I just purchased a pontoon boat and was wondering some good drifts (Put In/Take out) from Stinson Flats on down. How many hours to drift etc. Thanks in advance.

Greg

If I had a new pontoon boat, I would first try a shorter drift, like Lydl bridge to Stinson, or Klickitat to Pitt bridge. You have a great advantage over driftboat floks because you can put in and take out almost anywhere. You could start at the campground at MP5, and drive upstream checking out places to launch and take out. Manytimes there is a "wide spot" informal parking lot along the river that can accomodate 2-3 rigs. Most of the river is class I-II but beware of sweepers and scout blind turns.

I've never floated the Klickitat, but have fished it several times and noted some nasty rapids in the lower 8 miles or so. Is it similar upsteam?

Thanks for the info. I have a few more questions. Should I learn some stretches of the river with a knowledgeable person who knows where the bad spots are or Is Stinson Flats on down fairly easy water to navigate? I have fished the Klick many times but do not the bad spots. I have talked with several people who use pontoon boats on the Klick and they make it sound like it is easy to navigate. By the way, I am a rookie rower on rivers but have done lots of rowing on slow moving water. Obviously not the same as moving water. Thanks in advance.

Greg

There are some tight spots between Lydle and Stinson that you may want to be carefull of. The day float I like to make is from the Ice House (upstream of the Klickitat town) down to the bridge below the town. It takes a good full day to fish all the water. You may not want to float past the bridge. There are a couple of nasty spots down there. Never float past the campground at MP3. Once you get into the canyon on the lower portion you're in for a nasty ride.

T-Bone,

Thanks for the info. I think I would like to concentrate on the stretches of river from Stinson to the bridge below the town of Klickitat. Once I learn this stretch of river, time to explore some more. Appreciate the help.

Greg

Wild Chrome, the lower section or the "Gorge"
is not floatable.... it's so bad, they put in the #5 fishway to help the Salmon and Steelhead
up the river.