on how to handle it, have never used a drift boat or rowed one. Another problem is that i JUST had shoulder surgery and will only be able to read about how this is done until released from the doc. Any god books, resources out there that i can delve into, Thanks, Smellsfishy.........

Sorry about the typos, but am still taking meds from the surgery....

Some good information is here. http://clackacraft.com/rowingDriftBoat.htm

http://www.fishinglines.com/videostore/htmls/driftboat_fishing.html

Start by rowing in a lake, then pick a run on an easy river with someone who owns their own boat. Trade off in sections of the river.

A few suggestions for you to always keep in mind.

1. Point the bow where you don't want to go, meaning danger, and row away from it.

2. Don't anchor in fast water.

3. Walking your boat down a bad section of river does not make you less of a man, or fisherman.

4. After a while, invite other rowers on trips with you in your boat, go on trips with others in theirs. This way you will get more fishing time, and so will they, plus you will learn to row a number of different types of boats. Wood, aluminum, and glass boats have slightly different handling characteristics. Catarafts are a whole other subject.

5. If your boat is wood, stay away from the rocks.

If you are in the Grays Harbor area, or want to fish a SW WA river, let me know. I learned two years ago and now have about 60 trips in my boat, and others, under my belt. I am in no way great, but I do my best to be safe. Time to pass it on.

One final thing, your boat handles a lot better after you get the first scratch on it and you fill it in with some fresh fish blood.

Have fun!

Check the local tackle shops or fly shops for videos. Amato Publishing probably has a video for it. I can't get their website to come up now. Maybe look in the back of STS.
The best option is to go with someone else who can show you the basics on the water.

Dogfish,

Thanks for all the input, now i have some reading to do and lots of trips to plan. Hope the shoulder heals up quick so that i can take full advantage of my new boat. Thanks guys............

Couple of other quick things.

1. Have a spare oar that is ready to use.

2. Have a 25' (minimum) bow line out, attached and ready to use.

3. No knots in your anchor line; if it releases in fast water, it is better to lose your anchor then to sink your boat.

Beezer

Great tips everyone, do you carry a spare oar, or do you have one in the rig? I do not ever remember seeing one when i have been in other drift boats...

Excuse the sarcasim, it won't do a lot of good in the rig if you need it floating down the river.

Occasionally people break an oar or pop one out. If that happens you really need the backup. Oars aren't that expensive for insurance they can't be beat.

Trust Beezer's experit recommendation.
Also, it's good to carry an extra oar lock in your boat just incase.

Go to a lake like some body said.When you feel you can do a river the Cowlitz is a big river that you can learn on Blue Cr to Mission is a good float. Yes you need a extra oar in the boat.Good luck and tight lines.

The books and videos available are ok. Nothing compares to time on the water. While you're shoulder is healing, consider hiring a guide. Take a trip with someone down the Sol Duc or Calawah, the more technical waters. Pay close attention to everything that the oarsman does. Ask questions, have them explain currents, back eddies, seams, etc. Everything you see on these two rivers will be duplicated, in a much less dramatic fashion, anywhere else you go.

Another good idea is to have an experienced oarsman sit in the front seat of your boat while you row. They can wave an arm showing you which oar you should hit for a while. You'll get the hang of it very quickly.

all good advice on all above, let me tell you what some old guy told me once . no matter what happens never stop rowing and nothing ever happens as fast as it may seem it does.

Another good idea is to follow another experienced oarsman down the river. It's not so much how hard or fast you can row but rather how you set the boat up/line it up for hole/slot in the rapids. Properly aligning your boat for the rapid is everything. This will come with experience as you get better at reading the water. My 2 cents.

Another good idea is to follow another experienced oarsman down the river. It's not so much how hard or fast you can row but rather how you set the boat up/line it up for hole/slot in the rapids. Properly aligning your boat for the rapid is everything. This will come with experience as you get better at reading the water. My 2 cents.

Wow lots of good stuff, some i never even thought of. Sounds like some of you have alot of time out on the rivers and behind those oars.Thanks....... Fishy................