Overnight float on South Sask

[slamilton]

Looking to do an overnight float on the South Sask with purpose of catching Sturgeon. Would prefer to go in May once it opens but could look at later. Looking at starting at the Forks and just hoping for some input of floating distance/duration or where the next feasible take out would be? Watercraft is not determined yet but will either be a 3 person Whitewater canoe or inflatable Mariner 4. Could also be extended to a 2 nighter if need be.
Couple questions:
1) Is there much paddling required? Obviously the canoe would be better for that but not sure if the owner of canoe can make it so is it doable in raft and how long are we looking?
2) I understand there is mostly private land along that stretch but you can camp anywhere under the high water mark so are there any good spots on that stretch? I do not want to push boundaries just looking for options for legal camping.

Please PM me with any options as well.

[madatter]

Amount of paddling completely dependent on flow.....a raft would be a long haul anywhere.
A trip from the Hat to Sandy Point can take several days....in canoe with intermittent paddling,not including a lot of fishing.
River has private land above high water mark....below is crown and you can be there.
Going thru the block area of river can be limited if live fire exercises happening.
Access points on river upstream at the Forks and 879 bridge north of Bow Island.
A few downstream of the Hat but on private land.
Ive done the 879 bridge to the Hat in a day and a half with a lot of fishing and a lot of paddling.
Personally I would use canoe...

[Dale S]

We use to float and row in our 12' tinner. It takes 2 days from Taber to the forks. And that's not fishing much. From the forks to the Bow Island bridge is 6 to 7 hours. Our average speed was 2.2kph. From the Bow Island bridge to the next puplic access is the cottonwood ranch. I haven't floated that piece but it's a long ways. At least 2 days. And from there is Med Hat another 2 days to get there I'm sure. What ever time you figure you can do it, double it and that will be closer to the time it will take.

[slamilton]

Thanks for the replies, I figured it would take time but not that much. Definitely going to go for the canoe if possible.