Next, it's time to catch your breath and enjoy some superlative fishing in the eddies and runs below Surprise. After drift-fishing for a while, you will arrive at the Brooklyn Pool -- a long, deep pool that is little less than a mile long. Search out the rocky bank cover, especially if you are fishing early in the morning. That's a good time to throw topwaters, such as buzzbaits and jumbo minnow-imitating plugs.

A Class II rapid, Baloney, ensues after Brooklyn Pool and as always seems the case in the Grand Canyon of the East, this size rapid contains fetching mossyback action. After Baloney, also known as Indigestion, concludes, you will soon arrive at the Sewell Pool. On my trip with Marty Pribil, our time was limited and we debarked here. The Sewell Pool access point is near the community of Cunard, and the access lies on the river's left bank about 7 1/2 miles into the junket.

For those of you who enjoy bank- fishing, the Cunard access point is a possible destination. Some anglers like to employ canoes and johnboats to tool around in Sewell Pool. Two long handrails lead down to the access point, and hauling a craft down those steps can be an exhausting exercise.

After the Sewell Pool, the New flaunts even more swift-water sections. First comes the Class III Upper Railroad Rapid, which erupts above a railroad bridge. The worst of this rapid is its center; so strive to go down the river's left side. Logically, the Lower Railroad Rapid spews forth its frothy waves next. This roller coaster Class IV should be run on far river right.

After you survive the two Railroads, unlimber your casting arm along the rocky, 300-yard-or-so-long pool that ensues. Swimmers Rapid occurs next and this drop in the streambed seems almost inconsequential, as Swimmers is "only" a Class II rapid. Then come a series of very similar in appearance rapids, known as First, Second, Third and Fourth Warm-up. All of these cookie-cutter rapids are rated as Class IIs.

Some guides speculate that the Warm-up quartet received its name because as a group they are a preparation for the Class III to IV Upper Keeney, which occurs at about the 10-mile point of the Thurmond trip as a whole. Beware of a large boulder known as Whale Rock; skirt around it to the right.

Then comes Middle Keeney, which is a churning, boat-spurning Class IV rapid with swamping waves. Once I was almost pitched out of a raft when we went deep into one of valleys of these waves. This section concludes with the aptly named Lower Keeney, known for its Class IV drop and monstrous boulders.

Following on your itinerary is the Class II to III Dudley's Dip, a big dip anywhere but on the Grand Canyon of the East. Run it center left. Another big-time rapid follows and goes by the name of Double Z, a strong Class IV. This rapid is so known because you must take a zee-like path down it. The Class III Turtle Rapid then looms and it offers a number of routes through its maelstrom. The Class II-plus Greyhound Bus Stopper concludes this section.

With only 1 1/2 miles to go on your journey, expect to encounter the Class II-plus Upper and Lower Kaymoor rapid; run to the right of center of this rapid. The Class IV to IV-plus Miller's Folly then lurches toward you and this rapid can be quite dangerous. Beware of an undercut rock at its head and the steep drop near the tail end.

Next comes the Thread and Needle areas, which are highlighted by a series of three boulders. Finally, you will spot the Fayette Station Bridge and the aptly named Fayette Station Rapid, a thumping, bumping Class IV that should be run down its center. Congratulations, soon afterward you will reach the take-out, which lies on river left off state Route 82 (Fayette Station Road).