Re: Small stillwater craft?

[Ffishnfly]

Kent, I have a Spring Creek Pram Hopper II which I bought two years ago.  It is an incredibly well designed craft.  It is a shade less than 10 feet and fits in the back of my F-250 easily.  Mine was the version before the Kevlar version.  Mine weighs 120 lb., but I can, even with my back problems, get it in and out of my pickup singlehandly.  The new version made of Kevlar weighs about 80 lb. I have even been thinking of selling mine and getting the lighter version.  Mine has all the bells and whistles, including two anchors, set up for use with an electric motor, rod holders (you can carry a 9' rod set up on each side), handles on the ends, splash finish, dolly, dual rowing stations, fiberglass oars, etc.   The lowback seats are extremely comfortable and are actually seats used in a driftboat (forget the name of the manufacturer). Regarding the use of the Spring Creek prams on the Yakima, they were designed for this river, and will handle Class I and II rivers.  Friend of mine, Greg Scandret, from Shelton takes his down the Yak all the time.  I have yet to take mine down, but that is from a lack of time.  Bottom line: If price is the object, then the Spring Creek Prams are maybe not for you.  If quality of workmanship, design (they are designed specifically for flyfisherman), and having someone stand behind the product are important, then Jim Wheeler builds the boat you want.  I would buy another in an instant.   Jim is a great guy.   Roger Chatterton