I need help learning to row a drift boat.

[myco-mike]

Does any one know where to go to get rowwing lessons? I will row for you to learn how. I can even provide the boat!

[bajaspecial]

Try going downriver.

Sorry, just had to do it.

[backlash]

jjigin: The best way to learn is to get out on a river and go. Pick a river that is technically easy, but with some good flow. Pick a time when you know there will be little or no traffic and leave the fishing rods at home. I learned this way, along with a few pointers from people. The biggest misconception people have is that it is like oaring a rowboat. With a driftboat you will use the oars to steer and slow down only, the river will take care of forward momentum. The biggest thing to remember is that whenever you encounter an obstacle, point the nose directly at it and pull away from it. You must also have some basic water reading skills which you have to gain by getting out there. Take a pair of waders and be ready to use them, I still laugh about my first time behind the oars. I learned on the South Santiam, very tame. I'm not sure what would be the best in your area. I'm sure someone could help with this. Hope this helps some.

[dgass]

The best advice I can give on a river is if you do not know the water try and drift with someone who knows it. Or if you cannot do that float with someone. Always know the water you are going to be on by reading about it or scouting it out.
Good things to know about rowing... The river is powerful don't fight it use its power to move you where you want. So like baklash said always face your danger and pull back. A Back stroke is a much more powerful stroke than a front stroke. Avoid tyring to control the boat with front stokes. Good luck.

[Starr]

I learned to row a drift boat in Klamath Falls, not exactly known for great drift boat fishing waters. There was a small boat ramp just below a highway overpass. The Link river flowed by in the spring with quite a bit of current. We would drop the boat in, row next to the bank up river (less current) till we got upriver of one of the overpass concrete pillars. I would row the boat out into the middle and try to touch the nose of the boat on the pillar, or just hold it inches in front of it. When my buddy did this, it looked like duck soup. My turn, I felt like I was rowing with my feet! Turned out this excercise had alot of logic. Just rowing upriver to get above the pillars teaches you the basics of rowing, getting out in the middle of the river without slipping past the pillar teaches you how to read the water and current. Then the hard part is controlling your boat to touch the pillar. Don't worry about slamming into it, the little standing wave infront of it will do its darndest to push you away. After practice, you'll find it is alot more of finese, than strength to row a boat. That's how they make it look so simple, cause it really is. Don't fight it, the current will kick your a$$ everytime. It's alot like skiing. The first time you're all wobbly and crashing all of the time. You usually go home wet and tired. After you learn it's not fighting with your skis and the hill that makes you turn, but fluid shifting, you to ski alot better and all of a sudden it's fun and not work.

[This message has been edited by Starr (edited 03-18-2001).]

[Jig-N-Bobberman]

As others have mentioned, stick to easier water at first to get the feel for your boat and the current. If your up in the Salem area give me an e-mail, I'd be glad to drift along and help you learn. But for now here's some things I've learned: 1)Avoid violent swirly water at the end of a fast run, as it can catch the sides of your boat and pull it down and possibly under if you loose control. 2) Stay off to the sides of a fast run and enjoy the ride, no need to get something your not expecting. 3)If you add a kicker motor, when raised ensure it clears the water, as the current will grab that baby and want to dance. 4)Most importanly, be cautious. Throw on that life jacket before heading into rough water. You'll learn something new each time on the water. Have fun and good fishing.

[This message has been edited by Jig-N-Bobberman (edited 03-19-2001).]

[O'City Fisherman]

jjiggin,
go to this site http://www.clackacraft.com/.
They have a place on it on how to row a driftboat.. It might be of some help..

[Master Baiter]

You may have done this already, If so my apologies:

I started with a book first to get a heads up on basic concepts (tracking, hazards, etc.) and different rowing techniques for different situations (crawl v. scull v. power) Amazon.com and amato pub. have one or two that are good. Have you gone to a lake just to get the feel and mode of rowing in general?

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Grab RT and Superfly. Put them in the boat. Get great instruction from RT and then "constructive" criticism from Superfly...lol

I rowed for the first time in Fly's boat (me, RT, Superfly) on the Satsop back for the floatilla trip. It was damned awkward at first, but I caught on fast. Kinda like well I don't want to mess my buddy's boat up so I better catch on...lol

There's really not much to it once you catch on, just watch out for rocks and be careful in rapids. I also suggest testing out the oaring skills in a lake before putting in a river, that way you can see how you respond on the oars. Also, load that thing down with all your fishing gear so you have set-up a controlled fishing situation.
Good luck.

[Oakie Drifter]

Hey, Ive got a great video on how to row a drift boat. It came with my drift boat when I bought it.....Its put out by Hyde drift boats and I suppose you could order one from them. They are in Idaho. Its really a great video, will teach you all the oar tricks!

[V. Green]

JJiggin,

If your a complete novice with a driftboat you might want to go to a local lake to try the boat out first. This will give you a basic idea of how to turn the boat and allow you to get used to the placement of things while in a safe environment.

For extra fun you might try a lake around the gorge on a windy day. You then can congratulate yourself on making it accross the lake with the wind against you.

I would say that the lower Sandy from Dabney to Lewis & Clark is easy but on a windy day it can really suck to be on this river.

Enjoy your new boat.

V. Green
nwfish@angelfire.com

[myco-mike]

Thanks for all the advice! I think I check the boat for leaks this weekend. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]