I am thinking of floating the Satsop in my single man pontoon (8 footer) sometime in February, when the hatchery fish are in full swing, putting in at Schafer and taking out somewhere before the highway. I am a relative newb on the pontoon, floated the Puyallup from Carbon fork down a couple times.

I'd appreciate any tips or words of warning. I've never floated the Satsop (pontoon or otherwise) so I am gauging whether this is a good idea or late night crazy thinking.

Thanks.

Should be fine, lots of tooners do that float. I floated that drift last year one of the first days it was fishy after the big floods. It was hairy that day down to the west fork but that was because all the new trees and debris in the river looked like the day before someone had a chainsaw onboard and cut a path just wide enough for a boat at about 12 spots where a tree covered the path. Other than that its an easy float and those trees should all be long gone now.

You'll be fine.When in doubt get out and scout.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Just floated it this last Thursday. There is only one spot to worry about. It's right below the "riviera" area. All the water is going left and it's not the way to go! You won't make it out alive if you do! We had to walk of drifter thru the shallows on the right side.

Actually I think it's right above the Riviera. It's right where the new "S" turn is. It's BAD!! Go left around the trees and you won't make it and might die.

Walk around on the right (inside of corner) in the shallows and you will live to float it again.

Kris

+1. Drifted Monday and ran into same jam. Gonna take some high water to blow that out.