Pontoons on the Duc

[Bank Bum]

A master on the sticks gets you no were, unless you are a master on the Sol Duc.

They JUST got there pontoons and have been rowing the nooch which is kids stuff compared to any stream located in the Forks area.
I don't know who they are trying to kid..... They can't take advice and its gonna bite them in the ass, why risk your lifes when you know and everyone here has told you that you are no WHERE near being able to float the Duc.

Rossiman,have you ever floated the duc?

  Bank Bum

[Barbless]

The following statement is a joke, and not to be taken seriously at all:

DON'T BE A PU$$Y... JUST DO IT!!!!

No seriously... I think the majority has it right on the money.  Please don't do it until you have been rowed down it first.  Make an educated guess if you can do it after you have seen it.  Even that lower float has its moments.  By now you have heard it all, just had to razz you guys a little! 

haha wanna go with us ryan? ill give you the honors and let you go first 

Sure dude I will go... I'll wait at below sandstone and pick up your tackle as it floats by   Do me a solid, and take your nicest rods and reels, and put a PFD on the rods.  No need to wear a jacket yourself, it just prolongs the agony.   To really help yourself out, don't forget to launch at 04:30 in morning... take double rapids in the dark... it is way more fun that way. 

Seriously, get a guide... only one reason to pay someone to take you fishing: you don't know the river = pay a guide.  Saving your boats, gear, and lives are worth well over the $350 a guide will charge for a day being rowed around the Duc.

[Bank Bum]

 lol,,when we going Barbless?,,at least this way I know my gear will be safe 

  Bank Bum

[Barbless]

I am good to go day after tomorrow... trailer is getting a make-over tomorrow.  I am glad you laughed about it... I never know how well sarcasm will come out in this format.  The wink smiley helps 

[Rossiman]

A master on the sticks gets you no were, unless you are a master on the Sol Duc.

They JUST got there pontoons and have been rowing the nooch which is kids stuff compared to any stream located in the Forks area.
I don't know who they are trying to kid..... They can't take advice and its gonna bite them in the ass, why risk your lifes when you know and everyone here has told you that you are no WHERE near being able to float the Duc.

Rossiman,have you ever floated the duc?

  Bank Bum

By myself f no, with others yes. I have been rowing for over 3 years now and wouldn't even consider the Duc, you guys starting out are in for a surprise if you do decide to go. Good luck with what ever you decide to do, your gonna need it.

[Rossiman]

BankBum, I'm not trying to be mean or start a feud. I just don't wanna read about you guys in the newspaper or end up seeing someone get injured. I would strongly advise you guys to start out with easier rivers on the OP. Try the Queets or even the Bogy. Continue banking on the Sol Duc and look at the paths the other anglers take, and if you can afford to go out with a guide or buddy i would do so/ it will shorten the learning curve dramatically. But truthfully man jumping from the Nooch to the Sol Duc is like jumping from PW Football to the NFL.... It aint smart.
Be safe out there 

[queets guy]

I hear what your saying Rossiman. I am not an experianced rower enough to give one advice on rivers like the Sol Duc except that its not meant for beginners.  Ive been rowing for 2 1/2 years now and I wouldnt even consider it in my near future.  It only takes one rock to spin you sideways in a boulder garden and you could be history. My dad whom I fish in the boat with consistently and who has been teaching how me to row has been on the sticks since the early 90s.  He is very good on the oars and could float some sections of the Duc without it being a big problem but theres also spots that he would walk it if he was able.  Aside from his experinace I can remember some crazed campground spots on the top drift of the Queets that he made me walk on shore as he didnt want me in the boat, now I can see why.  As the comman saying goes....its better to be safe than sorry, not matter how good you are. 

[Strike Rite Tackle Co.]

Why not float the Boggy, there is good fishing to be had, and it is a much safer and more relaxed float. In addition it is easier to read and more time will be spent fishing and not rowing.

[Bank Bum]

  ,,Barbless,hope your not there still waiting for gear 

  Bank Bum

[Todd]

OP's description of the various runs on the Duc is pretty good...there are NO easy drifts to row on the Sol Duc, it's all relative there...every float there is worse than most every drift on all the other OP streams, none of which are a piece of cake, except the Wilson to Lyendecker run on the Bogie and the Hoh from Allen's down...and even the Hoh from Allen's down has a few spots at low water which have taken a handful of boats over the past two years.

Those runs can take pontoons just as easily as drifters in many spots, and cheaper pontoons can get bent like a taco if you get pinned in heavy water.

I'd do every one of those floats with someone experienced on them, and I'd do them a few times, at least, with the rower telling you where he's going and way...those rapids are nothing to trifle with.  I'd also make sure I'm pretty good on the sticks before I'd even use the information from the experienced rower to give it a go myself.

If you do get that stuff under your belt, the super bonus is that you can fish stuff that has very little traffic...most rowers are smart enough to stay away from that river will the easier drifts around.  On a good day at the peak of the run I can row Bear Creek on the Duc and not see more than another boat and a few bankies in the accessible areas.

Here's a good chunk of "do as I say, not as I do" advice...wear your PFD.

Fish on...

Todd