J
JeannaJigs
So I have this 8' pontoon boat, it's pretty basic (but it's helped me catch a buttload of trout), but it's rated for moving water. However I have yet to take it anywhere but small High elevation lakes. I've been limited to bank access on the Siuslaw on my quest for some winter steel, and always see that there's good water on the opposite bank but it's always where it's inaccessible even with waders, and I realized, I have this boat just sittin' in the garage, why am I not using it?! I'm not familiar with moving water though. Any pointers would be much appreciated. I don't want to die(I'm all about the safety with a PFD)
Thanks for the welcome! it's refreshing to see there is at least one other female fisher(wo)men! There are not enough of us, it's kinda saddeningJeannaJigs;
First of all,welcome to the best fishing forum in the country! Sorry I missed your debut here. I was otherwise occupied and took a bit of time OFF from my moderating duties. I've been checking out your past posts and am VERY pleased to have another female fisher folk here. It sounds as though you know what you're doing,which makes it nice. If you have any friends (female...ok,male too) be sure to tell them about us.
Unfortunately,I don't own a pontoon,yet. But there are quite a number of members who have a ton of experience with them. Be patient for an answer, or check out the archives by doing a search with the word "pontoon". You should be busy for a while if you do that. Glad to hear you think enough of yourself to use a PDF.Be safe.
Barb
The one thing I don't have is a rod holder, and I'm having trouble finding one that will work for the frame.
I've discovered I live in a non sports friendly town. All we have is Joes and two bro's tackle...and neither had itLook into a Scotty's and separately buy the rail mount attachment.
It certainly was an adventure. Loaded with uncertainty, as I really was just going with the flow (sometimes rather rapidly downstream) and didn't know a whole lot about it. It was fun though, and I think the more I do it the more comfortable it's going to get, although comfort breeds complacency...so perhaps that's not such a great thing. I do know though that that little boat has got me to some fantastic trout fishing in high cascade lakes the last few years...it's just not so fun packing it in and back out, it's a real hassle. Worth it though.JeannaJigs;
You know, I thought long and hard about getting a pontoon last year. I just about had myself convinced to make the plunge and then Troutski shared his adventure in his brand new toy. Ok, I'll wait and maybe get something else. So,I start reading about all the fun everyone is having or planning to have with their 'toons again this spring. Naturally,I think "I gotta have one". Then I read your post about your adventure. Even though it sounds like you have a pretty good handle on it, I can't help thinking it's not for Grandma's like me. You "kids" have fun and be safe.
Barb
Haha no...I tried to row upriver, and failed...quite miserably....It was moving much faster than I thought where I put in...so...like a fool, I kept drifting...and drifting...until I realized...wait...I see the road above me about 200 feet! So I just kept on goin' lookin' for somewhere to take out, until I got to bank spot I recognized (which was an 1/4 mile hike to the road, and 2 miles down the road from where i put in!!!) So I had to pull it up onshore, and hike it up to the road, hoping and praying someone would drive by and give me a ride...nope...No traffic, not even the pesky state trooper that was harassing me asking me why he hadn't seen me on the river before (because i work 50 hour weeks? and only get out on the weekends officer?) and then asking to see my hooks, he actually measured my hooks with a measuring tape, I was like for serious? (they were 2/0 hooks, clearly within reg guidelines) He must've been a newbie. Anyways, I walked...the entire stretch of gravel road...in my waders...roasting because it was supposed to be raining and ended up being sunny and warm....finally some guys in a truck came by...and gave me a ride....but my car was 1/8 of a mile from where they gave me a ride, I was thankful nonetheless. Then I drove back...and hiked back down to disassemble the frame and carry it back up to my car. Not so awesome. Moral of this story is...don't float 2 miles unless you have someone else with you and have left a vehicle there.good for you, jeanna... taking the plunge and launching your toon. sounds like you had quite the adventure, and hooking into feeesh too!
so did you row upriver and drifted back down to the takeout (which you missed)? i'm asking coz i launched my 8 footer and tried to motor upstream but failed to make much progress. turns out that the clack runs quite fast even in low water conditions. i tried to row but i suck at that.
so my trip was sorta boring just drifting back and forth in a short stretch...
I've discovered I live in a non sports friendly town. All we have is Joes and two bro's tackle...and neither had itI will have to check it out online. I need somethin'. I floated a portion of the river yesterday and it sucked something fierce constantly worrying about my rod, not to mention, I hooked a fish and lost it because I wasn't prepared to catch a fish, I was messing with my reel and had line out with a float, and bam fish on. Was just kinda drifting in a very slow section of the river, but moving nonetheless and realized I was moving faster than I thought towards a section of rapids...I was unhappy with the outcome to say the least! My boat did awesome though, handled way better than I thought, and it was a great day out there, was supposed to rain and instead it was 55 and sunny. I almost lost an oar going through some white water, the oar lock popped right out, so I held onto that thing with a kung-fu death grip and made it through using just one oar. SKETCHY. Fun otherwise though Got my excersise in by missing the pull out, and ending up floating 2 miles...which i had to walk back to my rig...This is where the buddy system with two rigs would have been nice, and probably safer.
Haha no...I tried to row upriver, and failed...quite miserably....It was moving much faster than I thought where I put in...so...like a fool, I kept drifting...and drifting...until I realized...wait...I see the road above me about 200 feet! So I just kept on goin' lookin' for somewhere to take out, until I got to bank spot I recognized (which was an 1/4 mile hike to the road, and 2 miles down the road from where i put in!!!) So I had to pull it up onshore, and hike it up to the road, hoping and praying someone would drive by and give me a ride...
I wasn't so keen on the idea of abandoning it, but...i put it up on the bank nowhere near a road, and it was hidden in brush....i was worried about it the whole time though, most people I don't think would screw with it, but...maybe i've lived in oregon too long haha. I won't be repeating abandonment, that is for sure.so you just abandoned your rig to walk/hitch a ride back to your vehicle? hmmmmm... i would be freaked out doing that - the thought that someone might just help themselves to a sweet rig - maybe i've lived in cali too long...
Hooray for Bi-mart, I don't live near one anymore and always forget about them, I will check it out on my way home from work tonight and see what they've got. I suppose there is always wal-mart, but they are the devil and I absolutely hate going in there unless i absolutely have to.Check Bi Mart. I was there today and I think I saw the Scotty's holders.