First Drift

[afishinmansfield]

Picked up a used drift boat a while back. just about got it all done up. what would be a good first drift for it. Never rowed a boat much but plan on getting out as much as possible.

Thanks

[tumalt]

Originally Posted by afishinmansfield

Picked up a used drift boat a while back. just about got it all done up. what would be a good first drift for it. Never rowed a boat much but plan on getting out as much as possible.

Thanks

Sandy River. Dabney to Lewis and Clark is about as easy as it gets.

[woodrow]

I would start in a lake!! learn the strokes and get a feel for putting the oars in the water and manuvering the boat.

Just my

[Connelly]

Originally Posted by woodrow

I would start in a lake!! learn the strokes and get a feel for putting the oars in the water and manuvering the boat.

Just my

Exactly! Get in a lake. Row as hard as you can! (One day your will be doing just that in a river!) If you can keep the boat straight your ready for the class 1 drifts.

[WillieBlazer]

Originally Posted by tumalt

Sandy River. Dabney to Lewis and Clark is about as easy as it gets.

I second the Sandy float. That was the first float I did in my new driftboat 14 years ago, its really easy, no danger. lifes to short to piddle around in a lake, it will take about 5 minutes to figure the oars out... JMHO

[SandyEggs]

Originally Posted by WillieBlazer

I second the Sandy float. That was the first float I did in my new driftboat 14 years ago, its really easy, no danger. lifes to short to piddle around in a lake, it will take about 5 minutes to figure the oars out... JMHO

agreed this is how i did it as well.. just launched at Dabney.. asked the river to be kind to me and it was a great trip.. had the hang of the oars by Big Bend!

[Mikew]

1 more suggestion which helped me and my son learn to handle the boat. Practice backing to the bank, dock. etc. and dropping the anchor to effectivley swing into the bank in a current to exit the boat to wade fish. This sounds simple but when done right is effective and safe.
Just my ,
MW

[mrett]

Have a friend (old or new) show you the ropes/oars.

You can trial and error the hard way or have an experienced hand give you a few tips. How to read water, Examples of hazards, what not to do, etc. are cheaper than broken oars, bad habits,poor river etiquette.

In my humble opinion you will learn safely & faster with less stress

Have Fun its a great time !! Be Safe

[Oregonism]

I want to get a drift boat some time next year, and I was planning on launching at a lake a few times to get a really good feel for the oars. Better prepared than not in my opinion.

[RB Drifter]

You should try upper Mckiver to Barton on the Clack your first drift . Just kidding, but if you are trying to fish as well, Carver to Riverside is a fairly easy drift I believe. Correct me if I am wrong fellas...

[Nicechromer]

Agreed, hit a lake so you get the swing of things, Then hit a river that you either know, or one that is very slow and steady with no major danger areas. A lot of learning just comes from getting in and out of the thing, docking it, backing it up etc. Do it when its hot out. that way if you fall over and take a swim, it will feel great!. Just kidding.

[bigjnemo]

When I got my first db a guide buddy told me to aim at what you don't want to hit. that was the best advice I ever got. also make sure you have a spare oar.

[spanish_pintail]

If its your first time down a river be sure to go with someone who knows the river.

[K-sigfish]

If you haven't yet done your first drift and are interested, I'll gladly show you the stretch between warm springs and trout creek the weekend after memorial day. It's long day float but definitely doable and we'll hit the salmon fly hatch perfectly! PM me if interested I'll split gas shuttle and lunch costs with ya. Let me know!

[Two Fister]

Originally Posted by WillieBlazer

lifes to short to piddle around in a lake

Yeah, I'm gonna disagree with this. Life's to short to lose it trying to figure out how to row a boat. I've fished people out of rivers that managed to sink their driftboat on flat water before.

Take an afternoon to row around on a lake. Leave the fishing gear at home. Row as hard as you can and practice pivots, spins, stalls, feathering, swapping oars/oarlocks, and just getting a feel for how a boat rows. It's even better if you can find a day where it starts calm and then gets windy. You'll learn a lot about the boat and how it handles in very short order without being distracted.

I've done this with every driftboat I've owned (4 of them) and I can row them just fine. Figure out the particulars of a boat on flat water so that someone doesn't have to come risk their life rescuing you later.
TF

[spanish_pintail]

Check out these prior threads:

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...ift+boat+first

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...ift+boat+first

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...ift+boat+first