Drift Boat On The Norfork?

[Justin Spencer]

Just wondering if the Norfork has enough water at low flow to get a drift boat down it. For a good days fishing in a drift boat or pontoon where would one put in and take out and still make it somewhat convenient. Thanks for the help, believe it or not I have lived up on the North Fork in Missouri for 6 years and have never fished the tailwaters.

[snagged in outlet 3]

It can be done, but you will have to drag it some areas like the end of Long Hole, Ace in the Hole and probably up near the ramp at the dam. Depends on your drift boat too. A heavy, high sided aluminum boat will have to be dragged more than a fiberglass low rider.

This info was relayed to me from someone who has floated it in a driftboat for a trip we were going to take a couple months ago. We went to Taney instead. I've walked a large portion of the Norfork and floated it in a canoe, and I believe this info is correct. I've seen a lot of guys do it in one and two man pontoons.

There is only one public put in and that's at the dam. Float 4.5 miles and take it out at the confluence with the White. The ramp is to the left when you get into the White River.

Snagged

[Blue Ribbon Fly Shop]

Just wondering if the Norfork has enough water at low flow to get a drift boat down it. For a good days fishing in a drift boat or pontoon where would one put in and take out and still make it somewhat convenient. Thanks for the help, believe it or not I have lived up on the North Fork in Missouri for 6 years and have never fished the tailwaters.

Absolutely Justin! However you mention two potential options; drift boat or pontoon. Either way this is the smartest method of fishing the Norfork. Since the river structure has changed drastically since the flood, rocks are inevitable. If you're fishing solo then a pontoon is best. You may have to drag it in a few places with little effort although I just ride mine right through shallow riffles . A drift boat with additional anglers is also a possibility since you have extra help through tight spots as you walk it through. Think about from a logistic standpoint rather than fishing the "drift" from a boat or pontoon. A kayak, pontoon, and drift boats are viable options... not to mention a solid exit strategy!

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey Larry

Does anyone down there rent pontoons?

SIO3

[Blue Ribbon Fly Shop]

Hey Larry

Does anyone down there rent pontoons?

SIO3

At this point no. However it has crossed my mind to do so. Of course the biggest issue is liability. I have a few in stock that we're looking to move. New and put together. Had the weather not sucked so bad today, I mentally planned a float on the fork since it shut down momentarily but in reality, no dice. WAAAY too cold and windy.

Is there such thing as a anti- snow/rain dance? or do you just do the rain dance backwards?

We need a break!

LB

[Terry Beeson]

Larry,

I think if you stand out in front of the fly shop every day for five minutes every hour and do the Pee Wee Herman dance, the snow will be gone by June... Try it!!!

[Justin Spencer]

Thanks for the info everyone I look forward to hitting the fork in the near future. Larry, we rent pontoons here and although we are set up for that kind of liability you would have to work pretty hard to get yourself in trouble on a pontoon. I bet if you rented them you would do very well. Fly fishermen here really appreciate that we offer them as we are the only ones I know of. We also rent rafts and I have considered buying a frame for one and renting it as a "drift boat" that they couldn't crack up. I also need to thank you guys at the shop for helping me get set up for my six year old to start fly fishing, we have been reading the kids flyfishing book, and I took him out the other day to practice casting, after a few minutes he was doing a pretty good job, and even was doing a roll cast standing on the shore. Do they make affordable childrens waders?

[jdmidwest]

Pontoons are great on the Norfork, as well as kayaks. Some of the best trips on the Norfork have been in Pontoons. I floated with AFG on a stocking run the first time thru the whole stretch and learned alot about the river. We stocked little browns out of the Pontoon. Another time, at the Conclave, Tom Hargrove gave me a shuttle for my personal ODC 8' pontoon. I caught alot of fish that time, a grand slam with some nice big ones. Pontoons are usually designed for higher class rapids than anything can generate around there, even at 2 units.

Drift boats would be great with a 1/2 unit or more. No units would be a push/pull/drag. There is too much drop and too many shoals for anything more.

[Blue Ribbon Fly Shop]

Thanks for the info everyone I look forward to hitting the fork in the near future. Larry, we rent pontoons here and although we are set up for that kind of liability you would have to work pretty hard to get yourself in trouble on a pontoon. I bet if you rented them you would do very well. Fly fishermen here really appreciate that we offer them as we are the only ones I know of. We also rent rafts and I have considered buying a frame for one and renting it as a "drift boat" that they couldn't crack up. I also need to thank you guys at the shop for helping me get set up for my six year old to start fly fishing, we have been reading the kids flyfishing book, and I took him out the other day to practice casting, after a few minutes he was doing a pretty good job, and even was doing a roll cast standing on the shore. Do they make affordable childrens waders?

Right on right on.

Even @ 6, he may fit in a S Simms kid's waders which we have. Maybe a bit oversized but he'll grow into em. For between $130 (Dan Bailey) or $150 (Simms) he's good for a few years.

LB

[Blue Ribbon Fly Shop]

Larry,

I think if you stand out in front of the fly shop every day for five minutes every hour and do the Pee Wee Herman dance, the snow will be gone by June... Try it!!!

I'm not above it if I knew it would work. Honk when you pass.