Floating the creek?

rmacneil656 · Veteran Member

Floating the creek?

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

First, I've been scopping this out since I have a pac12 as well. Most is good but some spots are dangerous due to tight quarters around trees and logs in the fast water. Second, there are no motors allowed in Solano and putah creek. I tried and learned the hard way. Your best bet is float tube or a kayak you can handle out off the water. Going around the island is the tricky part

-- Edited by Rossflyguy on Tuesday 17th of June 2014 03:22:49 PM

rmacneil656 · Veteran Member

Thanks for the response! I was thinking that there was some sort or motor regulation on putah so I'll leave the trolling motor at home. I know there are some fast narrow spots at putah and I almost fear the low clearance going through some spots more than the current. the good thing is the creek company odc 1220 I have is light enough for two people to pick up ( but handeling may be a bit tricky). I figure it I can get it in the water around 3 (just below the log that stick out on the back of the island) its should be somewhat smoother sailing from there. I think the island around the 5 acces poing should be fine to navigate as long as I go around the back. There is just the one riffle before the island that I havent seen at high flows. Other than that it should a nice two mile slow drift.

I'm thinking the only option is summer and maybe early fall when the flows are up. If the flows are low you can navigate the riffles easier, but youd risk dragin the raft through gravel and reds in late fall/winter and spring.

lightfoot · Senior Member

If the creek hasn't changed much from years past I would suggest not trying to float it. Bono saved a guy on the back side of the island that was as good as dead after trying to float it in a float tube. I seem to remember a canoe with right angle bends in it as well. There are always dead and deceased floating devices found in the trees/sweepers up and down the creek.

That being said, there are a lot of areas that a person could put in and fish without ever leaving that particular section of the creek. Pyramid, above Shons hole, below the staircase, above the upper bridge to name just a few.

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Agree with Lightfoot. The back side has a dangerous section. You'd have to pull the boat out and carry out a 100' or so or take it through the front side of the island. You probably should walk the river and scope it all out. It's really sketchy.

rmacneil656 · Veteran Member

Yes I've fished a fair amount of the creek and it is sketchy looking. Lightfoot: I like the idea of pick a coulpe sections to stick to, however I love to cover a lot of water. That one something I had hoped to gain from possibly floating, especially because traveling by water this time of year would help avoid poison oak and rattlers. I love the water up by the bridge so maybe I'll start there, but as Rossfly guy mentioned there is a no motor reg on putah and solano. I was hoping to use the aid of a trolling motor for the all upstream rowing that would be required to get me up into the upper bridge area. Might still be possible to row up there if I start from the upper section of the camp ground. Does anyone know if you can pay a day fee to access it? Or is there some sort of deal anyone has worked with them on?

Also i could possibly put it at 5 on the side closest to the road or above 5 (I have waded through there enough to think its possible to navigate that section but I may want to walk the raft down if possible). I guess what I am getting at is would the section below 5 leading into solano be worth fishing this time of year? Ive seen a few posts / pictures about fishing down in solano, but personally have never fished it. I would figure that up closer to the dam would hold more fish as the water is cooler and probably better oxygenated, but Im no expert and trout never cease to amaze me with the places you find them.

DrDan · Administrator

My take is that PC would be a difficult float for a pontoon boat. Even with a kayak it has some tight areas with fast water leading right into strainers that are just above water line. In the upper section especially. Every early fall for the past three years I have picked up lost/abandoned kayak paddles while out fishing.

I agree with Lightfoot, I think it would be prudent and best to pick your spots to float and fish and then take out. With a two man pontoon I think it could be super effective and fun.

Otter · Senior Member

Here is a kayaker site of some old info. cacreeks.com/putah2.htm
I float tube the creek a bit and can tell you that if you get into faster sections of the creek it can be pretty hard to catch fish. Most fish are in semi fast water next to a back eddy. If you start below 3 wear a life vest and take out/ portage before the concrete barrier at 4. there are strainers all over and at these flows even a life vest may not save you. Walk the area you are going to float and make sure you have a good put in and a safe take out. Every year I see people that have capsized and are trying to recover their boat and friends.

SK60 · Senior Member

Back when flotation equipment was a tire tube, air mattress, or plastic inflatable raft, there were a couple of drownings in the IDR from young guys thinking they could float the IDR in summer. Don't add to that total, please.

Fenwick · Member

I'd stick to one section, play it safe. Personally - I like to get back to my ride and float down 128 to Berryessa Brewing.

rmacneil656 · Veteran Member

Hey All thanks for all the feedback so far. So floating the whole creek is out of the question. Too many dangerous sections. That being said the options still may be putting in at a section, covering the slow water and then rowing back up and pulling out. Not sure if ill be doing that as It would require a ton of effore, might as well hike wade. I'll still planning on floating what would be more of the lake solano area. Throw the raft down the bank somewher below 5 and drift along throwing buggers down through solano.

Sk60: Dont worry, I really dont feel like drowning any time soon. While knowbody probably plans on drowning, I'll try to avoid putting myself in situations that increase my odds. Words of wisdom and caution have been received and noted. Half the reason I put up this thread was to see if anyone had attempted this before, sounds like its a pretty solid no, and for good reason.

Nohackle2 · Veteran Member

If you have used Google Earth, you can use it to zoom in on Putah Creek. Bring up "Winters, CA", then follow highway 128 to the West of Winters until you get to the creek. Once you have the high level view of the creek, you can zoom in on the areas you are considering floating. It's certainly not perfect or as detailed as you would like, but it will give you a better idea of areas to consider floating. It will also show you some of the riffles, narrows and overgrown sections that you would encounter. Then, before you go you can scout the section for a place to put in and places to take out.