Pontoon Boats on our Tailwaters

[Ted Calcaterra]

Does anyone have experience using the inflateable pontoon boats on our tailwaters in Missouri and Arkansas? It looks like alot of fun but I often wonder how safe it is. Could one float safely on the Norfork with both units running or on the White with six or do I dare say eight?

[Guest Jim Traylor]

Ted,

I see them all the time on the white river below Bull Shoals Dam. I'd say they are pretty unsinkable other than punctures and very safe. Remember so carry a life jacket with you when you are in one in arkansas.

Jimmy T.

http://flyfisharkansas.com

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have used them for years, but not on the tailwaters, so I''l keep my comments to the fact, as Jimmy said, they are very stable. The problem I see is getting downstream and then not being able to get back up. If one had a shuttle they should be great.

[Guest Jim Traylor]

Forgat about that one Wayne. Your right though. Many of the resorts on the white will do one for you as will the state park.

Jimmy T.

[mizzouflyfisher]

I have used a pontoon boat several times on both Norfork and Taney. They are fine on Norfork with both units running, it is just hard to find places to fish-have to fish the seams behind islands mostly. I've been on Taney with 3 units and almost impossible to fish. At Norfork you can arrange a shuttle from the fly shop that is at the takeout where the White and Norfork merge. On Taney, my dad and I usually float to around Lilly's and call a cab. One of us rides back to the RV and comes and picks the other up. I've also used them out west on the Snake and Bighorn. I love my pontoon, there is not better way to get away from the crowds out west.