We were 35 miles from the nearest road. Five of us were dropped off by helicopter and we floated and fished over 30 miles of one of the most beautiful rivers in the world. Dave is without a doubt the wisest woodsman I have ever adventured with, an expert rafter, fly fisherman and a true gentleman. I watched Dave start a fire with wet wood in a BC downpour, boil enough water for 5 people to make co
ffee in less than 4 minutes with his Kelly Kettle, land monster steelhead and run Class III whitewater in his Water Strider raft without a hitch. Much of Dave's success comes from detailed planning in advance. You can read about planning for a wilderness adventure here. You can see some of our adventure on our Adventure DVD and also watch Dave's instruction on how to set up, use and pack up your Water Strider raft. He's pretty spry for a mid 60's guy. Dave has traveled the world fishing fresh and salt water since 1968 in Alaska, Argentina, Costa Rica, Belize, Florida, Montana, Idaho, Yukon Territory, Canada, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Panama and Christmas Island, just to name a few great places. He has been the IGFA (International Game Fishing Association) world record holder for yellow fin tuna on a fly rod for 20 pound and 6 pound lines. Dave has developed the patented Water Strider Raft System from many years of fishing and rafting experience and has field tested and uses all of the equipment you see here on the Water Strider raft web store. The rivers of the world are accessible with the Water Strider raft travel system. You can pack up your Water Strider raft and take it with you by car, plane or helicopter to fish and raft anywhere in the world. Dave says, "I spent many years in a float tube being uncomfortable while trying to fish better. I got my first pontoon boat in 1985 and this started me thinking there is a better way. I worked with Tote-N-Float making design changes in the early 90's and went on to build the Water Master raft factory and design and build the Water Master raft. After Water Master I designed and built the patented Water Strider Raft System. Water Strider is the most advanced and best engineered one man or one woman raft kickboat in the world. It is designed with the input of experienced fishermen and built by the best raft engineers in the world. All parts are automatically cut with precision by computer controlled equipment and assembled by master craftsmen and women. It is built for survival in the most demanding wilderness conditions and will last a lifetime if you take care to keep it clean and dry before you stow it away between adventures. The Water Strider Raft is the toughest kickboat raft on any river." I bet my life on my Water Strider in some pretty hairy Class III rapids in BC while carrying 100 pounds of camping gear and my big Pelican case with $10,000 worth of video camera gear. Water Strider rafts are really amazing. When I go fishing or adventuring my Water Strider raft is the first piece of gear on my list. Join the club, get yours today! Cheers,
Ron Castle
