Lewis or Kalama

[jigfish2002]

First time drift boating witch river is easier?
Do they have shuttle service?
Thanks for your help.

[joliver]

Lewis will be no problem for a new drift boater. I am unaware of any shuttles on the Lewis but there are several on the Kalama. I am booked this week but if you want to go next week I would be more than happy to go with you..your boat or mine.

[Firedog]

Lewis would be your best bet if it is a first time out. Kalama is pretty easy also but there are a couple spots that could give you a bit of trouble if you have never rowed before.

[cutt plug]

Stay off the east fork until you get some time on the sticks.

I took my maiden voyage down the eastfork from Lewisville park. Big mistake!!

North fork is pretty easy.

Kalama's not bad, a couple tricky spots but easliy negotiable. It was my second trip.

There should be some bruiser nates showing up in the Kalama now.

[jokester]

There should be some bruiser nates showing up in the Kalama now.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Not to mention the broodstock fish coming in too! Some of those I hear can top 15+ lbs!! :shocked:

-jokester

[ctflyfish]

Huh???? How can the question be answered without knowing which drift on either river is being considered? The upper E. Lewis had at least two boat-eating sweepers in it this winter. The slot just above Daybreak Park is becoming dangerous at river flows below 800 cfs. The lower Kalama is normally about class 1+ but there are are sections on the river above the upper hatchery that I will never run again. Both of these rivers change each winter, but either are normally "easy" in the lowest sections, and at normal water levels. Hope this helps.

[Thumper]

Many good points made. If I was a newbie driftboater I would haul my little baby up to the North Fork Lewis, leave a car at the golf course, and put in at the upper hatchery immediately below Merwin dam. This is a magnificent drift of about five miles with lots of winter steelhead currently to be had. Very gentle water all the way.

You can do this drift at levels from 10,000 CFS or more all the way down to the 1,000 CFS levels of summer.

Another relatively safe drift is on the East Fork Lewis from Daybreak Park to LaCenter.

[Reel Fun Fish'n]

Good advise here. Stay on the NF Lewis till you get some oar time. Then drift the Kalama leave the east fork till last on your list. And then only after you've been rowing for awhile. Oh and if the NF is over 12k as far as the flow goes. stay off that one too. :blush:

[Reel Fun Fish'n]

Oh ya last thought, if this is really your first drift leave the rods at home on stay focased on the boating. My 1st time was on the Sandy lost 2 rods by not following this advise which was given to me by an experienced boater. Good Luck

[jigfish2002]

Thank you all for your advice the NF Lewis it will be.

[jokester]

Oh ya last thought, if this is really your first drift leave the rods at home on stay focased on the boating. My 1st time was on the Sandy lost 2 rods by not following this advise which was given to me by an experienced boater. Good Luck.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I never thought of that...that's some dang good advice! If you do wanna learn the water, and the sticks, better leave the gear at home! As bad as you hate to...that's great advice! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

-jokester

[Cowlitz Kidd]

First time driter go to a lake or bigger river you need to learn how to row the dam thing.Go with someone that know how to row and teach you. I learn on the cowlitz I can do the Whynoochee now

[2oz]

Would have to agree with most of the comments but the drift from daybreak to La center in not that much of a problem (EF). I would start on the north fork for some oar time then maybe try the lower East fork. However fish are getting fewer and farther between on the East fork