Just got off NFJD. The fire last summer is hardly evident at all when you are floating. It was there, and if you are looking there is lots of evidence, but it seems like most was probably low intensity and most trees survived. The old grass and undergrowth got cleared out, so this years grass and flowers are extra green and nice.
Not too much to know about NFJD. This was the second time I ran it. It was about 2500-3000 this trip, which is quite a bit higher than last time ( I don't recall the flow then). There are no rapids to be concerned about. Maybe two that have any kind of hydraulic features, which are too small to cause any real threat to rafts. They are short and the line is obvious. There is lots of II- kind of stuff that keeps the pace moving quickly. I haven't run it in low water, so I can't comment on the lower end of the flow range, but I suspect it doesn't last much past early june most years.
I agree that there is lots of private land. My wife printed river maps from available maps to track public/private land. No need for GPS if you know how to read a map and keep track of your progress. There is limited camping the last ~10-15 miles, but lots of great sites higher up.
There are a couple launch sites, with the better ramp being about 1.5 miles upstream of the primary launch site at Camas Creek. Not much parking there, though.
The take out at monument has a ramp, but it is very shallow. Don't expect to submerge your trailer to get your raft out.
It seems like it should fish well, but I've always found it quite slow. Maybe that's just me. It probably gets better as the flow comes down.
It is a nice float and pretty canyon, but far from the best the northwest has to offer. Its worth doing every few years to add some variety.
