Check out three unsung, flatwater paddling trips on the N. Fork of the Payette River

North Fork Payette River, south of McCall  

Hi all, 

For this week's outdoor tip, I wanted to highlight three, unsung flatwater sections of the North Fork Payette River that are most suitable for canoes, inflatable kayaks, sit-on-top-kayaks and SUPs. 

All of these trips would be ideal right now as a way to stay cool and see some new scenery. I just reprinted my Paddling the Payette river guide, now 5th edition; all three of these day trips are featured in the guide. 

The trips are as follows: 

• North Fork Payette from Sheep Bridge in McCall to Heinrich Lane or Smylie Lane 
• North Fork arm of Lake Cascade near Donnelly and Tamarack Resort
• Cascade to Cabarton Bridge   

Wendy and her friend Liz paddled the North Fork from Sheep Bridge to Heinrich Lane last Sunday, and had a great time. I've always thought it's a really scenic and fun place to paddle with great opportunities for seeing ospreys flying around and potentially diving for fish. This section is decent for rainbow trout fishing as well. 

The put-in is at Sheep Bridge is by the Smokejumper Base on Mission Street, south of downtown McCall. Leave a shuttle at your takeout spot on Heinrich or Hartsell Bridge, off Smylie Lane. 

Liz Paul taking a break on the North Fork. She paddled with Wendy in our Mad River canoe.  

You might see other wildlife too like great blue herons, kingfishers, bald eagles soaring overhead and many different types of songbirds -- we even found some frogs on shore. You might see white-tailed deer hanging out in the riparian zone along the river, too.

The shorter trip to Heinrich Lane could take you about 3 hours, and the longer trip to Hartsell Bridge and Smylie Lane is a full day, usually about 5.5-6 hours. In the longer trip,  you'll need to portage around some big logs that block the river. It's pretty obvious when you approach that spot. 

Here's a shot from 10 years ago with Ellie in the kayak and Rosie in the canoe. 

Wendy and I have paddled our 16-foot Mad River Explorer canoe on this reach. It's a perfect boat for this river section. At 250 cfs, the river is pretty low and slow, but there should be enough cushion to make it through small riffles. You do have to pay attention to your lines through the riffles to stay in the deepest water (usually part of the tongue).

Check out this unsung section of the North Fork sometime when you have a full day of time and good weather. It's a treat.

This happy family paddles sit-on-top kayaks on Lake Cascade (courtesy Tamarack Resort)

North Fork arm of Lake Cascade - You could start at Tamarack Falls, Poison Creek Campground or or one of the other campgrounds with lake access from Tamarack Falls to Tamarack Resort. If you don't have your own gear, you could rent watercraft from Tamarack Resort for a 2-hour tour. Try to go in the morning or evening when the reservoir is not as choppy from boat traffic. 

In the upper arms of the reservoir, the water channels are more narrow and thus are more enjoyable to paddle in a lake kayak, canoe or Stand Up Paddle Board. The North Fork arm, Lake Fork arm and Gold Fork arm are all worth exploring. 

Trip time and length is up to you. 

Here Wendy is paddling her big whitewater canoe on the Cascade to Cabarton trip.  

Cascade to Cabarton Bridge - This is another one of those unsung, flatwater trips on the Payette River. Trip distance is 9 miles. Travel time is 3-5 hours, depending on flow and wind. 

The North Fork moves faster in the Cascade-to-Cabarton reach because in mid-summer, it is flowing at about 1,800 to 1,900 cubic feet per second, with the flows coming out of Lake Cascade upstream. You put in at the south bridge of Idaho 55 (parking and access are fine in that location) and take out at the Cabarton Bridge boat ramp, where the next Class 3 whitewater river section begins.

For people who would rather avoid whitewater and want a more relaxing paddling trip, this is a great option. Pack a lunch for your journey. The river winds through the valley and gives you broad views of West Mountain and East Mountain and the cattle pastures in between. 

You're likely to see herons, kingfishers, bald eagles, ospreys and other birds of prey.      

Fishing can be decent in this reach with rainbows that have washed out of the reservoir.

There you have it! Have a great weekend! 

- SS