Pontoon Flotilla!! POSTPONED

GL2 · 01-09-2003, 05:27 PM

This Pontoon Flotilla is not sanctioned by ifish. ifish & it's members participating are not liable for injury or death. Participate at your own risk!!
Goal: To allow ifisher"s who pontoon to meet. Give novice's a chance to learn new water. Catch fish & learn some new tricks. Fun is mandatory!

Mad Mikey has decided were going to do the Clack from Fieldhiemers to Carver. It's gonna be a safe trip, so rookies don't get in trouble.
Were going to do it on a weekday. Less traffic with sleds ect..
I know some guys might not make it mid week, but we got to keep it safe. If this goes off then maybe we can do another during the runoff on another river. Lets see where we are at on this one.
Who's in??

[ 02-07-2003, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: GL2 ]

Mad Mikey · 01-09-2003, 06:21 PM

Gee, I'm flattered but have you closely inspected my avatar??? :shocked:
Hmmm, free food and all I have to do is keep someone from killing himself in a toonboat, sounds ominous. It could be a hoot but safety is a prime issue. Putting a newcomer on the sticks , even behind someone with a lot of experience could be a big responsibility for anyone.
To do it right I suggest getting the group together on some easy stuff in advance of the actual float and see what transpires. Float in pairs, one vet, one not. Even then, small mistakes can produce unfortunate results and although I can tell or show someone what to do I can't guarantee they won't take a swim.
Toonboats are mostly technique, not strength. Done right they can handle some amazing stuff.
I've seen a guy knife into a back-eddy on the "D" sideways and over he went. Boils and strong hydraulics behind holes and places where channels meet at angles can trick you if you are just a little off line.
With that disclaimer behind me I'll give it a shot, sounds like fun. Especially with the fishing being untypically slow, at least going for a drift in the lil' boats is still good medicine.

GL2 · 01-09-2003, 06:30 PM

Yeah, I've scoped out your avatar!
I got white knuckles on the keyboard & mouse.
I've got a little time on the sticks, but not on extreme water. I'd just like to learn some new water & have some fun.
I like the idea of someone who's done the wild stuff leading cuz, he will understand the variables & possible consequences!
Who's in?
I'm not scared to take a swim.

[ 01-09-2003, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: GL2 ]

Ifishsum · 01-09-2003, 08:45 PM

I'd be in if another date....can't do the 8th thats during the sportsmens show and I gotta work :depressed:

pipes · 01-09-2003, 08:55 PM

That sounds like fun. i have a toon boat and have gone out a lot but it would it sweet to go out with a group and see how it's supposed to be done. I'm in.

GL2 · 01-09-2003, 09:17 PM

Duh!!!
[img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img] The 8th conflicts with the sportsman show.
Feb. 1st & 2nd are out for me. I've got a big money weekend job.
Jan. 25th day before SuperBowl??
Feb.15th??

[ 01-09-2003, 10:20 PM: Message edited by: GL2 ]

toonboater · 01-09-2003, 09:23 PM

If Mad Mikey is gonna lead this thing, make sure you float in your bathing suit.

GL2 · 01-10-2003, 04:01 PM

four boats don't make a flotilla.

SnoSldr · 01-10-2003, 04:22 PM

That's a long time for me to plan ahead. In the mean time just post trips here. I'd be down for an all out river assault just cant plan that far in advance.

Captn · 01-10-2003, 05:00 PM

Have boat, will float. Give me time, date, details. I have pretty good skill on the sticks, both with my drift boat and my cataraft, but am willing to share and learn. So tell me how we are going to get started. I will also help with expenses, lunch or whatever. It sounds like the Feb 15th date might be better from the pole so far, it would be better for me, but I think I could do the 8th also.

Captn · 01-11-2003, 05:12 AM

I dont want to let this drop, so I'll pop it back up

Radtech · 01-11-2003, 03:31 PM

Sounds like fun I could use help from some more experienced folk with learning how to handle my boat. Let me know what the decision on the date is. I'll keep my eyes on the post. I might even get a couple others to go.
KW

GL2 · 01-16-2003, 08:56 PM

Feb. 12th Wensday
Mad Mikey has decided were gonna do the Clack from Fieldhiemers to Carver. It's a weekday, but less sled traffic. This will be safe, so any rookies don't get in trouble. It will be a nice long drift. We'll do some fishing, drifting, eating ect..
If this goes down good then maybe a spring runoff flotilla on another river.
I know some guys won't make it on a week day, but Mikey wants this a safe as possible.
This drift is cake for him, & he thinks we can keep out of trouble. We don't want someone getting drilled by a sled, the water isn't to hairy.
Guys will get a chance to learn this run if they have never been on it in there toon.
So who's in??

Lured In · 01-16-2003, 09:00 PM

I think I'll take my sled up there and go a' huntin' for 'toons with my slingshot! [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

:tongue: :grin:

JK...sounds like fun, now if I just had a 'toon.

fishnxtc · 01-16-2003, 09:01 PM

I'll make that trip.....................Chris

Radtech · 01-16-2003, 09:02 PM

I'll see if I can get the day off, sounds like fun!! I will let you know. KW

Blake · 01-16-2003, 09:18 PM

If you do it again, you should do a washington river.. Say the E. Fork lewis or kalama? Those are good pontoon streams.

GL2 · 01-16-2003, 09:22 PM

Lured In;
Too funny!
you could also play cowboy & rope one of us & drag us! :grin:

:grin:

[ 01-16-2003, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: GL2 ]

Captn · 01-17-2003, 07:06 AM

I will be watching for this post. I know you all will have a good time, and perhaps even catch fish. I will be working, can only take so much time off befor the bank account goes in the wrong direction. But perhaps I will be able to catch up with you guys next time around. Have fun and be careful. Thanks Mad Mikey for showing these guys a good time. Way to step up, and thanks to GL2 for getting this thing started.

Osprey · 01-17-2003, 08:38 AM

I need to check this board out more [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
I've never fished this river,but the time works so far.
Have Cataraft will travel.....wheres Tanner?.......Os
[img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

mic4fish · 01-17-2003, 10:32 AM

I would love to go I am experianced on the sticks isnt the clack kinda of big for the cats? It still sounds like fun.

Osprey · 01-17-2003, 09:27 PM

I don't know about the others,but they get called a Cat after about 10' or so , anything smaller is a pontoon boat.
I fish off a set of 12'X20" Wing Cat Tubes with a sweet stand up fishing frame designed and built by

RiverDawg Frames .

Since I've never fished this river,but if you can fish out of a Drift Boat.....I'm in.......Os

David Johnson · 01-17-2003, 10:27 PM

How come you guys doen't pick a river that is more suited for small boats? Just wondering, toons seem out of place with all the sleds.

mic4fish · 01-18-2003, 10:38 AM

My point exactly Davie, hey Os is river dawg frames your company? are you still building frames? I see you stepped up to a wing tubes did you win the lottery?

Mad Mikey · 01-18-2003, 01:42 PM

>>>How come you guys doen't pick a river that is more suited for small boats? Just wondering, toons seem out of place with all the sleds.<<<

DJ, you make a fair point, here's my thought process though.

First, the toon's are suited for MOST rivers IMO. No, you wouldn't see me out in the Columbia or Willamette for sure. Go to the Deschutes during the Stonefly hatch or better yet, steelhead season and just try to count all the toon' boats. Those things are very suited for that river, many drifts should not be done by first timers though. Every time I take mine through hairy stuff I am even more impressed with what they can handle. The Clack too big for pontoons??? Could be it's too small for sleds??? Just joshing' ya... :tongue: :grin:
As far as the sleds are concerned that's kind of funny to me in a weird way, usually it's the drifters concerned with all the sleds. All boats have a right to be there but I sure have been cut off a lot in my driftboat by sleds hopping up ahead to the next run time after time, not by you of course but I'm sure you've seen this happen.
I think the main point of this thing was the float itself with some fishing thrown in, if a spot is already taken, no big deal, down the river we go.
How many people fished the steelhead challenge??? That was done on a weekend, albeit on more than one stream but I heard nobody think twice about putting a bunch more boats on the water on the busiest fishing days of the week. Sounds like everyone had fun too, drifters and sledders alike.
Sandy too short a float from Oxbow and the possibility of East winds past the Burns Hole down would make it miserable in non heated craft and I don't want to catch any grief for being part of putting a ton of guys fishing such a short stretch of river. I also wouldn't want any newbies running with me from Dodge, if you know that stretch you know why I wouldn't do that.
Wilson, nah, Mills down, too short, boring water technically. I'd consider Vanderzanden down if the water was right but I keep having nightmares about someone piling up on that boulder below the chute in the Minefield, no big deal for me but it could trick a beginner.
Clack has lots of room to spread out, does not get pounded by East winds and there's nothing terribly tricky to worry about technically. I'd rather have a river that gives first timers more room to manuever, some of the smaller streams can be pretty tricky for beginners. It's also in a good central location whether the guys coming are Eastside or Westside. Barton would make a great mid day stop for eats, bathroom duty etc.
Heck, if you aren't booked that day I bet we could round up an extra boat and I promise the guys won't pester you for info all afternoon......
:smile:

Osprey · 01-18-2003, 02:37 PM

Mic.....yes RiverDawg is my Company

Lottery....No

I've been fishin my Wings for about 6 years now.When I decided to build a real frame,I decided also to get the best tubes I could. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] ......Os

GL2 · 01-18-2003, 07:03 PM

Thanks Mad Mikey.

DJ,
I got a extra toon, speak up if ya want me to hold it for ya. :grin:

:grin:

GL2 · 01-18-2003, 11:48 PM

Mad Mikey is in charge, he picked the float.
He has his reasons.
If you'd like to get some input from him, or feel like giving him some input. Them email him. I'm sure he'll listen. Who knows he might even change the river we do.
All I know is he's a heck of a lot more qualifed to lead this deal than me, so I'm just gonna follow his lead.
I just want to hook up with some other ifishers in toons & have some fun. But it needs to be safe.
I'm looking foward to having a blast.

PayDay · 01-29-2003, 09:36 PM

Is this trip happening? Haven't been any posts for awhile. Planning on getting a 'toon in the next few days and this sounds like a fun shakedown trip.

CT

GL2 · 01-30-2003, 05:23 AM

Look for a roll call post after Feb.1st

GL2 · 02-07-2003, 03:28 PM

This float has to be postponed due to personal reasons.

I'm not gonna lead the float cuz, I don't feel qualifed to be responsible for others saftey.
We are going to hold off until later in the season.
There will be less sled traffic to deal with.
There will be Springers and Summers in the system, warmer temps, longer days.
I'm going to make a list of guys who said they wanted to do this. We will email you you down the road with details.
Sorry about the postponment.

foxer · 02-07-2003, 03:55 PM

Count me in. It will give me time to get more acquainted with my 'toon

foxer · 02-07-2003, 03:57 PM

GL, I dont think anybody has to be repsonsible except for themselves. We are all adults here (i think). We just all agree to meet up and go for a float at a common time.

PayDay · 02-07-2003, 11:37 PM

I bought an Outcast 800.
I got Wednesday the 12th off.
Is this trip going to happen?

If not, does anybody want to go floatin?

CT

Captn · 02-08-2003, 03:39 PM

Keep me posted. Thanks

Mad Mikey · 02-08-2003, 05:14 PM

Postponement was mainly MY fault, the 12th did not work on my schedule and my assistant could not be free on a Wed.
For the guys that are going, get a little practice. We will be going through two spots that could be hairy for a newbie but they are spots that can be portaged, ie. WALKED AROUND. The rest will be a lot of fun and it will be timed when most of the sleds are down in the Willamette chasing Springers.
We will have a lot of water to float/fish and end up with a nice BBQ at the end of the float to chow and brag.
It will be mid week on a Monday or Tuesday and you will get notice via E-mail one to two weeks prior.
Feel free to contact me, I'd like to get an idea of people/boats etc. to make planning easier.