Since the feds decided to give me some of my money back this year, I’m going for my first toon. I’ve narrowed my choices down to two: Scaddens Madison River (or) the Fish Cat 9 IR. Seeking comments from anglers with experience with either model.
Respects…Fishstick
Wish I could have done that with mine, I got a divorce instead 
You get to do more fishing that way…but I am looking at a Fish Cat Cougar
While I don’t own the Scadden, I have looked at their products and have been impressed with the quality as compared to other “toons.” Dave has been a major player in the development of personnel watercraft, and he is a serious fly fisher wo he knows what we’re looking for.
Congratulations,the check you are getting should be good as I have sent in what I owed them.Glad another flyfisherman gets to spend some of the money they got from me…Enjoy
Buy Two!.. On Me!..
Fish-stick: I bought the Dave Scadden Madison River pontoon from Larry Tullis of North Fork Outdoors. I procrastinated for a couple of years before buying, and I looked at a lot of different pontoons before purchasing mine. I borrowed several of my friends boats, and tried them out on a few rivers here. I came to the conclusion that the Scadden boats were the best available for my use. The quality of construction is amazing, and every feature is well thought out and rugged. Best warranty in the industry as well, but I can’t imagine needing to use it with as well made as this boat is. If you contact them through their site, they’ll send you a really neat DVD that is worth your while (free!) to see. Larry is a good guy, and he’d be a good source of info to help you with your purchase.
http://www.northforkoutdoors.com/homepagedirectory.html
North Fork has some really good specials on their boats, and being a member of FAOL just might get you a super deal. (Hint, Hint) 8)
The Northwest Express boat looks impressive.
Doug
Thanks to all for the input. I was leaning toward the scadden. Probably much more boat than I will need initially; however, I figure it’s better to get the best I can now as opposed to wishing I had done so later. Moving to Alaska in a few months, so quality and dependability is a high selling point. Thanks again. Scadden it is…Respects
I own the Cardiac Canyon (no longer made) and the Freestyle H3. Why, because they are the best of the best.
As far as your choice…hands down, the Madison River. Reason…Urathane bladder compared to Vinyl. Halkey valves and the outer cover is outstanding.
Plus the new ones have a standing platform.
North Fork has great customer service also, althought I have never needed it and my CC is 7 years old and still looks new.
I’m sure glad I looked at this BB, and HA thanks for the link. I had been thinking about the fish Cat, but after looking at the link, my mind is changed.
Thanks again,
CC
Dont get the Fish Cat. The Fish Cats are OEM’s by another company in China. Figure out who the other company is, and get the same thing cheaper.
Just something to think about, especially if you are moving here (Alaska). Many people do use small pontoon boats, just like “outside” but many more go for either regular river rafts or the bigger pontoon boats. You very soon will get to the point where you might want to fly out on a wilderness trip and float for a week or so. I ended up buying a regular river raft with a rowing frame that collapses easily and have never been sorry that I did. It will haul a lot of gear, tent, bags, cots, cooking gear, food in the ice chest in the rowing frame, another ice chest that you can use for a dry box, etc. It is light enough so that my wife and I can put it in the water too. The pontoon boats are nice but if you are going on an extended trip, you are limited on gear you can haul(unless you have a BIG pontoon boat but the frames are harder to break down for fly-in trips). Do you think you will want to fly out on trips? Do you think you will mostly float local rivers? Where will you be living and do you know what rivers you will be around? You might be happy as a clam up here with your pontoon boat or you might get to the point where you wished you would have held out a little and waited and gotten something else. My $.03.
take care,
Dean
Good advise Dean. Here’s an article written by the guy I bought my boat from - Larry Tullis of North Fork Outdoors.
Why do people leave the government use their money for a year when you could invest it yourself and make more money-----I always make sure I owe them a little at tax time 
BILL
Sound advice…The wife and I are returning to Southeast, specifically Ketchikan, where we lived for a few years back in the late 80’s during a tenure with the Coast Guard. Mostly small to moderate lakes in the area and the local rivers are generally just wade fishing. I figured the toon will work well on the lakes that I tend to frequent. Only wish they had them back then. For big river runs in the Northern regions, they will likely be guided trips as I have zero experience on the the big rivers. For salmon and halibut on the passage, an ocean boat and raincoat are in the picture as well…Thanks
Respects…Fishstick.
First in a long time I’ve received and return and not sent a check. Buying fishing gear is what I call investing in myself big time…
DUH :shock: