How many of you ever drift alone? I've got a pontoon and haven't done it yet but have been tempted. One one hand I wouldn't want to be alone on a river if I ever ran into a problem, on the other hand the drive to the river is probably more dangerous than the drift.

I've taken my drif boat out on the rivers alone a few times.It's great,I personally like one other person in the boat but hay,It's better then not fishin.Take your time and be carefull.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

I have been pontooning for a couple years and have drifted alone. When I chose to drift alone, I will pick a river that I have drifted before and know that there are few problem areas. If I drift big water with problem areas, I will only go with someone else.

Personally I think the solitude is a kick in the ass. Nothing is more rewarding. Especially when you land that summer steel and nothing but the trees and birds are of witness. Just make sure the drift you do is passable in a boat and make sure someone knows where you went and what time to expect you back...

Dogoff!

Those ones do tend to stick out in my mind more also.

I've float my cataraft all the time solo. It's not the smartest thing to do but hey man, you gotta do whatcha ya gotta do to get your butt on the river !
tight lines and fish on...

Floating solo doesn't seem like a bad idea..providing:

You KNOW the drift your going on - and for the water conditions of the day. High - low, etc.

You file a "float plan" with a friend or family member, one who knows what time your expected back, including your put-in and take-out.

You wear or have immediate access to a PFD.

If cell service is available on the drift, carry a cell-phone and check-in with someone who knows where you are. On the Skagit, there is coverage from Fabers Landing west (if you have Verizon).

If the area is remote, be sure to carry a small emergency pack including waterproof matches (Bic), food and dry clothes incase you and your craft get swamped and you make it to shore.

Have fun!

I plan to float the Skagit solo a number of times this coming fall/winter. Not always because I "need" to, but some weekdays I can escape the office and go others may not always be available on short notice.

Mike

Old Chum,

I often fish alone, partly because I often like it that way, and partly because I'm one of the world's worst planners and I decide to go on the spur of the moment. I float by canoe or raft, and often take my jet boat alone. I've always selected my boats according to one man handle-ability so that I wouldn't be restricted to going only when I could find a friend to go along.

The only downside I've experienced is the turn around sometimes. A lot of places I don't feel I can leave my gear while I go back for my car.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

I am encouraged. I half-thought I might get lectured about the dangers of a hidden sweeper, etc. This may push me over the edge to hand my wife my plan for the day and then hit the river solo! It does sound fun.

I'll float alone when I can't find a partner. I'll generally make sure I do a float where I know there'll be other boats and then try not to be the last one off the river.

That way if something bad happens you have a chance of someone coming along behind and finding you.

Get to know a bunch of the folks who are here. Every time, well, almost every time, I head out to any of the rivers within 60 miles of here I run into at least one person I know. Last solo trip on the Cow I saw 8 folks I know.

I almost always drift my pontoon alone. Floating a familliar river in a pontoon is a piece of cake. I am not too worried about being the last one off the river, as long as I have a turn around plan. To me, fishing is a solo experience.

I have done it a few times and it is fun to try and land a fish while the boat is moving. The hardest part is the turn around. If you know the river, you should have no troubles.

I fish/float solo quite often also, when I get to go on short notice and can't find a friend. Turnaround is the only real problem, assuming you are capable of running the river you have chosen. With a pontoon you can easily be conservative and carry your boat around anything that you aren't confident running. I would only recommend not going solo if you are inexperienced and want to run a difficult river. Oh, and you won't have anybody to take the pics if you are fortunate enought to catch a fish.
Go for it!

So what does everyone do at the takeout? Do you chain your boats to a tree, hide your gear and hitchhike back to the put-in spot? The only thing that has kept me from floating alone is what to do at the end to get back to the truck and not get allmy stuff ripped off

I've done it a few times and posted about it here once....of course this was back in the 'old' h2o days so of course I got a lecture.

In a driftboat that is set up properly, with a confident, experienced captain and filed float plan (someone should know when and where to expect you when you are done) all controllable safety aspects are covered.

Go for it.

On select summer nights on the upper hoh I've been known to take a solo moonlight float...well, I've done it three times anyway.

I look at it like solo hiking or flying. Cover all possible safety aspects except the hand of god and do it.

What H2O said

I forgot to add:

When I do it in my DB I add at least 100 lbs to the front of the boat, distributed towards the edges for stability.

My old alumaweld is nearly unpilotable without something up front to help keep her trim.

Tuna Man,
When I use the pontoon I try to arrange a turnaround with a vehicle that I can throw it in...my wifes minivan works when she is willing!
With the driftboat, I take all valuable gear out and leave the boat. Have used a bike and motorcycle for the turnaround, when I can't arrange a second vehicle. Have only had a problem with this twice...once some kids put the anchor in the boat and pushed it off into the river....came back at first light the next day with a raft to retrieve it. Another time some kids hid my canoe, but I found it. Best solution is a small sled until the water is too low and pontoons are the only way to float!

Thanks Angler. Interesting how the topic started as going solo in a pontoon boat to tips for driftboats and sleds. Still not sure how I might do floats from high bridge to Sultan, Sultan to Ben Howard or solo pontoon floats on the upper Snoqualmie. Almost sounds like a pick-up vehicle is a must.