I wish rowing would have been an option, it wasn't. We fished downstream of the only put-in on a river to nowhere. It was a unique trip in that it has been something both Nick and I have always wanted to do, even long before we met each other, we did it, and neither of us care to do it again. Two things will keep the average human off "this" river: Having to learn a river with many rapids and braids by running downstream on plane and having a split second to read water and choose a route, for one. If I had not had a full season in SW Alaska running a sled on several remote rivers under similar circumstances I would not have had the ability to do it. And I might add, "this" river was far more technical that running a powerboat on the middlefork of the Goodnews, or the Togiak, or evedn any number of rivers here in Washington.

The second is the cold. It would not be worthwhile to do this trip earlier with all the lodges up and running, there just isn't enough holding water to lose all those fisheman and be able to mix in without major issues, as evidenced by our experience late this year with only one guide and four clients. If you slipped into the water while wading, or while dumping a boat or whatever, the windchill whle on plane getting out of there would kill you, no doubt. I fought serious frostbite in dry toes and fingers, wetness would do you in. That is a big gamble to take with ones life.

In all my years of steelheading this was the coolest most memorable experience I've ever had, and I thank my good friend Nick for sharing it with me. He's good people.