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Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums >> Other Places to Paddle >> French Broad River, NC https://quietjourney.com/community/YABB.cgi?num=1111585003 Message started by turkeysc on Mar 23^rd, 2005 at 12:36pm

Title: French Broad River, NC
Post by turkeysc on Mar 23^rd, 2005 at 12:36pm

Hey Y'all,

Have any of you ever floated this river? I'm thinking about just doing an overnighter on it one weekend in the next month or two. I'd like to know about the scenery, fishing, and if there are a bunch of houses on it. Thanks for any info.

take care now

Title: Re: French Broad River, NC
Post by Jimbo on Mar 23^rd, 2005 at 4:49pm

turkeysc,

I'll check with my son who returns home from college this weekend. I believe he has kayaked it a time or two.

Also, I have a book in my home library re: canoeing the rivers of NC. I'll see what I can find out for you.

I MAY actually have canoed a section of the French Broad, myself. I know I always wanted to. Can't seem to recall, though, if I ever got around to it. I seem to be suffering from a bad case of inflamed ganglia & disconnected synapses this morning.

Also, IF you're looking for a recommendation on a good canoeing river in western NC, try the Little Tennessee, west of Franklin, OR the New River, just south of the VA border. BTW, that section of the New River features a population of "Tiger Muskies". For that matter, I'm thinking the French Broad has them, too.

fyi

Jimbo 8)

Title: Re: French Broad River, NC
Post by turkeysc on Mar 23^rd, 2005 at 5:09pm

Thanks Jimbo,

I found an outfitters website, but I like other info also if I can get it. See if your book says anything about where you can camp. This outfitter wants you to pay to camp on some land they own along the river. take care

Title: Re: French Broad River, NC
Post by Jimbo on Mar 27^th, 2005 at 1:32pm

turkeysc,

Turns out my book on NC rivers dealt ONLY w/Eastern NC.

My son reminds me that I HAVE been on the French Broad. We rafted a section of it while he kayaked.

You'll want to get your hands on a river map that breaks it down into sections and rates it for navigation (ie. grades "0-6"). The section we travelled did NOT have very many houses and other establishments, etc., but it did have a few. The current was fairly swift that day & it featured at least Grade 3 rapids, as I recall. I'm not sure I'd recommend THAT section for open boat canoeing. It's not like you'd be canoeing the Gauley River or anything but it could be "challenging" depending on your whitewater skills.

I'm sure there would be more canoe-friendly sections of the river. Wish I could offer more specific info.

Jimbo 8)