As stated above hire the guide. No matter what it costs it is much less expensive than losing your life over not knowing the river.

I went on the Bogy a few years ago with a firend and a guide, and while most of the float was pretty tame there was one spot that to this day I'm amazed the guy was able to row the boat through. There is NO WAY I would try that float on my own. One of these days I'll head out there to have Bob take me on a trip on the Duc. I would love to fish that river for a big hawg.