I may not be much help but here goes.  Running north or upriver from the Dollar Store ramp you should find it to be easy, not many hazards there.  Going south towards the dam is okay in the channel as long as you keep an eye on the markers.  The trick is when you go out of the channel, there are some areas that tend to be very difficult to navigate.  Definitely go slow when out of channel until you get the lay of the creek or cove.  Maybe some of the other guys who go south more than myself could chime in with hazzards they may know about.  Good Luck.