I just purchased my first drift boat (new to me), and was looking for adivce on a good river to learn to row on. I live in the Puyallup area, but I am willing to travel to learn. Any help is appreciated.

Cowlitz / Lewis
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Will give it a go. Thanks STRIKE ZONE!

Haven't fished the Cowlitz for years, but as a new drifter owner myself I will tell you that the Sky is a piece of cake too. Very difficult to get into trouble if you know how to row at all.

I am talking about the Sultan to Ben Howard float specifically, though. I do know that upstream there are more issues.

Obviously you should float with someone that knows the river wherever you go for the first time.

Thanks for the info Skywalker. I plan on taking, or following, an experienced drifter my first few times.

If you've never rowed your "new" boat I'd suggest taking it to a local lake first. Just row it around a bit, getting a feel for how it handles.

Then take the advice of Strikzone and head down to the Cowlitz. Put in at Blue Creek and drift to Mission. If you make it around the corner at BC without hitting the claybank the rest is cake.

Good luck, and let us know how you do...

Thanks trailrat77. I appreciate the info on launch and take out locations. Hope to paddlle it around a local lake this weekend and fish the following week. Will let you all know how it goes.

You start by paddling a canoe and rowing your boat Couldn't resist enjoy and tight lines!

while not being good at much the one thing i am very good at is the oars.

my first memorys are my dad teaching me to row, i have also white water rafted lots of class 5 rapids all over the states, canada, and new zeland.

i'm not writing this as a brag but i just wanted you to know that i have alot of experience when i tell you if you would like to come to the sky i would be very glad to teach you what i can on the oars.

if you would like drop me a line at

RES6L3VL@verizon.net

we could take eather by drift boat or yours.

pete

Index Hooker, did you get the e-mail I sent you? I would really appreciate the opportunity to learn from an experienced drifter. Let me know if the e-mail did not go through and I will try it again. Thanks, Dave

made my first drift on the sulduck this spring at 300 cfm. met the canopener. got that first ding out of the way. by the way a guide i've used several times over there felt i'd have no problem. good thing i had a long time freind along who is also an adventurer like myself. my gudes wife was impressed we made it to say the least. have made lots of trips since. the hoh,skykomish,cowlitz,green,snohomish to name a few. like the guys say take it to the lake first, and work on the turns. hoh is good at 2000cfm and below down to 900cfm. sky is a good float. cowlitz you must deal with the sleds but it's a peice of cake have done it in the dark. green(dawamish) is ok in the spring. snohomish plan on ROWING. love to hook up and share shuttle.

griz59, thanks for the info. When a get some skill and confidence in my rowing technique then we should definately hook up and share a shuttle. Will post when ready. Have not had a chance to get out this weekend. Too much yard work.

Finally was able to get the bottom of my boat wet today. Launched it at a local lake and took the kids fishing. It was a blast. My 6 year old caught three trout and my 3 year old caught two. They were so excited. I got the feel of rowing it and got a good work out as the wind decided to blow the entire time we were there. Would post some pics of the kids fish, but I have not figured out how yet. Looking forward to getting out on a river now.