I'm a rookie drift boater, I've had my boat for just over a year now. I've stuck mainly to the Cowlitz and the Kalama, aside from a trip down the Hump and a trip down the Satsop. I have been cautious fishing new rivers because the Hump gave me quite the scare last year after the floods.

I have been reading the recent reports on all of the boats that went down this weekend, and they are all alarming.

I can say that the single best piece of information that I have gotten from this board was a post last year with pictures of the sweeper on the Satsop.

The second best being info on the boat chute on the Hump(it still scared the **** out of me), and the distance to Reynvanns

I understand the value of learning through experience when it comes to when and where to catch fish.... I can appreciate why some members don't like to post a lot of information, I tend to be a little tight lipped myself.

I will say that I commend anyone who takes the time to post information on the internet that could save someone's life. I read in a post the idea of making signs for rookies at the launches, and the value of the locals sharing information. Kudos.

I appreciate any of you seasoned veterans taking a step back in time an remembering what it was like when you first started and making us rookies aware of what could be a "potential" hazard. Quality directions regarding trouble spots, i.e. "2 miles above.... Stay left at... Carbody Hole...."

I also read quite often about the value of Following someone who knows the water.... Or taking a guided trip(a little spendy for me, I've got the boat payment you know...)

I would like to offer myself up as a rookie in need of guidance.... If you are truly a seasoned DB vet(no BS please) and are interested in a day in the front of someone else's boat, pm me. I'll take you fishing somewhere you've been and I haven't. If things get hairy, we'll put you on the oars. I fish nearly every weekend, and have some flexibility during the week.

Again, keep posting the details you might save my life. I'm going to float these river at one point, your experience makes me just that much more informed.

Thank You ahead of time.

Brian

Brian, that is a very good post, hope some take you up on it. I myself am the skipper of Salt water, and you could follow me out across the bar anytime, as long as you were in an able vessel. I am usually the guy up front when it comes to the driftboat though, have learned alot in that position, keeping an open eye out for danger ahead.


Steve

With todays gas prices, if you were to offer a fill-up both ways and a case of good beer I might take you up on the offer.

You made some very good points. I think it is really helpful that the reports of accidents contiune to be posted on this board. It also helps when details of how or why the accident occurred are included. We should all learn from the misfortune/mistake of others. One tip I can give you,if you are the man on the oars, always give yourself enough time to set up when coming to a tough area of the river. Don't worry about the last cast etc..

B-12, you've made some great points, and a valid request. I hope you get some takers. I've been running a drift boat for 6 years. I don't get out often enough (2 young kids) to call myself anything more than a novice. There are spots like the lower Duc where I've been at least five times with guides that I still question my skill level to row. Therefore I choose not to row it myself. Just too many variables. Too easy to get killed. There are plenty of easier rivers to row. As Coho pointed out in another post, there are the new "overnight" hazards that no-one knows about. I can understand why some choose not to share information on the dangers of some floats. I agree with their mentalility. If you're dumb enough to go to an unfamiliar river, with limited rowing skills, you probably deserve to lose a boat. This is something we all take inherent risk with. The skills to row some of these waters is not to be taken lightly, it is a life and death chance you take. Be smart, go with someone who knows first, ask around before you go by yourself. Know your limits. Be safe. Good luck!

Practice,Practice,Practice.Then hire a guide to learn a certain drift or river.Back when I was starting to row we didn't have the internet to bail us out of certain drifts or rivers or river levels.The best way to learn is on the job training or hiring a guide to learn.I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars on gas,hotels,food and guides to either learn a river or to learn that the river was blown out.The internet has it's good points and is valuable as far as letting people know of danger or possible death.Still the bottom line is get out and explore on your own and it may take a little coin to get to where you may want to be some day.After the money I've spent all these years it's hard to let all the cat's out of the bag on this site or other sites.Except on danger or possible death situations.Good luck to all and don't be to proud to walk a boat around something,I've done it and some times will still do it.I'm no pro but no novice either.Be safe out there.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

B-12, I'm like you. I also have much respect for any rivers, even the ones I know for sure.
I hope a veteran like Queetsqueef will hook up with you to show you a new gentle lovely float!

Kyle, Thanks for your golden advise of DB safety!

This sort of great information is why this board is my favorite!