Devil's River Thread

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I am planning on going in the beginning of June this year, I can't wait!

[fishingsetx]

I'd love to do this trip but logistically i'd think it would be impossible to carry enough beer.

That's why you bring a good whiskey or rum!

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shoot....what a ride!"

[Grant2]

I have been trying to find someone with private land where they have a few deep holes to fish and walk down the bank. I don't want to kayak the river just want a place to fish and swim with the family.

[Acostades]

^^^ my kind of fun

[epp838]

Devils river and the buffalo river is on my list

[rather-b-fishin]

Im not yak savvy so excuse my ignorance, but is there enough room on one to carry your fishing stuff plus food and minimal camping stuff? Id like to try and do this but was wondering how everyone has packed and what size/kind of kayak they used and do you use a tandem or something.

[HillCountryHoyt]

Anyone that has done the trip...I would like to know more about the riverbank camping set ups? I am primarily a Hammock Camper...but the videos I have seen on here and YouTube, there doesn't look like a lot of trees. Those that have been...is it possible to hammock camp on this trip?

[ghenson82]

Anyone that has done the trip...I would like to know more about the riverbank camping set ups? I am primarily a Hammock Camper...but the videos I have seen on here and YouTube, there doesn't look like a lot of trees. Those that have been...is it possible to hammock camp on this trip?

The paddler camps have some trees but not a lot. If you are "island" camping you'll definitely be sleeping on the ground.

[Chad_E]

Im not yak savvy so excuse my ignorance, but is there enough room on one to carry your fishing stuff plus food and minimal camping stuff? Id like to try and do this but was wondering how everyone has packed and what size/kind of kayak they used and do you use a tandem or something.

You don't know what you don't know, right. To answer your question, yes, many/most yaks have enough room to carry everything you need. You may want to get a yak with internal storage (IMO) but it is not required. I've seen people with everything strapped on top as well. When you go to rent or buy a yak, ask/look to see what the recommended max weight capacity is. If your a bigger guy like me (245 lb) you may be limited by some of the kayaks on the market that are rated around 300-350 lbs. Adding gear can bring the weight up pretty quick. I have a 12' Cuda from Jackson Kayak. There are tons of great options out there now. Best thing to do is as much homework as you can to see all the options available, then try and paddle a few before making a purchase.

Anyone that has done the trip...I would like to know more about the riverbank camping set ups? I am primarily a Hammock Camper...but the videos I have seen on here and YouTube, there doesn't look like a lot of trees. Those that have been...is it possible to hammock camp on this trip?

While not impossible, this would make it even harder. I've considered doing the same thing, but I wouldn't be able to use the hammock at every camp site. You would be forced to island camp every night and that could become problematic with scheduling and if you happen across another group already camping on one of the few treed islands. I'd say take both and break out the hammock where you can. (BTW, email sent)

[topher]

I've done the Devils river once and the Pecos river 4 times in a one man canoe. Both are good but a little different. Chad E help me with some land mark campsites that was spot on two years ago on the Devils river.
In March the TPWD are adding two more pull up campsites on the Devils river to accommodate people on the river and making the land owners a little happier.
This will get more people to float it now. The picture in my avatar came from the Pecos river. Good luck to your adventures.

[ghenson82]

I've done the Devils river once and the Pecos river 4 times in a one man canoe. Both are good but a little different. Chad E help me with some land mark campsites that was spot on two years ago on the Devils river.
In March the TPWD are adding two more pull up campsites on the Devils river to accommodate people on the river and making the land owners a little happier.
This will get more people to float it now. The picture in my avatar came from the Pecos river. Good luck to your adventures.

Thats what i'm afraid of

[chongo]

This looks like a fun trip. Any headway made putting a group together?

[Hockley]

Devils river and the buffalo river is on my list

This exactly!

[fishingsetx]

Anyone that has done the trip...I would like to know more about the riverbank camping set ups? I am primarily a Hammock Camper...but the videos I have seen on here and YouTube, there doesn't look like a lot of trees. Those that have been...is it possible to hammock camp on this trip?

We did this trip in 2009 and 2011 from bakers crossing to blue sage. There were ample places to hang a hammock (both the guys I was with used them). I can't speak for the new route.

Im not yak savvy so excuse my ignorance, but is there enough room on one to carry your fishing stuff plus food and minimal camping stuff? Id like to try and do this but was wondering how everyone has packed and what size/kind of kayak they used and do you use a tandem or something.

I pack for a kayak camping trip like I would pack for a hiking trip. Only difference is dry bags are an absolute must. Its not if you will flip, its when! Last one I went on was 4 days and my entire camping gear, food, etc weighed 35 lbs (including twin air mattress, pump, and a small battery powered fan) and fit into 2 medium sized dry bags. I normally carry 2 rods and a small soft side tackle bag leaving plenty of room in my native ultimate 12. For SOT, just place the camping gear in the hull. For food, I carry mountain home freeze dried meals and protein bars. For drinking water I have a Katadyn filter bottle:

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/532159/katadyn-mybottle-microfilter-water-filtration-bottle-polymer-red?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Camping+%26+Survival-_-Katadyn-_-532159&gclid=CNuDxv2luNICFZS2wAodtsILLQ

Camp stove:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/JETBOIL-PERSONAL-COOKING-SYSTEMS/2494256.uts?productVariantId=4972467&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04668783&rid=20&gclid=CKef3MymuNICFQi5wAodCdoCJA&gclsrc=aw.ds

Any good lightweight 2 person tent will work. I use a cabelas brand that has the skirting to fit over top of the twin air mattress, but no longer see it on their site.

For cooking water, I have to boil it anyway so I just scoop some out if the river.

One piece of advise for doing the Devils carries over from hiking: "Ounces turn into pounds and pounds turn into pain!" Pack as light as possible! There is a very good chance you will spend a lot of time dragging your yak in shallow water, pulling/pushing it over or off of rocks, and you may have to portage around some rapids.

Not sure if these links will work, but here are a couple links to pics of the trip.

2009 (took the native ultimate 12)

http://s168.photobucket.com/user/fishingsetx/library/devils%20river?sort=3&page=1

2011(took one of the first Santa Cruz raptors produced as a demo from the owner of TKF (Tom Stubblefield)

http://s168.photobucket.com/user/fishingsetx/library/devils%20river%202011?sort=3&page=1

When I finally get the chance to run it again, I will be some kind of narrow 12' SOT. Narrow to fit between rocks and 12' to allow quick manuvering in rappids but still be fairly easy to paddle in high wind (the wind is usually howling). The ultimate was open decked and easily swamped and the raptor was too wide in the back. Heck, one of the guys on the last trip brought his home built S&G wood kayak!




Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shoot....what a ride!"

[rather-b-fishin]

We did this trip in 2009 and 2011 from bakers crossing to blue sage. There were ample places to hang a hammock (both the guys I was with used them). I can't speak for the new route.

I pack for a kayak camping trip like I would pack for a hiking trip. Only difference is dry bags are an absolute must. Its not if you will flip, its when! Last one I went on was 4 days and my entire camping gear, food, etc weighed 35 lbs (including twin air mattress, pump, and a small battery powered fan) and fit into 2 medium sized dry bags. I normally carry 2 rods and a small soft side tackle bag leaving plenty of room in my native ultimate 12. For SOT, just place the camping gear in the hull. For food, I carry mountain home freeze dried meals and protein bars. For drinking water I have a Katadyn filter bottle:

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/532159/katadyn-mybottle-microfilter-water-filtration-bottle-polymer-red?cm_mmc=pf_ci_google-_-Camping+%26+Survival-_-Katadyn-_-532159&gclid=CNuDxv2luNICFZS2wAodtsILLQ

Camp stove:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/JETBOIL-PERSONAL-COOKING-SYSTEMS/2494256.uts?productVariantId=4972467&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=04668783&rid=20&gclid=CKef3MymuNICFQi5wAodCdoCJA&gclsrc=aw.ds

Any good lightweight 2 person tent will work. I use a cabelas brand that has the skirting to fit over top of the twin air mattress, but no longer see it on their site.

For cooking water, I have to boil it anyway so I just scoop some out if the river.

One piece of advise for doing the Devils carries over from hiking: "Ounces turn into pounds and pounds turn into pain!" Pack as light as possible! There is a very good chance you will spend a lot of time dragging your yak in shallow water, pulling/pushing it over or off of rocks, and you may have to portage around some rapids.

Not sure if these links will work, but here are a couple links to pics of the trip.

2009 (took the native ultimate 12)

http://s168.photobucket.com/user/fishingsetx/library/devils%20river?sort=3&page=1

2011(took one of the first Santa Cruz raptors produced as a demo from the owner of TKF (Tom Stubblefield)

http://s168.photobucket.com/user/fishingsetx/library/devils%20river%202011?sort=3&page=1

When I finally get the chance to run it again, I will be some kind of narrow 12' SOT. Narrow to fit between rocks and 12' to allow quick manuvering in rappids but still be fairly easy to paddle in high wind (the wind is usually howling). The ultimate was open decked and easily swamped and the raptor was too wide in the back. Heck, one of the guys on the last trip brought his home built S&G wood kayak!





Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shoot....what a ride!"

Thanks for all the info!!!