Jesse Burns – Professional Raft Guide blog

As fun as high water is here on the Arkansas River, low water is turning about to be a blast as well. I’ve been running a lot of trips in the Numbers as well as Brown’s and guests have been thrilled about both. The scenery hasn’t changed and I’ll tell you what, the Numbers definitely still drops 85′ a mile. You can feel every foot of that drop at 400cfs as it turns into a giant game of shoots and ladders. The fishing has also been exceptional, and easy, a key component for me.

Playing on the rocks

I just spent the last 10 days with our new guide training class. A lot of time was spent bouncing off rocks and practicing highsides through Pinball, however I have been quite impressed with this class compared to others. Guide school consists of rafting everyday; learning everything from paddle techniques and commands and boat rigging, whitewater swimming and flipping to outdoor cooking and Leave No Trace practices. During out first phase of training, qualified trainers (Curtis and I) are on the boats with them everyday teaching, commenting and sometimes relaxing. The second phase of training will include lots of ‘turkey boats’ (just the rooks by themselves) and ride-a-longs with senior guides. Give these kids another couple weeks and we’ll make raft guide out of them yet!

Buffalo Joe’s Rookies and Trainers 2012

Scouting Seidel’s Suckhole with Curtis before their first attempt at running it

Practicing ‘paddle talks’ before launching

Our outdoor kitchen during dinner prep

Rooks gettin after the surf wave in Salida

Rooks gettin out of it in the surf wave in Salida!

Beautiful weather and an astounding rise in cfs in the last two  days made our first trip of the season a great success. A two-boat AM half day from Fisherman’s Bridge to Hecla Junction at about 580 cfs. It was real nice to be on the water again!

Brown’s Canyon

A quick rise in cfs the last 2 days