drift boat bottom

[cully]

I purchased a 1968 wood mackenzie drift boat in sept. I have not made a drift in it yet as I am being very cautious about where and when to make my first drift. I have never been at the oars and only in a drift boat once and that was on the Sandy. Would someone tell me a very easy drift to make as a starter. I had someone tell me that the town drift on the Siletz is one. True? Lower Mackenzie from Armitage to ? I suspect most of my replies will tell me to quide up first. I understand that. What will that cost me? I have more questions to ask you folks but just one more now. How long do I remain a fry?

[driftboater]

For my maiden voyage I went out on the Clackamas up here in Portland. Floated from Carver to Clackamas park. Really pretty easy. I went w/o fishing gear just to get the feel of it first. I have found a good book to on getting started behind the oars. Driftboat Strategies by Neale Streeks. Hope this helps....

[Jedediah]

Hello, cully:

I, too, am a drift boat rookie. I purchased mine last fall, and have made 10 or 12 drifts so far. The first one I made was on the Nestucca from Three Rivers to Cloverdale. I have made this drift 5 or 6 times since then, and find it pretty easy as long as the level isn't too high. It was at 4.2 my first drift, and I have been on it as high as 6.9.

When I got my boat, I talked to a fellow who has been rowing for years. He told me not to worry too much, it just takes practise. He said the biggest thing to remember is to keep the bow pointed where you DON'T want to go. I have remembered and followed this rule, and so far it has worked.

The first couple of times out I was fighting the oars, which made for some pretty tired muscles and bones. Since then, I have found to let the water do the work..it's much easier.

[cully]

thanks guys, I have read both of the books on drifting several times. Alsups and Streeks. I feel like I just need to get a pair of b**ls and go for it. I'm looking for just the right drift and depth, cfs. and an good ramp on each end with an obvious take out in site. I know your saying this guy wants it on a silver platter. Not really. Just don't want to go t**s up the first time out. Well anytime really but as both authors have stated GO Slow. But i gotta get in sometime.

[Nuttinbutnet]

Hey cully, remember the first rule of driftboating. WHEN IN DOUBT, POINT YOUR BUTT AWAY FROM TROUBLE AND PULL!!! Good luck and have fun!!!

[GutZ]

Row away from the (insert from below)
Rock
Tree
Other Boat
Log Jam
etc ...

I have put those shipping stickers on my boat that indicate "This side Up".

Paint "Call 911" on bottom of Boat.

Go troll for trout on a local lake. This will give you some time on the oars. You don't want to get out on a drift and find that you have troubles.

Always Wear Your PFD.

Get a Mr. Heater so you don't freeze your arse off. Good for cooking lunch, too!

[Flatfish]

Good deal to hear that you look before you leap.Been rowing one since I was 13(what were you thinking Dad?).Point the bow thing is right.On your first several trips, may I suggest that you pull plugs?This will put time on the sticks and help you learn much faster than you would if you were to just drift from hole to hole.Sounds silly but to know exactly where the boat is and how much room you need to react given the conditions is what this game is about.Plugs will give that to you faster.If you can try to go with someone who is experienced.And yeah the guide will save you a bundle if you are new to both the area and boating too.
Good Luck
Mark

[DC]

I notice thaty you are from Corvallis. I am also and have a wooden Mckenzie boat. It is a Don Hill boat and has the high molecular plastic bottom protection. That helps a lot in the summer when the water is low and there are a lot of rocks that can not be avoided. Your question about where to lear how to row the boat properly without damaging the boat or yourself is a familiar problem. I bought my boat about 6 years ago and faced the same problem. I had grown up rowing boats, but always in a lake and always with fixed oar locks. So rowing wasn't the problem, but learning different oars and how river current influenced where the boat went. I would suggest that you haul it over to the freeway lakes near Albany and practice rowing where there is no current. Once you have some rowing skills, put it in the Willamette River at Peoria and float to Corvallis. Wait until the water levels are under 5 feet on the river level gages. There is nothing to worry about in that section of the river. Use the boat ramp by the Evanite Plant in south Corvallis for the take out. Once you think you can move the boat around with pretty good skill, try the Alsea River drift from the Campbell ramp to the Salmonberry ramp. Both are good ramps and easy to find. The takeout is by the bridge. Do this drift when the river is between 3 and 6 feet on the Alsea gague. I would suggest that you get used to taking a good look at the river at the takeout so you have some idea what it looks like when you come down the river to it. Some drifts have the ramps in some nasty places where you have to be on the correct side of the river and row like heck because of the fast water if you are going to make i to the ramp. The town drift on the Siletz, as someone already mentioned, is another easy drift, but not as easy as the one on the Alsea. Float the town drift when the river is between 3 and 5 feet on the Siletz gague. Definately do not do the Moonshine to twin bridges float until your skill level is good or you may have an extra hole or two in your boat. Good luck and keep a roll of ducktape in the boat. It comes in handy evey once in a while as you will find out.

[ 01-29-2002: Message edited by: DC ]</p>

[drifter]

Cully: I am still a drift boat virgin, but plan to change that in the near future. I have been reading Driftboats by Dan Alsup, an Amato Publication Book. It has alot of information about reading the river and tactics. Also, do a search on IFISH. There were two posts about 2-3 months ago about the Easiest and Most Difficult Drifts. Good luck - I'm jealous, Drifter.

[FishinMission]

Cully....I'm not familiar with your area rivers, so I won't reccommend any floats in your neighborhood. Good advice in the above posts about pointing to the spots you want to avoid, and pulling away from that area. I usually tell newbies on the oars to go hit dead water to get the feel of the boat, and it's handling characteristics. I think if you can row that driftboat as hard and as fast as you can, and keep it in a straight line you're ready to tackle some rivers. But still, I'd reccomend riding along with someone first, to see how to "read" water and know where to navigate in those conditions. Practice makes perfect.

Mark