Steelyman
To answer your question, running that stretch with a guide would help only if it occurred since the last high water. What makes this stretch dangerous is that it changes significantly with every flood. And my point was that rowing skill is really not the most important issue...it's judgement and attitude.
I estimate that 9/10 accidents, close calls, etc are caused by inattention or poor judgement more than rowing errors. All of my close calls have been, and yes I swamped (not sank thank goodness!) my boat once.
Don't be too proud to get out and look and walk the boat if necessary. I did to get past the stump entering the left channel, to avoid where this accident occurred...probably coulda rowed it but why take the chance? It only took a minute or two. And no matter how good you row I don't think you coulda got over the tree that sank them. Don't take the channel if you can't see the way through. We took the left channel because we could...even though it was a little tough to get into and had a coupla sweepers.