I've tried to run various sections of the Snake below Swan Falls with a prop and it is just asking for trouble. I spent 2 hours one day trying to work up a section of the river that from a distance looked fine -- no ripples, no rapids and probably a hundred yards wide. Problem was that it was only maybe a foot deep. I had a 16' flat bottom with a 40 hp motor. Just could not do it. If I tilted the engine up, I seemed to lose too much power, if I lowered it, I got the power but the bow popped up, stern down and into the gravel I went. I didn't have the guts (or the pocket book) to see if I could go up on plane -- nothing said I wouldn't find a 6 inch deep spot.
I decided the best way is to drive upstream and float down with a paddle or pontoon boat.
If you decide to try this, keep in mind that you want to park downstream and go upstream. That way when you have trouble or get to a point you can't go further, you can always drift back to your rig. Head downstream and you may float over something that you just are not going to go back upstream over.
As to fishing -- some great small mouth fishing just about anywhere. Crankbaits and plastics. You have to do it early to not fight moss though. It seems that by mid June, you start dragging strings of moss that foul your lures. You can find pockets to fish though all summer where the current clears most of the moss. Just can't fish all the best looking cover.
I've seen some monster Cats in the river too.
Good luck,
Bob
