Need help with floating distance on a river

[buzzed bait]

I've fished the same stretch of the chattahoochee river enough now that i'd like to branch out a little bit.  BUT it can be a little tough to find many access ramps south of the city where i would like to go.  I've found a couple that i would like to try, but have no idea really of how far the stretch is in comparison and therefore have no idea how long it would take to float from one ramp to the other.  Is there some type of resource out there that can help me gauge not only the distance, but perhaps the time to go said distance if the water discharge is at X or Y?  I can easily find the water discharge info online so that wouldn't be a problem.  

If not, i may just have to pack some snacks and a sleeping bag just in case!

Thanks for any help!

[Scott F]

On Google maps, you can measure the distance between any points. I often use it for just the thing you are looking for. If you are fishing, and floating, a VERY basic rule of thumb is about one mile an hour. But, some people fish much slower and some much faster and of course the amount of current and wind also have to be considered. My favorite river has a stretch about 6 miles long that I have floated many times. I've done it in 4 hours, and I've done it in 10. 

[strvmmer]

34 minutes ago, buzzed bait said:

I've fished the same stretch of the chattahoochee river enough now that i'd like to branch out a little bit.  BUT it can be a little tough to find many access ramps south of the city where i would like to go.  I've found a couple that i would like to try, but have no idea really of how far the stretch is in comparison and therefore have no idea how long it would take to float from one ramp to the other.  Is there some type of resource out there that can help me gauge not only the distance, but perhaps the time to go said distance if the water discharge is at X or Y?  I can easily find the water discharge info online so that wouldn't be a problem.  

If not, i may just have to pack some snacks and a sleeping bag just in case!

Thanks for any help!

Do you ever float the Etowah?

[FluffChucker]

Use use Google Earth to find the approximate river miles. Then, base your estimated time on what speed you've completed your previous floats with.

For instance, I generally fish at around 1-1.5 river miles / hr on my local rivers. Anytime I move to a stretch on the same river, I'll usually build in an extra 30-60 minutes of time just in case I have to portage or walk through shallow riffles. If you're trying to plan a shuttle, I find it's best to person picking you up wait at all. That just causes stress, and if you're unlucky like me, reserves you a spot on the couch for at least a night.

Also, if you've got any local kayak or canoe outfitters in the area you should ask them. They generally have a fairly exact river mileage that they'll share, as well as approximate float times based on past experiences.

[buzzed bait]

18 minutes ago, strvmmer said:

Do you ever float the Etowah?

no, but one of buddy's dad has said that i should a few times now...  you fish the etowah?  if so, better than the hooch for bass (not the striped kind)?

27 minutes ago, Scott F said:

On Google maps, you can measure the distance between any points. I often use it for just the thing you are looking for. If you are fishing, and floating, a VERY basic rule of thumb is about one mile an hour. But, some people fish much slower and some much faster and of course the amount of current and wind also have to be considered. My favorite river has a stretch about 6 miles long that I have floated many times. I've done it in 4 hours, and I've done it in 10. 

 

4 minutes ago, FluffChucker said:

Use use Google Earth to find the approximate river miles. Then, base your estimated time on what speed you've completed your previous floats with.

For instance, I generally fish at around 1-1.5 river miles / hr on my local rivers. Anytime I move to a stretch on the same river, I'll usually build in an extra 30-60 minutes of time just in case I have to portage or walk through shallow riffles. If you're trying to plan a shuttle, I find it's best to person picking you up wait at all. That just causes stress, and if you're unlucky like me, reserves you a spot on the couch for at least a night.

Also, if you've got any local kayak or canoe outfitters in the area you should ask them. They generally have a fairly exact river mileage that they'll share, as well as approximate float times based on past experiences.

very good stuff from both of you, i appreciate the info....  i'd like to put in up river and float down to wherever i decide and then have my wife pick me and my buddy up with my truck, that would be ideal.  

i think i might float the known stretch once more and really pay more attention to the time it takes to cover the distance and get me a better idea.  like scott said though, may be 4 may be 10!  i've pulled up to the ramp at dark a couple of times now, which was not my intent either time!

thanks guys!

[Scott F]

11 minutes ago, buzzed bait said:

very good stuff from both of you, i appreciate the info....  i'd like to put in up river and float down to wherever i decide and then have my wife pick me and my buddy up with my truck, that would be ideal.  

thanks guys!

The way I like (and my wife does too) to do the shuttle when my wife is helping out is one of two ways.

#1 Wife follows me to the take out point where she leaves her car. We drive to the put in point where I unload the boats and gear. She then drives my truck back to the take out where she leaves it and goes home in her car. That way, she does not have to wait for me to call at some unknown time to come pick me up. I get done with my float at whatever time that happens and my truck is already there waiting for me to load up. I don't have to wait for the wife to return.

#2 Buddy and me drive to the put in point and unload. Buddy stays with the gear and I drive to the takeout where the wife is meeting me. I leave the truck, she drives me to the put in point and then she goes home. She's done and my truck is waiting for me to load up when I'm done with my float.

[strvmmer]

2 hours ago, buzzed bait said:

no, but one of buddy's dad has said that i should a few times now...  you fish the etowah?  if so, better than the hooch for bass (not the striped kind)?

 

very good stuff from both of you, i appreciate the info....  i'd like to put in up river and float down to wherever i decide and then have my wife pick me and my buddy up with my truck, that would be ideal.  

i think i might float the known stretch once more and really pay more attention to the time it takes to cover the distance and get me a better idea.  like scott said though, may be 4 may be 10!  i've pulled up to the ramp at dark a couple of times now, which was not my intent either time!

thanks guys!

I can't say if the Etowah is better than the Chattahoochee. The Etowah is much further away, but I find it more accessible with more ramps and shuttle service. I catch some nice spots on the Etowah with the occasional lmb and striper. Despite having lived in Atlanta for nearly 2 decades the closest river rarely crosses my mind when putting together a float. I've actually spent more time on Terrapin Creek in Alabama(Terrapin is full of big Spotted Bass). That should change this year. I met someone at the KBF NC that shared a lot of info on the Chattahoochee, but haven't had a chance to check it out yet.

[strvmmer]

Since I didn't actually address the topic before.  I find that 5-6 miles takes at least 8 hours for me to fish. If I'm fishing in a Riverbassin tournament I try to pick shorter floats, somewhere around 3-4 miles. This allows me to fish an area thoroughly and still make it to weigh in on time. Last year for Riverbassin Cartersville we picked a short stretch on the Coosawattee(2.5 miles) and made it to weigh in with about 30 minutes to spare. With that being said, the take out was  a total pain in the backside and then we had to drive 40 miles to the weigh in. 

[buzzed bait]

51 minutes ago, strvmmer said:

Since I didn't actually address the topic before.  I find that 5-6 miles takes at least 8 hours for me to fish. If I'm fishing in a Riverbassin tournament I try to pick shorter floats, somewhere around 3-4 miles. This allows me to fish an area thoroughly and still make it to weigh in on time. Last year for Riverbassin Cartersville we picked a short stretch on the Coosawattee(2.5 miles) and made it to weigh in with about 30 minutes to spare. With that being said, the take out was  a total pain in the backside and then we had to drive 40 miles to the weigh in. 

Gotta get into one of those RiverBassin tournaments one of these days! 

[strvmmer]

Just now, buzzed bait said:

Gotta get into one of those RiverBassin tournaments one of these days! 

There's one this weekend in SC. We're going to float a section of the Catawba on Friday for fun and another section for the Tournament. 

[retiredbosn]

Most state dnr's  publish float trip distances and times For various rivers on their websites. 

[buzzed bait]

3 hours ago, retiredbosn said:

Most state dnr's  publish float trip distances and times For various rivers on their websites. 

I had looked there, but couldn't find it.  I just found it posted on the National Park Services though so thank you!

[retiredbosn]

Glad you found it, after posting this I went to GA's wildlife page and couldn't find it.

[buzzed bait]

23 minutes ago, retiredbosn said:

Glad you found it, after posting this I went to GA's wildlife page and couldn't find it.

i will give them credit though, there's a lot of good info on GA's page....  i think somehow this particular stretch of the chattahoochee is governed under the national park service.