As regards the West Fork... There was a new side channel on river right about a quarter mile upstream from the confluence last year that apparently flows to the West Fork, upstream of the takeout. I didn't risk it, because I didn't know what was in there, but I saw a guy in a Clack go down it behind me, and he was at the takeout when I got there, so he must have made it. It seems there is a way to avoid rowing up if you're more adventurous than I.