Great Outdoor Blog

It felt like Spring today and I headed out to test drive the Ride 135 by Wilderness Systems. As a fisherman, boater, and general outdoor enthusiast I have seriously been eyeing this boat since it entered the shop.

I have been looking for a boat that has the versatility to handle flat water at good speed, run some class 2 rapids, and cover the distance with a boat load of gear to experience more primitive campsites. Oh, did I forget to mention a boat that I could take on my family vacation to the beach so that my nephews can climb on, dive off, swim, and then get back onto. I had a strong suspicion this boat was going to be the one.

Being 60 pounds it took two of us to get it on top of my truck and off into the water (If you are taller than 5′6″ and have a shorter car this won’t be as difficult). This drawback was soon forgotten once I began cruising the water with great speed despite having my 70 pound puppy in the rear tankwell. Right from the start this boat had a very comfortable feel with it’s new cushy seat system along with great design that allowed for all the essentials right at my fingertips. Switching between paddling and fishing was a breeze with the rod/paddle holders and I was even able to stand and cast because of the Ride’s pontoon style hull. I certainly wouldn’t recommend this technique for a novice and their canine friend.

This hull enabled me to glide thru water only 6 to 8 inches in depth but not prohibit me from great tracking and speed when I wanted to get up and go. Wow, I was impressed and starting to think I would be the proud owner of this boat in the very near future. I’m already planning a float, camp, and fishing trip down the Watauga River in eastern TN to run those rapids. I have no doubt that beginner thru experts alike, the Ride will not leave you yearning for more. Enjoy ~Rudy (Charlotte shop manager)

Bristol Bay, located in southwest Alaska, is home to pristine waters and habitat that sustains world class trout and salmon populations and the largest sockeye and king salmons runs remaining. Wildlife is abundant in this area. The proposed Pebble Mine will create North America’s largest open-pit gold and copper strip mine. The Pebble Mine complex, covering some 15 square miles, would include the largest dam in the world, 2 miles long and 1 1/2 miles wide, made of earth not concrete, to hold back the toxic waste created in the mining process.

Experts agree that the Bristol Bay fishery will ultimately be destroyed. The land to be mined is currently owned by every American citizen and is managed by the US Bureau of Land Management. Trout Unlimited and numerous other conservation minded organizations have committed themselves to stop mining in this region. For more information on Bristol Bay go to www.tu.org/bristolbay.

Save Bristol Bay Raffle

To raise money for this project, Triangle Fly Fishers will raffle off a limited edition fly fishing outfit. View the Raffle Flyer here (PDF).

Visit triangleflyfishers.org for more info