Slammed!

Bob's Hole to North Fork Reservoir
Below Toilet Bowl is Bob's Hole, the site of the nationally famous Bob's Hole Whitewater Rodeo. Boaters from as far away as North Carolina will pay homage to the hole and practice performing stunts and tricks. There are actually several holes in this rapid and all change dramatically with flow fluctuations. But, at normal flows between 1,000 and 2,000 CFS, there is a superb surfing wave named Jim Bob at the top of the rapid. Directly below it is the hole named after Bob Breitenstein, who, in his heyday, always insisted on running the hole and always got knocked over. The hole takes up three-quarters of the river's width and can be easily punched (periodic floods have changed the dynamics of Bob's hole since Bob's day).

The next four miles to the North Fork Reservoir are considered Class II by the guidebooks. However, there are a few ledges with pourovers that should be avoided or at least scouted at high water.

Three Lynx Power Station to Fish Creek
This five-mile section above Fish Creek is an excellent warm-up for the section below. And like Fish Creek, it is riddled with slammers. Put in above the Three Lynx Power Station at Sandstone Bridge so you will have a little bit of a warm-up before delving into the first set of rapids, which consist of two large drops. The first one splits around an island—the right channel is the best route down. But, keep an eye on the mid-stream boulder near the bottom. The second drop slams into a headwall and I once flipped in this rapid, as the diagonal waves are pushier than a child throwing a tantrum.

Below Three Lynx Power Station are several Class II rapids that boil into Class III when the river begins to squeeze. Here you will run Roaring River rapids, which should be paddled from the left side. Next comes the infamous Hole-in-the-Wall rapid. This is perhaps the most dangerous rapid on the river, more so than Toilet Bowl because the wall of the eddy below is riddled with undercuts. To make matters more hairy, the eddy behind the headwall will grab you.

The last two miles to Fish Creek Campground are playful with numerous places to surf the current if you can catch the waves. Just before reaching the bridge near Fish Creek is a large boulder area ideal for a picnic on the river. Next to this picnic spot sits a large wave called Hawaii Five-O and at the right flow is a thrilling spot to surf. If you plan to continue on to the Fish Creek section, be sure to pack a Powerbar with your lunch. You'll need it.