Floating the Bow

[crawad]

I'm thinking of doing a float from either glenmore to fish creek or fish creek to police man's . I've done lots of floats in spring and summer but never winter. Thoughts?

[googan]

ah ive seen drift boaters doing winter floating. jsut be careful for the ice shelves if your pontooning. wear a pfd!

[Dr.Shortington]

I wonder about ice floating in/under the river??? I don't think I'm gonna try it....but damn tempting on Saturday.

[crawad]

Originally Posted by Dr.Shortington

I wonder about ice floating in/under the river??? I don't think I'm gonna try it....but damn tempting on Saturday.

way too tempting! if I decide to give it a go ill post the results.

[fishinhogdaddy]

I would do a ton of research before I went.
Is the road open to the take out point?
Is this ice frozen solid across the river anywhere along the way?


Winter and floating the Bow wouldn't be a good combination in my opinion.
I think you are just asking for trouble.
FHD

[CraigJ]

Originally Posted by crawad

way too tempting! if I decide to give it a go ill post the results.

And he was never heard from again. Seriously, if you do go, have fun and stay safe.

[professori]

Originally Posted by crawad

way too tempting! if I decide to give it a go ill post the results.

I'd appreciate it if you didn't try it until you've shipped out the flies from the chironomid swap.

[crawad]

Originally Posted by professori

I'd appreciate it if you didn't try it until you've shipped out the flies from the chironomid swap.

i'll will them to you. we talked to a bunch of guys today including fish tales and all should be good. 3 of us going as well.

[ReconWilly]

Originally Posted by professori

I'd appreciate it if you didn't try it until you've shipped out the flies from the chironomid swap.

That made me laugh...

[crawad]

it was a good float. little cold on the tootsies. landed a couple lost couple more

[Dr.Shortington]

Originally Posted by crawad

it was a good float. little cold on the tootsies. landed a couple lost couple more

Where did you put in/take out? If you dont mind me asking.

[crawad]

Put in at glenmore and took out at fish creek. Fish creek gate is still closed but the pontoons are fairly light so no biggy

[Bhflyfisher]

Originally Posted by professori

I'd appreciate it if you didn't try it until you've shipped out the flies from the chironomid swap.

So he can't go fishing until everyone has sent the flies into him? With weeks left until the due date?

Better not go to work either. Gotta get those flies out.

[professori]

I guess you missed the joke??

[goldscud]

Drift boats went to Police yesterday

[deeman]

I guess this thread kind of answers my question about How early do people launch a Pontoon on the Bow? Just acquired a 2 man pontoon but worried about the cold temps and such. With the exception of the diehard Pontooners, whats the consensus from the average Pontoon owner? Mid March?

[vital shok]

I got a double pontoon as well and I was going to go for it last weekend.I think you would be fine the only reason I didn't go was I was still busy modifying it so my feet are not in the water now it's more like cataraft lol next warm spell I'm in.

[deeman]

I have to do the same to mine...plus a few other personal touches that I would like. Throw on an update if you are able to make it out, looks like some warmer weather starting next weekend and into next week. I am out of town until next Tuesday anyway. Cheers

[Dr.Shortington]

Anyone thinking about giving it a go this weekend? Next weekend looking like a good opportunity as well. I'm getting antsy but don't want to die either. haha

[quadmaster]

I might give it a try myself

[badger]

Consider the possibility that the ice shelves might prevent you from getting out of the river in case of an accident. There are several locations where the water flows towards the bank and under the ice, or the water is too deep to get up and out. If you fall in against that kind of ice shelf, there is no way to get out. Having waded the Bow for decades in the winter, I stay away from any situation where falling in would be fatal. I saw one guy break off the ice shelf at CIL and go in over his head. I was on the other side and if his buddy was not there to literally drag him out downstream he would probably be dead.

[goldscud]

One boat to Policeman's yesterday.
Also heard of guys falling in off broken ice shelves Sunday. Newly formed ice shelves are not very thick and chinooks eat them very quickly.
You need to be very cautious around the river at this time of year.

Not sure what the take out looks like...but it will be changing daily with the warm wind