S4 in Montana alpine lake fishing trip

By Noah P.

Montana

We and some buddies decided we wanted to take a trip into Hawkin lake, it is almost the most NW corner in the state of Montana. We decided to try to bring the S4.

I knew that the other wheel systems I had for the boat were not heavy duty enough for what I wanted so I made my own. The trail heading to the lake is relatively short but it has some steep sections and is rocky the whole way, plus it has several narrow squeezes between large trees that I new were going to be tight to get the boat through.

I started with rubbermaid big wheel cart wheels. I then used a 3/4 inch square tubing attached to a 2×4 and 6 inch 9/16 bolts (washer on both sides of the wheel) that were drilled to accept a cotter pin to make an axle.

Here is a picture of us heading up the trail. We alternated between what positions worked best depending on the terrain. Having straps to handle the front and the back of the boat really helped in saving the hands. We did a lot of lifting over the big rocks.

We got the boat to the lake and had a heck of a good day pulling in trout. We only put two in the boat at a time and the front man would flyfish and the back man would paddle and use a rod and reel. It worked really well this way. I am willing to bet that this is the largest boat that has been on this lake. I know a few canoes, kayaks and float tubes/inflatable boats have been in there but probably nothing this substantial. The boat held up great despite being drug over rocks and stumps. A few scratches to the bottom but that is it. The S4 is a fantastic boat and had served me well in what I want from it.

-Noah

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