Caltrout Access on Fall River

[ricards]

I just received word from Caltrout that its closed. Time to start tying up some flies, I guess.

[Railking]

Did they indicate when they will open... looks like Gov is going to level two this coming week

[Terry Thomas]

PG&E also has the gate locked going out to the Rat Farm.

[Jcolin]

Would like to try the fall river for the first time this autumn. Ive heard a lot of people use small prams and anchor upstream, wondering if my 8’ pontoon could potentially work, if i could row upstream of the caltrout access and fish my way down. Bad idea? I do have an electric trolling motor for it but havent registered the boat yet with dmv.

[dave earl]

I dont think you need to register a boat with an electric motor. I've fished it only once, a lot of people use gas motors. No gas motors allowed at Cal Trout launch though. You mentioned going upstream- good idea- if the battery quits you can row/drift downstream.
If you go downstream you could get stranded.

[Bkane]

I’m pretty sure an electric motorized pontoon, pram or boat needs to be registered.

[Charlie S]

Yes, you have to register any watercraft that is used with any motor, electric or gas.

[BobVP]

Once you fish The Fall...

I have been fishing from my canoe on The Fall for years now and I have never used a motor. If you can move your seating on the pontoon astern a little or pack any weight you have toward the stern (you will need at least one anchor...I use two to anchor "sideways" to the current) you will gain a little more control when rowing upstream.
The bigger potential bugaboo for you (as it is for canoes) is if the wind kicks up, regardless of current. I have had to fight to get downstream!
For me The Fall is partly about working myself. Making sure I can do that one more time. It has always been worth the effort, even on days when I did not get a rise.

Take the pontoon and give it a try. You will not be disappointed.