As noon approached, we continued our way downriver towards the Needles Eye. The pattern was 5 minutes of calm paddling followed by a strainer/sweeper/rapid. The low flow made for an interesting approach to the Needles Eye. We pulled over and scouted the entrance to ensure there was a clear line through. In some years, there is not. Everyone gradually threaded their way through the maze and we took lunch at McDougal Wash. A canoe swamping and two IK swims had me thankfull for stopping accross from Little Ash Creek for the night.