Well I'm leaving to go to Forks Next week. My freind brought up the idea of bringing a pontoon boat out to float the rivers. Problem is I don't have one. If there is such a thing, is there any place where I could rent a single man pontoon or we could rent a raft for the week? If not it won't be the end of the world but would be cool. Thanks, Chris.

there are no annoying questions, just annoying people!

Waters West fly shop in PA rents them. A block or two west of the ferry terminal.

Chris: They are a great idea, but BE CAREFUL!!! Sweepers can be certain death in a pontoon boat.

Be sure what's up ahead and get out and walk it around anything you are not totally certain of. If at all possible go with a friend who has been down that river or at least talk to the guys and guides at the launch to ask them of ANY possible dangers ahead.

I have a good friend who had to watch his friend die in a pontoon boat that hit a sweeper.

If you float those river in a pontoon, please follow Daves advice. Trust me Chris, I've been on a few of them and they make our rivers look like a freakin trout pond at the county fair. If you took the River in Racine at 1100cfs or your home river in the 1500 range, you would be equal to some of their flows. Others are much uglier. Visit with Joe and make sure you have your [Bleeeeep!] together before you do it. I want to go fishin with you in April. Make sure you wear a PFD if you give it a try. Take it from a guy who almost bought the farm at the tender age of 21 in a duck boat. By the looks of it, we may have some fish squirtin up the skanky ditch in Racine this weekend. I'll call you Thursday night.

Elkrun,
What does Waters West have to say about sending their boats off to some of the OP rivers?
Sure like to see the waiver on that baby.

Well I guess I will re-consider that option then, from pics I have seen going through a rapids would probably make me crap my pants. Just wanted to try to see if this option would open some doors for me and my freind. But it sounds like there is plenty of bank access so I won't worry too much. Say Hawk, definitely give me a call the Milwaukee is wide open now, might be fishable this weekend, should have a hoard of chrome in it, plus there are plently of winter overs to hassle.

Yeah Baby!!! That's what I'm talking about.

The Hawk man cometh!

I hope you plan on running over there today or tomorrow and do some market research for a report. I'm already packed. All I have to do is gas up and make reservations on the phone. Picked up fresh 250 waxies last night. Found some bags, but may have to mooch some loose ones till I can harvest a few. I'll bring some shrimp and calamari. I haven't shared those with you yet. Don't soremouth them all beofre the old man gets there. Peace.

Yeah Baby!!! That's what I'm talking about.

The Hawk man cometh!

I hope you plan on running over there today or tomorrow and do some market research for a report. I'm already packed. All I have to do is gas up and make reservations on the phone. Picked up fresh 250 waxies last night. Found some bags, but may have to mooch some loose ones till I can harvest a few. I'll bring some shrimp and calamari. I haven't shared those with you yet. Don't soremouth them all before the old man gets there. Peace.

Downtime,

Just FYI for reference, Swiftwater in Seattle rents pontoon boats (single) and whitewater rafts. I believe the rate is $40 per day or there abouts. The guy there was very helpful with gearing up my pontoon boat with heavy duty oars. You may want to keep them in mind for future rental needs.

Dave, What are sweepers? I have heard that word used several times.

Dave,

Pretty sure I know of whom you speak. Very sad but unfortunately all too common. Especially with the inner tube crowd. But waders should also be cautioned as they often work around smaller but equally deadly obstructions along the rivers. Even unsuspecting trees and brush can trap a man against a moving current that is usually much stronger than he suspects. I have had a close call or two myself and almost lost my dog to a sweeper. It was a miracle she survived.
People need to understand that personal watercraft are especially vulnerable to these obstuctions. I would not be surprised if sweepers are the most common cause of drownings on our rivers.

Speaking of sweepers, a buddy and I ran into a wild situation while floating the Green a few years back. Just as we were dropping down a chute towards a cut bank, we watched helplessly as the bank we were headed for gave way and took out an entire grove of tall alders. As they toppled down in front of us they completely spanned the entire river. Unable to avoid them we headed for shallower water and just as we went into the mess the trees were swept down and out of our way allowing us to pass. Even though the river was blown out for the rest of the day from all the sediment that was put into the river, we were happy just to be alive.

Mooch: I'm sure you do whom I was speaking of. It was a real tough thing for our friend, I'm sure.

That was an amazing thing you saw/were part of. Really kewl since you weren't killed.

I had a strange one last fall. I was hiking through a cottonwood and alder bottom, bypassing a part of the river that I didn't want to fish. There was no wind, no weather of any sort but all of the sudden this huge cottonwood just come crashing down. It wasn't all that close to hitting me but I about had to stop and rinse my waders. What an adrenaline rush. No telling what mama nature may show us.

Mooch

I know that feeling, almost got splattered by a train once.

Rule of thumb for sweepers, etc. If water flows over it or around it, you will too. If water flows through it, you will too, and that ain't a good thing. Water flows through sweepers.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

just got back from two months of incredible billfishing in cuba and costa rica to find out that a lifelong friend drowned on the rogue a few weeks ago.... not good news to come home to.....please be very careful out there

lupo,

sorry to hear of your loss .
condolenses to his family.

be safe, be well.