I've have floated and fished from a WaterMaster Kodiak for nearly a decade, floating almost every major blue ribbon trout river in Wyoming and Idaho and Montana. Simply the best solo fishing craft around. Here are some lessons I've learned along the way... 1. Do not use the upright rod holders that WaterMaster sells. They keep you from being able to cast and fish from the boat. Instead, lay the rods on the right side of the boat, with the reels in the attached gear pocket. I will float rivers like the Madison with three rods ... nymph, dry, and streamer, each quickly accessible on my right side. 2. Carry as little gear as possible. Especially fly boxes. If you somehow overturn all that gear will be lost. Wear a jacket or shirt with big front pockets to hold fly boxes with your essential flies. Wear a lanyard around you neck with your clippers, pliers, gink, etc. Again, if you don't see that rock or log ahead of you and turn over, everything that is loose in or on the boat is gone. Keep it simple. 3. Carry a long handled net, not a shorty, so you can reach out in front of the boat to net fish. Store the net on the left side of the boat using one of the tie down straps to hold it in place. 4. When you fish from the boat you want your system as simple as possible. You will be using your fins to control your speed and how you face down the river. Takes practice but it can be a deadly way to catch fish. 5. When fishing a dry or nymph rig or streamers, avoid casting a long line. Instead, keep a straight line, no excess slack, with your finger on the line against the cork handle. Cast simple straight casts that target where you want the fly to be. No false casts. Only short casts, almost like Euro nymphing. Deadly. 5. Again, keep your system simple. Store anything that you need dry in the dry bag. 6. Always carry the dry bag on the boat, held down with the boat netting. If you rip a hole in the boat that can't be repaired, you will need it to hike out. You will want that dry bag backpack to do that. Happy fishing.

Love it Joe! By far your instruction on the Watermaster is the best out there! Can’t wait to get out the Yakima soon.

Great video. I’m looking forward to the video on using fins as well. Also a video on what you take and how you attach it to the boat would be interesting. Thanks

@Reds Fly Shop,thanks a lot for the video.i bought an Intex3 a few months ago and just used it yesterday.i knew somewhat on how to row but basically didn't know enough.i went out a little bit to drop my crab pots and came back in.i was tired and miserable.the tips u give here make me feel confident In retrieving my pots today.again thanks and keep helping people as u been.thanks

I have found all your videos to be highly informative and have incorporated many of your techniques into my own system of fly fishing. I would be interested in seeing in action of your complete set up of backpacking the watercraft along with the rest of your fishing gear. For example maybe a scenario where you need to hike a hundred yards from your vehicle to get to the water.

Excellent instruction. Love my Kodiak!

Great job Joe!! Glad I own a Watermaster for fishing the Yakima!!!

Best review on this boat I ever seen.

Thanks…probably going to trade in my pontoon for a Kodiak. Would love to see a video on fishing from one of these while moving (fishing the bank).

In my 50’s and just got a Grizzly. Little nervous about getting back on a river. Great tips.

Another great video. Is the seat high enough to be comfortable to cast from while seated? Where do you put your fishing rods/ do you point them out the back of the raft?

Thanks for the cool video. I really like this water craft. One question? Has anyone from the shop ever had to hammer down toward Yakima to pick up an errant rental?

If i rent one where will Red's transport me to launch for a 5-6 hour float?? Can you list the put in spots and approx. float times back to Reds allowing for stops to cast.

Another great one from Red's; thank you so much. I have a Kodiak that I've only used in stillwaters. Meanwhile, my favorite steelhead river gets pounded on the road side, and is pristine on the other side ! Time to take action. Love your vids

Great video! How do you choose between the Kodiak vs the Grizzly? Do you find the extra feet in the Kodiak more troublesome rowing and carrying? Is it worth the extra weight when not camping?

Awesome video. Im a bit confused as to what would be considered the fastest water/rapids this is safe on. Can you take one of these on class II or III rapids? Im looking for a single person watercraft that will be safe on the deschutes and similar rivers next may.

Excellent - But where do lay your rod and gear when on the move?

Interesting boat concept! Does that mean that your feet are wet all the time (for hours and hours on end)? Also, what if the current is very strong? Will anchoring the boat not be bothersome in a matter of minutes?

lateral epicondylitis?

Super Info !!!! Where do You stow your rod(s) ?

Hey joe i follow you all the time on this boat you need two strong arms don't you. I have one arm that's kind of handicap. Think i could operate it. Might have to keep fishing off of the bank. Thanks jerry Dell

Would you be comfortable in this raft on a river flowing at 12-15,000 cfs?

I wish you had talked more about the use of fins. I personally don’t like to have my feet dangling in the water as you’re moving for fear of hitting a submerged rock or tree branch and risk breaking or twisting your knees. If you’re on a personal watercraft like this when the water is higher and there is substantial current, using fins in my view is rather dangerous.

I was all set to get one of these '' grizzly '' until I saw the price..lol Looking at the Packfish 7 which i hear good things about as well.

Finn video please 🙏

Hi

How much are those?

Boby boby Bob

The boat Fred Flintstone would use

great tip . learn the boat .ignore the fishing !!

It probably gets annoying after having it rub against your shins or calves for a while. Also, rowing it can't be easy, with water banging against the tubes both outside and inside the boat. For short distances, though, in places otherwise inaccessible, this awkward, no-bottom raft can prove useful to he who thinks it beats a regular boat.

I can see myself spending $1500 to dump myself in front of my friends several times in one trip. My friends will throw extra logs on the fire with a joke for me all night