The easiest water to float on the Yakima is the canyon, from Ringer downstream. It is not technical, but you do have to be wary of submerged boulders and when in riffles at these flows, you need to choose the deepest paths to avoid having to scrape along or you will have to carry your pontoon. An anchor is helpful, but I wouldn't use it to hold your position in any significant current as you can potentially flip a pontoon. I primarily use my anchor to hold my boat in place along the bank while I wade fish along the shore. Or, I may use it to anchor my pontoon in a submerged mid-river bar. The best use of a pontoon on a river like the Yak is to move from one section to another. If you are wearing fins, you can fish on the move because you can maintain your position relative to the bank and move to a safe spot to land any fish that you might catch. You might invest in a rod-holder, but I find that I can stash my rods along the frame when I am on the move without too much fear of losing a rod. [I did lose a rod when trying to photograph a nice fish that I caught off a mid-river bar; I came back the next day in a dry suit, fins, mask, and snorkel and actually found it!!]. I have used Reds for my shuttles as they are convenient to the canyon; I have never had a problem with them, but I'm sure that the other shops that specialize on the Yakima would be good choices too.
Steve
Steve
