When the North and South Thompson Rivers reach their peak from mid May to mid-July, islands are flooded and new channels open up, providing opportunities to paddle into the channels and explore areas that motorized boats can’t get into.   Two channels worth exploring are accessed from the McArthur Island boat launch.   By late-July the boat launch becomes too shallow and the channels can’t be paddled.   The challenge in going out into the Thompson River in flood is that the river runs quickly with the combined weight of the two rivers.   Any upstream paddling west of Overlander Bridge is a slow paddle requiring strength and endurance.   If you can find a back eddy or a slower part of the river, choose it.

Paddle 1.3 km downriver to the west entrance to the McArthur Island.   Turn into the channel and paddle the still waters up to the bridge.   On my last trip, the waters were too high to allow a kayak to get under the bridge so I turned around there.   There were many ducks and blackbirds in the channel and its an interesting side trip away from the river’s currents.   On the way back out, turn upstream and paddle hard upstream to the end of Rabbit Island.   This upstream paddle will be the most challenging part of the route.   Once around the point of the island, the current is a little less, then a back eddy can be entered, allowing an easier paddle on the south side of the island.   To return back downriver, paddle out of the eddy into the current to return downstream to the west tip of the island.   Steer close to shore and enjoy a lesser current up the north side of Rabbit Island.   There is a small channel at the west end of the island to explore.

Continue up the north side of the island and look for the deep channel into the interior of the island.   There is a bit of a current in here, but you can enjoy exploring the channel all the way to the end and back.   Continue upstream along the shore of the island to avoid the main current of the river.   I find it easier to go past McArthur Island, then angle back down to the boat launch..