I have never navigated a river by myself and defiantly
never navigated in total darkness, how do you do it? I
mean I know you have swamp lights and maybe a headlamp,
but you just go a decent speed and dodge what is in the way
and hope you don't hit anything? I have been living next to a
decent size little river about 30-40ft wide for almost 3 years
and i really want to get in there to do some various types of
hunting and fishing, first thing I want the right rig, but then I
would need to know how not to tear it up traveling up/down
the river.

You need stick time with an experienced hunter or someone familiar with that river first. I wouldn't venture it by myself. The content of your question tells me it would be a dangerous proposition for you.

Describe said river in more detail.

*with directions from the launch to where you are going.

30-40 feet wide isn't a river!

Is it deep? Is there other boat traffic? Are there a lot of hairpin curves and swift current?

On the bayous that size, depending on how familiar I am with it I like to at least be on step.
If your boat is square chine, it will take some adjustments to get used to it sliding at high speeds when you corner

Honestly if you can get away with it.. Run it with no lights on at all. I usally turn all my lights off and can see way better then when they are on. The lights give off a glare that hurts my eyes and I have found I can drive in the dark alot better when they are offf

run it during the day until you can do it with your eyes closed, then you u can do it with a qbeam and a gps if you get lose easy.

I am defiantly an inexperienced river runner, all I have ever done is fished in lakes and traveled the waterway to get on the Core Land, I just now started hunting/fishing around the waterway. I would like to get into the hard spots in between the old river and the waterway which is Core Land and is much easier to get their using the old river. The old river is a meandering with a mild current. I have been in it once with a 1436 regular outboard. We traveled about a mile down stream and we probably crossed over one log but it was really too shallow for an outboard. We used the heck out of the jack plate. I want something small enough to get in this river, but big enough to travel around the waterway and other lakes of choice.

I know which river your talking about. I live in Amory and run it and others all year long. PM me and Ill be glad to show you the ropes.

As the previous posters indicated, run it during the day first. Get a handheld GPS and lay down a track plot during daylight and use it for reference in the dark.

I am not a big fan of running with lights. I find that so long as I give my eyes a chance to adjust to the darkness and don't expose them to any lightsources while underway, I can see all but the smallest branches in the water. However, I always assume that I will hit a log or a lay over, so I adjust my speed accordingly.

If there are docks, net stakes, old pilings or bulkheads on the river, think about buying a few of those little tack on reflectors and marking them as high as you can. If the reflectors are high enough, rising water won't muddy them, and your stern light will be just enough light to illuminate them as you approach.

appreciate the advice guys!

He'll that's nothing more than a racetrac. Just keep that mofo between the banks and you can't go wrong. Some things are inherent while others are learned. Some of us have a photographic memory for detail and see things others never will. If I can ride it in the daylight once I can get back there again in the pitch black of night. Some folks couldn't return to a spot being towed by a guide. I prefer no lights when river running and see better that way. Otherwise a hardhat light can't be beat. But absolutely nothing will give your more confidence than to get out there and see it for yourself. Buyer take it slow and be cautious. And you will be fine. In not then it's just natures way of culling out those that should have taken up another sport.

wait until you get to the ramp to go hunting and fog is so thick you can't see the ramp.. that's when it gets fun

that's when a smart phone with maps or a good handheld gps is good.

I used nightvision goggle phuck a light

Hayward..I would be very careful running rivers in the dark. Get use to the feel of your boat and your load in the daylight. Get lots of "stick time" and then venture out at night slowly "but" with power for control. I don't have a clue on your rivers but some of ours are serious and fast, 7 to 12 miles per hour, with "sweepers" that will swamp you in a heart beat if your off your game. River boat traffic is almost non-existant where we run but is a consideration. Make sure your motor is running in top shape so you don't loose power. Loss of power coming into the inside curves can get you killed. Class 3 white water is not uncommon for us so we do little night time running. I like a head lamp so I have light where I am looking but still it's dicy at best. Keep your heavy anchor on a long line and ready to set if you get into trouble and before you get into a real bind. NEVER let your guard down on the inside curves when sweepers are present.............. Duckdon

The river he is refering to is pretty calm but after a good rain it floods out and shift logs all around so NEVER run at night after a flood due to the fact that the river "maze" has changed.

You should fish this river in the daylight until you are comfortable and know it very well. I kinda think of fishing as "exploration season"

Remember this ..... 'specially on a smaller type river like that ..... goin' up stream is mo fogiven than goin' down stream !!!

[quote="BROOKS".. goin' up stream is mo fogiven than goin' down stream !!![/quote]

That is so true, on so many levels, it is almost profound!!!
I'm thinking of having that carved on my tombstone.
Thanks, Brooks.

Brooks, Well spoken.......and so damm true.
Stu.......Anything you ain't telling us?
Duckdon