Rocky Mountain House NSR Inquiry

[pyke88]

Planning on launching at the boat launch in Rocky Mountain House. This is uncharted territory for us, as our time has been spent Devon to Ft Sask in the past.

Not asking for any honey holes, but some guidance. Up or downstream? Any hazards (outside of the norm) we should be aware of?

Thanks in advance,
Pyke

[Red Bullets]

It is a beautiful stretch of river. It is faster and has some rapids in this stretch. The reach between Drayton and Devon is calmer. Instead of writing a paragraph you can watch this video to get an idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RO7WwqN9a0

[Okotok]

Plenty of rapids (F2/F3 maybe) for 20 miles upstream or so to Horberg. No problem for a jet boat.

[Red Bullets]

You can get map of Rocky to Drayton here. The map shows the areas of concern and tell you spots to avoid. Good investment.

https://paddlealberta.org/product/rocky-mountain-house-to-drayton/

[Fishin' Fool]

Did the RMH-Drayton trip in the last week of August in an inflatable back in 2000. We were completely unprepared, but only had one dangerous moment when we had to paddle like mad to avoid some sweepers on an outside bend.
I do recall a lot of islands, some quite large, and we just took whatever side looked slower.

It was cold, there was snow on nearby foothills, it rained, we didn't catch a single fish and it was one of my favorite trips I've done. :sHa_shakeshout:

We didn't do a lot of fishing, mostly dragging flies. The lack of a motor made it tough to maneuver to holes, so we just drifted. It was as much for the experience(and the drinking around the fire ;) ) as for the fishing.

There was lots of wildlife. We drifted by one young black bear who was on about an 8 foot high washed out bank and I probably could have bonked him with my paddle. I whispered to my bud to look and the bear did a panicked retreat into the bush.
The next day we passed three baby black bears who looked to be eating berries on a hillside. There was also a 'yote swimming across the river, and lots of deer and birds of many species.

I think we only saw 2 other boats during the trip. It was awesome and I hope to do it again sometime, but earlier in the summer. I'd like to take more time to stop and fish though. There's got to be some beauties on that stretch.

[pyke88]

Really appreciate the feedback and info all.

That's what this board is all about.

Again thank-you,
Pyke