River Etiquette

The South Fork is beginning to experience an increase in the number of users each year.  Conflicts with other boaters at busy launch sites and congested water traffic can be avoided. Please consider some of the following suggestions to make your day more enjoyable.

The Art of Launching

1. Most launch sites have preparation and set-up areas away from the actual ramp. Please use them to totally prepare your craft before hauling it down to the water.
2. If it's necessary to launch first (for instance, to run a shuttle or park the car), then be sure and slide whatever craft you have far enough downstream so others waiting to launch may do so without difficulty.
3. Rafters: Use the raft launch facilities where available (Conant and Byington)

On The Water

1. Watch for people fishing from the bank.  Be courteous!  They only have a small section of river they can fish; boaters have the whole river.
2. It is considered bad etiquette, when approaching a group fishing a bank from their boat, to pass them in the fast water and then pull in front of them. Either switch to the opposite bank, or slow down and wait to fish behind them.
3. Be cautious when anchoring.  This is not just an etiquette issue, but a safety issue. Try and drop it only in eddies and slower water. Also, keep a knife handy and be ready to sacrifice your anchor.

Rules of the Road

1. Power boaters and floaters share the South Fork. Be courteous and respectful of each other.
2. Floaters: Be aware that powerboats can only travel in narrow channels in some sections of the river. Even though float boats have the right-of-way in the river, powerboats work hard coming upstream. As a courtesy, pull to one side of the channel, if possible, when you see a powerboat coming and let it by.
3. Powerboaters: You may not leave a wake within 100 feet of a person or other vessel. Please also slow to a "no wake" speed at docks and boat landing facilities. Be cautious and courteous when passing other boats, especially when they are moored along shore. Slow down if possible, and give them a wide berth.