Guided South Branch float trips:

[AndyS]

The great things about the rafts is you can launch and retrieve just about anywhere you can get close to the water, AND are incredibly stable ! A side kayak rental would be a great idea also.

[cruiser1234]

Funny this topic pops up! Friday I was out on the ice on a local pond and ran into a guy named Mike Snook (The River Monster). And he was talking about taking people for bow trips on the raritan and other local spots. I don’t have Facebook but he’s on there. Looks like he likes huge carp and catfish. Never used him or anything but was a nice guy and DEFINITELY knew the area.

[Lard Almighty]

I think the two main things you have working against this idea are A) most of the Raritan is accessible by wading, so you don't need a drift boat/kayak to get to most of the good spots, and B) while the fishing may be good, it's not consistently good enough to make the Raritan a destination fishery. People travel from all over the Northeast to fish the Beaverkill, West Branch, etc.; would they do the same for the Raritan?

Even the kayak rental/shuttle may not be profitable enough. Based on all the flotillas that go down that river on summer weekends, it's pretty evident that organizing such a thing isn't difficult without a "professional" service. Anyone who wants to float the river for an afternoon likely already has the means.

As much as I would love to see someone set up shop on the Raritan and showcase what a great river it is, the incentive just isn't there.

[Jigman13]

Originally Posted by Lard Almighty

I think the two main things you have working against this idea are A) most of the Raritan is accessible by wading, so you don't need a drift boat/kayak to get to most of the good spots, and B) while the fishing may be good, it's not consistently good enough to make the Raritan a destination fishery. People travel from all over the Northeast to fish the Beaverkill, West Branch, etc.; would they do the same for the Raritan?

Even the kayak rental/shuttle may not be profitable enough. Based on all the flotillas that go down that river on summer weekends, it's pretty evident that organizing such a thing isn't difficult without a "professional" service. Anyone who wants to float the river for an afternoon likely already has the means.

As much as I would love to see someone set up shop on the Raritan and showcase what a great river it is, the incentive just isn't there.

Well-stated, Lard. I agreed.

[AndyS]

I've floated sections of the North and South branch that seem so remote. You float for miles, no roads, no people nothing. Probably right, it boils down to a numbers game but those unfamiliar with the area looking to do some trout or bass fishing may be up to hiring a guide for a day. I think if the price were right it could work.