Fish Creek, E. Branch, NY

Burly Rodeo Hole

Burly Rodeo Hole
Photo by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.

River Description

Fish Creek may be the finest play river in the Northeast, with big, fast waves and holes that range from purring pussycat to sneering tiger. Paddlers may put in below the City of Rome dam (Lat: 43.3377991 Lon: -75.5815353) or at Point Rock (coords given below); the takeout is 1/2 mile below the town of Taberg along Blossvale Road (4.5 miles from the dam, feels like 10 miles).

Most of the action takes place below the dam; you get a shorter, concentrated run, but you have to walk your boat down to put in. The stretch from Point Rock to the dam is more mellow, but many paddlers use it, especially at higher levels (3 feet and above), because that avoids the long walk to the dam; also, the upper section does have good play and some beautiful scenery, with waterfalls (icy in the early spring) cascading down the steep gorge walls at every turn.

Directions to takeout:

From the West (Syracuse and Thruway West):
Take Exit 34 (Canastota), head North on Rte. 13 toward Vienna.
Where Rte. 13 T's into Rte. 49 (North of Sylvan Beach), head Right onto Rte. 49.
After about 2.2 miles, just after Kimball Rd., take a Left onto Pine Rd. (If you miss this turn, take the Left, three miles farther, onto Herder Rd.)
Pine Rd. will T into Blossvale / Herder Rd. Take a Left, toward Taberg.
After about 3 miles, the road will follow E. Br., Fish Creek. Park where a takeout looks convenient.
The takeout is about 1/2 mile South of Taberg; if you miss it and hit the stop sign in town, turn Right and get a look at the gage on the Bridge, upstream river left.

From the East (Utica, Albany):
Take Exit 32 (Westmoreland / Rome); head North on Rte. 233 toward Rome.
In Rome, head Northwest on Rte. 69 toward Taberg.
Follow Rte. 69 about ten miles
After the bridge over the creek (check out the gage!), take a Left onto Blossvale Rd. Head about half a mile and park here for the takeout.

Directions to Point Rock putin from takeout:

From Blossvale Rd., cross Rte. 69 onto Main St.
Take your first Right onto Coal Hill Rd.
After about 8 miles on Coal Hill Rd., you'll come to a T intersection. Take a Right onto Yorkland Rd.
Cross the Creek, park, and put in on River Left.

To Rome Dam putin from takeout:

As above, cross 69, take Main St., and a Right onto Coal Hill Rd.
After about a mile on Coal Hill Rd., take a Right onto Palmer Rd.
After about a mile on Palmer Rd., take a Left onto Boyd Rd.
After maybe 1.5 miles on Boyd Rd., pretty much across from Streun Rd. is a small, gated road on the Left, leading to the dam. Park on Boyd Rd. and walk your boat downhill to the putin.

The Lat/Long coords given below are verified by GPS.