Shuttle service

zomonster · 10-25-2002, 02:15 AM

Is there a shuttle service on the Nestuca. I have been told the drift from bridge one to Cloverdale is good to learn on. (not a lot of tricky spots) :grin: Is this true?

And does anyone know how to get a hold of the shuttle service. Thanks

graybeard · 10-25-2002, 03:13 AM

No, the Nestucca is not a good river to learn how to operate a drift boat. There is to much current and brush overhanging the river. A good place to start is on the lower Nehalem, just above tidewater there is a place to launch. (I think it is called Roy Creek Bridge.) The river is wider there and moves much slower than the Nestucca. Do it now before the rains come and the flow increases.
It's a good idea to go with someone that knows how to operate a drift boat. Let them give you instructions, take notes and give it a try.

Good Luck.

[ 10-25-2002, 04:39 AM: Message edited by: graybeard ]

graybeard · 10-25-2002, 05:02 AM

Perhaps I should explain in more depth, it may save a life. The most important thing you need to understand is to NEVER, NEVER, EVER underestimate the power of the river, and never put yourself in a position to feel that power.

Having said that, I'll tell you about my first experience in drifting a river. It was about 25 years ago when I was in my twenties. Had a large rubber raft that I thought should work nicely to learn how to drift a river. I chose the Nestucca because I had bank fished on it many times. I knew how to row a boat well having spent much time on the water as a kid. I was confident and stupid enough that I took my 6 year old son with me. No problem, the river was in summer flow, nice and easy. Mind you, this is a large rubber raft, the kind you see shooting big rapids.
We put in on the Nestucca, drifted about 30 feet downriver. On about my third stroke with the oars I heard and felt my right oar snap. Oh no, what do I do now? Before I could do anything, the current drifted us about 10 feet into the brush that overhangs the river. The brush caught the downriver side of the raft which caused the upriver side to dig into the current and promptly tipped the raft upside down. Luckily the water was only about 3 feet deep at that spot, I could stand up, which I did. My first thought was for my son, he was still under the raft. I managed to raise a corner of the raft and he shot downriver like a cork. (life jackets work if you give them a chance) I took off swimming after him and caught him several hundred feet downriver, dragging him to shore. This could have been a real ugly story.
We thumbed a ride down to the supposed take out, sopping wet, and got the truck. I consider myself very lucky, I only lost about a thousand dollars worth of poles and fishing tackle. It could have been much worse, and I hope you can learn from my mistakes.

Okay, so now I'll tell you how to learn to operate a drift boat if you don't know an experienced drifter that will show you. (I understand there are guides that will show you for $)....

Wear clothes that you plan on getting wet.. tennis shoes, waders, etc.
Put in on the lower Nehalem, just above tidewater (just above the Roy Creek Bridge)
Do this at summer river levels when the weather is warm, during summer when you won't be irritating the bank fisherman.
Work your boat down to one of the slow moving pools and practice rowing in the slow current pools.
When you feel in control in the slow current, try rowing upstream into the faster moving water. Keep the bow pointed upstream and in the direction you want to go. Practice until you get the feel and can keep the boat exactly where you want it.
Try drifting down through the stronger current water into the next pool. then get out and pull your boat back upriver and try it again.
Keep at it until you can control your boat down the river.... then you are ready to attempt the lowest drifts on some of the other coastal rivers.
I don't recommend trying to learn when the fish are running and people are trying to fish. The time to learn is in the summer when the flow is low.

Anybody want to add to this?

AtWorkALot · 10-25-2002, 05:17 AM

Be safe, wear a life jacket, use common sense, know your boat. I was foolish enough to let a friend convince me to float the Wilson from Vanderzanden to the Guide Shop on my first float. I nearly killed myself and a close friend. The mine field is not a joke. It may be a piece of cake for highly experienced rowers, but I get tense every time I go through it. I'll get back on track now. Take the time to get comfortable with your boat, understand that you don't have to row your butt off and wear yourself out, and point the bow away from the stuff you don't want to get in to. I'm no pro, but my boat and I have managed to stay out of trouble to date. Lots of luck...

[ 10-25-2002, 06:20 AM: Message edited by: AtWorkALot ]

AtWorkALot · 10-25-2002, 05:20 AM

Also, if you float the Nehalem and take out at the railroad trestle, watch out for that steer (male cow?). I don't grow 'em, I just eats 'em.

Big Willie · 10-25-2002, 06:35 AM

Very good responses here. Graybeard hit it on the nose, never underestimate the power of water, respect it to the fullest. Give the Nestucca a try after learning on some tamer water. Although 1st bridge is a relatively easy drift it still has some spots that can ruin your day. Give Marty Peterson a call, he can show you around and might even get you into some fish...if he's not behind me! :grin: :tongue: :grin:
I might suggest the Clackamas from Carver to Riverside? Just watch out for those sled guys.

Gary

smoky · 10-25-2002, 08:42 AM

Putting in above the Guide Shop on you first drift was brave.

I did my maiden Voyage from Guide Shop to Sollie when river was at 2.8. No problem. I just kept remembering one fundamental:

Spot trouble in advance, point bow towards trouble and pull back.

Am I missing something about the Nestucca at the current levels?

I dont think you could get into trouble right now from Farmers to Clover.

smoky · 10-25-2002, 08:44 AM

Zomonster:

Dont put an aluminum boat in the water without something like GLUVIT on the bottom.

Big Willie · 10-25-2002, 09:59 AM

Smoky...you sure can. When the water is low there is a VERY tight spot.
Gary

SKP · 10-25-2002, 12:13 PM

What's GLUVIT? I have an aluminum boat.

SkP

Miss B Haven · 10-25-2002, 12:26 PM

SKP - Gluvit is an epoxy of sorts that makes your bottom "slick" so it slides over rocks much easier. Not needed on glass boats.

smoky · 10-25-2002, 12:32 PM

SKP:

My post about GLUVIT was a little strong.

Just dont awnt someone to make the same mistake I did.

I ran my (new) Willie over rocks for two years before I put Gluvit on. Gut stuck a few times and put dimples in the bottom. Luckily I never got stuck sideways in big water.

If you bought a used boat chances are there is a coating on the bottom. If you cant tell someone who has a drift boat can feel the bottom of your boat and tell.

Flatfish · 10-25-2002, 03:11 PM

The Nehalem thing sounds like a good idea.The 'tucker can get tight when the water is low.Tight equals little room for error.In the winter or spring after you have a few trips under your belt and the water has come up,then 1st to farmers is pretty easy.Nestucca valley sporting goods(503-392-4269)has shuttles and river info.The lower Wilson from the guide shop to sollie is easy too.The nice part of the Wilson is there are usually a few boats on the water and you can watch a couple go thru before you do it yourself.The Nestucca is busy during hatchery season but pretty silent in the spring.Sounds nice but it is a double edged sword.
Mark and the Midnight Feathered Express.

Mad Mikey · 10-25-2002, 04:09 PM

After you get past the basics, get a buddy in the front and PULL PLUGS!
Whether there are fish or not you will learn control of the boat by "feel" while watching your line ahead of you and making corrections. You'll also build up a little strength in your arms too.
You might be in a soft spot while your plugs are in fast water or the opposite, learn to park that hotshot behind a boulder with precision accuracy.
By the time it's all through you may have nailed a fish or two but most importantly you are rowing the boat without thinking about what you are doing, reading the river and responding.
Graybeard is right, don't do the Nestucca.
Sandy: Dabney to L&C, Oxbow is an easy float but there can be hazards down there, no rapids but possible log hazards, be careful in lower water. Clack for the beginner go Carver to Riverside.
Funny, my maiden voyage was Mills to Sollie and it scared the crap out of me and every boater I went by. I also forgot to put my drainplugs in and had a little embarrassment over that.

BTW. learn how to back a trailer before you go. If you never have done it, it could save you some grief at the ramp.

Been there, done that......

graybeard · 10-26-2002, 12:11 PM

zomonster

Your 15 years of being a passenger on a driftboat will be invaluable. You should do well, just think ahead and avoid getting into the brush or up against an object like a wall, rocks or stumps. If for some reason you get up against a stump or rock, shift as much weight as possible to the downriver side..... don't let the upriver side of the boat dig in. (or you might feel the muscle of ol' man river, he's a brute) Common sense is paramount. Don't try to fight the current, let it do the work for you.(except it the tight places)

Good luck, and let us know how it goes. We should start a new thread about first time experiences with driftboats. I'll bet there are some doozy stories that people could tell about their maiden voyage down the river.

gb

zomonster · 10-26-2002, 04:29 PM

Thanks Greybeard... it probably won't be until week after next. I'll let you know.

zomonster · 10-26-2002, 11:13 PM

Greybeard, great info. But I think I should clarify something, I didn't buy a drift boat. I bought a pontoon boat. Does this make a difference?

I talked with people who have owned both and tell me they maneuver as well or better then a drift boat.

I was going to take it to the gravel pit on the Nehalem and row around for a while. There is a good hole above and below to learn in. I have fished there and figured it was pretty safe. Thoughts?

I have fished with Ted Wade for around 15 years so I understand the basics, pointing the nose toward trouble, pulling back, that stuff.

Thanks.