Flyfishing/small river fishing

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 23, 2004, 6:31 pm

I am looking to buy one of these 1 person pontoon boats for drifting rivers, or to cruise around still waters. The prices vary from 300 to 3000 and there a ton of options like motor mounts, rod holders, etc...

Do any fishing enthusiasts own or have experience with these? I think it would be pretty badass to throw in the back of my truck since I cannot really afford to own a regular boat at this time....

Thanks!

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » June 23, 2004, 7:35 pm

Yeah I have used them a bit...they are great for relatively calm water...you can even use a trolling motor or itty bitty gas motor (like seagull 1.5 hp)

I think I'd lean towards rigid pontoons versus inflatable though...Or if inflatable is mandatory for some reason be sure and get one with an internal replacable float bladder with heavy heavy denier jacketing (teflon would be nice as well)...I used to use one of these a lot in farm ponds etc...they are great for portability but some of them do lack stability...

...

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 23, 2004, 7:46 pm

I talked to a guy in Lyons, OR (bout 40 minutes away, just E of Salem, he is a dealer (http://www.waterready.com) and offered a demo when I get a chance to go down there. His boats are pretty solid and geared for both small rivers and lakes. I have heard some people talking about having no problem in class I-III rapids even.

Most boats I have seen feature multi-chambered bladders in case of puncture, which is good. I do have the option for inflatable or solid toons, but I like the portability/storability of the inflatables. I will primarily be fishing for bass/crappie, but I do plan on getting some steelhead fishing in and working on some flyfishing on the DeSchutes soon.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » June 23, 2004, 7:57 pm

Before you spend too much money, look into retired Royal Canadian Navy vessel surplus outlets for bargains!

Yes! I can't believe I still had that picture lying around!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 23, 2004, 8:03 pm

If it is from West Canada, I may look into it, but not if it is French!

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » June 23, 2004, 8:08 pm

Canelek wrote:I talked to a guy in Lyons, OR (bout 40 minutes away, just E of Salem, he is a dealer (http://www.waterready.com) and offered a demo when I get a chance to go down there. His boats are pretty solid and geared for both small rivers and lakes. I have heard some people talking about having no problem in class I-III rapids even.

Most boats I have seen feature multi-chambered bladders in case of puncture, which is good. I do have the option for inflatable or solid toons, but I like the portability/storability of the inflatables. I will primarily be fishing for bass/crappie, but I do plan on getting some steelhead fishing in and working on some flyfishing on the DeSchutes soon.

Class III would be just stupid...Class II only if it's only classed for maneuvering reqs and not standing waves...a 3-4 foot standing wave would eat one of these...

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 23, 2004, 8:13 pm

I guess I am not familiar with the class system. Is class IV harder or easier than III?

Either way, my ass isn't getting anywhere near the heavy shit..... just smallish rivers and lakes...

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » June 23, 2004, 8:18 pm

Canelek wrote:I guess I am not familiar with the class system. Is class IV harder or easier than III?

Either way, my ass isn't getting anywhere near the heavy shit..... just smallish rivers and lakes...

I - dead calm...

II - some maneuvering and or waves up to 3 feet

III - Some hydraulics, small falls, waves up to 6 feet

IV- Fun, significant hydraulics and drops hard maneuvering

V - Scary in a not so fun way

VI - Fishfood

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 23, 2004, 8:26 pm

Whatever doesn't spill mah beer!

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » June 23, 2004, 10:03 pm

you also have to bear in mind that the people in real boats will laugh at you.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 23, 2004, 10:28 pm

Nah, fishing is taken pretty seriously up here--kayaks, 'toons and drift boats are all pretty common and favored, especially in the streams and small rivers.....if I was in a float-tube however...

If I was dumb enough to take one out on the Columbia, a good laugh would be had by all, till I capsized and drowned that is...

Kguku · Post by **Kguku** » June 23, 2004, 11:19 pm

You should be fishing from this!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 23, 2004, 11:22 pm

Party Barges are a ton of fun...had one moored at Greers Ferry lake back when I lived in AR. Not suitable for up here, but damn fun!

I think I will stick with the 9' variety for now.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » June 24, 2004, 1:56 pm

Im obviously not a big fisher, but if i were you id save up a couple more K and go for a nice PWC, opposed to that deal you posted a pic of
I just got one of these...http://kawasaki.com/index2.asp]
Kawasaki150
My other ride, which you can get for a great price these days in a 2001 Seadoo RXDI

...if your into that 1 man pontoon go for it, but i garante you'll get a lot more girls on that 150

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » June 24, 2004, 1:57 pm

Xzion wrote:Im obviously not a big fisher, but if i were you id save up a couple more K and go for a nice PWC, opposed to that deal you posted a pic of
I just got one of these...http://kawasaki.com/index2.asp]
Kawasaki150
My other ride, which you can get for a great price these days in a 2001 Seadoo RXDI

...if your into that 1 man pontoon go for it, but i garante you'll get a lot more girls on that 150

And substantially fewer fish...

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 24, 2004, 1:59 pm

I can't seem to find a pwc with a livewell....

Dups. · Post by **Dups.** » June 24, 2004, 3:54 pm

Now I want to go fishing

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 21, 2004, 12:04 am

Bought this last week. I get to take my first river drift on the North Santiam River this coming Sunday for Summer Steelhead!!! YAYAYAYAYYAYAYAYYAYAY!!!!! Hottdamn, my first boat, I am amped!

Oh, and Arbo - this badbitch boat can handle Class IV, even though I can't!

It will take some time, but there are some great guides and fishermen/women up here that have been extremely helpful!

PS: I am wearing a redneck hat--mostly for Sylvos, figured he was homesick.

EDIT:

Features:

Steel Blackbear frame
11' Pontoons
Full floorboard
Brass oarlocks
8' Sawyer oars
motor mount
12 position locking seat
lots of room for beer storage....

yay!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 21, 2004, 1:06 am

Grats Canalek! Can the pontoons be deflated?

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 21, 2004, 1:11 am

Yeah, they have regular valves for that... I need to buy a hand pump to top it opff after the DC pump and to keep onboard for emergency/weather.

Keep in mind that you can buy smaller boats for way cheaper if you only do stillwater! 'Toons were designed for the flyfisher, but are evolving quite rapidly!!

Check out http://www.cabelas.com/ for some inexpensive 'toons, most of which just have pegs to set your feet on, but for ~$300 is better than a float-tube!

Clatis · Post by **Clatis** » July 21, 2004, 2:05 am

Hrm, I go fly fishin pretty often, and I'm use to just wadin in the water, haven't used too many small boats, but i saw this one guy just usin a small kayak, and it seemed to work nice for him, but if the waters not too deep, just wade in that shit, or make every other man on the river jelous and get a giant rubber ducky innertube with a seat in the middle so you don't slip through

Sylvos · Post by **Sylvos** » July 21, 2004, 3:47 am

hey nice boat Rich
now dont go passing out in it and ending up somewhere in southern oregon sunburned and covered in mosquito bites.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 21, 2004, 4:05 am

I don't see a name on the side of your boat! You need to name your boat!

Beer Barge!

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » July 23, 2004, 3:48 pm

Man I'm so pissed.

Sylvos told me you bought a boat and I got all excited for water skiiing and tubing!

Told him in the future... those tiny things are called rafts

Seriously though, looks fun, Sunday will be a kickass day to be on the river.

Wear your sunscreen!!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 23, 2004, 9:15 pm

Hmmm, a ski boat is quite aways down the line..... timeshare?

VeeshanVault

Flyfishing/small river fishing

Flyfishing/small river fishing

And it has come to pass....