Idaho Falls

46  EAST IDAHO OUTDOORS MAGAZINE — SPRING/SUMMER 2015 Fishing Logs An inflatable, portable solution for exploring local rivers BY STEVE SMEDE Park your posterior on any rock on any river bank in this region, and sooner or later, you'll end up pining for that fish- ing hole on the opposite side. It happens every time. Wading anglers have it better, but not much. Whether you're spin casting, bait- chucking or fly-flipping, a Hail Mary cast across shifting currents will tend to disap- point. "The far side — wherever it is — often fishes better, and for good reason," says Idaho Falls-based angler Dana Yost. "It's not just better water. It's about getting away from the crowd." That, of course, calls for a special kind of boat that can handle the waters you love to fish. Jet sleds and rafts have their following, while the natural choice for many river- bound anglers is the venerable drift boat, especially for dry-fly casting. But what about those days when you're dying to throw a line, but all your fishing buddies have decided they'd rather mow the lawn or play a round of pasture pool? For that kind of a pinch, an inflatable pontoon (also referred to as a kick boat) could be your best friend. "The best part about this kind of boat is that it's a one-man show," says Yost. "These boats are super-easy to carry, fast to row and they float like a cork." Yost plies the currents of various waters around the region, ranging from slow, meandering spring-fed outlets to boulder- strewn rivers. The Henry's Fork of the Snake River makes an excellent venue, he says, as does the South Fork during lower flows. For spring and fall steelhead runs on the Salmon River, these personal paddle craft are worth their weight in gold. "Some of these pontoons are purposely made to tackle the whitewater," he says. "It depends on experience and other fac- tors, but the boat I have can handle Class IV water. Pretty crazy." Stillwater models, as you might expect, are built for the calmer conditions of lakes and ponds. Swiftwater versions have stron- ger fasteners, thicker skins and an overall sturdier construction. Both flavors can be readily found at local retailers. The model of choice for many solo boat- ers is the South Fork Pontoon Package, made in Idaho by Boise-based Buck's Bags (pictured here and on this issue's cover). Another Idaho brand to look for is Outcast, based out of Meridian. Its PAC series mod- els come with urethane bladders, an inter- nal anchor and even a motor mount. Some of the latest Buck's and Outcast models also come in two-person setups. For more product details, visit www.bucks- bags.com and www.outcastboats.com. STEVE SMEDE PHOTO "The best part about this kind of boat is that it's a one-man show. These boats are super-easy to carry, fast to row and they float like a cork." Dana Yost Idaho Falls-based angler Evidenced here by East Idaho pon- tooner B.J. Smith, these whitewater- class watercraft also have plenty of stability to pack extra gear (and in this case, a four-legged first mate). { B A C K W O O D S — T H E S T O R Y B E H I N D T H E S T O R Y }

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