Fly Fishing oriented aluminum DB

2329 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by A.A., Sep 10, 2016

A.A.

Discussion Starter · Aug 4, 2016 (Edited)

Seems like fiberglass drift boats are more geared toward fly fishing, and aluminum toward gear fishing. I know Willie has some bulky looking casting braces, but do any aluminum boat makers out there do a good job making a fly fishing friendly vessel that fishes one up front and one in back, with fly rod specific rod storage, etc. Their websites don't show any good examples. Or do I need to modify one to get what I need?

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jake-e-boy

· #2 · Aug 4, 2016

willie will make you whatever the hell you want, just takes $. give em a call. 541-779-4141

example: adaptive excursions had a wheelchair accessible drift boat made by willie

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spfd jason

· #3 · Aug 4, 2016

I have a 96 Koffler 17x54 lowish side that was specifically designed for fly fishing. UHMW bottom so it slides over rocks well. It has a level front floor and a seat in the back. Both the front and rowers bench can be moved way forward to balance the load with someone fishing in back. It lacks a rear casting brace but I know one could be manufactured quite easily. There is also a slick rod holder that attaches to the gunnel so rods can be easily stored without being in the way to much. The boat was custom ordered by a local guide some years ago. I'm the third owner and love the boat.

Reactions: 1

A.A.

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 4, 2016 (Edited)

spfd jason said:
I have a 96 Koffler 17x54 lowish side that was specifically designed for fly fishing. UHMW bottom so it slides over rocks well. It has a level front floor and a seat in the back. Both the front and rowers bench can be moved way forward to balance the load with someone fishing in back. It lacks a rear casting brace but I know one could be manufactured quite easily. There is also a slick rod holder that attaches to the gunnel so rods can be easily stored without being in the way to much. The boat was custom ordered by a local guide some years ago. I'm the third owner and love the boat.

Sounds nice! Any standard models that have that degree of seat adjustability? That would be important to me. I'll be fishing 1 front 1 back, sometimes 1 front, and occasionally a motor.
Also, here are the large number of fly fishing specific options listed on Willie's website. Why the cut down bow?

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Old406Kid

· #5 · Aug 4, 2016

A.A. said:
Seems like fiberglass drift boats are more geared toward fly fishing, and aluminum toward gear fishing. I know Willie has some bulky looking casting braces, but do any aluminum boat makers out there do a good job making a fly fishing friendly vessel that fishes one up front and one in back, with fly rod specific rod storage, etc. Their websites don't show any good examples. Or do I need to modify one to get what I need?

http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/2015-hyde-aluminum-high-side-drift-boat.120013/

A.A.

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 5, 2016

Old406Kid said:
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/2015-hyde-aluminum-high-side-drift-boat.120013/

Saw that today. Very nice, and pricey too! But you generally get what you pay for. Don't see too many of the aluminum hydes.

Gone’r

· #7 · Aug 6, 2016

The cut down bow is for watching bobbers and dry flies as you row. Gear guys bobber dog and side drift from 90° upstream and fly fishermen tend to fish 90° downstream. Different angles of presentation. My buddy had a fully tricked out willies and fly guided out of it for two years. Awesome boat!

A.A.

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 7, 2016

Creatch'r said:
The cut down bow is for watching bobbers and dry flies as you row. Gear guys bobber dog and side drift from 90° upstream and fly fishermen tend to fish 90° downstream. Different angles of presentation. My buddy had a fully tricked out willies and fly guided out of it for two years. Awesome boat!

That makes sense. I wonder how far cut down would be ideal? The Willie options are 3", 6", and 9". What are all the things he had on his boat to make it a fly fishing machine?

Gone’r

· #9 · Aug 7, 2016

He went with the 9" cut down, he had the adjustable seating option where the whole seat and storage box is movable into any configuration from one each in the front and back, or two up front. Really nice and flexible arrangement. He went with a full pro loks rowing system including the edge oars. Fuckin nice boat, he recently sold it and went with a new clack eddy since he was moving out of Washington.

Edit: Just checked the option list above, he had all the FF'ing options, as well as the trailer upgrades as well as I believe the "action padded seats"

Reactions: 1

phuck this

· #10 · Aug 11, 2016

The cut down bow is for better vision and less of a sail.

Reactions: 1

Guy Gregory

· #11 · Aug 11, 2016

Have you thought about a Koffler Rocky Mt. Trout boat, or one of the other skiff types?

A.A.

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 13, 2016

Guy Gregory said:
Have you thought about a Koffler Rocky Mt. Trout boat, or one of the other skiff types?

I like the Kofflers. Would rather have a 16' with higher sides than the Rocky Mtn. Those look nice though. I'll probably end up picking up a nice used Koffler or Willie and adding the fly fishing options.

Poff

· #13 · Sep 7, 2016

I would check out the boats Pavati manufacturers in Oregon. https://www.pavatimarine.com/

A friend of mine in Utah owns one and loves it. Has used it in AK and other locations.

A.A.

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 9, 2016

Poff said:
I would check out the boats Pavati manufacturers in Oregon. https://www.pavatimarine.com/

A friend of mine in Utah owns one and loves it. Has used it in AK and other locations.

Pavati has nice features, but pricey and a little fancy for my tastes, if you know what I mean.

A.A.

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 9, 2016

Been looking at River Wolf Drift Boats, right here in Roseburg. They look awesome, features other manufacturers charge extra for come standard. Priced better than Willie and Koffler. I sent him an email to see what fly fishing oriented features he could offer: casting braces, rod holders, etc. This floor plan looks awesome. Was curious about the off center back seat. Probably just for motoring. Would get a centered seat for fishing a 2nd person off the back.

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A.A.

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 9, 2016

spfd jason said:
I have a 96 Koffler 17x54 lowish side that was specifically designed for fly fishing. UHMW bottom so it slides over rocks well. It has a level front floor and a seat in the back. Both the front and rowers bench can be moved way forward to balance the load with someone fishing in back. It lacks a rear casting brace but I know one could be manufactured quite easily. There is also a slick rod holder that attaches to the gunnel so rods can be easily stored without being in the way to much. The boat was custom ordered by a local guide some years ago. I'm the third owner and love the boat.

Where did you get the rod holder that attaches to the gunnels? Is it something that can be easily added later, or at the time of construction?

spfd jason

· #17 · Sep 9, 2016

I believe Koffler made it. It clamps on to the gunnel and can be added to any drift boat with a split rail gunnel. I'll try to add a picture later.

A.A.

Discussion Starter · #18 · Sep 10, 2016

2

spfd jason said:
I believe Koffler made it. It clamps on to the gunnel and can be added to any drift boat with a split rail gunnel. I'll try to add a picture later.

That would b awesome, thanks!

Also, checking River Wolf FB page I see they'll occasionally add a Hyde casting brace on the rear which looks really nice. Don't see any with front casting braces.

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And check out this purple one!

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