East Fork but haven't fished it in several years. We would slid my boat down a clift just below the rapid and take out at Daybreak. Is the March run of Steelies any good? It used to be killer.

[stlhdr1]

East Fork, well that's my stomping grounds... Amerman you're correct, I'd dare someone to put in up at lucia falls bridge during primo water, you do it and you're done... The only way you can make it through that section is to fish HIGH water or to put in down river a bit at one of the two private launches and even then I wouldn't recommend it at waters lower than about 750 cfs. You'll come to a boulder garden that stretches across the river and is impassible without high speed, it's a wall of rocks if you know what I mean... As for fishing, it's great water at primo heights with every run looking good. I was there yesterday and james went 3 for 5 and I went 1 for 2 and that stretch has our favorite hole, we call it "Ike's playground"... It's where we banked a 23 two years ago and James lost a 28 or so last year.. If you do go down it, well all I can say is good luck. If you make it through the first 1/2 mile below the lucia bridge you've got it made if you're good on the sticks.
Good luck, :shocked:
Keith :grin:

[Seefood Man]

We would put in at the bridge. Up from the bridge was the "Minefield" Just below the bridge is the "Widowmaker" . It looks VERY deceiving. You think you should go to the right, however, we went right into the hole and sat there until the hydroloyics lifted the boat up and shot us out. Where people get screwed is when they try to row out of it. KEEP THE STICKS OUT OF THE WATER!!! I sware it is the strangest water I've been on. As you go in the boat sets down in the hole, with water churning around the sides the boat just holds there. You feel like much time has passed, and think you want to push out. DON'T DO IT! As I said the boat gets lifted up and gets pushed out of the hole.. It is one of the damnest
things I experienced.

[Grass Hopper]

Ahhh the East Fork. One more reason to sell the driftboat and buy a real cataraft. Rocks mean nothing. Lots of good water up there but remember more people die on the east fork every year than any other river in the state. Have Fun and good luck.

[Doc Spratley]

Although there is good water to fish above Lewisville, there is no public boat launch. You must know a landowner to get yourself launched.
Two sets of Class II rapids and two sets of Class III. All of this before you get down to Lewisville. The rest of these guys have told you about the two rapids at the lower end of Lewisville and 1/4 mile downriver (widowmaker).

A guide friend of mine says that you want at least 1,000 cfs to get through these two lower rapids. Get below that depth and it can become boulder city. Good Luck.

[GBSkunk]

I went and did some scouting today to look for a way to launch the raft. Wanted to drift Heison to Lewisville. Unfortunately, there is no longer any launch at the Heison bridge. HEAVILY posted with no trespassing and no parking. I did see a possible launch below Lucia Falls (it would be a pain in the arse!) but then I'd have to drift that nastly little stretch above Heison bridge. Impossible at the current level.

Why does the county post all the NO TRESPASSING signs on the PUBLIC land? They even go thru the trouble of fencing it off to the public! I could not see any reason for the government to keep the public off the land around Heison bridge.

This is a very private river...it's frustrating.

[highwater]

I do recall when the guy ran the river in high water and the person with him did drown. It was very high water, it was also at night that this was done. I also think this guide was around 25 years old at the time, must have thought he could do anything. I do know his name and his dad was also a river guide, we can all make mistakes, some are forgiving and some not. This was just a couple of young guys taking a chance. Did you see the movie a "River Runs Through It" same type of thing. The East Fork is a great river, give it the respect it deserves. Time to go fishing......