I had an opportunity to float the river one spring and it was great fun. We used canoes for the adventure and since most of us were not experienced, most overturned at least once. The spring is the best time for efforts of this nature. The winter thaw and runoff creates Class I through Class IV rapids. Some of these are very dangerous, and don't forget to plan portages around the falls. (Angel Falls and Devil's Jump are two where we did a portage.)
We put in at Station Camp and floated down the river fishing and enjoying the thrill of the rapids. Fishing was poor since the runoff was bad and the water muddy. We did manage to catch a couple of small mouth bass. You can find several species of trout, bass, and catfish, as well as Ohio muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, sauger, and more.
You can camp in the gorge in several locations (small islands and the like), but be aware of snakes. Since this river is uncontrolled, it will rise quickly without warning. You will have to be aware of where it is raining and how the watershed will react in order to be safe. Our trip concluded in Blue Heron, KY. Had we really wanted more portages and more difficult rapids, then the section of river from Burnt Mill Bridge to Leatherwood, Ford Bridge, on the Clear Fork would have been a good choice. It has been said that this 11-mile run offers some of the wildest and most remote whitewater in the eastern United States.
More on Paddling the Big South Fork in Kentucky
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