Fife Brook in my Millbrook Outrage - August 22, 2025

Running Zoar Gap

I knew I was going to have a busy weekend, so when a saw a post for a Friday afternoon trip on Fife Brook I decided to join. This would be the first whitewater run in my new Millbrook Outrage, and I got Paul to come along as well.

We met at 12:30 at the take out below the Gap. I was surprised how many people were around for a weekday trip. We had 11 in our group – 4 canoes and 7 kayaks – and there were 3 other groups organizing to get on the river. The release was 800 cfs – an OK level, but a little boney in spots.

Running Zoar Gap

We got on the water at around 1:15, and I could tell right away that the composite Outrage was different than its Royalex cousin. It’s hard to describe, but it made the Royalex version feel a little sluggish. The composite boat was definitely faster, the turns were crisper, and it was really dry. I've always admired the Millbrook guys who were bailing out their boats with sponges – now I know why.

We worked out way downstream, and the boat felt more comfortable the more I paddled it. When we finally got to Zoar Gap I was the last one to go through. I caught a couple of eddies on the left on the way down, and the two big rocks on the right before heading in. I took the line from right to left, and made it through fine. 

Links:

My Pictures

My Video - Open Boats on Zoar Gap

Charlemont Gage

Fife Brook Release Schedule

River Description from American Whitewater

Running Zoar Gap over the Years

Routes through Zoar Gap over the years

There have been three different versions of the "Gap" since I started paddling in 2006. Back in the old days there was an easy "sneak" route on the far right (red). That got filled with rocks during Tropical Storm Irene in 2012. After that, I usually eddied out at the top and tried to go right or left of "Oh Shit Rock" in the middle of the second drop, with mixed success (yellow going right). After flooding in 2023 things got moved around again. The eddy at the top got squirrely, the right line got blocked by rocks, but cutting directly from right to left got a lot easier (blue). There has always been a kayak line of the far left (green). Here are some of my runs over the years:

Zoar Gap Runs over the Years from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo. 

My Zoar Gap record now stands at 21 attempts with 13 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks. I’ve made it through successfully on my last 5 runs.

Fife Brook - Pride Day on the Deerfield - June 21, 2025

Paul, Fran and me

It was a day to show support LGBTQ+ folks, and to encourage everyone to get out and paddle. Who wouldn’t want to do that. Besides, it has been a while since I’ve done a run on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River, so I was glad when Paul posted this trip on RICKA’s Flatwater calendar. 

There are several sections of the Deerfield that are popular for whitewater paddling. Advanced paddlers often head to the Dryway in Monroe Bridge. This is a class III-IV section of river for experienced whitewater paddlers. We would be paddling the Fife Brook section, which is mostly class II, with the exception of Zoar Gap in the middle which is class III.

Paul and Fran

I met Paul at the take out below the Gap at 11:00. There were lots of people looking for rides, so I ended up taking Mary Theresa’s boat and aother paddler – Seth – up to the put-in. We hung out for a while waiting for the water to come up and got on the river a little after noon.

The day was sunny and warm – first trip in swim trunks and a tee shirt. The Fife Brook Dam was supposed to release 1,200 – not sure it actually did but it was still a good level. Just downstream from the put-in is the first rapid known as Hangover Helper - a ledge extends across most of the river resulting in a 2-foot drop followed by a long wave train. We ran the drop and played in the waves before moving downstream.

Fran in the Island Rapid

The next rapid - Carbis Bend - is similar but smaller. A ledge extends out from the left side of the river producing a couple of easy surf waves. Just downstream from Carbis Bend is a rapid known as Freight Train. This rapid starts with a long wave train and ends with a large surf wave. The rapid takes its name from the speed that many people build up running through the waves, and the railroad bridge just downstream that carries freight trains across the river.

After Freight Train is a rock garden known as Pinball. With scattered rocks and ledges, it’s a great place to practice eddy turns, peel outs and ferries. After Pinball is the Island Rapid. As the name describes, the river is split by an island. The usual route is to the left with large waves and fast moving water where the river reconnects at the end.

Approaching Zoar Gap

After the Island Rapid comes Zoar Gap – the largest rapid on this section of the river. Paul went through first, caught the eddy after the first drop, but couldn’t spin his boat around to run the second drop. He ended up running the shoot backwards and dumped on the big curling wave at the bottom. I took the line from right to left, skipped the eddy, and made it through fine.

After the gap, we continued downstream to the Shunpike Rest Area.  As ususal, we stopped for sub’s on the way home at Georgio's Pizza in Greenfield. I took Route 2 home to avoid the construction on the MassPike.

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My Pictures

Fife Brook Dam Releases

Charlemont Gage

Pride Day On the Deerfield - June 8, 2024

The crew at the put-in 

It was a day to show support LGBTQ+ folks, and to encourage everyone to get out and paddle. Who wouldn’t want to do that. Besides, it has been a while since I’ve done a run on the Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield River, so I was glad when Paul posted this trip on RICKA’s whitewater message board.

Deerfield River arises in southern VT and flows for 76-miles through VT and MA to join with the Connecticut River in Greenfield below Turners Falls. With over a 1,000-foot drop, hydroelectric development began in 1910 when the New England Power Company was formed to acquire water rights and build hydroelectric dams. There are now 10 dams on the Deerfield operated by three different electric utilities. An innovative licensing agreement with these dam operators requires lots of recreational releases for whitewater paddling, rafting and tubing.

Hangover Helper

There are several sections of the Deerfield that are popular for whitewater paddling. Advanced paddlers often head to “The Dryway” in Monroe Bridge. This is a class III-IV section of river for experienced whitewater paddlers. RICKA has several paddlers who paddle the Dryway, but I’m not one of them.

We would be paddling the Fife Brook section, which is named for the Fife Brook Dam that controls its flow. It runs 9-miles from the dam down to the Shunpike Rest Area in Charlemont. It is mostly class II, with the exception of Zoar Gap in the middle which is class III. Since Pride Day is always a popular event we knew the river would be crowded.

Carbis Bend

I picked up Paul at 7:00 and we headed off to the river. It takes a couple of hours to get there, so it’s always nice to have someone along to share the ride. We arrived at the put-in at the Fife Brook Dam at around 10:00. Craig and Elliot were already there. We arranged the shuttle, and by 11:00 we were on the river.

The day was cloudy and windy with a few drops of rain. Temperatures were in the 60’s, so it was tough to know what to wear. I brought my wet suit with a slash top. Paul wore his dry suit. Both were good choices. The Fife Brook Dam was releasing at 800 cfs, and the gage in Charlemont was between 800 and 900 cfs.

Freight Train

Just downstream from the put-in is the first rapid known as “Hangover Helper”. At this rapid, a ledge extends across most of the river resulting in a 2-foot drop followed by a long wave train. If you’re still asleep, or perhaps a little hung-over, this rapid will wake you up fast. We ran the drop and played in the waves before moving downstream.

The next rapid - “Carbis Bend” - is similar but smaller. A ledge extends out from the left side of the river producing a couple of easy surf waves. Even those too timid to try surfing at Hangover Helper will generally give it a try at Carbis Bend, so it’s a popular place to stop.

Surf wave below Freight Train

Just downstream from Carbis Bend is a rapid known as “Freight Train”. This rapid starts with a long wave train and ends with a large surf wave. The rapid takes its name from the speed that many people build up running through the waves, and the railroad bridge just downstream that carries freight trains across the river.

After Freight Train is a rock garden known as “Pinball”. With scattered rocks and ledges, it’s a great place to practice eddy turns, peel outs and ferries. After Pinball is the Island Rapid. As the name describes, the river is split by an island. The usual route is to the left with large waves and fast moving water where the river reconnects at the end.

Island Rapid

After the Island Rapid comes Zoar Gap – the largest rapid on this section of the river. Zoar Gap has changed several times over the years. When I started paddling back in 2006 there was an easy sneak line on the far right. That went away with Tropical Storm Irene in 2012, and I usually eddied out at the top and tried to go right (with mixed success). After last year's flooding the left line got a lot easier. We all went left yesterday, and made it through fine.

After the gap, Craig and Elliot headed home, and Paul and I continued downstream to the Shunpike Rest Area. With the wind at our back it was a quick run. We stopped for sub’s on the way home at Georgio's Pizza in Greenfield. It’s a long ride, but for such a great day, it’s worth it.

Erik and Craig running Zoar Gap

Links:
My Pictures

My Video - Open boat runs at Zoar Gap
Fife Brook release schedule

Charlemont Gage

River description from American Whitewater

Lower Deerfield - August 5, 2023

That's me

Over the years, I’ve done a lot of trips on the Lower Deerfield. I can remember my first RICKA trip here with Jim Cole, Alan August and Henry Dziadosz back in 2006. I started leading RICKA trips here around 2010, and have done 10 “easy whitewater trips for flatwater paddlers” in the last 13-years.

The release from the Fife Brook Dam controls the water in this section of the river, and timing is everything with this trip. Launch too early and you will out run the water. Launch too late and the water will out run you. Either way, you will end up high and dry. Launching 3-hours after the scheduled release is about right. For this trip we had an early release due to Deerfieldfest, so timing wasn’t an issue.

Ozzie in Blam Dance

We would be running the section from the Zoar Picnic Area to Charlemont Academy – about 7 miles. The group was small since the trip coincided with RICKA's annual ADK trip. We had 5 boats and 6 paddlers (1 kayak, 1 poler, 2 solo canoes and 1 tandem canoe) - a nice size group for this run. Jonathan and I paddled tandem in my Mohawk Whitewater 16. Bob poled pretty much the entire run. The release was scheduled at 800 cfs, and the Charlemont gage was around 1,000 cfs.

We met at 11:00 at the take out near Chalemont Achademy and ran the shuttle up to the Zoar Picnic Area. As we prepared to launch, I was a little worried that that the bubble hadn’t made it down yet, but I felt better when a group of tubers from Great Outdoors showed up. We had plenty of water and would be dodging tubers for most of the run.

Bob poling Spin Out

This section of the Deerfield pretty much has it all. There is a little flatwater so you can take in the scenery, a lot of quickwater to keep you moving, and a couple of easy class I/II rapids to make it interesting. Most of the rapids come early in the trip with three easy rapids just downstream from the put-in.

Directly below the Zoar Picnic Area is the Blam Dance Rapid – we had one swim here when Jonathan and I were ferrying over and cut off Ed who was trying to peal out - whoops.

Dan at the top of Conjunction Junction

Below that at a the sharp curve to the left is the Spin Out Rapid. We rescued a tuber who was stuck in the recirculating eddy here, and had one swim when Ozzie was trying to surf the fast moving current.

To the left of the island with the squirt line at the bottom is Conjunction Junction. We took a break for lunch here. I took a swim, but it was intentional. Bob and Dan did a lot of surfing.

Bob poling at Conjunction Junction

After that, it is mostly quickwater with an occasional short rapid. I did my best not to dump Jonathan, but I did get him wet in the short wavetrain across from the campground near Shunpike. We had one more swim going into the eddy on the right in the fast moving shoot above Zoar Outdoors.

After the run, we decided to check out Deerfieldfest at Berkshire East. We were a little early, and there were more bikers than paddlers, but I did my part and bought and American Whitewater tee shirt. After a bite to eat we were on our way. Another great day on the water with a great group of paddlers.

Taking a break at Shunpike

Links:
My Pictures
Fife Brook Release Schedule
Charlemont Gage
River Description form American Whitewater

The Mighty Fife - September 11, 2022

I had a lot of options for paddling this weekend. Bob was trying to arrange a poling trip on the Blackstone (don’t know if it happened), the Pcat release was Saturday (early due to repairs on the dam), the RICKA Sea Kayak group was doing a trip from the Bay Campus (big swells from Hurricane Earl offshore - maybe not for my first trip), and CTAMC was doing a run on Fife Brook. I decided to get back in my whitewater canoe for a run on the Mighty Fife - Fife for Life as John Kaz says.  Appropriate since it is the run I have done more than any other over the years.

We had 14 boats with 4 beginners and couple of other less experienced paddlers. Release was 800 cfs. We had swims everywhere – even I got involved in a couple of rescues. I made it through Zoar Gap with no problem – eddied out at the top and went right. No pictures of me other than the group shot - I should have given Paul D. my camera as I ran the Gap. My Gap record now stands at 17 attempts with 9 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks.

Links: 

My Pictures

Fife Brook Dam Gage from Safe Waters

Charlemont Gage

River Description from American Whitewater

River Description from Zoar Outdoors

Fife Brook Release Schedule

Fife Brook – August 6, 2022

Paul below Hangover Helper

It has been a while since I’ve been out in my whitewater boat, so I decided to test out my cranky knee and do a run with Paul on the Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield River.

I met Paul at McD’s for the ride up to Charlemont. After dropping him off at the put-in, I drove back to the take-out to drop off my car and catch a ride back in one of the shuttles. There were lots of groups getting organized, and I found an empty seat in a car with the CTAMC. It was Deerfieldfest weekend and the Dryway wasn’t running due to an issue with the dam, so there were crowds everywhere.  

Erik in Pinball

The Fife Brook Dam was releasing at 800 cfs – a medium low level. We put in at around 11:00 and began working our way downstream. The crowds at Hangover Helper and Carbis Bend were huge, but eventually we found some space to ourselves. We surfed the ledge below Freight Train and played in Pinball before taking a break for lunch at Miami Beach. We then ran the Island Rapid before heading down to Zoar Gap.

My record running the Gap is mixed - 15 attempts with 7 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks. I pulled over above the Gap to take some pictures before running it myself. Once in the Gap, I caught the eddy on the left below the first pour-over, and then went right of "Oh Shit Rock" though the second drop. It wasn’t pretty, but I made it. So my record in the Gap now stands at 16 attempts with 8 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks. My knee was fine.

Zoar Gap from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:

My Pictures
Fife Brook Dam Gage from Safe Waters

Charlemont Gage

River Description from American Whitewater

River Description from Zoar Outdoors

Fife Brook Release Schedule

Lines through Zoar Gap

John takes the right.

Mary Therese takes the left.

Videos by Rick Howard.

Playing Hooky - Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield - March 18, 2022

Heading out

The forecast for Friday was sunny and in the 70’s. I had nothing on my calendar at work, so I decided to “play hooky” and join Norma and Conrad for a run on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield.

Deerfield River arises in southern VT and flows for 76-miles through VT and MA to join with the Connecticut River in Greenfield below Turners Falls. With an 1,100-foot drop, hydroelectric development began in 1910 when the New England Power Company was formed to acquire water rights and build hydroelectric dams on the river. There are now 10 dams on the Deerfield owned by three different electric utilities. An innovative licensing agreement in 1994 increased the number of recreational releases on the class II/III Fife Brook section, and the class III/IV Dryway.

Hangover Helper

We would be paddling the Fife Brook section, which is named for the Fife Brook Dam that controls its flow. The Fife Brook Dam was the last dam built on the river in the early 1970s. It was built in conjunction with the Bear Swamp Pumped Storage Facility, which uses excess power during slack hours to pump water up to a reservoir on top of a mountain so it can be released during periods of peak demand.

As I left my house I saw golf bags in a neighbor’s driveway, so I knew I wasn’t the only one planning to enjoy the day. There was heavy fog as I drove up Route 91 through the Pioneer Valley, but it lifted as I headed up Route 2 to Charlemont. We met at the take out below Zoar Gap for the shuttle up to the put-in.

Above Pinball

The Fife Brook Dam was releasing at 1,400 cfs, and the gage in Charlemont was between 1,800 and 1,900 cfs. Two tributaries - the Chickley and the Cold - flow into the Deerfield below Zoar Gap, so the Fife Brook Dam gage is a better indicator of the flow on this section. This would be the highest level that I had run this section of the river.

We put in at around 11:30 and began working our way downstream. We ran Hangover Helper, did some surfing at Carbis Bend and the ledge below Freight Train, and played in Pinball before taking a break at Miami Beach. We then ran the Island Rapid before pulling over at the take-out above Zoar Gap.

Break at Miami Beach

We had scouted Zoar Gap on the way up, and decided that we were going to pass. With only three paddlers in the group, the higher water level and my mixed record running this rapid (7 for 15 with 6 swims and 2 walks), I was OK with that. The “Gap” is by far the most difficult rapid on this section of the river – class IIII at normal release levels (800 cfs to 1,000 cfs.), and class IV with big waves and nasty holes at 2,500 cfs.

Prior to 2011 there was a sneak route on the far right, but street repairs after Hurricane Irene left rocks blocking that route. There is an upper drop, with a tongue on river right, and a pour-over river left. The "beginner" line is to ride the tongue on river right and then punch through the holes below. Conrad explains it here:

Zoar Gap at 1,400 cfs from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

The "advanced" line is to catch the eddy below the pour-over and then go right into the eddy below the drop, or run the drop on the left. You can see Rick style the right line, and me swim the left line here:


Running Zoar Gap from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Temp’s hit 74 degrees, so it felt like spring even though there was still snow on the ground.

Links:

My Pictures

Fife Brook Dam Gage from Safe Waters

Charlemont Gage

River Description from American Whitewater

River Description from Zoar Outdoors

Fife Brook Release Schedule

Lower Deerfield - June 29, 2020

It has been a while since I‘ve had my whitewater boat out, so when Conrad posted a trip for the Lower Deerfield I decided to join him. The plan was to bike shuttle back from Shunpike, and that worked out fine - took about half an hour.  It was an 800 release scheduled for 11:00. We put in 2 hours after the release was supposed to have started (3 hours is better). The river still seemed low, so we wasted some time by paddling up to the Gap.  

After that we headed downstream and scraped our way down to the first rapid.  We knew something was wrong.  As it turned out, the released started at noon - so we had to pull over and wait another half an hour for the bubble to show up. Once it did, it was amazing how fast the river came up.  From there it was fun run down to Shunpike. I had one short swim, which made me a triathlete - I biked, I paddled and I swam. Fortunately the swim was short. Nice afternoon with Conrad and Jessie.

Links:

My Pictures

Fife Brook Release Schedule

Charlemont Gage

Fife Brook - August 4, 2019

It’s been a while since I had my whitewater boat out, so I decided to head up to the Deerfield for a Fife Brook run. I posted on Where’s the Whitwater at? and John Kaz invited me along. The release was 3', 900 cfs on the Charlemont Gage.  I had my second and third swims of the year.  My second was in the rapid above Zoar Gap. I was eddying out on the left, hit a rock, and went over. John recovered my boat so I was able to run the Gap. On my Gap run, I caught the eddy at the top, but tried to go left instead of right – it never works.  Don caught my air brace, gunnel grab and sculling hand brace on video.

Running Zoar Gap from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

I need to do it like like Rick - two good forward strokes from the eddy to ferry river right, and then down the right side.  Next time. My Zoar Gap record now stands at 15 attempts - 7 successful, 6 swims and 2 walks. You'd think after all those attempts I would have it down better.

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My Pictures

Don’s Video of Gap Runs

Charlmont Gage

Lower Deerfield – June 29, 2019

I posted RICKA’s annual “Easy Whitewater” trip on the Lower Deerfield, but a crazy weather forecast seemed to keep all the RICKA paddlers away. Instead, Bill and I did the trip with Jonathan, Conrad and Janet. We didn’t get the heavy rain, wind or hail that was in the forecast – just a few clouds to start, a few sprinkles around lunch time, and blue sky for the end of the trip. The river was at a nice level - 3 feet, 1000 cfs. on the Charlemont gage. The BBQ on the way home is always good. 

Links:

My Pictures

Charlemont Gage

Fife Book section of the Deerfield – June 23, 2018

It has been a while since it took a trip out to the Deerfield, so I decided to join the River Diva’s group organized by Robin. At is turned out, there were more “dudes” than “divas”. The release was low but OK - 3 feet, 800 cfs. on the Charlemont gage.  

We put-in at around 11:00 and worked our way downstream. As we approached Zoar Gap, I decided that I was going to try to catch the eddy at the top, and then go right. I caught the eddy fine, but as usual bounced off the big rock in the middle. After a long brace, I got myself back upright, but I missed the eddy on the right and banged into the rocks instead. Fortunately, I was able to work my way off without too much difficulty. My 50/50 record running the Gap stands secure – 14 attempts - 7 successful, 5 swims and 2 walks.

Another great poem from canoeswithduckheads on p.net:

The mouse that Zoared

must pick its lion,

before pulling out

in thorny paws,

for in some lions

be rocky roads,

to turn you over

in toothy maws.

Somedays, you eat the lion. Somedays, the lion...

Keep Zoaring, Sir Erik de Dagger!
TW

Links: 

My Pictures

Charlemont Gage
Fife Brook from American Whitewater

Fife Brook Release Schedule

Lower Deerfield - August 19, 2017

Sandy

There was traffic everywhere – on the Mass Pike driving up, and in tubes on the river – but it was still worth it.  I headed up to the Deerfield to do the annual “Easy Whitewater” trip in the Lower Deerfield with RICKA. 

We ran the section from the Zoar Picnic Area to Charlemont Academy – about 7 miles.  We had 7 boats – 4 kayaks (Kate, Earl, Bob and Andy), 2 canoes (Brian and me) and 1 ducky (Sandy).  The river was at a nice level for the run (1,100 cfs on the Charlemont gage).  Since the release didn’t start until 11:00, we had to wait until 2:00 to put-in. 

Earl

I really do enjoy this section of the river.  It’s more quickwater than whitewater, but there are enough playspots to keep it interesting, and I can paddle my Yellowstone Solo.  There are even a couple of named rapids above Shunpike (I never knew that): 

• Directly below the Zoar Picnic Area is the Blam Dance Rapid
• Below that, the sharp curve to the left is the Spin Out Rapid
• To the left of the island with the squirt line at the bottom is the Junction

Below Shunpike, it is mostly quickwater interspersed with easy rapids.  We pulled out at Charlemont at around 5:30.  After retrieving the cars, we stopped at Smokey Bro’s for BBQ on the way home.  Great day.

Approaching Shunpike

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Charlement Gage

Fife Brook Release Schedule

Lower Deerfield - July 3, 2017

Over the years, I’ve done a lot of trips on the Lower Deerfield. I can remember my first RICKA trip there with Jim Cole, Alan August and Henry Dziadosz, which was probably back in 2006. 

A few shots from 2006

It’s the perfect trip for an easy summer afternoon – the water moves enough to keep it interesting, but not enough that you need to work too hard. I had a good time there yesterday with Adam, Sandi and Brian. We put in at the Zoar Gap Picnic Area and paddled down to Charlemont Academy.  The river was running at about 1000 cfs, which kept things moving.  Nice day.

It doesn't get much better than this!

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My Pictures

Deerfield Gage
River Description form American Whitewater

Fife Brook - February 19, 2017

Carbis Bend

As I drove up Route 91 into Deerfield, I saw snowmobiles in the fields and ice fishermen on the lakes, and I wondered if it was a good idea to drive 2 hours to go canoeing.  Then I drove over a bridge and saw that the Deerfield River was flowing high and ice-free, and I knew it was going to be a good day.

As things turned out, I had a couple of paddling options. There was a group doing a low level (500 cfs) run on the Lower Winni. I definitely want to do that somethime, but decided it would be better to do with a group I know when the water is a little warmer. There was also a group doing a Tville run. As much as I like Tville, I’ve run it a lot lately, so I decided to run the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River instead.   

Freight Train 

I met the group of 6 kayaks and 3 canoes at the take out for the shuttle up to the dam.  The river was at a nice level – 3.5 feet, 1,100 cfs.  It looked like winter with snow on the ground, but felt more like spring with temperatures in the high 50’s. 

We put in at around noon and began working our way downstream. We ran Hangover Helper, did some surfing at Carbis Bend and Freight Train, and played in Pinball for a while.  When we reached the Gap, I headed down first to get some pictures.  Everyone made it through fine.  When it was my turn, I looked at the rapid, looked at my boat sitting on the rocks, and wimped out and decided to walk. Oh well, at least I didn’t swim…

Hangover helper

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Joe's seal launch

Deerfield Gage

Carnage at the Gap - Deerfield River - September 3, 2016

It’s been a while since I had my whitewater boat out, so I headed out to western MA for the dam release on the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River.  I paddled with the CT AMC, and we had a huge group – 19 boats (17 kayaks, 2 canoes).

The release was 800 cfs – low but OK.  By the time we reached the Gap the level was dropping, and I think the Gap is tougher with lower water.  Since the current seemed to be pushing everything left, I didn’t think I would make my usual line hugging the right shore.  Instead, I caught the eddy at the top and tried the left line.  I didn’t have enough momentum going down the shoot and flipped in the wave at the bottom.  I  had plenty of company – here are some of the other runs:

ZOAR GAP from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

My 50/50 record running the Gap stands secure – 12 attempts = 6 successful, 5 swims and 1 walk.

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Fife Brook - September 6, 2015

We did our RICKA trip on the Lower Deerfield a few weeks ago, but it has been quite a while since I paddled the Fife Brook section.  I was able to get out yesterday with some folks from the NHAMC.  Release was 1,000 cfs – nice level.  We had 3 canoes (me, Joe and Abby) and 4 kayaks.  I took the right line at Zoar Gap and made it through fine. 

Zoar Gap

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Lower Deerfield – August 22, 2015

Sandy and Earl

We had canoes and kayaks, long boats and short boats, paddlers, one poler and one dog.  We spent most of the day dodging tubers and rafts, but you still couldn’t have asked for a nicer day. 

Once each summer, RICKA runs and “easy” whitewater trip for experienced flatwater paddlers on the lower Deerfield River. This year, we decided to do the 7-mile run from the Zoar Picnic Area down to Charlemont Achademy.

The lone poler - Fred

The Fife Brook Dam controls the water in this section of the river, and timing is everything with this trip. We launched around 1:30, two and a half hours after the scheduled release, and hit it just right.

We had 11 paddlers – two canoes and nine kayaks. Most of the class I/II rapids come early in the trip, and everyone got through with no problem. It took us about 3 hours to finish the run down to Charlemont.  On the way home we stopped for BBQ at Smokey Joes – good day.

A little surfing

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Earl's Pictures