I have a one-man pontoon that I fish from pretty often. It's been down several class IIIs without mishap, but I have a little rowing experience. My pontoon's frame and oarlock system are a little lightweight for IIIs, but there are many beefier options out there, with bigger, longer tubes, stronger frames, and stronger oars/locks. I've looked at "donut" boats like yours, but frankly pontoons/cats are much more maneuverable, and sitting up out of the water allows you to more easily read-and-run rapids.
I'd stick to IIs with your setup. You'll need more of a boat for IIIs. Enjoy!
Sounds like you have done a low III already. I understand your not going out with the intent of running whitewater. It just so happens there are plenty of good rivers to fish where you will encounter it. I know the highlight for you is reeling in that 20+" brown. I go through phases in mid-july where every time out I'm going for fishing not whitewater but am fortunate to get both. Fish with others especially on rivers you don't know is the best advice.
Funny I spent several years in Montana where this company is located but mainly saw the personal pontoon set-up. I don't think you lose anything fishing from the personal pontoons but that is irrelevant since right now you are not in the market to get a new personal pontoon. I will say though you can probably get a full fishing raft set up for only about double the amount if you look around in the used market and are not in a hurry. There are lots of people that buy sweet new fishing set ups all the time then don't really use them much and decide to eventually sell them at a discounted price. Yes if you want to float and fish you need someone with you but then you get the fun of the experience with someone else, some competition, it becomes an art to positioning the boat right and almost as satasfying to row someone into a fish as catching it, and it is easier to drink beer. Like I said down the road keep an eye out for used rafts.
Trespassing is an issue to always think about. You're right about a-hole owners out there. This site has numerous stories about them and how to handle the situation best and what you're rights are. The thing to look out for that is most dangerous is some owners choose to string barbed wire or other things across the river in an attempt to block your passage which can create a danger. A pair of wire cutters is not a bad thing to have in your fishing gear.
Meanwhile enjoy the fishing. Remember even a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.
I didn't see anyone make the distinction, so I thought I'd add this little nugget on PFD's:
A "Type III" PDF classification does not mean the vest is rated for Class III whitewater - The Coast Guard doesn't rate floatation in this way. The Skinny on USCG classification:
AND... Those CO2 PFDs don't cut it. If you're in a critical situation, yanking the tab to inflate it could be difficult... as your waders are filling up with cold water and complicating your life. And... if the CO2 cartridge fails, it's huff-n-puff time... while you're bashing your way down whitewater. Please, get a REAL PFD. Your life actually depends on it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by El Flaco
I didn't see anyone make the distinction, so I thought I'd add this little nugget on PFD's:
A "Type III" PDF classification does not mean the vest is rated for Class III whitewater - The Coast Guard doesn't rate floatation in this way. The Skinny on USCG classification:
Yes I will consider a new pfd thanks for the info and links, and the correction as I said "Class III pfd" when I meant "Type III", like I said I'm pretty new to all this terminology, for a normal bass boat I just throw in the big old orange u-shaped vests, but those are not too comfy for this type of boating.
vardaddy, you are right on! That's exactly why I wanted to get on this forum and find more info, advice, and tips from you guys that actually know what you are doing. I'm not aiming to whitewater, but I'm bound to have to get by some in order to reach some fishing places, and that's where being knowledgable and prepared will keep me dry (and alive) IMO. From the research that I've done on the fishing sections of Colorado's major streams, it seems you hit one or two class IIIs on a full day float. Just one or two doesn't seem too bad.
Steve, have you tried the donut boats in the water? I didn't try the pontoons, I understand they are stable and have seen people in them, but I don't have a comparison other than watching guys in them try to fish and float and not being able to do it very well, but maybe that was their skill level more than the craft. That's the one thing so far I'm really liking is being able to float and fish at the same time.
I really liked the 15ft. rafts with fishing frame but just can't justify it right now, I certainly didn't pay even close to retail for my raft so price wise it was hard to pass up.
I have gone with another guy I met that has had his water master for two years. He has floated the arkansas, roaring fork, gunnison, and the colorado so this weekend we may head to the arkansas, Salida area I think, it sure is nice having someone to go with that has more experience than I do. If anyone sees me/us out there, these rafts are pretty rare around here so chance are it will be us, say hello. But don't worry, you will never find me in Browns canyon, haha.
I haven't tried the donut boats, so I don't have a valid opinion of them. The big thing I like about pontoons is the responsiveness. I can do a little "push-pull" thing with the oars and turn on a dime. Maybe not as fast as a kayak, but still pretty quick for an inflatable.
With fins and an anchor system, fishing from a pontoon is a cinch. I have two rod holders mounted to the rail behind my seat, so I am rigged-and-ready for nymphing and dries. And the rack behind my seat holds a cooler for lunch and frosty cold ones.
I'm sure the donut boats are WAY lighter than pontoons, a big plus for hike-in waters.
Anyhow, I would consider getting a better PFD. I have one of those CO2 deals, but never use it. If things get hairy - and they can REAL FAST - you want to be hanging onto your rod and not fumbling for a pull tab.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FishnPhil
Yes I will consider a new pfd thanks for the info and links, and the correction as I said "Class III pfd" when I meant "Type III", like I said I'm pretty new to all this terminology, for a normal bass boat I just throw in the big old orange u-shaped vests, but those are not too comfy for this type of boating.
vardaddy, you are right on! That's exactly why I wanted to get on this forum and find more info, advice, and tips from you guys that actually know what you are doing. I'm not aiming to whitewater, but I'm bound to have to get by some in order to reach some fishing places, and that's where being knowledgable and prepared will keep me dry (and alive) IMO. From the research that I've done on the fishing sections of Colorado's major streams, it seems you hit one or two class IIIs on a full day float. Just one or two doesn't seem too bad.
Steve, have you tried the donut boats in the water? I didn't try the pontoons, I understand they are stable and have seen people in them, but I don't have a comparison other than watching guys in them try to fish and float and not being able to do it very well, but maybe that was their skill level more than the craft. That's the one thing so far I'm really liking is being able to float and fish at the same time.
I really liked the 15ft. rafts with fishing frame but just can't justify it right now, I certainly didn't pay even close to retail for my raft so price wise it was hard to pass up.
I have gone with another guy I met that has had his water master for two years. He has floated the arkansas, roaring fork, gunnison, and the colorado so this weekend we may head to the arkansas, Salida area I think, it sure is nice having someone to go with that has more experience than I do. If anyone sees me/us out there, these rafts are pretty rare around here so chance are it will be us, say hello. But don't worry, you will never find me in Browns canyon, haha.
I would say the people you've seen Phil probably didn't have the skill on the pontoon. I know since I've only used them a handful of times and never on a regular basis I have more difficulty than my buddies who take them out quite regularly.
There are quite a few rivers I enjoy fishing that have multiple class IIIs so you're doing it right by finding ones with 1 or 2 and working your way up. I think the personal watercrafts are great and will probably some day have one in my floatilla arsenal. A man can never have enough boats.
You may not be very interested in making a boat, but two buddies and I built some cataraft- style boats when I was in college that would serve you well, although they are heavier and less compact than your setup. I found myself in possession of six corsica kayaks, (old whitewater boats), two of each color. They really aren't great to kayak in, but not worth throwing away, so I tried to recycle them. I ordered dome 6061 aluminum handrail material from a welding shop, and some speedrail couplings, (I think like what Downriver uses). I bought some Carlisle oars/ locks, seat, etc... from NRS and the end result was a cataraft style boat not unlike an inflatable pontoon raft, but durable in that I wasn't afraid to run over rocks with them. we referred to them as the "Corsicats". The maiden voyage was Cataract Canyon- which has some good class IV stuff, and then the Yampa through Dinosaur, the Green, the Gunnison, etc... They only cost me about $250/ each to build, and they can be taken apart and used individually as kayaks if the need arises. We used them to surf rapid ten on Cat. I probably still have a rough plan of them on file which I could try to post if you're interested. Happy paddling
There was a company in Carbondale building a similar kinda boat commercially. I've seen 'em, and they look great. Sadly, I think the company cratered. Lack of demand? High rent? Who knows. Cool idea, nevertheless.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortbus
Howdy Phil-
You may not be very interested in making a boat, but two buddies and I built some cataraft- style boats when I was in college that would serve you well, although they are heavier and less compact than your setup. I found myself in possession of six corsica kayaks, (old whitewater boats), two of each color. They really aren't great to kayak in, but not worth throwing away, so I tried to recycle them. I ordered dome 6061 aluminum handrail material from a welding shop, and some speedrail couplings, (I think like what Downriver uses). I bought some Carlisle oars/ locks, seat, etc... from NRS and the end result was a cataraft style boat not unlike an inflatable pontoon raft, but durable in that I wasn't afraid to run over rocks with them. we referred to them as the "Corsicats". The maiden voyage was Cataract Canyon- which has some good class IV stuff, and then the Yampa through Dinosaur, the Green, the Gunnison, etc... They only cost me about $250/ each to build, and they can be taken apart and used individually as kayaks if the need arises. We used them to surf rapid ten on Cat. I probably still have a rough plan of them on file which I could try to post if you're interested. Happy paddling
But don't worry, you will never find me in Browns canyon, haha.
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