I hope I am answering your question. I have not floated the Smith River so
the information I am passing on is particular to my float trips using a
River Otter frame (different tubes) on the Alagnak, Goodnews, and Situk
Rivers.
You will have several issues of concern with the River Otter.
1) Oar Locks
2) Load and Weight Distribution
3) Rod Holder
The oar clamp (at least on my model) locked the oar into one position and
was semi-permanently attached to the oar. You can't feather, nor can you
pull the oars inboard if you get into narrow situations which on small
rivers is a safety issue. You will need an extra oar clamp for the spare
oar because if you loose a primary oar, you will loose its associated oar
clamp. Your best bet is to replace the clamping oar locks with conventional
oar locks and oar rights from a river supply store.
The River Otter has rocker shaped tubes. They work great when you alone are
the load. Add a wet bag with gear to the rear section of the Otter and the
center of gravity shifts. You will need to reposition the frame on the tube
to sit flat in the water. Also, when you stand up, the load will shift
again, as what was the previous weight center moves back on the rocker
shaped tubes. The best way around this is to put as much of your gear on
the large raft. That won't make the person rowing the raft very happy.
Practice positioning you load on a local river before taking your trip.
Longer flatter tubes resolve this situation.
A rod holder is a must unless you're willing to break rod tips. A rod
holder will hold your rod or rods (if you use one for dries and another for
nymphing) vertical and secure. Without a holder you must lay your rod flat.
This is an invitation to disaster when beaching or negotiating narrow water.
Pontoon boats are great for small skinny water such as the Smith. Just
check out your rigging before you get on the river.
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Claridge Claridge [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2000 4:06 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Floating the Smith River
Hi,
In two weeks I'm going to be floating the Smith River in Montana. It's
approximately a 60 mile float that will require us to carry everything we
need with us for 4-5 days and we plan to use our pontoon boats - I have a
River Otter. Having not used the boat for overnight travel before and with
time getting shorter, it just occurred to me that I should have asked before
if anyone has any tips for carrying provisions on a pontoon boat. I plan to
take in one dry bag my sleeping bag, tent, back packing stove, water
filter, dried food and some clothes. Also plan to carry an extra oar and
rod/reel. One person in the party will have a larger river raft and has
said she would carry such things as a shovel, axe, and some of our bags.
Has anyone done this before and any suggestions?
By the way, I live in Spokane and fly fish whenever and wherever I can.
Unfortunately, I have to travel all over the US every week so most of my
excursions are limited to Eastern WA, Northern Idaho, Western Montana, and
sometimes British Columbia. I've been receiving your mail for the past year
and have found it to be quite interesting, but haven't contributed before
today.
Thanks for any replies,
Don Claridge
