[NrthFrk16]

It's sad to say, but Sparkey's memory is failing - no doubt the effects of too many long cold days in the water on those fragile young brain cells.

The boat's only 17' long and it was his own superhuman strength (all steelhead flyfishing guides have this even if it's not overtly displayed) that aided me in getting it back in the water. Kush was still downriver fishing the tailout.

thats right...brain fart. tyler was fishing away while you and I heaved and pulled and dragged etc. the boat off the bar. maybe that is why he was the only one that didnt catch a fish that day. :razz: Fish Gods scolding him!! :tsk_tsk:

btw-i actually think it was nobuo who took the photo.

 

[Riveraddict]

Damn!!!

...that's one great looking subject! Boat's kinda nice too! Hahahaha!!!

It's 5" from the bottom of the hull to the bottom of the black line, where it borders on the white.


Perhaps Sparkey exerted so much effort in trying to push the boat off that day that he imploded all the brain cells that were functioning at the time and therefore has no memory of the experience! Me and Tyler didn't do any pushing except from our guts 'cause we were laughing so hard!

I read a story where somebody stuck a big inboard job on a reef on Lake Powell, I believe it was. By the time they returned to the site a day or two later with another boat to pull it off, the reservoir had dropped to the point that the boat was completely high and dry and very far removed from any water. Never did hear what finally happened, but there was speculation that it might have to stay put until the next Spring's runoff - ouch!!!

 

[SSPey]

the photo helps, looks similar to the roguemarine.com stealth boat

so how wide? Totally flat, or very slight vee?

 

[kush]

Here are a couple of more shots of Ed's boat that may help.

 

[roguespeycaster]

River Boats

I have an aluminum flat bottom sled that is 16ft long and has a 48in bottom and 60in beam. I would just add this to the conversation: I find that the flat bottom boats are easier to row (yes I row it a lot) and can get through ever so slightly less water. Other than that I have found the slight vee boats to be better at handling at all speeds, anchoring, getting up on the plane, and just about everything else the boat is needed to do.

I had a one person pontoon (9ft tubes) and I removed the seat and put a big piece of half inch plywood covered with carpet in its place. I could anchor and stand up on the deck and cast a spey rod.

I bought a 16'x54" drift boat three years ago and love it. It costs $15 each time it has to be shuttled but the guys I take fishing pay that. Personally, I much prefer rowing a drift boat.

 

[Riveraddict]

...

SSpey,
Yeah, the looks are similar, but there are differences. The bottom on mine is totally flat, 42inches at the widest point. I believe the Rogue Stealth has a wider width to length ratio, and from what I've heard, is not as "nimble" as this. Would be interesting to do a "comparison" drive.

 

[Gillie]

Does anyone know any other manufacturers that make a similair boat to the stealth or Ed's ?

Gillie

 

[Clydesider]

Stealth

Dana
If you want some stealth in your salmon and steelhead fishing this little boat should do the trick for you!:lildevl:

Mike

 

[FLGator]

In addition to the Aluamfix and the Rogue Jet stealth the only other similar design I am aware of is the Fish Rite Power Drifter.

I have not talked to ayone with first hand experience with either the Jet Stealth or the Power Drifter. However, my biggest concern with both of these models is their limited horsepower rating.

 

[HERON]

I got a 18' stealth jet this summer and it is a great spey boat and it rows well to it has a 40 -30 4 stroke yamaha jet and a power winch for dropping through runs reel sweet . We fish from the boat sometimes and got a good program worked out my thouhgts are fish all the water all the time and dont limit my self and my sports to just wading .I will try to send a picture if can.

 

[JDJones]

Meet Ed Ward

... I have a one-man pontoon, an inflatable kayak, a driftboat, and a jetsled.

Damn,,,come a long way from those days. Good for you. All I can say is where the hell do you store all that stuff?:hihi:

I do have a question for all the pontoon guys, and Watermaster fans. How do you transport the long rods on a toon or a WM? You break them down, or what?

 

[t_richerzhagen]

Depends

on whether you want to make new pieces or not:saeek:. I usually take mine down into two pieces and strap that down along a pontoon. If you know the water is calm with no surprises, you could just lay it or carry in a holder attached to the frame. This works best for shorter rods, no surprise there.

 

[SSPey]

from a post I made in 11/20/2001: "I use rodmounts pontoon boat mount system (rodmounts com) on my Pac 900 - works like a charm for $75."

Still is true. Problem is, I just looked on their website, and can't seem to find them anymore. Discontinued?

I am still working on a good system for my driftboat, right now they just hang out of the back, but actually it works well. If it is windy, I use my tackle bag and other stuff to keep them from blowing around. The main benefit of not having them firmly held is last minute flexibility to reposition them, as when pulling under overhanging branches at that sweet tailout!

 

[Bert Brehm]

Use a looooong rod case.

How do you transport the long rods on a toon or a WM? You break them down, or what?

I have a seven+ foot Harding and Son Spey Rod and Reel Case bungie-corded to the pontoon frame. Just reel all the line and leader until the fly hooks the tip top. Then break it in half, fold the two sections together and insert the whole shebang into the case. Zip it up and down the river I go. Fast, easy and very secure, but it costs about $100.

I do the same thing when trout fishing. Use double rod and reel case long enough to hold a couple of 10 foot XP's folded in half. Two rods rigged and ready to fish at all times.

 

[prairiespey]

Here are a couple of more shots of Ed's boat that may help.

Wow who knew Ed was so devilshly handsome!!! One question though?-" is that a "white cane" in the second pic???" ok two questions- "how safe are the West Coast rivers if boat operators are tapping the bottom of the boat to find their way???)

Will

 

[doublespey]

Ed's Secret

That's not for navigation PS, that's his FishFinder.

When he enters a new run, he holds his magic cane over the water. If there are steelhead present, the cane will dip toward the surface (much like the Water Witch's forked stick).

The Skagit changes after every flood, so when you see Ed running the river you'll usually see him with Cane in hand searching for new holding water. :lildevl:

 

[FleshFly]

As for single watercraft rafts. I got three questions.

It seems that the WaterStrider & Watermaster are the top favorites. Anyone have a feedback of differences on their single person crafts?

Also, as for pricing was anyone able to get any good deals or reccomend a good dealer?

Third, it won't be often, but would it be hard to taxi my favorite four legged fishing partner in the event the current was to tough to cross? That is of course if the dog participated. Not sure if it is a brillant idea, due to claws? The dog is a 40lb lab....

 

[t_richerzhagen]

FleshFly

the dog can probaly swim anything you should be out in those.