Any flyfishing raft guys? looking to buy one

[HydeParkHunter]

Congrats on your upcoming move to Salmon. I lived there in the early 2000s. A raft is a great recreational investment when you consider what's within a 2-3 hour drive from there.

Back then, I had a Down River Equipment fishing frame on a 14' Avon Ranger. On the narrow side at 6' but I felt it worked better than a standard, wider raft when it comes to maneuverability for fishing. I've been out of the game a long time but Avons were considered one of the highest quality rafts made. I don't think they make the Rangers any more, don't know about their other models. I would suggest considering the width carefully.

The DRE fishing frame worked well for me and I could break it down to bare bones for whitewater and overnight trips. I was able to take my raft to Denver and had them build the frame from the precise dimensions of that inflated raft. Made for a great front platform fit, as well as the rest of it.

You mentioned you don't really see yourself doing the Middle Fork-class waters. And I get that, because I don't like whitewater anymore and won't do those. But I'd strongly recommend not shutting the door on that. There is such a rafting culture in Salmon. You can easily build a circle of friends and enjoy the day stretch near Shoup and that will turn into a desire to run the Middle Fork or Main. With the right friends to coach you along, it's a fantastic experience to raft 100 miles through the largest wilderness in the lower 48. And if the flows are right.... fantastic fishing. Just a thought.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Many thanks for all the insight. My buddy has been recommending the SlipStream as best bang for buck. States that floor is a game changer...which has been vetted here.

A question for those still following. Has anyone ever fabbed a platform or "rack" for the stern? I think I saw a Flycraft a while back that had essentially a rear square cooler carrier? I would like an option for a place to chunk a dog when rafting with just my wife and I. Dog will probably make every run with me. A dedicated flat spot would be nice.

As for the "hard" floored boats, I think you'll find you don't ned a platform for your dog, and moreso the platform would probably be a worse place to put him than in the boat with a hard floor. The floor has a foam decking material on it for protection, and you could throw down an additional mat for the pup's comfort and to save your floor if you think it's necessary. Even though they are self bailing, and technically allow some water ingress, the floor in my buddies smith-fly stays remarkably dry as long as you don't get water over the top. I would expect the slipstream to be the same. The floor is basically an inflatable paddle board. Another buddy with a flycraft has a gear rack but it seldom gets actually used and more just gets in the way.

 

[JoshOR]

The Aire puma series are solid options. Quick movers, able to hold in current well etc.. fishing frames can be had through nrs or the custom company’s. I found a used super puma, the 13 ft model, and it has been a great boat. On the small side for family overnighters but definitely doable. Enjoy the search!

 

[Wrench]

I have had 2 Aire boats one I bought used and the other new and a Saturn I bought new. The build quality between the Chinese boats and the Aire is very noticeable.

In quality boats I really like the Moravia, Sotar, aire and nrs' domestic boats.

As mentioned the boat shape plays a big role in where it shines. More rise eats waves and catches wind.

There is not a boat that I've seen that can be fixed anywhere close to as quickly as an Aire boat...but Aire boats are heavy. My 10 year old aire lived outside with 303 on it most of its life and was still in great shape when I sold it.

You might try looking at Alaska raft and kayak for pricing. I ordered my NRS frame from them and NRS drop shipped it to me in Spokane at about 40% less than anyone else would sell it to me for.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

@Wrench You're another Dude like MtnBiker208....anything you HAVEN'T done or owned?

Rafts, Kayaks, Jet Boats, Dirt Bikes, Land Cruisers....I am decades behind

 

[Wrench]

@Wrench You're another Dude like MtnBiker208....anything you HAVEN'T done or owned?

Rafts, Kayaks, Jet Boats, Dirt Bikes, Land Cruisers....I am decades behind

Tim is a far better resource on sleds and rafts than I am. I spread myself out a lot, he's a very knowledgeable resource in his crafts.....and a great human.

 

[3forks]

As for the "hard" floored boats, I think you'll find you don't ned a platform for your dog, and moreso the platform would probably be a worse place to put him than in the boat with a hard floor. The floor has a foam decking material on it for protection, and you could throw down an additional mat for the pup's comfort and to save your floor if you think it's necessary. Even though they are self bailing, and technically allow some water ingress, the floor in my buddies smith-fly stays remarkably dry as long as you don't get water over the top. I would expect the slipstream to be the same. The floor is basically an inflatable paddle board. Another buddy with a flycraft has a gear rack but it seldom gets actually used and more just gets in the way.

I haven’t seen or felt the foam floor you’re talking about - and I’m guessing that NRS has assumed people are going to put dogs in their boats - but I’d wonder about how the floor would do with a dog’s toenails, because I’ve seen paddle boards that had a hard foam on top of them shredded from dog’s toenails.

 

[Wrench]

I can tell you that a dogs toenails on a aire boat wouldn't even scratch it without a lot of work.

 

[3forks]

I can tell you that a dogs toenails on a aire boat wouldn't even scratch it without a lot of work.

Agreed, but we’re talking about the foam floor in an NRS boat.

 

[Ferrulewax]

I haven’t seen or felt the foam floor you’re talking about - and I’m guessing that NRS has assumed people are going to put dogs in their boats - but I’d wonder about how the floor would do with a dog’s toenails, because I’ve seen paddle boards that had a hard foam on top of them shredded from dog’s toenails.

It’s pretty much the same stuff as seadek, but underneath it’s the same rubber as the rest of the boat- at least on saturn/smithfly/flycraft. I haven’t seen the NRS in person.

Personally, if I knew my dog was going to be on it a lot I would throw down a rubber mat for some extra protection