Putting a trip together to start from bakers crossing. About 47 miles to the amistad reservoir should be a solid three days. Anyone made this trek? Advice/tips welcome. Thanks!

If you know anybody with a boat in Del Rio, I'd get them to meet me where the big water starts so you don't have to fight that wind on the main lake.

I've made it several times PRIOR to the new rules and regs. New TPWD has made accessing the river and trip much different than it used to be.

Our group hasn't been back since the new regs but was always a helluva a trip.

Been wanting to do this for a long time. I have all the gear.

agneck will be glad to visit you when you kayak by his property. He is a very friendly guy to those on the river.

[This message has been edited by Sensei John Kreese (edited 4/7/2014 4:47p).]

I've really been wanting to do this trip. The big question is how to get back to your car from the lake. Hopefully this summer or next spring.

A few couriers that will wait at the end of the trip to drive you back.

I've done it a half dozen times but never all the way to rough canyon. You can shorten it some and do bakers to blue sage (26 miles) or del Norte to big satan (17 or so) The water is way down right now and I would recommend del Norte to big satan because flow is better below Dolan falls. You'll need permits and an outfitter to drop you off and pick up. Gerald bailey is still in business and there's a new guy doing it this year. If you want to fish and enjoy the trip some I would plan on no more than 10 river miles per day. Bakers to rough canyon will take a very solid 4 days if not 5. With the water down you'll do a lot of dragging which slows you down. I would recommend going down with someone that knows the water. If you have specific questions email me. I can share a checklist I put together and have refined, camping spots, lures to throw, etc. I'm planning another trip in late September.

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I've done it a half dozen times but never all the way to rough canyon. You can shorten it some and do bakers to blue sage (26 miles) or del Norte to big satan (17 or so) The water is way down right now and I would recommend del Norte to big satan because flow is better below Dolan falls. You'll need permits and an outfitter to drop you off and pick up. Gerald bailey is still in business and there's a new guy doing it this year. If you want to fish and enjoy the trip some I would plan on no more than 10 river miles per day. Bakers to rough canyon will take a very solid 4 days if not 5. With the water down you'll do a lot of dragging which slows you down. I would recommend going down with someone that knows the water. If you have specific questions email me. I can share a checklist I put together and have refined, camping spots, lures to throw, etc. I'm planning another trip in late September.

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This. Best advice yet. Gerald is dependable (usually). Also, check river level/flow...very low right now.

Appreciate the info fellas.

Did this stretch last spring. If the water is low, you need to make sure that you have good canoe with the double hull, if you are canoeing. Make sure you have a good pull rope on the boat becaude you will pull. We used TAMU rentals and almost wore thru the hull in the stern. I would not push to go to amistad, the head wind is very very strong the last 10ish miles as you approach Big Satan. The first day is definitely the lowest river height.
We went with Gerald Bailey. He was on time etc. It is pretty hard to find his place in the early morning, and he's not overly helpful, so be prepared for that if you use him. TPWD would not let us do the trip (pull the permits) w/o an outfitter, so he basically has a monopoly.

Overall an awesome trip, provably some of the clearest water you'll ever see.

Three days to the lake will not afford you much time to fish/relax depending on the river level. I believe we were 4 nights 3 days to the TPWD takeout site. We kicked around some but not a ton

I really hope you do a follow up post to this trip. My buddy and I have been looking to do it for a while and I want to hear about the experience with pics, post adventure

A few buddies and I do a different river each year, and last May did the Devil's. We loved it so much we are doing a repeat and doing it again this May. I was reluctant but it ended up being the best river we've done. Water clarity, fishing, scenery, etc. was outstanding. We did use Gerald Bailey as others have mentioned. I can't remember all of our specifics of put in and take out, but I do remember the last day as we got closer to Amistad it was all we could do to make forward progress. We did 3 days so I assume we did the 17 mile trek. I can dig up more details if you'd like. Do your research, you do have to have a permit and only so many canoes are allowed to launch per day IIRC. Enjoy!



[This message has been edited by CBarrett12 (edited 4/7/2014 9:41p).]

After camping at Seminole Canyon recently I was thinking about canoeing from the pecos to lake amistad. Is that even possible?

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After camping at Seminole Canyon recently I was thinking about canoeing from the pecos to lake amistad. Is that even possible?

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You trying to canoe to the rio bravo hombre?

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After camping at Seminole Canyon recently I was thinking about canoeing from the pecos to lake amistad. Is that even possible?

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You trying to canoe to the rio bravo hombre?

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No, but I'd like to see Panther Cave.

You have to have to outfitter? A buddy has a couple canoes and my brother lives in Del Rio so I was hoping to do on the cheap.

I would suggest using reelfly for a shuttle. (website is reelfly.net) They are a fly fishing guide service on the Guadalupe but have access to shuttle on the Devils now too. They are much easier to communicate with than Gerald and may even be cheaper. They also offer guided trips if you are interested in that.

Make sure to call well in advance to get your permits. The river is getting popular and most weekends are booked ahead of time.

Reel fly shuttle is 450 up to 6 I believe. Gerald is 350. Gerald's driver Marlene drives some for reel fly. Reel fly is the only state approved outfitter that can put in and take out at the state natural areas. Gerald can only put in at bakers.

Used to Kayak from a bit below Pandale to the weir dam on the lower Pecos. Be careful OP!

One last piece of advice. Folks take trespassing pretty seriously along the devils.

We got lucky and a buddy's fiancé inherited property along the river and that's where we'd always overnight.

Added to the list

Looking for a shuttle service for a March 20th put in ...taking out on the 22nd. I have always used Bailey/Marlene but he is booked that weekend. I have contacted Reel Fly but haven't heard back. Anyone ever done the same trip by themselves without using the shuttle. Should be about 10 guys. Any help appreciated.