Stephen,

Congrats on you new boat!!

My first piece of advice is to start out on a lake or pond to get a feel for how the boat handles. After a session or two on a non moving body of water I would get to a short piece of river that is not technical so you get something of a handle on hydraulics and how they affect your manuvering.
Once you've done these things, I'd float something a little longer and more technical with someone that has done it before and gradually work up to more technical water, don't rush yourself as that is a good way to get into trouble.

I can't recommend any specific rivers since its been almost 20 years since I lived in your area and didn't fish when I did. Hopefully other members of the bb can help you with that. Good luck and happy fishing.

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