Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 16 16 F loating a river is great recreational fun. Here are 5 great fl oats that, mid-summer, are suitable for most skill levels and water craft. Three are big rivers, and two are small. They may, depending on fl ow rate, be a little long for rafts and drift boats, so be sure to check with local sources of information regarding estimat- ing fl oating times. YELLOWSTONE RIVER The Yellowstone is big, long, wild, and loaded with history. With 550 fl oat- able river miles, one of my favorite segments is Columbus to Laurel. A good portion of this stretch, primarily the bottom half, is away from the asphalt and railroad tracks. As a result, it's quieter and fairly pristine. With a natural fl ood corridor, there are islands and secondary channels. Put in at Columbus Itch-Kep-Pe Park and take out at either Buffalo Mirage Fishing Access Site (FAS) or Laurel Riverside Park, which are either 23 or 29 miles respectively. There is good camping at Itch-Kep-Pe, Buffalo Mirage. This is a long stretch, but if you have a good fl ow rate and craft you can do it in a day. JEFFERSON RIVER The Jefferson is relatively small and intimate. In the spring, at high fl ow, there are lots of sloughs and side channels to explore. Much of the river is not near roads, braids nicely, and has excellent wildlife habitat. As long as the fl ow rate is above 3,000 cfs, any vessel is suitable from Sappington Bridge FAS to Drouillard FAS (15 miles). At higher fl ows, or with a good paddle craft, you may consider going all the way to Missouri Headwaters State Park (24 miles). There are some small bridges, most are no problem, but the old railroad bridge F L O A T I N G M O N T A N A 5 F A V O R I T E R I V E R I am a kayaker. Deep in my cells I love to feel my body moving over water following the currents, absorbing the ever changing scenery along the banks, and feeling the anticipation for what is around the next bend in the river. As my kayak fl oats along so close to the surface of the water, I sometimes refl ect on how being with the river is a metaphor for being in life. On the river, there is no past. There is only the present moment. There is no time to dwell on what was, what could have been, or what should have been. On the river, the currents pull you forward and there you are mov- ing downstream emotionally stripped clean. When I kayak I am able to fl ow harmoniously with nature's forces and currents adapting spontaneously to the immediate need. It creates an electric excitement. ~ Catherine Nelson BY KEN SINAY

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