Smithfly Big Shoals Raft Review

Quick review of my Smithfly Big Shoals raft, i have rowed a few of these and had nothing but overall postive experiences so far. Hope this is helpful!

[@magotothiel6432]

Your review is much more respected and appreciated then most your whole style the way you move I respect it , been watching you for a couple years you've always been humble and therefore your word is like OAK too me #Steelhead #MichiganSalmon #Bobberdown #Riverboat

[@FishFray]

Thanks ! Means a lot!

[@blakehunter7443]

Where's my log chain gone off to? haha Nice review though. I brushed off these boats because of the price, but maybe I'll look around for a used one.

[@NickAndCaroline]

That looks awesome. How annoyed would I get if I had somebody and myself casting off of it with our fly lines laying all over? Would it be an annoying tangled mess, getting line looped over parts of the frame etc? Thanks in advance!

[@FishFray]

I'm not sure, the few times we have fly fished in it we didn't have much trouble with lines getting on the frame.

[@mychaldiehm5382]

I can confirm to what he said about his anchor. Saw yrs ago top the coffer on the big man. Think scams was the game at the time. Anyway center drift with the dingy was impressed.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

I like your raft!

[@Grumpy-p3o]

Nice review! It's just too bad about SmithFly. They really blew a potentially good brand. Here's my honest review / cautionary tale of our recent SmithFly ordeal: -They hit our card for the full amount when we ordered. Not insignificant on $5k boat and when the stated 4-6 week lead time turned out to be 4-6 months. We were lied to numerous times about the status of our order. -The boat we finally received 6+ months later arrived with visible defects. Ethan admitted to taking manufacturing shortcuts. He told me to fix it myself and that he will replace it when he can. That was almost 7 months ago. Or I could pay another $500 to ship it back to him to be repaired. Why have a Warranty at all? -He never shipped the accessory order I placed and refuses to refund it. It's been almost a year and I'm out $325. Not sure what you call that where you are from?

[@zwiggles6908]

How much did that set up cost you, and any experience with freestone rivers or granite rocks?

[@FishFray]

These come out to about $5000, they were cheaper when I got my first. Idk about granite/freestone conditions, I go over a lot of gravel and shale

[@jefftarr6242]

We use pvc pipe with rod socks ziptied to frame. Works pretty well.

[@FishFray]

Good idea!

[@0JohnH]

Going through the pros, the cons, and with your experience using the raft. How many years you think you'll get out it with med/light use and heavy use.

[@FishFray]

I would say heavy use the bottom floor will get worn through after two-three years, however I think they can offer a replacement and its an easy fix. I don't see why the rest of the raft wouldn't last several years beyond that

[@bassxpro]

Thanks for making this!

[@fishclinic6235]

Silly question,did you have a recent give away?

[@FishFray]

Nope it is spam, sorry

[@fishclinic6235]

Yup maybe put out there these scammers are doing give aways and you’d make it official online if you do one or something.

[@Nicholasyeahbruh]

Enjoyed the footage man

[@adventureanglingpnw1821]

Is this raft better than the fly craft?

[@FishFray]

Never sat in a flycraft so I can't compare. I think they are very similar boats

[@outplayinghooky8515]

Well if you have a empty seat Is love to come with once

[@polapesca]

Nice video bro 👍

[@Gettin_Outdoors]

Spray on rhino liner the frame in the off season easy durable fix

[@FishFray]

I like that idea,thanks

[@lesterma1608]

Fray put some plastic tubing on end of your oars so you don’t gind them on the rocky shallow bottom

[@FishFray]

Good idea, thanks

[@paul340mopar]

Fish breach at 6:02🐟🐟

[@brettjamesmiller]

Anyone see the fish busting by the tree

[@foreverpride8444]

Woah I got here within the first 10 views 🤣

[@SirDrugkingpin]

Wicked!!

[@fishclinic6235]

Silly question,did you have a recent give away?

[@fishclinic6235]

Scammers doing give aways on your channel homie