You can really blame it on Alex Landeen. In truth, the reason I bought my pontoon boat was for the sole purpose of floating the Colorado River. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed exploring the lakes here in Arizona, but a few months back when he started telling us about his 15 mile float down the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry, I was already counting pennies and looking at pontoon boats.
Fast forward to last Friday, Jason and I skirted our work activities and drove up to meet Alex, Marvin, and Scott. We milled around looking at the river, wading up to our knees to cool off, and waited for the backhaul boat that would take us, our gear, and our pontoon boats upriver to the dam. When we were finally loaded and the boat left the no-wake zone, our driver eased the throttle forward, and we left what little civilization there is at Lees Ferry behind us. The boats dropped us off at an upper beach were we assembled our boats, stowed gear,and rigged our fly rods for the short jaunt down to the Ropes camping area. We were in to fish right away. Smiles all around.
We camped at Ropes that evening, and after dinner from a bag, we swapped stories about fishing trips before turning in for the night. I’ve been on several multi-day float trips before, but this was the first one in my own personal watercraft. So the thought of my helpless little pontoon anchored on the mighty Colorado had me waking up at all hours of the night, wondering if that little red pontoon was still there. I resisted the urge to done my headlamp and go look, and when the sun finally started to brighten the sky the next morning, I found that little red pontoon waiting for me like a puppy ready to play.
Gobbling down a quick breakfast, we eased the boats into the strong current of the Colorado river and started plying the edges of the river for feisty rainbow trout. It was pretty much non-stop all day long. Fish were looking up, and we pulled many fish on hopper and cicada patterns. Everyone had a sink tip rigged with streamers, and when things slowed on occasion with top water, you could always clean up with simi-seals and wooly buggers.
The three days and two nights that we spent on the river were amazing, and although the fishing was great, I came home babbling to my wife more about the experience of the river and the fun times with good friends rather than the actual fishing itself. So although I blame Landeen for my pontoon boat purchase, I ultimately owe him for opening my eyes to the Colorado River. Without a doubt I’ll be going back.
What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn’t have any doubt. It is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else. – Hal Boyle
Our trip through the lens of Alex Landeen.
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It was an awesome trip, great river, great company and dry flies all day…
Can’t wait to do it again.
Agreed. It’s going to be a tough trip to top.
Certainly a dream trip of mine. I fish the Colorado river a couple times a year and do my Blue Grouse hunting just above it, but man does that water look different in your neck of the woods. Great post Ben!
Thanks Josh. Tough to beat the view on this river. Thanks for the kind words.
Ben
Great photos. I was there two weeks earlier and couldn’t get any fish looking up. We figured that the Cicadas had come and gone. The group of guys I went with did manage to hit the century mark right on the nose though and I landed my largest rainbow to date, a feisty 22-incher right about where that pontoon is in the photo of 4-mile.
Hey, Ben, just wanted to give you a shout and let you know how much I enjoyed this post and the beautiful country pictured on the Colorado. Most likely won’t make that trip in my lifetime, but, sure enjoyed you taking me on it with your blog post.
Mel,
Thanks so much for the kind words. It surely was a great trip. If you’re ever down this way and looking to head to some water, let me know.
Ben
Awesome post Ben, I’ve been up to the Ferry but always to the walkin. Was thinking about floating down the river in my kayak. How do you like your pontoon and how did you choose that one? Can you get one in Phoenix?
Thanks so much.
Adam,
Great to hear from you. I saw tons of people on the river in kayaks. They are definitely a viable way to get downriver. I think for fishing, the pontoon is ideal. It’s nice because you can put the oars up and steer with your feet and fins. They sell pontoons at the major sporting good stores in Phoenix. I specifically wanted this model because it’s a bit nicer and I think will last me a long time. I was lucky enough to get it off of Craigslist. Shoot me an email at ben@azwanderings.com if I can help out in any way.
Ben
Great write-up, Ben! Any plans on writing about your gear pack on this trip? I’d be real curious to know what all you took when your space was limited! Definitely on my bucket list…
Thanks Zach. I’ll definitely get something up here in the future about a packing list. I’ll be honest, I was looking for one and never found one, so hopefully it will fill a need.
Ben
This is an awesome trip for sure. I really need to get some guys together and do a float myself. Truly appreciate your adventures.
Thanks Benny. I appreciate the kind words. If you’re coming out this way, hit me up if there is room to tag along.
Ben
I’m voting for post of the year. That was one of the most beautiful trips and documented so well. Thanks for taking us along Ben.
Thanks Howard. That’s really kind of you. Truth be told, the pics don’t do it justice.
Ben
Bucket listed! Looking forward to more of your adventures! Keep em coming!
Thanks Brent. I’m looking forward to more of my adventures too! This is a good one for your bucket list.
Ben
Really nice, I need to do something like that really soon.
Most importantly how about a gear review on that straw hat. My old one is on its way out and I’m looking for recommendations…
You absolutely do need to do this trip Eli. I’ll let you in on the secret straw hat. If your looking for that particular model, there is a box truck on the corner of Northern and El Mirage. Ask for Pedro…he’ll hook you up.
Ben
Excellent! Take me next time, please.
For sure Landon.
Hey, Ben. Just a note to let you know that I enjoy your website. Good stuff! I’ve done a couple of Ferry floats in a pontoon and kayaks the last few years. All of them have been a blast. Just an observation – you can rig your boat at the ramp and drop the whole boat on the backhaul. Load your gear separately then strap it on your boat once you’re dropped off. Less time rigging, more time fishing.
Bob,
Thanks so much for the kind words. We originally planned on rigging there, but were told by the backhaul company that the backhaul was going to be full and to have our boats broken down. Then they showed up with an extra boat. I agree with you though. Rigging at the ramp would have been much easier.
Ben