I have been waiting a while to do this river. A combination of not having the confidence over the years, it being over an hour away (lots of quality rivers nearer) and until the gauges hard to know how much rain it needed.
So with my early new year resolution to try and paddle new rivers instead of the usual suspects we headed over (Ant, Tom H, Dan, Lee and Rob) after a day of rain and a check of the gauges. Due to the rain stopping early in the night, I suspected (as the gauge suggested) it would be on the low side. However, due to its reputation/scare mongering I was happy with this for a first trip down. None of us fancied the two grade 5′s but I can definately see the line on Troutal Farm Falls. Now that I know what the river consists of below this, next time it could be a possibility. As for the Birks Bridge grade 5, to me that just looks horrible. I’m sure others will say its fine, but its definately one that it would be nice to see someone else paddle first!! 
I will definately be going back, if only to get my line correct in Wallabarrow!!
From the gauge you can see that it was rising while we were on it (didn’t feel like it was), I would guess that we were in Wallabarrow Gorge about 12 ish. With more water it would definately clean up some of the lines.
