Big Shoals Raft

UPDATE - Nov 2024 Due to circumstances beyond our control we are taking a winter break from building rafts. Rather than run specials and discount boats for the off season like we have in the past we will begin building rafts again in the spring when demand picks back up. For now we are back to using overseas production for our rubber tubes and floors like we did when we started. 

Please contact Ethan Smith at esmith@smithfly.net for more info on our rafts for spring delivery. Approx delivery window will be April - May timeframe for the first batch of rafts in Spring of 2025.

What makes our raft different and so unique?

1. Gets three people on the water
2. Dry weight of raft is 125 pounds
3. 13'-6" Length
4. 4'-6" width
5. One-piece rigid frame 
6. Dierks drift boat anchor system
7. 5 positions hinged front casting brace / lean bar

The base package consists of:

• 4 chambered Raft body 14" tube diameter (Summit valves)
• Rigid inflatable self-bailing floor with a dense foam pad
• Rowing Frame and oarlocks
• Padded Draining Rowers Seat
• Two Swivel Fishing Seats - Fore and Aft
• Dierks Anchor system
• Frame Tie down kit
• 8' two-piece Rope Wrap Sawyer SST Oars 
• Raft body carrying pack
• Dual-action foot pump
• Patch kit

The Big Shoals Raft is also covered by a 3-Year Manufacturer warranty. 

UPDATE:  Due to supply chain constraints we have temporarily suspended production of the Woodland and Digi Camoflauge varients.  At this time we do not have an expected date these colors will be  back in stock.

Upgrade Options:

• Multi-Piece Frame Option $249
• 22 Pound Spiked Drift Boat anchor and 50' rope $120
• Rod Rack holders - 2 or 4 place - $349
• Poling Platform - $899
• Removable Casting Deck - $699
• Replacement Floor - $799

What Sets Us Apart

There are a number of fly fishing rafts on the market currently. However, we believe we have solved some of the primary pain points that have prevented guides and the fly industry’s pros from making the leap into the ultra-light inflatable rafts. The biggest being the ability to seat three large people on one raft. Our raft comfortably fits three, allowing guides and casual anglers to get more people on the water. 

Second is the frame and anchor system. Our frame is one piece and is a simple solid one-piece design. This a frame that will take years of abuse and will not squeak and get rickety over the years. We chose durability over portability. 

The anchor system is a standard Dierks aluminum, drift boat style anchor system. We recommend a twenty to twenty five-pound anchor to go along with it. Which, we do sell if you would like to receive the full package once purchased.

Our third and arguably most innovative part of our rafts is the casting brace. The aft casting brace is welded in place behind the rower's seat. The bow casting brace is a five-position adjustable that lays flat when not in use to allow for seated fishing or just sitting back and relaxing in the bow of the boat.

Lastly, we believe that this is the perfect third boat to add to a guide or lodge fleet. Most guides and lodges have rigid drift boats and big rafts. The Big Shoals is the perfect inflatable fishing raft to guide customers when flows get skinny in the later summer and those other boats get too drafty and heavy. Even western rivers that traditionally run drift boats get skinny that time of year. Having one of these ultra-lightweight fishing rafts makes portages and log jams so much easier. 

Testimonials 

"...if you saw the things we did to it to get into spots you wouldn't even blink an eyelash...I've had it submerged 3/4 of the way up one of the tubes when an unnamed in-law was trying to help out and row on the PM, dropped it off a bridge to do an urban float... Pat has had it all over the real gnarled up, skinny, nasty Musky stuff a hundred times too. This thing is built to take abuse, and even with the anchor and all the other stuff you take fishing, because you can take 3 people, it's still light enough to do some insane portages and put-ins/take outs. The McQueen test was just the final test, it has now been fully vetted. Oh, and the crazy stuff he does on purpose isn't as bad as some of the positions I can put myself in on accident!"

“I have been incredibly impressed with how amazing this boat has worked. We have skinny water with no boat ramps and the boat has outdone every other craft thats on the water... It's opened up so much new water for me and I can't say enough good things about it. I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know what an amazing product you've put out, and thank you for the incredible customer service.” -  Will Paul,  Guide Raleigh, NC