Big Sky Inflatables
 Do
you want to catch fish? A lot of fish? Well according to
Kris Steinmetz at Big Sky Inflatables, LLC. ”The Water
Master kickboat is the only raft to buy when you go
flyfishing in Montana or anywhere else in the world.” In a
small unobtrusive building on the outskirts of Missoula,
toward the Bitterroot Valley, owner and manager Rich Stuber
is building what some consider the premier fishing kickboat.
According to Dave Whitlock, author of numerous books on
flyfishing,
“With my Water Master I can easily access the most remote
streams, float and fish every mile...high or low
water...safely and enjoy more fishing per hour than any
other method I’ve ever tried. After two and a half years of
testing fifteen models of kickboats for an Infisherman
Magazine feature, I’m convinced that the single best
kickboat based on these ten most important features;
portability, assembly, inflation, draft vs. load capacity,
durability, safety, maneuverability, overall fishing
performance, storage space and contact and comfort on the
water is the Water Master. The Water Master is the ultimate
personal flotation craft for warm and coldwater flyfishing.”
The Water Master is made of 30 once PVC and requires no
frame to assemble. In its own pack you can carry it on your
shoulders up the trail, to that high mountain lake and fish
in quiet solitude. There are two sizes to choose from, the
larger Kodiak raft and the slightly smaller Grizzly raft.
The standard package includes a Water Master raft, two
breakdown oars, a padded cordura folding seat, two way foot
pump, patch kit and a large dry bag with shoulder harness.
The total weight for this package is 43 pounds. When
unfolded and inflated, the Kodiak raft measures 8 feet 10
inches in length and 4 feet 4 inches in width. Assembly and
breakdown takes about 10 minutes.
The large diameter tubes, large surface area and pointed bow
and stern provides greater stability, maneuverability and
safety. The Water Master kickboat is able to handle larger
rivers and heavier loads with confidence. The front floor of
this kickboat has been removed. It is replaced by a strap to
rest your feet as you paddle across the lake or splash down
stream around a boulder. The dry seating platform is 5
inches above the surface of the water. When you find that
perfect fishing spot, you can stop, stand, wade, cast and
hook without a thought about your raft drifting away. There
are numerous additional accessories that can be added
including, anchor system / motor mount, rod holder,
stripping apron, power flex fins, and oar extensions.
While padding with your fins, idling in deep water, you can
give your complete attention to selecting the right fly,
casting and mending or catching and releasing. How many fish
did you catch the last time you were out? How much does the
phrase, “too numerous to count” mean to you? Perhaps it may
cost a little more to own one of these kickboats, but for
those of us who love flyfishing, what is it worth to see
that trout rise and take your fly? A Water Master kick boat.
Call Rich Stuber at Big Sky Inflatables. They also
specialize in repairing rafts. It’s a small Missoula company
making a big splash with ripples throughout the fly fishing
industry.
Telephone: 406-251-3337 or toll free 1-800-239-7238
Address: 5000 So. Highway 93 Missoula, MT 59804
Info@bigskyinflatables.com www.bigskyinflatables.com
|
