Devils River trip

[Trailerman3]

We are planning a Devils River trip. I’m looking for recommendations on a good shuttle service. And also wonder which length trip to take.

[quarterback]

From my very limited research you don't have much of a choice on shuttle services....and it's pretty dang expensive. But maybe that's changed so feel free to correct me if you know any better. Seems like there was only one outfit now.

https://www.amistadexpeditions.com/

https://www.adventureonoutdoors.com/...iver-trip-plan

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by quarterback

From my very limited research you don't have much of a choice on shuttle services....and it's pretty dang expensive. But maybe that's changed so feel free to correct me if you know any better. Seems like there was only one outfit now.

https://www.amistadexpeditions.com/

https://www.adventureonoutdoors.com/...iver-trip-plan

Thanks I’ll check them out some. Bump

[outlook8]

I used Reel Fly a few years ago to shuttle us.

https://www.reelfly.com/

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by outlook8

I used Reel Fly a few years ago to shuttle us.

https://www.reelfly.com/

Thank you but I’m looking for a shuttle service or someone with land there to shuttle our own kayaks.

[outlook8]

Originally Posted by Trailerman3

Thank you but I’m looking for a shuttle service or someone with land there to shuttle our own kayaks.

They shuttled us, our own kayaks and gear...dropped us off at Devils River SNA and picked us up at Big Satan with a few cold beers waiting...

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by outlook8

They shuttled us, our own kayaks and gear...dropped us off at Devils River SNA and picked us up at Big Satan with a few cold beers waiting...

Ok sorry I didn’t see anything on their site about shuttles I’ll check them out again thanks.

[HiblerZXT35]

Never got to float with his outfit( i hunted with him) But Darren Carr owner of Amistad Expeditions is a great guy to deal with. We talked about setting up a float when i was there with him but have not had the chance yet. If he takes care of shuttle customers like he does hunters you should have no worries

[topher]

Amistad Expeditions is who I used a few years ago. We left our truck at there ranch and loaded up in there vehicle.
Dropped off at Bakers crossing and floated to Big Satan where he picked us up at.
We had to get permits from the state and had to verify camping spots every night.
Pm me more if needed.

[Trailerman3]

Have it booked for 6 of us. I got my TPWD permits and deposit done with Amistad Expeditions. Just have to get a couple months out of the way. And get all of or gear ready.

[Anteloper]

Cool, sounds like a good time

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by Anteloper

Cool, sounds like a good time

I hope it’s as fun as it looks.

[CEO]

Make sure to do a recap on here afterward. Always thought it would be a cool trip.

[topher]

Can’t wait to hear about it.

[apkleinschmidt]

Is Big Satan open? A buddy told me the road to it had washed out so they'd have to ferry you from Amistad to take out. Or put in at Baker and take out earlier at Devil's River SP.

I have not verified this so take it with a grain of salt. I'm curious if anyone else has heard anything similar.

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[Crookhunter]

I have been fortunate to do the trip. One of the coolest excursions I have ever been on and would go again in a heartbeat. Scenery is second to none. Fishing was great. Make sure you have good dry bags, every one in my party rolled at least once. Also, have a good sleeping mat, those rocks are not comfortable with a standard mat.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by apkleinschmidt

Is Big Satan open? A buddy told me the road to it had washed out so they'd have to ferry you from Amistad to take out. Or put in at Baker and take out earlier at Devil's River SP.

I have not verified this so take it with a grain of salt. I'm curious if anyone else has heard anything similar.

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It’s still closed we’ll come out at RM 25 Blue Sage

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by Crookhunter

I have been fortunate to do the trip. One of the coolest excursions I have ever been on and would go again in a heartbeat. Scenery is second to none. Fishing was great. Make sure you have good dry bags, every one in my party rolled at least once. Also, have a good sleeping mat, those rocks are not comfortable with a standard mat.

I was looking at sleeping pads last night.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by CEO

Make sure to do a recap on here afterward. Always thought it would be a cool trip.

Will do.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by topher

Can’t wait to hear about it.

Thanks for the help.

[apkleinschmidt]

Originally Posted by Trailerman3

It’s still closed we’ll come out at RM 25 Blue Sage

Ah. Appreciate the info! Enjoy the trip, you'll have a blast.

Last time I went I took a break down recurve bowfishing rig and had a hell of a time chasing carp. I'd highly recommend it.

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[Smoothing Iron]

Where are you putting in at? Bakers Crossing or Del Norte? Too bad you can’t go past Blue Sage, some of the most beautiful areas are in between Blue Sage and Big Satan.

As noted above, be sure to have great dry bags...everything will get wet and everyone will tip over.

[toomuchsun]

I used to ride rivers and creeks a Lot! Hope things are changed a bit as Devils River info used to come with warnings of very aggressive land owners. Of course respect properties and I would expect TBH to do that without saying. Never went and would have but just did not. Past viewing Articles and awesome photography, this place is out of place and So cool! Enjoy.
I still trip but little less adventurous with age. Got two cool modern yaks now and had one of the first Wilderness Systems built (Ride probably early 80's? ) a friend still owns. Report back with pics and tips

[rolylane6]

Shane Davies does a guided trip down there. He furnishes all the gear or you can use your own. I think he quoted me $2500 for 2 people everything included but I can't remember how long the trip was. I've never used him but I have met him at the Brazos below PK once. Super nice guy and he's been doing river trips in Texas for a long time. He has a website.

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[topher]

Get you a Coleman twin or the slim twin blow up mattress and a max pump plus-usb rechargeable that works really good.
You will never be uncomfortable again and will sleep great. Trust me on this. It’s a little heavy but your in a canoe. I have used it on this trip and others.
Check out Amazon

[BTLowry]

This trip looks interesting

Looking forward to the report and pics

[Yak blue]

I’ve done the devils twice. Most recently this past summer Used amistad both times to shuttle.
My group stayed at Marlene’s (who cares bed n breakfast) and we were allowed to leave our truck and trailer at her BnB for the duration of our float.
Marlene’s place is something else.
Multiple beds and bedrooms with pool tables and an outside bar area. We cooked outside on her fire pits. . The evening we returned we swam in her big pila tank/swimming pool and drank cervezas. She cooks you a big breakfast before amistad picks you up at 6am. Highly recommended and amistad likes to pick up/drop off there because it’s not as much of a backtrack for their driver, if I understand right. On the shuttle ride, pick the drivers brain on conditions.
We did the trip from one tpwd unit to the other over two nights three days the fishing was spectacular. We took our time floating. Work over any hole down stream of a rapid and you’ll find smallies. Wacky worms worked best for us.

So with the flooding in 2018, a lot of things have changed in the river. Our driver explained that indian head Falls was re-channeled and basically is a garage sale, so many ppl would turn over there. The flood dropped rocks or changed the channel for sure between my first and second trip.., anyways it’s rough... I overturned and lost gear there.
Another thing, be sure to pack wag bags. Also a good idea to have mesh bags for camp trash. Can’t carry plastic bags. No glass. Read the rules. More and more people run the river now and you can tell. I tried to collect as much random trash like floating cigarette butts, beer cans, and monofilament. It’s a special place, hope it stays wild.

[brianlg31]

Bucket list trip for me. Good luck, look forward to hearing about it.

[CTR0022]

Originally Posted by Yak blue

I’ve done the devils twice. Most recently this past summer Used amistad both times to shuttle.
My group stayed at Marlene’s (who cares bed n breakfast) and we were allowed to leave our truck and trailer at her BnB for the duration of our float.
Marlene’s place is something else.
Multiple beds and bedrooms with pool tables and an outside bar area. We cooked outside on her fire pits. . The evening we returned we swam in her big pila tank/swimming pool and drank cervezas. She cooks you a big breakfast before amistad picks you up at 6am. Highly recommended and amistad likes to pick up/drop off there because it’s not as much of a backtrack for their driver, if I understand right. On the shuttle ride, pick the drivers brain on conditions.
We did the trip from one tpwd unit to the other over two nights three days the fishing was spectacular. We took our time floating. Work over any hole down stream of a rapid and you’ll find smallies. Wacky worms worked best for us.

So with the flooding in 2018, a lot of things have changed in the river. Our driver explained that indian head Falls was re-channeled and basically is a garage sale, so many ppl would turn over there. The flood dropped rocks or changed the channel for sure between my first and second trip.., anyways it’s rough... I overturned and lost gear there.
Another thing, be sure to pack wag bags. Also a good idea to have mesh bags for camp trash. Can’t carry plastic bags. No glass. Read the rules. More and more people run the river now and you can tell. I tried to collect as much random trash like floating cigarette butts, beer cans, and monofilament. It’s a special place, hope it stays wild.

It's not wild like it use to be, the pieces is the new truelly wild river I texas.

I ran the devils several years ago. Stayed at Marlenes as well and she shuttled us from bakers crossing and took out at blue sage. Not sure if she is still doing shuttles or not. It's an awesome river and the fishing got better the further down stream we got.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by Smoothing Iron

Where are you putting in at? Bakers Crossing or Del Norte? Too bad you can’t go past Blue Sage, some of the most beautiful areas are in between Blue Sage and Big Satan.

As noted above, be sure to have great dry bags...everything will get wet and everyone will tip over.

Putting in at Bakers. That just means I’ll have to make another trip to see it when it opens.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by Yak blue

I’ve done the devils twice. Most recently this past summer Used amistad both times to shuttle.
My group stayed at Marlene’s (who cares bed n breakfast) and we were allowed to leave our truck and trailer at her BnB for the duration of our float.
Marlene’s place is something else.
Multiple beds and bedrooms with pool tables and an outside bar area. We cooked outside on her fire pits. . The evening we returned we swam in her big pila tank/swimming pool and drank cervezas. She cooks you a big breakfast before amistad picks you up at 6am. Highly recommended and amistad likes to pick up/drop off there because it’s not as much of a backtrack for their driver, if I understand right. On the shuttle ride, pick the drivers brain on conditions.
We did the trip from one tpwd unit to the other over two nights three days the fishing was spectacular. We took our time floating. Work over any hole down stream of a rapid and you’ll find smallies. Wacky worms worked best for us.

So with the flooding in 2018, a lot of things have changed in the river. Our driver explained that indian head Falls was re-channeled and basically is a garage sale, so many ppl would turn over there. The flood dropped rocks or changed the channel for sure between my first and second trip.., anyways it’s rough... I overturned and lost gear there.
Another thing, be sure to pack wag bags. Also a good idea to have mesh bags for camp trash. Can’t carry plastic bags. No glass. Read the rules. More and more people run the river now and you can tell. I tried to collect as much random trash like floating cigarette butts, beer cans, and monofilament. It’s a special place, hope it stays wild.

I’ve heard of Marlenes and will check it out thanks. We are doing five days and four nights on the river. We are going to take it slow and not be in a rush and fish every hole and rock we find. I’ve been wanting to do this trip for years and I finally said I better just book it or it will never happen.

[Trailerman3]

Well the countdown begins. We head down Friday and hang out at Marlene’s get up eat breakfast and head to the river. Amistad Expeditions will pick us up at 7:00A.M.

[Trailerman3]

Well it all fit inside with plenty of room to spare.

[Trailerman3]

Me Larry Hill I’m sure you recognize the ride.

[BrandonA]

This on my bucket list.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

This on my bucket list.

Yes sir I’ve thought about it for a few years. I finally said just do it or it’s never going to happen.

[jlp04c]

My advice is trim up your pack and double up your fishing supplies!!

Ive learned my tendency is to over pack my food and my sleeping stuff (tent, bag, pillow etc) ditch that stuff. Its only 3 days really less if you consider you get good meals on each end...
Youll drag the yak more than you paddle so make sure its got a comfortable rope. Dont bring too many rods. In most places your gonna have to take em outta the rod holders and lay em in the boat its a pita if u have 2-3.
Bring a 12" piece of nylon rope for kayak patch repairs.
Stay inside the river banks at all time, camp only on islands, you dont "have" to maybe, but it keeps the peace better if u do. 1 more thing!! Youll cross a drug sniff dog/checkpoint on your way to bakers.. an idiot with another party on one of our trips had brought a little "enjoyment " for the trip.... dont be that guy, ha!

[Seatruckn]

Floats on your rods and pack plenty of whiskey. No glass.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by jlp04c

My advice is trim up your pack and double up your fishing supplies!!

Ive learned my tendency is to over pack my food and my sleeping stuff (tent, bag, pillow etc) ditch that stuff. Its only 3 days really less if you consider you get good meals on each end...
Youll drag the yak more than you paddle so make sure its got a comfortable rope. Dont bring too many rods. In most places your gonna have to take em outta the rod holders and lay em in the boat its a pita if u have 2-3.
Bring a 12" piece of nylon rope for kayak patch repairs.
Stay inside the river banks at all time, camp only on islands, you dont "have" to maybe, but it keeps the peace better if u do. 1 more thing!! Youll cross a drug sniff dog/checkpoint on your way to bakers.. an idiot with another party on one of our trips had brought a little "enjoyment " for the trip.... dont be that guy, ha!

Thanks for the advice. I was kinda thinking already of checking to see what I could ditch.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by Seatruckn

Floats on your rods and pack plenty of whiskey. No glass.

I like your advice. I did put some zingzang in a plastic bottle. And I do have some whiskey.

[Crookhunter]

Also, watch those rod tip. Everyone on my trip minus me broke there tips in the reeds and rocks.

[BrandonA]

Originally Posted by Crookhunter

Also, watch those rod tip. Everyone on my trip minus me broke there tips in the reeds and rocks.

I would carry some extra rod tips and super glue

[CabezaBlanca]

Sounds like an awesome adventure! Good luck and safe travels!

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by BrandonA

I would carry some extra rod tips and super glue

I’ll try to watch out for them I have some tips and glue packed.

[Trailerman3]

Originally Posted by CabezaBlanca

Sounds like an awesome adventure! Good luck and safe travels!

I sure hope it is and bet it will be. Thanks

[Mjjust]

Definitely on my list for next year or two. Look forward to reports. Stay safe!!

[TheHammer]

Watching!

[Trailerman3]

Got to Marlenes Who Cares B&B around 8:00pm after messing around all day. Had a good drive coming down. We just hung out and grilled pork chops before getting kayaks ready for the 7:00am shuttle p/u. Eating breakfast at 6:00. I’ll update as I have service so it might be awhile.

[TX1120]

Any updates? We're going in late April

[Smoothing Iron]

How was the trip?