Home Forums Fishing Flyfishing Pontoon boats for fishing in vigorous flows?

Anyone have some pontoon boat experience? I am dwelling on the pontoon vs. fishing raft for fishing the Gunnison. The main consideration for the pontoon is small footprint, easy storage, light on the wallet. The raft certain will probably win in the long run as I can fish, float the family etc but off budget for this year. Any experience appreciated.

i just bought a pontoon for floating rivers and larger streams

I have two pontoons and use them for entirely differnt things. when weight is a consideration or i dont need the length (i.e lake fishing or light flows) i run a 8' Bucks Bags ( model is the Bronco IIRC. In heavier flows or longer trips i use a 10' Dave Scadden. It's a totally differnt animal, 10'x 21" diameter toons, class 4 white water rated, can stand on the platform and fish without it being tippy. I really like it but it is heavier and harder to store. also they are pricey they run about 1500 new, used can be found for around 1k, and they are worth it IMHO

If one expects to face classe 3's or 4's I'd go with the biggest toons one can afford if you go that route. If one can't carry it in the back of a pickup though, he is really out of the portability realm. With beach like weather and no concerns about getting wet one can go smaller. Expect potential tips in rapids though, and have eveything secured, so one is not trying to run down rods, coolers, and other tackle that heads down the river.

For running rivers I much prefer a dedicated raft or drift boat. One can carry a ton of camp gear and groceries and easily do 9 to 12 day trips. Unless on can anchor, I find it a royal pain in the ass to simultaneously handle a craft and fish. With craft capable of carrying at least two, someone can row and hold the unit in all kinds water while the others fish. If I'm alone, I do 95% of my fishing out of the boat. I do really like tubes or pontoons for lake fishing if the winds will stay down. Good luck, 1Minute

Always go 9'-0" min. on the toons.