Green River 5/23 - 5-26

Mags, I was hoping for a little help on this. Wonder what kind of shape the river will be in? We are thinking of floating B Saturday and C Sunday. We have 3 couples and and 1 single guy. This gives us 3 in a drift boat and 4 in my raft. Figuring 2 girls up front on the bench.

This would leave us at doing day trips. The other option we are looking at is renting a 9ft paddle raft for gear and towing it or R-2 or one person rowing. What are the logistics for camping? Should we try and float the whole thing, or just do B and C?

Any mags with boats want to tag along? More then welcome. Group is all 27 to 32 in age, no kids. Any help is appreciated as I have never floated it.

Also, is there any electric available close to what would be our first launch? I have a trailer, but would rather not tow multiple inflated rafts all that was from Denver.

no towin gear/rafts
campin ligistics are reserve at rec.gov or ist come ist serve
sign up @littlehole. campin @ ix crossin or taylers flat bridge cheap blm
free campin along c riverside, bridgeport, lone tree little swallow etc
ifin i & dork dog and i can swing it we'll try n make er down
no idea what shape or flows ifin it rains much redcreek will provide you a chocolate milk booze cruise.
I'll be back from keys tues will pm digits if you want more info
or the cats @ tcf will set yay right

Info on the bump: http://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/fgd.html

Sounds like late May or early June but it will depend on the razorback sucker larval presence or the Yampa peak. They will give you a 3 day or so warning before they crank it up. If they are pushing out 8k when you're there, I would launch at A and float A+ B. At high flows, it's an ez day trip. Red Creek rapid is also a fun wave train at those levels.

We reserved Bootleg and Cats Paw which are about 1.5 miles down from little hole launch for Friday night. Plan is to leave Denver early Friday and launch and float to the camp sites, then go from there. I talked to a shop and they claimed that things wouldn't change till after Memorial Day weekend, not sure how much they know.

Skifishbum...would love to have you along. We are trying to figure out another boat somehow. I think they are crazy to think 7 peeps in a drifty and a 14 foot raft with camping gear.

Any issue getting a Clacka down through B at 830?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Skifishbum...would love to have you along. We are trying to figure out another boat somehow. I think they are crazy to think 7 peeps in a drifty and a 14 foot raft with camping gear.

Any issue getting a Clacka down through B at 830?

Thanks

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would depend how minimalist you camp
as would red creek at 830 in the clacka would be oarskilled dependent:wink:
i fear no rock but tupperwhares more forgivin than fiberglass :tongue:
had i not come down here to get my ass handed to me windy salty style i'd be there for sure
i'll do my best
stokes me out to share that place w/ others

Oarsman on the Clacka is pretty good and has had the boat for 10 years. I am the rookie in the raft, which luckily bounces. :)

We have 4 guys on the trip with various levels of rowing experience. 3 are pretty good, then there is me.

Firstly, have fun and don't sweat the details. It's just the Green. Basically the Disney World off floating and flyfishing.

a. flows - it is was it is, bring plenty of beer if the fishing is off.

b. overnighter - seems like you really want to be this. You've already paid for your sites, yes? You can fit 7 peeps and your stuff in the two boats. Might not be pretty and fishing might be rough but so be. No towing a gear blob. How about renting some duckies or just R2 a little boat? Rig to flip.

c. Shuttle - shitty cell service all the way through browns park up to little hole so if Trout Creek is doing it make sure it's set ahead of time. If you are self shuttling can you just drive through browns park and drop a rig? Otherwise that will take some time on Friday.

d. Boat Ramps - keep it tight! I like the expectation that you have your shit together at the Green. I'm over the "It's cool bro...this is Colorado...wanna hit?...Don't you love Teton, my Golden" you get at Pumphouse, Hecla, Fish Bridge etc. If my truck is in reverse I'm going always to the water. Get you junk show tightened up else I'll do it for you [/rant]. Oh and if you're putting in at the dam, know how to back a trailer with about 2' on each side.

e. Pump - either get an inverter or use your pump. p.s. I think those red blower are the biggest rip off ever. My $29 shop vac is a much better investment.

Have fun and keep the buds on the DL. Your green plate will get attention.

Thanks Foggy. The Red Blower came with my raft...he kind of just threw it in, so I too it. The fly shop said I can inflate there. I have the trailer, so can just tie down on the deck. We are gonna self shuttle. How long will that take?

The one thing I forgot about is a groover. What is my best cheapest option that is still legal and will be a good seal and not smell.

Those dudes at the fly shop are so cool. FYI, get your UT licence online. That's all you do at Trout Creek is use there CPU. They've basically got a boat yard in the back so they'll take care of you.

Groover - The campsites below Little Hole have a couple of central shitters. As you can imagine, there are pluses and minuses to proximity. I've been the guy rolling through your breakfast holding a roll of TP. Legal as in to the reg? Differs on the location and I'm not sure they are required on the Green. For short trips WAG bags are the way to go. Either stuff them in a dedicated dry bag ("Hey, shit bag" as we call it) or get a Luggable Loo with a Gamma Seal.

Bring a real hand wash station. Some people think they can dig in their ass, use a little hand sani, then go after the Ruffles. This is a serious no go in my world.

Make sure the chicks piss in the river. Not negotiable. Its a good idea to bring a piss bucket for camp.

Oh...and "not smell" is relative. A real groover is nice to have. Find a porta poti place near your house that will clean them out. We pay $10/per at Sani King.

Shuttle - see that's the thing. Sounds like you want to drive from Denver to Trout Creek, get outfitted, blow up your raft>drive to Little Hole and put the boats in>run your shuttle to Swinging Bridge>Float down to your camp all on Friday.

That sounds like 7 hours driving + 3 hours of shuttle and dicking around + floating. You better be hustling. If you could drive about via Hwy. 40 drop a rig at Swinging Bridge and skip the fly shop you'd save a lot of time. The drive from Little Hole to Swinging Bridge and back take a bit.

Yeah, it does seem like a lot to do Friday. I was thinking we would just blow up the raft at the shop, get some flies and then run to the river and drop off the stuff and I would rig while two others ran shuttle.

How long is the drive from Little Hole to Swinging Bridge for the shuttle? Is there somewhere better to stop on the way in to blow it up? I don't mind towing an inflated raft 20 or 40 miles...just didn't want to waste the gas all the way from Denver. Thx

Ended up just reserving a ecosafe system locally. Gonna shove it in some sealable rocket boxes with some chemicals. Good point on the hand washing!

Throw down $25 each and have Trout Creek run shuttle. $25pp for an extra 1.5-2 hours on the river/at camp is a no brainer.

I looked at their pricing model, so it is $200 for that shuttle? For just one car? And the drive is an hour each way?

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

I looked at their pricing model, so it is $200 for that shuttle? For just one car? And the drive is an hour each way?

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$95 per car from little hole to end of B. $120 per car to the end of C. You will also save 2 hours on the take out as you won't have to go back to DJ to retrieve the car from little hole.

We are gonna have to do that anyhow. I don't think the group will pay for both cars to be shuttled.

Thinking we pay for the shuttle for one car so we don't have to worry about it Friday, then camp near the take out and run back Sunday night.

FWIW sounds like a lot of work to do all the shuttling Friday and pack the boats only to unpack to camp after a 1.5 mile float the first night. We used to leave after work the night before and camp near Steamboat or Vernal then have more time the next day, maybe an option.

Also, if the weather has rain in the forecast the 2nd half of B is chocolate milk as pointed out...if it looks like rain I'd be flexible and do A/B, you have to put up w/ all the characters but at least you still can fish and use your original camp reservation.

from cats paw it's a short walk to the shitter
@cottonwood
still need a groover /wag bags but don't need to use it
I proably wouldn't float past little swallow way to much better water on the a&b
if i make it i'll bring the stinger and haul 2 out
i'd camp 2 hights where your at sat float empty boats to cowboybar/bridgeport or little swallow
and come back around sat night then float your shit out sun
should red creek be blown push out to ix and float an a
back to camp
if fishin out of fully loaded boats was productive
there wouldn't be swampers
will swamp for thc enriched edibles

Thanks for all info. Got some things to think about and process this week. We ended up with a third boat. Obviously, would still love to has you fishbum.

One of the guys has been thinking about buying a raft and he pulled the trigger last night on a nice super puma with DRE fishing frame. He also is borrowing a groover from his pops. 7 people, 2 rafts and a drift boat should give us a nice setup to spread gear out and not have the boats packed super full. Allowing us to fish out of them better. I may just have the wife and our gear and my raft. So lots of stopping to fish, etc.

The whole group is going to stay out in Avon Thursday night, so while it won't save much time as far as the drive, at least everyone and their gear will be packed and together. Should be easier to get on the road early Friday morning. Packing and unpacking the boat isn't a big deal and the wife will enjoy camping on the river.

Fishbum, if you end up coming, make sure and let me know what you want me to bring you.

I hope the big release is after our trip. If it isn't, how are B and C in the high flows? Any big rapids to worry about?

Also, one other question. I need to tie my new anchor off. My rope comes out the back of my frame, then I have a pulley and clip that will go on the anchor and the rope will be tied off around the frame pipe after looping through the pulley.

What knot would you guys suggest I use to tie it around the frame? Thanks

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

I hope the big release is after our trip. If it isn't, how are B and C in the high flows? Any big rapids to worry about?

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when and if flows increase 10 fold yes there are plenty of things to worry about as consequences tend to increase exponentially
rig 2 flip buddy keep it pointed down stream and make damn sure that anchors tied off in the cleats & you'll b fine
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...h/P7023611.jpg
your biggest change rapid wise is dripping springs on the a @ those flows
despite it being my 17th or so weddin anniversary and my mother in law visiting i think i have the clearance and mrs. bum may come up sat/sun
I may head up early fri and try n do sum shuttles in exchange 4 future shuttles or at least do mine
I have a face/hand wash station but only bring it when i'm gettin paid
so keep your mitts out of my ruffles:tongue:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

I hope the big release is after our trip. If it isn't, how are B and C in the high flows? Any big rapids to worry about?

Also, one other question. I need to tie my new anchor off. My rope comes out the back of my frame, then I have a pulley and clip that will go on the anchor and the rope will be tied off around the frame pipe after looping through the pulley.

What knot would you guys suggest I use to tie it around the frame? Thanks

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Red Creek is the only real rapid to worry about on the B. I actually think it's easier to row in high water, river left is your friend.
If the water is high and murky big streamers are key.

Also, the water is FAST! You may consider doing an A/B float if they are blowing it out...

if i don't make it your 8880cfs preferred line is similiar to standard left slot
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...h/P7023614.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...h/P7023615.jpg
much above 4k you will need to take out river right at taylors flat bridge and relaunch other side
not easily portagable in rubber and wouldn't bother tryin in a driftie
so having a rig there will help
life vest on and fully buckled a and b to past red creek camp
law says on again 2 go under bridge @ tfb but never seen it enforced

Skifish, we would love to have you. Thank you for the pics. I honestly don't see us running A. If things get high, we will have to pay for one of the trucks to be shuttled from Little Hole to Taylors Flats Bridge, with the second truck down at Swinging Bridge.

Take out the cooler, and I am sure 4 guys can carry the rubber, but the boat would be very painful...would rather just have the trailer there. Thanks

Just got off Gates of Lodore. The Yampah was much clearer than the green at the confluence. What a great stretch of water.

I have portaged my Hyde around the bridge during high water with one other dude. It's work and not something I care to repeat.

damn i'd be lookin for keys in guides gas caps fore i tried to empty & drag my tub:wink:
bootleg is a sweet camp and you'll have a big back eddy if it's high water
cats paw not so much if i recall right.
if you keep the boats in bootleg you can fish laps pretty easy
cats paw 2 cottonwoods eddy is fairly fast water that aint really lapable at any flow
but the cottonwood eddy is at every flow

The latest on the bump, looks like it will be sometime on the next 1-3 weeks. My guess that since it is supposed to cool down for a few days that you will be alright. However, make sure you check right before you get on the water. There have been cases where some boaters have woke up in the water because the flows were bumped with little to no warning.

Green River Report

Current observed streamflow on the Yampa River measured at Deerlodge is 6,950 cubic feet per second (cfs) and forecasted to increase to around 13,000 cfs over Memorial Day weekend. The Green River measured at Jensen, Utah flow is currently 6,660 cfs and also forecasted to increase to around 14,000 cfs through Memorial Day weekend.

The May midmonth most probable forecast was released today and remained the same from the May final forecast. On May 14th, the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (CBRFC) provided information that is expected to be updated early next week. The CBRFC also indicated that the weather models converged and the temperature is expected to stay warm through May 30th. Yampa River flows are expected to remain elevated through May 30th. We will know more as we progress through the runoff.

Reclamation will update you as we receive updated information regarding razorback suckers. Current estimates for larval drift to occur remain at 1-3 weeks.

Flaming Gorge information for the last five days can be found below. All data is provisional and subject to change.
Additional information can be found here:

Updates can also be found on Reclamation's current status website.

Thanks for the info Telee. We will watch for sure and make sure and get the forecast from Trout Creek right before we launch. Suppose to be a 2 day warming window. I am not sure if we want the increase or not. What is better for fishing and floating B and C?

Thanks

fished A section (hiked little hole one afternoon and floated two days A) May 8,9,10...lots of BWO....caught some nice afternoon dry fly fish, but mostly nymphed....any small 20 dark BWO nymph...ie Juju Baetis....too many fish to count floating, slower wading, best Green days of the last decade for me....flow was 850, but rained 80% of the time.....just before the Mothers Day storm....I assume the BWO are decreasing if not gone, but don't know...I sure like the Green with low flows personally, but only a little experience at high flows......Yo, Chet

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Thanks for the info Telee. We will watch for sure and make sure and get the forecast from Trout Creek right before we launch. Suppose to be a 2 day warming window. I am not sure if we want the increase or not. What is better for fishing and floating B and C?

Thanks

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I think I would say that you want to get there before they jack it up. Usually there is a 2 day period when the flow changes that the fishing completely dies.
That being said, there is a window when the giant browns are homeless and angry and looking for a new home and are willing to crush any streamer that comes in their vicinity and if you can catch it , it is absolutely magical. Usually that happens 2 or 3 days after the flows are bumped.

Do we have any more info yet on what things are gonna do the next 3 days? Will we know tomorrow at put in what is gonna happen?

i am 100% certain there will be enough water to get our float on and fish per mile densities will not change
other than that i'm wingin it and goin with the flow
will call

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Originally Posted by gretch6364

Do we have any more info yet on what things are gonna do the next 3 days? Will we know tomorrow at put in what is gonna happen?

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Gretch, I will call my buddy who owns Flaming Gorge Lodge and see if he has heard anything. I would be a little surprised if they bumped it over the holiday weekend, that would be a shit show of epic proportions. But it is the government we are talking about....

Thanks Telee.

We are coming either way, and I would sure hope with the holiday, they wouldn't do something like that. Sounds like Red Creek is clearing and there is no rain in the forecast.

Everyone in our group is unbelievably stoked. Did some shopping yesterday, two cases of beer, a bucket of margs, 10 liters of bagged wine, some moonshine, some vodka, some whiskey, 30 losenges in case your throat gets sore and you are feeling low....yeah, I have the big cooler. Looking forward to sharing the bounty Fishbum.

Blowing out of Denver at 5:30 tomorrow morning, pick up my trailer and heading out 40. I needed a vacation and some time away from the city for sure.

black and olive streamers. big ones. I was out there last week, it was good.

You guys outta have a blast but 2 cases of beer ain't gonna cut it. If you're over the desired weight, ditch some food.

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Originally Posted by schwerty

You guys outta have a blast but 2 cases of beer ain't gonna cut it. If you're over the desired weight, ditch some food.

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The two cases of beer are for me. Other boats have their own coolers ;-)

Phew. I was worried about you there.