Easiest drifts on the North Coast?

[Bubzilla]

The thread on the Kilches reminded me of a question someone asked me the other day: what's the best place to begin a rowing career on the North Coast?

Three Rivers to Cloverdale on the Nestucca? The Logging Bridge down to Hwy 101 on the Kilches? Mills Bridge to Solly Smith on the Wilson?

What are the easiest drifts, and why?

[David Johnson]

You've hit them on the head. All easy because of low gradiant, no obsticles, lots of room.

[RichH]

A couple of years ago I saw a boat go over in low water on the Kilchis about two bends around from the second logging bridge. Everybody else was walking it through so a good plan would be to follow someone that knows or go with someone who knows the stretch you're drifting. I learned on the greens bridge to jefferson run on the north santiam as well as from 1st bridge to cloverdale on the nestucca. Both have a fairly shallow gradient and nothing real technical to get into too much trouble though you do actually have to pull on the oars once in awhile.

[Phil Layer]

Would these be the 3 best for a rookie jet sledder, too?

[SteelieSteve]

Moby
There are no power boats allowed above tidewater on coastal rivers.

[RichH]

If you want to try some jet sledding on the santiam up where you're at you could put in at shelbourne and run up or down for 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile without any real difficult water to deal with. Again, I would recommend going with someone thats done it before to save yourself some heartache.

[FM2]

The drift from Lorens to 101 on the Trask is also an easy drift. I fish the cedar creek to lorens drift and don't think this is difficult. Also the N. Frk Nehalem river from Ericksons to Aldervale is fairly easy.

I would recommend to whoever asked you this question is to do the drift with someone experienced with that particular area, some drifts will have a split in the river which generally there is an easy way or a little more difficult way to go. Also the rivers have changed since the 96 flood so again local knowledge is invaluable. The difficulty of a river is a variable in terms of what might be easy for some might not be so easy for others and vice-versa.

[ 12-03-2001: Message edited by: FM2 ]</p>

[marky-sharky]

does anyone know about the molalla?

[Snapshot]

Bud, if you have a Washington license the NF Lewis is relatively easy for a drift boat. I would rate it very easy from the upper boat ramp to the HappaCrusher ramp but a little more difficult from there down to the golf course take out. Best to do that part with someone that has been there.
Keep us posted on your progress. We all had to learn from someone.

[Pete]

One thing to keep in mind is that each river has it's own character and it's own challenges. Watch river levels and learn what is good and what is not. Higher levels often mean faster currents which means more effort and faster responses from you. Too low means you may encounter stumps or fence posts or gravel bars. In some areas the channel changes when the river gets higher. For me, narrow corners with overhanging trees are always a challenge ... you have to keep your rods out of the trees, but keep the boat pointed the right direction and your oars in water deep enough to get a pull in. There are places on the Trask, the Kilchis and most rivers which can catch you up, even though the rest of the river is relatively easy. Some rivers have steel fence posts, stumps or water lines just under the surface. As long as you keep an eye out, they're no problem.

Advice given me when I got my first drift boat has served me well; never float a river alone that I haven't floated previously with someone who knows it.

Enjoy it ... drift boats are a ton of fun!

[RW]

What experienced rowers call an easy drift is enough for some of us to want to **** our pants as we are being taught to row!

I knew I was in trouble when the buddy of mine was yelling at me (around a corner with bushes right there, rod tips imbedded in the blackberries) "THIS IS NOT GOOD", "KEEP ROWING". When someone says they are a novice rower, they need several trips down the river with a good teacher. It is not just about learning the river, it is also learning the finer points of rowing. Short of that they will always be a poor oarsman. Not that I am a great oarsman, but I can hold my own. RW

Just my two cents, that and thirty three more will get me enough to call someone who cares!

[hustlerrjim]

any river can be badnews,we have had several boats swamp below my place,really!but each and every time booze was involved,
A good thing to preach to a novice --keep the pointed end pointed where you don't want to go,I have taught hundreds of people how to row boats and rafts,and this is the first and last thing,I told them.It works.

[rags]

Yes, the first thing I learned 30 years ago is to always face your danger. This way you are pulling away from it with rowing power.

[hawgcatcher]

The easy runs are not always. First time I went from Mills Bridge down the Wilson, I blew it right away. I got caught in the eddy right under the Guide Shop. It took me three times around to get that big old wooden boat to go where it was supposed to. I thought that I knew just what to do. So we headed down river finally. No fish but things were ok. Well got down river and what happens, a tree out into the river on a corner. I managed to make it under it but got a head full of branches and leaves. Again, a real stupid move by me. Finally got to Sollie Smith and when We loaded the boat, the ramp was full of mud and I almost launched the car and boat. This was several years ago, but I still have a healthy respect for the "EASY" drifts. :shocked: