Nice report and solid fish. I don't think there is a stronger fighting trout than a wild or fry planted Rainbow from a high desert stillwater caught in the Spring or late Fall that has the opportunity to grow past the 16 inch mark. The athletes of the trout world, except that pig of a trout...
I love my Outcast Fish Cat Panther Pontoon Boat. Multi chambers for safety, low profile which helps in the wind, and it glides across the water when you need to row. I can often stay up with pontoon boats with electric motors on them once I get into a good rowing rhythm. It is not cheap...
Same here. Have about 5 or 6 of them and continue to keep an eye out on E-Bay and other sites to add to my collection. Work horse of a reel and have no interest in going to anything different - fished them for more than 30 years.