FishingBanter - View Single Post

rw · January 2nd, 2008, 07:58 PM posted to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly

wrote:
This was touched on in another thread
I am inrterested in buying one to use on small rivers and lakes - esp our
own lake
How safe are thety on rivers?

Some are better than others on rivers. I suggest that you call Buck's
Bags in Boise and ask their advice. They make very good boats, IMO.
They're pricey, but that's the cost of quality.

I use mine on rapids up to class II. It's very difficult if not
impossible to fish from one in fast-moving water. Your oars must be in
the water. They're good for access to wading.

Larger pontoon boats designed for whitewater are safe. They're used a
lot on the Middle Fork of the Salmon, which has Class IV rapids.

One time a kayaking friend talked me into taking my boat down a fairly
friendly stretch of the Salmon River by Stanley during full spring
runoff. Mistake. I found that I could easily avoid the big holes by
rowing, but then I got complacent and started looking at the scenery. I
found myself headed into the biggest hole on the stretch, with nothing
to do but go right at it. I flipped over frontwards and ended up upside
down. I grabbed the boat and must have floated 1/4 mile before I could
get to shore and get turned back over. Lost an expensive pair of
prescription sunglasses.

I have to be able to fit them (2) in the back of an SUV

Not if they were assembled. Mine, assembled and inflated, barely fits
into the bed of my short-bed pickup. You can carry one assembled on top
of your SUV.

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