Toughest drifts on the N. Coast

[GBSkunk]

Anyone care to weigh in on what some of the hardest drifts are on the Oregon Coast. I've got a little whitewater raft that can take most anything. I like to use it to find solitude drifting where others can't.
Thanks!

[Jennie@ifish]

NF Nehalem.
Be careful. Even rafts have been known to have trouble.
J

[Tanner]

Upper Necanicum above Cloutrie Creek. A couple of years ago a buddy and I put our 8' Outcast pontoons in about 4 miles above Cloutrie Creek Park. Some absolutely phenominal water but dangerous to float. We came across several log jambs that we had to portage around. Upper Nestucca around Blain is another tough one that I would not recommend for the majority of driftboaters.

[FM2]

Upper Clack has some tough water, there are a few class 4 rapids.

As has been mentioned, the N. Frk Nehalem from the hatch down is not for beginners and even experts have a tough time with the 3 falls. I was at the hatch a couple of weeks ago and it looks like maybe they have closed that launch off.

A word of advise, DON'T ever go on a section of river you know or heard is difficult, would hate to hear of any tragedies.

[Jennie@ifish]

Isn't Nestuc from 6th down scary?
My fishing celeb-hero, Marty Peterson, does it all the time! Someday..... I will go on a trip there with him!!!
:smile: :smile: :smile:
Jen

[GBSkunk]

Thanks for the replies! I do do the N. Fk. Nehalem and have done the upper Clack. I have not done the upper Necanicum because sweepers scare me a lot more than whitewater.

Are there any drifts on the Wilson that driftboats avoid because of whitewater?

Thanks again!

[BUGLEMAN]

As far as the Necanicum goes the whole thing is dangerous. In the lower section there are sections with 8' slots with brush, root wads galore and logs on either side plus current pushing you into strainers. Currently there is a log clear across the river (sweeper) 1/2 way down from the Worlds largest Spruce tree launch. It is at a section where there is deep fast current. Experts only!!!!!

[BUGLEMAN]

[ 12-05-2001: Message edited by: BUGLEMAN ]</p>

[Jennie@ifish]

A boat just went down on the Nec sometime last week.
Jen

[Nookie Monster]

I second NF Nehalem and upper Clackamas and would add the North Santiam from Packsaddle to Fishermans (I think that is the name of the take out - just a gravel bar) and the Sandy from Dodge Park to Oxbow Park.

[ 12-04-2001: Message edited by: Nookie Monster ]</p>

[Amerman]

GBSkunk,

People have been known to driftboat fish from just above the 12 mile bridge down to Mills on the Wilson. This is expert only as the water above the 10 mile boat slide is tough.

I would say the upper Salmon river in Linclon City from the red bridge to anywhere you can take out is right up there. Or upper Drift Creek for any of you Catacraft or Kayak fans.

[Rubber Robin]

Here are the 3 toughest drifts that I have done.........
1. NF Nehalem from the hatchery on down. Be sure you have plenty of experience behind the oars before you take this one on. Besides the 3 falls there are plenty of tight slots that require pin point maneuvering and tree dodging.

2. Upper Wilson Drift from the Girl Scout Camp on down. This drift has what we call the Chute of Death. It is a narrow slot where the water rushes through. At lower water levels you can hit a bouldar in the middle of this upper slot. I have broke an oar at this spot.

3. Necanicum River from Klootchey Creek on down.
Sweepers, and some tight cornering. Also!!!! Important for all Winter drifting*** Carry a small hand saw!! :shocked: This river is noted for fallen trees. One time we had to cut the lower branches from a tree that had fallen across the river just to get through. I have used the saw on other rivers also!

[willierower]

GBskunk,
Ive seen people put rafts in on the Silez at Buck Creek and float on down to Moonshine park. There is a section n that stretch that we call the boulder patch. Lots of narrow chutes and drops. A driftboat would never make it. Take a drive up the gorge road and check it out, You can see the worst of it from the road. A smaller cataraft would be ideal for that stretch.

[hustlerrjim]

n. fork nehalem ,just a word of advise,have some body take you down before you try it and watch the water levels 40 inches is the lower limit for boats, at 55 inches there is a standing wave at the bottom of the queen 4 ft. high break an oar and you go into the king sideways go with somebody first

[cureless]

I have done the lower sections of the kilches,Wilson,Trask, and Nestucca rivers. What is a good next step drift?

[Nookie Monster]

Jim,

Is the North Fork clean of sweepers and strainers from the hatchery down? I thought I saw a post not to long ago that mentioned the river was unrunable. Thanks.