[Zach Matthews]

Steve –

You want to go to Townsend, which is on the Gatlinburg side but nowhere near as crowded.

[Zach Matthews]

No kidding.

[Zach Matthews]

Aha, and yet, you seem to have caught our website lady in a typo, since I also say “stomping ground” (at least, whenever I am directing the masses to your favorite secret hotspot, of course).

[Zach Matthews]

Great post, Mike.

[Zach Matthews]

Great information, Mike, thanks.

[Zach Matthews]

I mostly agree with Tim, with some caveats.  I’ve had a JW Outfitters Renegade (designed by Tim’s buddy Jeff back in the heady early 2000s) for quite a while.  I have several hundred hours on it.  A pontoon of this length can definitely be stood up on.

I have taken mine at least half a mile off the beach (a real stupid move, incidentally), and frequently carry it to Gulf Shores to catch rainbow runners, bluefish, ladyfish, and small mackerel out on the sand bars.

[Zach Matthews]

Thanks for getting that out there on the table, Tim.

[Zach Matthews]

Here’s a lesson learned: don’t buy from NoahsMarine.com.

[Zach Matthews]

Oh, and please be sure to read the accompanying text in the link so you know what this article is and is not about.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

Hey Joel –

Would you mind giving us a quick run down of the strengths and weaknesses (and relationships) of the major raft manufacturers?

[Zach Matthews]

I hadn’t seen that ad yet, although it’s certainly edgy.

[Zach Matthews]

Thanks Ronnie, I appreciate that insight.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

I would throw out that every raft owner I’ve ever met has highlighted the ability of a raft to be put in wherever you can slide it, as opposed to a fiberglass drift boat, which needs a place to back a trailer.

[Zach Matthews]

Jack –

Did you read my post?

[Zach Matthews]

Ha!

[Zach Matthews]

Steven –

I have used the fishpond Dragonfly for the last four or five years.

[Zach Matthews]

And yet, this boat has skid plates attached, so clearly it’s possible to get a glue to stick.

Zach

[Zach Matthews]

I’m going to try this stuff.

[Zach Matthews]

Neal –

You have probably already fixed it.  Here’s the standard procedure:

How to Repair Waders

1. Determine whether you have a pinhole leak or a tear.  For leaks at seams, send to manufacturer for repair (seam taping machines are serious industrial pieces of hardware that can’t really be duplicated at home).

2. Turn waders inside out.  Hang from shower rod. Put isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol in a mister.

3. Soak waders thoroughly in misted alcohol.  Wait 1 minute.

4. Circle any dark spots with a permanent magic marker.  Use a color so you can switch to a different one if you need to do this again when you put another hole in your waders.

5. Wait for the wader to dry.  Procure Aquaseal.  This stuff is probably identical to Goop, though it may be a somewhat thinner mix.

6. Apply a small, thin amount to your pinhole leaks.  Should be about the size of a dime or less and about as thick as a dime.

7. Let dry overnight.

8. If your pinhole was really a tear, now would be the time to apply a small piece of the patch that came with your waders (on the inside).  Match the sides so the breathable interior fabric stays inward.  Some people iron their patches on after application; to be honest, I don’t know whether this is advisable or not.

[Zach Matthews]

I agree with Steve K. – the el cheapo eBay carbon tripod (made by Adorama if I remember right) is actually a wonderful buy.

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