The Bow is a really tame and easy float. You can run anything from a Zodiac canoe, kayak or 14 FT tinner. Hell, people even float that whole way on $20 CT rubber rafts. Like any river, water volume and speed are the greatest variables. Low water you may have to traverse some shallow spots if you get out of the main channel, if you stick to the main flow it has to be REALLY low before you need to walk a boat. High water the fishing isn't usually all that good but it does make the float a bunch faster. There is very little for rapids sections and they are really tame, even for novice boaters. It does help if you can read a river a bit but there are no white water parts that cannot be avoided and higher flow rates actually make for less white water. There are lots of islands that will be available for camping even with high water, if the water is so high all the islands are gone you won't be floating it anyhow.
If you can afford $500, take a guided float boat trip with your son for the first one. You will catch more fish, learn a tremendous amount about the river and have a first class experience. They have the rods, flys and everything else you will need. Got to the point where we used a guide most any time we went. That way both of you can fish full time as he drives the boat, the guides are on the river every day, know exactly where the fish are and what they are biting on and drift boats are a pretty comfortable way to float down the river. They also organise the drop off and pick up. Best of luck and have a great time.
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